Specaircrew...fixed yer post mate
I think it's more important to retain your aircrew position on retirement. After all it wouldn't do to be mistaken for a Navigator, or even worse an AEO ;-)
As the Op...could not care less one way or the other. Other than banter and pension, my military life has very little connection to my civilian life. I did 27 wonderful years with so many awesome people (Specaircrew was one of them
). But when its over, its over. look forwards not back. On the other hand if some folk want to hang on to the rank, crack on.
I doubt trivia like this alters public perception one iota.