Re: They wonder...
"I like to make myself indispensible to the younger folks, it keeps me employed"
Spaghetti code and zero documentation, tried and true ;-)
"You need to be the lion using your big paws to guide the cubs while they make mistakes and figure things out."
Indeed, but the problem here isn't with the young blood in the technical team - it's with the clueless young blood (young only by capacity, not by age) infesting management.
I can handle a manager of any age not having the slightest idea about technical aspects, as long as they're willing to listen to those who know - but once they jump on their "I'm a manager, I know everything" saddle, I'm out.
More's the pity for these folks who didn't have the ability/desire/forethought to leave other avenues open for themselves; it's been MANY decades since corporations last placed any value on loyalty.