Introduction The title of Knight Bachelor is the basic rank granted to a man who has been knighted by the monarch but not inducted as a member of one of the organised orders of chivalry; it is a part of the British honours system. Knights Bachelor are the most ancient sort of British knight (the… Read More
Introduction A knight banneret, sometimes known simply as banneret, was a medieval knight (“a commoner of rank”) who led a company of troops during time of war under his own banner (which was square-shaped, in contrast to the tapering standard or the pennon flown by the lower-ranking knights) and was eligible to bear supporters in… Read More
Introduction A battlefield promotion (or field promotion) is an advancement in military rank that occurs while deployed in combat. A standard field promotion is advancement from current rank to the next higher rank; a “jump-step” promotion allows the recipient to advance by two ranks. Refer to Tombstone Promotion. United Kingdom Rifleman Gigar Das was given… Read More
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 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
Boot Camp & Military Fitness Institute 