Some good discussion going on here and so far avoiding partisan opinions. Re the generation of FW pilots. This was a problem in the past for several reasons. Engines has mentioned some but in addition there was the issue of the RN relying on an RAF led training system, which, as a result of various SDRs was in decline. Add to this the internecine warfare that surrounded the drawdown of embarked aviation with the Harrier and the result was rapid decline in RN FW numbers.
It was at this stage that the RN approached the USN and asked for help. Basically the USN opened its training pipeline up to the RN (in return for a 3yr ROS in the AV8B or F18). Pipeline aircrew also went to Canada and (I think) France. The result is that the RN have a healthy cadre of FW aircrew with embarked, battle, experience which is feeding directly into the F35 programme.