I'm in Resettlement. I've not attained high rank, but I knew that would be the outcome of becoming SQEP in a number of off-piste areas (Acquisition/T&E) and shunning the ticket-punching route to high office. When I told Manning of my intention to leave I enquired why I'd boarded too low that year and was told I had "no USP". This was news having been told before that I was too specialised....Clearly the military is awash with Acquisition/T&E SQEP, if so, where are they? Those that were successful from my background had all carefully trodden the 'approved path', and had almost identical backgrounds/experience. You can't blame them for playing the game, and they are good blokes.
Now, I fully understand that there is a 'tariff system' in effect, but, and IMHO it's a biggie, given the historically tiny number of promotions currently occurring we are building in a layer of catastrophic 'group think' at SO1/OF5 level. People with essentially similar backgrounds, having punched the same 'high tarrif' posts, will perhaps struggle to think outside their own narrow 'swim lane'. The fanciful notion that 10mths at Shrivenham can paper over a gulf in knowledge is laughable when talking SQEP registered posts - you can't 'buy' or shortcut the E.
The RAF has recently relied heavily on a cadre of SQEP Flt Lts and Sqn Ldrs to provide the E to help Senior decision making - these are the very people now walking out of the door. To paraphrase Boyd, the "Do-ers" are leaving; what are the "Be-ers" going to do for SQEP advice in the future? Answer-we'll just pay extortionate contractor rates to "buy back" lost experience or believe anything that QQ tell us. The military need a blend of 'generalists' and 'specialists' to remain balanced and effective.