The numerical representation of the mil instructor in the general pilot population is regrettably diminishing. Given our industry is (was?) expanding then we have to look at who is replacing these highly trained and experienced teachers?
The answer is that the bulk of training is now being conducted by TRI's. These are often (but not always) quality people who have been given a 5 day classroom course on teaching and learning and, hey presto, emerge as the definitive member of the instructor population in the commercial world. They are given a spell in the cockpit to get their ducks in a row and then what.......
......they get in the queue to do their IOS (how to work a simulator) course before joining the rapidly expanding band of SFI's. These 'unfortunates' will be shoved into the instructor's seat with little (or no!) preparation for the job of teaching from a seat behind the crew, without a set of controls and with only his or her voice to do the teaching. A completely different skill-set compared with the aircraft TRI yet no mandatory SFI course required to deliver those skills.
I echo NonPC-Plod in a plea for rigour. ATO's are working hard to deliver compliance but we are immersed in a tick-box culture reliant on good intend and honest endeavour at a time when the rewards awaiting the successful aviator are worth every penny of risk associated with lies, deceit, bribery and corruption.
It is no coincidence that the Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index Map
https://www.transparency.org/cpi2014/results is a pretty accurate reflection of the integrity of the world's pilot training and licensing systems. Look carefully - it's not funny.
G.