Back in the day before the '64 trade structure, the list one, technical trades wore their stripes inverted, chief techs with a crown above, their next rank being Master Technician, a Warrant officer technician, Following the '64 review they (the Chf techs) had their crowns removed and they then had to go through the Flt Sgt rank, they were mighty miffed. A Chf tech was at the top of his trade, IIRC Master Tech posts were few and far between and much coveted. It should also be remembered that there were technician ranks in most trade groups pre '64, I roomed with a J/T supplier in Cyprus in 1970, he'd had an "interesting" career. There was IR much resentment in most trades, I think the review in '64 succeeded in hacking off most ground trades, it seems to me that the tradition of cocking up ground trades is continuing.
PM
