Nobody has commented on my first point - why does it have to be an officer?
It does not, as well you know. Nor do pilots have to be officers (they are not in the army) or WSOPs Sergeants (they are not in the navy).
But here's the thing. The RAF has a system that works. Be a part of it.
I spent 27 years in the kipper fleet, watching said fleet wanting to be different (some might say "special") and it didn't end well.
Slightly more joined up approach might be the way forward this time, don't you agree?