What is a Mustang Officer?

Introduction Mustang is a military slang term used in the United States Armed Forces to refer to a commissioned officer who began their career as an enlisted service member. Unlike other nations, a US Mustang Officer is not a temporary or brevet promotion (or “temporary gentleman”) but rather an earned Commission from the President of… Read More

What is Meant by ‘Rising from the Ranks’?

Introduction Rising from the ranks, through the ranks or commissioned from the ranks refers to enlisted soldiers being commissioned as officers. In class-conscious societies of the past, such as Britain during the Napoleonic Wars, for example, this was a relatively rare occurrence. Refer to Promotion and the UKs Potential Officer Development Programme (PODP). Revolutionary and… Read More

What is Military Rank?

Introduction Military ranks are a system of hierarchical relationships, within armed forces, police, intelligence agencies or other institutions organised along military lines. The military rank system defines dominance, authority, and responsibility in a military hierarchy. It incorporates the principles of exercising power and authority into the military chain of command – the succession of commanders… Read More

An Overview of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States

Introduction The Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States (MOLLUS), or simply the Loyal Legion is a United States patriotic order, organised 15 April 1865, by three veteran officers of the Army. The original membership was composed of members of the Army, Navy, or Marine Corps of the United States, who had… Read More

What is the Engineer Basic Officer Leader Course?

Introduction The Engineer Basic Officer Leader Course (EBOLC), formerly known as the Engineer Officer Basic Course (EOBC), is a training course for new commissioned officers selected for the United States Army Corps of Engineers. Outline It is run at the US Army Engineer School in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, United States and lasts nineteen weeks… Read More

A Brief Overview of the Basic Officer Leader Course

Introduction The Basic Officer Leader Course (BOLC) is a two-phased training course designed to commission officers and prepare them for service in the United States Army. Prospective officers complete Phase I (BOLC A) as either: before continuing on to BOLC B as Second Lieutenants (2LT). If BOLC B is not completed within two years of… Read More