I agree with John on this one. Maybe a serviceman has earned the rank while serving in the military but is that relevant in their later civilian life? It seems to be only the pretentious that think so.

In civilian flying schools I've come across instructors that insisted on "Colonel" and "Wing Commander". My first instructor had a more prestigious background than either of them but you would never hear that from him, only from those that knew him.

What is the pecking order in the civilian world? Does a Major outrank a Clerk grade 8 or vice versa?