21 replies to this topic

[yahweh70]

I'm not sure if anyone else is watching the David Jason doc about Battle of Britain?

Anyone noticed that they haven't given any ranks/titles to any of the folks on the show? Wing Comdr Tom Neil, DFC is just Tom Neil.. and no others get ranks or a thing..

As an aside, anyone else notice quite how Sir David is dwarfed by Wing Comdr Tom? LOL

[showmasters]

Count Fooku, on Sep 8 2010, 09:15 AM, said:

I think I'm right in saying that astronauts aren't given honorary military ranks. Most of the astronauts of the MGA era were serving military officers at the time of their selection and for the most part stayed on secondment with NASA from their respective branch of service.

I think I remember reading in Deke Slayton's biography that there was some initial concern amongst the Mercury astronauts that moving over to NASA could harm their prospects for promotion in the long term. I think the worry was that if Project Mercury hadn't worked out then they would find themselves back in the Navy, Air Force etc but would effectivley be one or two years behind their peers in the promotion stakes.

As for why Tom Stafford is referred to more often by his military rank than others are it's hard to know. I suppose it could be his wishes that he is billed as 'General' or maybe he just has that air about him as a person that people always feel compelled to call him 'General'.

i have worked with him and its that he "has that air about him" for real

i call him  'General' its best  

jason