Rank bad form

It is common for ministers and bureaucrats to mix up the various military ranks, and the services have almost learnt to be blaseacute; about it all. However, a recent goof-up by National Security Advisor M K Narayanan caused some resentment in the Indian Air Force. At an IAF function, the NSA addressed Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh as 8220;Air Marshal8221;, which is a rank two notches below his official designation.