Originally Posted by
vecvechookattack
Comparing a Civil Service post with a military post is fruitless. They are 2 completely different jobs, career paths etc etc. No X Factor for the Civilians. We get paid a shed load more than our civilian counterparts and quite rightly so.
Couldn't agree more VVCA, so why the system of equivalent ranks, when CS guys themselves agree that it is at the least inappropriate, and at times embarrassing? Presumably that is the intention of the scrupulous way in which a civilian is addressed as Colonel throughout a course when he keeps asking not to be! I see no problem if Mr X is placed in charge of a project, if he is the best qualified to be so, whatever his grade! The RAF certainly saw no problem in making me aircraft commander, the junior of the 3 officers, and the lowest paid of all 6 crew members! If it is merely a question of who is billeted where, then agree with your hosts the grades that go to the ORs, Sergeants' and Officers' Messes. What was an irritation in peacetime will fast become a running sore in war, if latter day Walter Mittys strut their stuff with assumed titles, while the rightful holders of those ranks do their duty in far off fields.