I fell foul of the 1990 Options for Change cull. I was coming to the end of a 13 year stretch and was offered an extension to 22yrs (age 40). At the time I was a JNCO and "Q'd" on Harriers and Sea Kings, the seven year extension came with the caveat that I could not expect any promotion. Ummmm, let me think about........., where's the door? I left, retrained as a merchant marine engineer and continued my engineering odyssey elsewhere culminating in a Senior Superintendents post broadly comparable to that of OC Eng Wing.
Engineers, sons of Martha, will always play second fiddle to the captain but a ship could not sail without their input, skill, and team leadership. In my experience when the chips are down it is often the calm reassurance of the Chief that enables the captain to make the necessary decisions.
The amount of continuous professional development required to stay on top as an engineer is quite demanding and does warrant a little more respect. I'm surprised that this is not the case with the RAF seeing as the CAS is an engineer?