In Jan 1964 I was commissioned as a Plt Off after 7 years in the ranks.Three months later a new QR introduced a provision to grant half of non commissioned time as seniority subject to a back dating no earlier than an individuals 21st birthday. Consequently I became an immediate Fg Off. In addition a minimum time of 2 years commissioned service from your actual date of commissioning was applied and, if you had passed the "B" promotion exam, you were immediately promoted to Flt Lt. In my case (and many others) our seniority as Flt Lt was 1 Apr 66 (the significance of the date was not lost on anyone).
Thereafter further promotion followed the normal path but I was aquainted with some ex-rankers who went from airman service to Sqn Ldr in 8 years.
Last edited by Fixed Cross; 21st Mar 2017 at 10:42.