I suggest we follow the grand tradition of the North Korean military and add more ranks like Rear Admiral (Upper Half), Rear Admiral (Lower Half), Marshal, and that old chestnut, Generalissimo.

And if that is not enough, we can always add the rank of Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. I love the sound of that. I can totally see the regulars aiming to be Supreme Commander. Beats being a lowly 3-star Lieutenant-General, I tell you.

Some have suggested, rather unkindly, that the Senior Lieutenant-Colonel rank is like a 'Thank You for Participating' rank. I am sure it is not. The brochure says the two-and-a-half crabs are men who have been tapped for higher appointment.

In other words, instead of being a gone-case no-future henta kaki Lieutenant-Colonel, you are actually on the fast track to three-crabness.

And if the SAF thinks that this scheme does not help 'meet the requirements of the 3rd Generation SAF' and enhance careers, they can always go for more subdivisions like Lagi Senior Lieutenant-Colonel (two crabs and two braids), Master Senior Lieutenant-Colonel (two crabs and three braids), and Lieutenant-Colonel Mentor (two crabs, three braids, and a chilli underneath).