In 1961 going through my advanced training on Vampires O/C GD suggested that I could be a Sergeant Pilot owing to my dismal OQs score, (wine women and song, etc.). I turned down this offer on a matter of personal pride as my father was an ex NCO pilot who had been commissioned. The Air Force being short of recruits, National Service had just been abolished, they were therefore forced to keep me on as an APO.
I should have taken it up. I would have been paid more, lower mess bills, looser women and I wouldn't have spent servitude as a V force co-pilot. When I left the service they couldn't care a damn what rank I was and judging by SFFP I would have got a better pension.
Such is life.