The only thing I have ever seen rank do for anyone in the game is control the CV, as best I can tell there is no other advantage!
This is about the ONLY thing ranking is good for. If you are a lower rank, you can control a CV over a higher rank. Most of the time, this is a good thing. Otherwise, rank doesn't matter so long as you are enjoying the game for what it is, and nothing else. If you like to fight to the death, then go for it, if you like to land your kills or bomb runs, then good on you. If you like to run troops, then good on you, if you like the furball, then good on you.
My perspective is just this, play the game the way you like. If you kill me because I was engaged with someone else, and I die as a result of the pick, then shame on me for no SA. This happens to me often. In LW, I choose not to fly cannon planes most of the time. I try to better my aim. I know some guys that get accused of having "aimbot". Here is what is actually happening, most of those guys that have a seemingly remarkable shot take the time in the TA to mark their monitors. Called death dots. It helps get a quicker kill. I personally can't justify marking my $400 monitor, so I am "average" at best. Some of those guys have better ranking. But I can assure you that my squad, don't care about score or ranking.
Our philosohpy is that you play your game. In our squad, we play with and for eachother. How you are ranked is what it is. I agree that the scoring and ranking could be tweaked and I believe their are other threads regarding that very issue. But fo rnow, some will game the game for ranking or status. I personally don't care who is ranked and how they came to be that rank.
The bottom line is that rank only impacts who can control a CV, and nothing more.
My 2 cents!!!