As CM says, dilution is a significant factor. Decades ago it was still significant.
The V-Force nav radar specialization was manned almost exclusively by ex-Lincoln, ex-Canberra navs and with several tours. Almost overnight these specialists who had completed the NBS long course were replaced by short course first tourists. On our sqn the choice for radar leader fell on a first tour nav ex-accounts officer.
The same thing happened on my second sqn where, IIRC, there were only 2 of us not first tourists.
The same was true of copilots where the recruiting poster of the time was "You can be a flt lt and captain a V-bomber by age 23."
Then the pendulum swung and we had a sudden influx of 50 year olds to give a depth of experience. Of course that did n t work, 50 year old, married, 2 kids, do t hang around crew rooms talking to kids, nor do they get started at happy hour (unless they are well into the gravy). Drinks regularly a n d unwisely
