This discussion is worth a quick scan through:

An Officer Corps That Can’t Score - Corvette Forum

A couple of comments:

Originally Posted by VetVetter
One thing he doesn't mention is that is very significant is that a volunteer army is very susceptible to reflecting too much of its societies civilian fabric core. I've always thought that a detriment to a true fighting force .... either you are a fighter .. or you are not. No in between.

Originally Posted by HOTXFIL
Well, I'm a retired Air Force O-5. 23 years in, retired in December 2010. Combat pilot, not a paper-pusher. Career flyer, 6+ years in ACC, 13+ in AFSOC. One tour on the ACC staff. I can't speak to the service academy parts, but I did see a LOT in this that had me nodding in the affirmative.

Originally Posted by Rule292
It's no longer a military bred to fight and win, it's a social experiment in equality and diversity.