Original Message

You make a good point.

A military pilot who barely passes his commander ride and flies basic missions, is the same as a civilian pilot who flight instructs for one year, then flies tours for 3 years to get to 3000hrs. 

Yes, they can be empty hours that doesn't promote much learning.  Unless the pilot has some self discipline.

No matter the persons background you can have a pilot with a ton of hours that is worthless and a low time pilot that flies great and makes great decisions.

It depends on the persons and the mind set.