damn sure they are only too aware but has any SO actually spoken out and started a serious debate about it??
I don't think so....... they'll wait until they retire and then talk to the Beeb or the Torygraph saying what a disgrace it is................... Maybe we have to pay more money, maybe more flexible detachments but something has to be done.
I'm also sure it affects all the armed forces - but you can still march around with 10% less infantry in a battalion or you just trim the flying hours if you don't have enough airframe guys - on a ship there is a definite minimum crew and if you can't meet that it goes nowhere - like the T45's last year