Just out of curiosity, but do Branch Commissions still exist?
I left as a Chief Tech. in 1986 at my 22 year point but, about 4 years before I left, I was asked if I would like to consider a Branch Commission. The deal was that I had to stay until 55 with Flt/Lt as the ceiling. The chosen few sometimes made Sqn/Ldr.
I didn't follow it up as I planned to go anyway and being stuck with O i/c Radar Bay or a Sqn. J.Eng.O for 15 years didn't inspire me.