There’s no getting away from it, the branch is in trouble. It has over the last decade or two suffered infighting at the high echelons, neglect and downright mismanagement. There are now SO2s and SO1s making policy decisions, who years ago, could organise an amazing Summer Ball or Christmas Draw but were frankly dangerous if left alone in Director, Tower or Approach. Please correct me if I’m wrong, but I cannot imagine the Pilot branch promoting to senior officer status personnel who were simply poor at their primary task.
I really fear for Mil ATC, it’s a matter of when, not if something big will bring everything into sharp focus. I just hope no one gets hurt.