Time in the ranks
Samuel, what were you doing for 10 years as an airman who never got promoted? The reality is there are fine Officers who were "never in the ranks", a term which I think is quaint. There are also many fine Officers who came from the ranks. Likewise, many non-Commissioned members are equally fine and contribute just as much as many Officers, more than some no doubt. Having been a serviceman for over 23 years and leaving as a Warrant Officer I think I can make a pretty good assessment of the relative merits of others. The military will not, indeed cannot, operate without the requisite number of all ranks and musterings. The "them and us" attitude held by too many does little for the good of the services. On another point, I did not know the RAF guys flew around in their aircraft "at the Queens expense". (Tankertrashnav) I always thought the taxpayers funded the armed services.