Those limits are nowhere more evident than the Pentagon. I feel sorry for the SESs and 1/2 stars there... they were promised so much and given the very definition of "middle management" for actual jobs. Those of us in the trenches at least still retain the fingertip sense for the workforce. There's no substitute for being able to feel the successes of those that work for you. Those in middle management that can pull it off are rapidly rotated out to bigger and better things so they can continue the climb. I've been privileged to work for one that is about to depart. I can only hope she returns in one of the three/four-star jobs later.