What is an Officer Commanding?

Introduction The officer commanding (OC) is the commander of a sub-unit or minor unit (smaller than battalion size), principally used in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth. In other countries, the term commanding officer is applied to commanders of minor as well as major units. Background Normally an officer commanding is a company, squadron or battery… Read More

What is a Commanding Officer?

Introduction The commanding officer (CO) or sometimes, if the incumbent is a general officer, commanding general (CG), is the officer in command of a military unit. The CO has ultimate authority over the unit, and is usually given wide latitude to run the unit as they see fit, within the bounds of military law. In… Read More

What is a Caudillo?

Introduction A caudillo (old Spanish: cabdillo, from Latin capitellum, diminutive of caput “head”) is a type of personalist leader wielding military and political power. There is no precise definition of caudillo, which is often used interchangeably with “warlord” and “strongman”. The term is historically associated with Spain, and with Hispanic America after virtually all of… Read More

What is an Admiralissimo?

Introduction Admiralissimo is an informal title for a chief naval officer, usually implying supreme naval command. It does not correspond to any particular rank and is a naval equivalent of generalissimo. Brief History The history of this title is unknown but it may have an Italian origin like its army equivalent, generalissimo. List of Senior… Read More

What is a Generalissimo?

Introduction Generalissimo is a military rank of the highest degree, superior to field marshal and other five-star ranks in the states where they are used. Refer to Stars & Generals article and Admiralissimo. Usage The word generalissimo, an Italian term, is the absolute superlative of generale (‘general’) thus meaning “the highest-ranking of all generals”. The… Read More

What is a Military Junta?

Introduction A military junta is a government led by a committee of military leaders. The term junta means “meeting” or “committee” and originated in the national and local junta organised by the Spanish resistance to Napoleon’s invasion of Spain in 1808 (refer to Napoleonic Wars). The term is now used to refer to an authoritarian… Read More