Generalize much? I didn't recommend turning flying over to enlisted. But as been already referenced here, the Army seems to have a pretty successful system in place that has worked for decades. We could try that model.

Actually up till last year the AF had a pretty good unofficial dual-track system for pilots--Majors. Most units I've been in had a few random pilots hanging round how didn't make O5. Solid pilots, experts, been around forever and consequently had seen everything there was to see. Continuity.

Wanna fly 20 years? Don't make O5. Seemed to work pretty good. Till they kicked out all the Majors last year anyway.

By the way, there are of course plenty of "talented folks" in the Air Force who aren't pilots or Dr's.