National Transportation Safety Board reviews

I get the impression that there has been some disagreement between senior managers on certain policies that have trickled down and are starting to affect the non-supervisors.

It's the government, so we're subject to all the current budgetary stupidity affecting everybody else, too. That isn't going to improve until Congress does, so don't hold your breath. Promotions aren't always based on managerial talent - laying low and keeping your nose clean works pretty well, as does avoiding making any controversial decisions. Because it is a small agency largely staffed by technical specialists, there isn't a lot of opportunity to move around.