From Scrappy: Memoir of a US Fighter Pilot in Korea and Vietnam by Howard "Scrappy" Johnson and Ian A. O'Connor

Until 1978, each president or commander-in-chief Rat (CINC Rat), served for a year and then the next president was elected. Now each CINC starts as the Vice CINC, elected by members leading up to the odd-year reunions and serves for 2 years before becoming CINC. Our first two presidents were the founders themselves, Scrappy Johnson and Robin Olds. Another founder, Larry Pickett, served as Vice and later as the CINC from 1984 - 1986.