RTP guys have way better study habits than cadets do ironically. The military culture seems to use requiring obscene amounts of rote memorization as a way to weed people out. In terms of actual stick and rudder skill, I guess a minority of RTP guys had issues in the beginning but that's what happens when you have 300 hrs in airplanes. The ones I've flown with have average or better skills and excellent judgment/adm in my opinion. and it probably wasn't any better before the 1500 hr rule.

They do suck on the radio though. Just read back how you're getting to ALPHA then say "bridge route" guys.