I used my IMC rating nearly every day and I used it to its full extent. In fact within 10 days of completing the course I flew Cranfield to Exeter in IMC from 1500' outbound, dead reckoning for the middle section (weekend - no mil radar available and all radio aids out of range) then radar vectored ILS to minima after a speedy descent through an icing layer.
Puts hairs on your chest. Like most pilots I look back and wince at my lack of experience at the time. HOWEVER. *This* is how you acquire said experience.
WWW