Front Seater
As to the NCOs, certainly looks as though there is scope to explore the avenues for a transfer and apply for a commission - again not limited to rotary
Very true.
My son in law was a SSgt doing a very important job on helicopter electronics with the REME. The Army would neither promote him (30) nor commission him. He explored escape routes and is now a Sqn Ldr serving in JHC. The escape tunnel to a commission and promotion to senior rank took only 6 years.
With the switch to expeditionary warfare, and a temporary switch to air support, there is clearly scope for people used to Army ways.