Introduction A tombstone promotion is an advance in rank awarded at retirement. It is often an honorary promotion that does not include any corresponding increase in retired pay, whose only benefit is the right to be addressed by the higher rank and have it engraved on one’s tombstone. The term was originally coined to describe… Read More
Introduction The Finnish term Heimosodat (singular heimosota) refers to a series of armed conflicts and private military expeditions in 1918-1922 into areas of the former Russian Empire that bordered on Finland and were inhabited in large part by other Finnic peoples. The term has been translated into English as “Kindred Nations Wars”, “Wars for kindred… Read More
Introduction An acting rank is a designation that allows a soldier to assume a military rank – usually higher and usually temporary. They may assume that rank either with or without the pay and allowances appropriate to that grade, depending on the nature of the acting promotion. An acting officer may be ordered back to… Read More
Introduction A Brevet d’état-major (French) or Staf Brevet (Dutch), both literally “General Staff Brevet”, is a form of military distinction in France and Belgium which denotes that an officer has completed a course at a military academy. Not to be confused with Brevet rank. Outline A recipient is entitled to have breveté d’état-major (BEM) or… Read More
Introduction In the military, a brevet is a warrant that gives a commissioned officer a higher rank title as a reward, but which may not confer the authority and privileges of real rank. The promotion would be noted in the officer’s title (for example, “Bvt. Maj. Gen. Joshua L. Chamberlain” or “Bvt. Col. Arthur MacArthur”).… Read More
Introduction A military volunteer (or war volunteer) is a person who enlists in military service by free will, and is not a conscript, mercenary, or a foreign legionnaire. Volunteers sometimes enlist to fight in the armed forces of a foreign country, for example during the Spanish Civil War. Military volunteers are essential for the operation… Read More
Introduction The Filibuster War or Walker affair was a military conflict between filibustering multinational troops stationed in Nicaragua and a coalition of Central American armies. An American mercenary William Walker invaded Nicaragua in 1855 with a small private army. He seized control of the country by 1856, but was ousted the following year. Background Nicaragua’s… Read More
Boot Camp & Military Fitness Institute 