Speaking from a reasonably well informed perspective, to have a credible and effective force there is a need to dovetail the strategic objectives of Government with the delivery end of the operation i.e. the Regiments (in AFM case) and their constituent parts.

Well educated and trained officers are required to fulfill both the upward-looking element of the staff and those charged with coordinating and enabling the force’s outputs.

Having trained with some of the officers in the spotlight, I am horrified at their treatment: yes, the British Army is downsizing and streamlining; it’s not pretty but it’s being done on a volunteer basis where possible, underpinned by meritocracy where required.

Treating well trained and dedicated professional officers in this way will drag the AFM back into the dark ages. Its recovery will only be possible by sound, democratic government with clearly stated, honest strategic objectives set out.

What a waste.

This should provide you with your answer:
http://www.afm.gov.mt/organisation?l=1

There’s a bunch of colonels and lieutenant colonels on HQ staff duties. Their job is commensurate to their rank only in terms of function.

In terms of the size of the force, it is perhaps overkill.

But where else would you put officers who’ve been in the service for twenty years?

Of course if we hadn’t opted for this silly independence it wouldn’t be a problem at all: anyone with the right skills and talent could find ample scope in the British Army.

Incidentally, even there, the hierarchical pyramid which had existed for years is being strained by the constant downsizing of the services, leaving too many officers.

Even allowing for the fact that the Armed Forces of Malta are a cross between an artillery regiment (that is why all officers wear spurs on their shoes when in ceremonial uniform) and an infantry regiment, the three regiments are hardly up to battalion strength.

The maritime squadron and the air wing are even smaller.

In most Commonwealth countries – but then Malta may be the exception – a lieutenant colonel is the OC of a battalion, with a colonel at regimental level or higher up (e.g. at HQ or Depot). So what do all these colonels and lieutenant colonels actually do? Is their job commensurate to their rank?