Zooker
You made very interesting comments about those who sail though the "academic" college process but cannot cope when in the OJT phase.
The answer might well be returning to something similar many moons ago when a few months were spent in the field after each rating phase to get a "taster" at a Unit.
I have heard similar stories in medicine when the baby doctors actually have to deal with real patients and simply cannot cope.
Probably personality has a lot to do with both occupations.
Call me old fashioned if you want, but quite simply, you need the osmosis to work; it cannot be rushed.