I'm also an ex "crabfat". On of my first experiences on leaving the RAF was an ex Chief Tech who told me in no uncertain terms, "I was a Chief Tech, you were a Corporal so you'd better do as I tell you as I out rank you."
My reply was that as I'd joined the company before him, he could go **** himself.
I'm also trying to convert BCAR licences to JAR 66 and the CAA are certainly vague as to what I need to do.