So it's about the same as a 10-12 years ago when my peer group was starting our shore tours, with a little more emphasis on the WTI.
I just looked at the bios of all the COs and XOs in the former Wing 2 (VP4, VP9, and VP47). One did Dallas. The other five all did disassociated tours (two of the five were flag aides). Zero did training officer tours. Hardly an overwhelming majority. Sure, they were all "patch wearers," but every wing guy and RAG guy should be a WTI.
Here's the thing that I don't get--earlier in the thread you (or maybe the other guy) said that they should give the flying jobs to the guys who don't want to make command, climb the ladder, etc. But why in the world would they give the "best" jobs to the people who have already made it known that they want out? It's not punitive--I made it known that I wanted out, so I didn't get to go get my WTI patch while I was in the squadron. Fair enough. The TRARON question is a better one--again, if they're chucking pilots while simultaneously needing pilots, well, that's an (unsurprising) level of insanity.
Also, guys, please stop comparing VP to VFA. I'm not commenting on the value, professionalism, or "coolness" of either community--but I will tell you, from mission to structure to training to deployment: They are not. at. all. the same.
I know this because I did a disassociated sea tour
Edit: Fun fact, VP-46's CO was my classmate in shooter school. Also, there are only 6 active VP squadrons now??