>> I've worked with RHCEs that didn't have much in the way of RHEL administrative chops

I don't understand how this is possible. Did you validate their RHCE at redhat.com? It's not a multiple choice test, it's real systems(not connected to the internet, no google for you), and you don't pass if you can't configure/repair them and the services required. The requirements aren't toy examples, they tend to be complicated and involving things you want to avoid due to difficulty. Most people(>50%) fail the exam, according to redhat's statistics.