There's also the issue that a number of the ranking witches are very young as a result of them not really being able to stay ranking, so there's a lot of turn around.

But now that won't happen, and while that'll surge witch numbers, it also means slower career progression once that settles out. Squadron leaders and so forth won't lose their magic after a year or two. I suspect some younger witches who expected to be leaders within, if not necessarily of, their squadrons will suddenly find that this isn't naturally the case.

Which may not be a bad thing, but I suspect a few may find their plans for the future if not derailed then at least slowed down.

"I was thinking I'd be squadron leader by 18, retired by 20 and married by 21. But now I'll be in service _forever_!?"

And other teenage drama.