CL,. .. .Here, here.. .. .You only really appreciate the nuances of operating in a mixed Officer/SNCO crew when you have actually done it. I have a lot to thank the SNCO's and Masters who took me under their wing as a junior shag on the Sqn. Leadership works both ways, as you say Flaps, and I hope I have been able to show the junior crewmen some of that same leadership.. .. .Many of the comments on this thread are remarkably similar to the sentiments amoung pilots and navs before the retention bonus was announced. Methinks the vocal opinion of Officer Aircrew may have in some way helped this bonus to come about. Yes you could bury your head in the sand and say 'AA dry your eyes', but I seem to remember the comment 'there isn't a nav retention problem;' and then there was! . .. .GB