What was the Kalmar War (1611-1613)?

Introduction The Kalmar War (1611-1613) was a war between Denmark-Norway and Sweden. Though Denmark-Norway soon gained the upper hand, it was unable to defeat Sweden entirely. The Kalmar War was the last time Denmark-Norway successfully defended its dominium maris baltici against Sweden, and it also marked the increasing influence of the two countries in Baltic… Read More

What was the Torstenson War (1643-1645)?

Introduction The Torstenson War was fought between Sweden and Denmark-Norway from 1643 to 1645. The name derives from Swedish general Lennart Torstenson. Denmark had withdrawn from the Thirty Years’ War in the 1629 Treaty of Lübeck (1629). After its victories in the war, Sweden felt it had to attack Denmark-Norway due to its advantageous geographical… Read More

What is the Weighted Airman Promotion System?

Introduction The Weighted Airman Promotion System (WAPS) is a United States Air Force programme that determines promotions to the ranks of Staff Sergeant (SSgt, E-5) through Technical Sergeant (TSgt, E-6). It provides feedback score sheets to enlisted members considered for promotion, which help members to focus on specific professional development needs. Selections for promotion to… Read More

An Overview of Military Promotion-Demotion

This page brings together the various pages we have on military promotion and demotion, and includes the following pages: Acting Rank. Battlefield Promotion. Brevet Rank. Cashiering. Demotion. Frocking. Mustang Officer. Posthumous Promotion. Promotion (Rank). Reduction in Rank. Rising from the Ranks. Tombstone Promotion. Weighted Airman Promotion System (US Air Force).

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