Well, if the perception is that younger guys can't compete with the oldsters in innovative design why would anyone bother to get an engineering degree?
As I said, It's a Geriocracy....
Different companies, different products , different headhunter theories........... we lost a crap load of old skilled widget designers and builders when new operating company took over our widget works........
They flush engineers like turds in the first few months and brought in an almost dangerous level of expertise or lack there of !
Subject matter experts they ain’t !!!
Stay safe !
If you’re competent enough to make captain and get a job in engineering, you’re competent enough to take control of your own future.
Go into consulting. Or start a business outside of engineering. Complaining never solved anything and defense engineering isn’t a dream job if you’re not happy with your situation.