My personal thoughts:
1. Those (of all 3 Services) of 2 star rank, aspiring for 3 and 4 star will become loyal to the political requirements well before Joint and single Service patronage ("the Minister is always right").
2. HMG and especially HMT does not want a truly joined up HM Forces. Just think what would happen if all three Services (from top to the bottom) actually agreed on what capabilities (equipment procurement, organisation, and size) a future fighting force should be. The current (and historical) inter Service in fighting allows HMT to divide and conquer.
3. Jointery works not because of any political will, VSO direction or doctrine publications, but simply by those on the ground that work with what they have, to do the best that they can at the operational and tactical levels. When peoples lives are on the line, and you operate or lead a capability that can help, then regardless of the colour of your cloth you will try your damnedest to help. The realistic Joint training opportunities (for a Land Component led campaign) presented during the latter stages of HERRICK of MST/MRX/PDT helped educate all at the tactical level of what exactly we all bought to the party, and what the true 'Caps and Lims' were (not the bluff or pea cocking sometimes seen on PowerPoint briefs). Unless you truly are a 'one stop shop' deployable and cross component capability (like the USMC) then this will always be the case.
Last edited by MaroonMan4; 4th May 2014 at 11:45.