The rank is just a sweetie wrapper & doesn’t really mean anything these days.
I feel like the simple soloution here is to allow current post holders to apply for their post after the 8 years. Then if they are still the best choice, they can carry on.
It means those above them in the CoC don’t have the awkwardness of getting rid of people without terms, but still allows the best person to carry on in the job?
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i think internally yes - but externally i think it carries more “credit”.
externally whether dealing with the RAF/MOD or a veterans organisation, or someone else who has a little understanding of rank i think it counts for something.
people would rather deal with the person in charge first time and so dealing with “junior” officers* of Plt and Fg Off gives the “wrong” impression.
even my wife knows little of the ranks, but does know the Reds pilots are Flt lts with some Sqn Ldrs thrown in for good measure.
my point being, while rank internally means little, the perception it offers externally i think is more than “doesn’t mean anything”
*yes i am aware Flt Lt is a “junior Officer” rank
Should have said…
After 8 years it’s opened for applications but the current holder can apply to continue in the role.
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Spoilsport! I was all geared up to post that correction.
I have to agree, several years ago whilst on summer camp, I was driving 2 of our officers around doing various tasks. The Fg Off was sent into a section to enquire about a visit by a cadet with an interest in joining the RAF in that trade, he very soon came out telling us they were too busy. The Camp Comm (a Sqn Ldr) got out of the Sherpa and went in, not long after came back “get Cpl x here tomorrow for 0800 they’ll look after him, RHIP” the cadet in question actually spent the rest of the week on work experience there.
Was it the way the question had been asked, who was asked or the rank of the person asking it? We’ll never really know but a great result.
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Can confirm, it’s one of my main concerns with us defaulting to fg off generally when not holding such a post.
The baseline level in the RAF is flt lt and so that’s what people expect a sufficiently experienced person to hold (in the commissioned world).
Doesn’t remotely communicate the level of experience held by most and will absolutely lead to people being blown off. I got enough of that when I was a regular at that rank!
Edit: And it was absolutely worse whenever I was supporting a cadet camp either at my usual location or another station. Calling on behalf of the cadets compounded the issue.
When looking for some favours or help, I always made sure I called up a section and intriduced myself as Fg Off X from ATC. Usually got what I needed. Not my fault they usually thought it was Air Traffic Control 
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Biscuits …the world wide currency for getting favours! 
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ESPECIALLY for range wardens…
Back on topic. There is a case for new younger blood coming on. I held my post for 15 years but the time came when the role demanded a fresh injection of new ideas, new energy and up to date knowledge. My time was up and it was time to move on. I was offered an OC wing post at one stage but I didn’t want the commitment involved. Too many seem to hang on too long past their best before date and lack the energy required. Sometimes you just have to accept that which means perhaps a gentle push in the right direction.
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In an ideal world…yes.
Problem comes when this is applied to an organisation that is desperately short of staff.