Atlas, That's what you can CALL epaulettes! Superjob!!!!!!
We did quite a few MOD flights in the early '90's, and I used
to HATE any of the Air Force types addressing me as "SIR".
Just because we HAD to wear stripes and all that crap.
Told a few of them that I'd fill them in if they kept on doing it!
Word got round, and it reverted to "Mate" thank goodness!