Vortex_gen, a few points to your comment; Your point about the history behind SNCO aircrew is correct in that they would have better treatment if shot down etc. However, after consultation with an ex-ALM friend of mine (who incidently is now a stinking orifice pilot type) some valid points were raised about why SNCO aircrew are necessary. Firstly, you need some command authority when dealing with certain tasks, eg airdropping. I can't imagine 50 paras down the back of a herc paying much attention to an SAC barking orders at them! If you're an AEng, it helps when dealing with groundcrew etc. Also, unlike the Army where you get Q pay, the RAF pays according to rank. So in order to get the same people to do the job as SAC's, you'd have to re-organise the entire rank/pay structure. Plus, who wants to be an SAC when they can be a SGT?
Blacksheep-if you're going to start suggesting things like that, maybe we should start having jeans and T-shirt days on the Sqn, have an OIC flower arranging and have disabled access ramps up to the jets (helos if that's your game). Either it's a wind up, or you work for the European commission!!!
