Subordinate officer
Encyclopedia
Subordinate officer is a term used in some armed forces
for a grade of officer above a non-commissioned officer
but still not actually commissioned, usually still in training. Such officers are treated for most intents and purposes as commissioned officers.
, subordinate officers as a group consist of the Army and Air Force ranks of Officer Cadet
(OCdt) and the Navy's Naval Cadet (NCdt); the French language
equivalents are Élève-officier (élof) and Aspirant de marine (aspm), respectively.
The subordinate officer's rank insignia is a single narrow strip of gold braid worn on the cuff of the Service Dress jacket, or on slip-on
s on the shoulders of other uniforms. Unlike that of commissioned officers, the peak of the service dress cap (if worn) is plain, identical to that of non-commissioned member
s (NCMs). However, cap badges and other accoutrements are those of commissioned officers which are different from those of NCMs.
Subordinate officers are addressed as "Sir" or "Ma'am" by non-commissioned members, and by rank and name by superior officers. As they do not hold commissions they are not required to be saluted. They may however hold positions of authority, either in an acting capacity or for training purposes, such as second-in-command of a platoon, under the close supervision of a superior officer.
, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve and Royal Naval Reserve
, subordinate officers included Acting Sub-Lieutenants, Midshipmen
and Naval Cadet
s, as well as Probationary Second Lieutenant
s of the Royal Marines
. They held their ranks by Admiralty Board orders. They were officers for the purposes of the Naval Discipline Act 1957
and the Queen's Regulations for the Royal Navy, and were entitled to be saluted and to be addressed as "Sir" by rating
s and addressed as "Mr" by superior officers. They also wore officer uniform, although with a smaller cap badge
until April 1927, when it was made the same size as that of commissioned officers. In 1972, all cadets became midshipmen when the rank of cadet was abolished.
From 1925, all masters, mates and engineers 1st and 2nd class of the Admiralty Yard Craft Service
held the courtesy status of subordinate officer.
Subordinate Officer was also the most junior rank in HM Prison Service. Until late 1922, it was divided into Divisions II and I. It is now simply called Prison Officer
.
Armed forces
The armed forces of a country are its government-sponsored defense, fighting forces, and organizations. They exist to further the foreign and domestic policies of their governing body, and to defend that body and the nation it represents from external aggressors. In some countries paramilitary...
for a grade of officer above a non-commissioned officer
Non-commissioned officer
A non-commissioned officer , called a sub-officer in some countries, is a military officer who has not been given a commission...
but still not actually commissioned, usually still in training. Such officers are treated for most intents and purposes as commissioned officers.
Canada
In the Canadian ForcesCanadian Forces
The Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."...
, subordinate officers as a group consist of the Army and Air Force ranks of Officer Cadet
Officer Cadet
Officer cadet is a rank held by military and merchant navy cadets during their training to become commissioned officers and merchant navy officers, respectively. The term officer trainee is used interchangeably in some countries...
(OCdt) and the Navy's Naval Cadet (NCdt); the French language
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
equivalents are Élève-officier (élof) and Aspirant de marine (aspm), respectively.
The subordinate officer's rank insignia is a single narrow strip of gold braid worn on the cuff of the Service Dress jacket, or on slip-on
Slip-on
A shoulder mark, also called a shoulder board, shoulder loop, shoulder slide, rank slide, slip on, epaulette sleeve, or an epaulette, is a flat cloth sleeve worn on the shoulder strap of a uniform. It may bear rank or other insignia...
s on the shoulders of other uniforms. Unlike that of commissioned officers, the peak of the service dress cap (if worn) is plain, identical to that of non-commissioned member
Non-commissioned member
A non-commissioned member , in the Canadian Forces, is defined in the Queen's Regulations and Orders as:"… any person, other than an officer, who is enrolled in, or who pursuant to law is attached or seconded otherwise than as an officer to, the Canadian Forces…" Thus, an NCM is any member who is...
s (NCMs). However, cap badges and other accoutrements are those of commissioned officers which are different from those of NCMs.
Subordinate officers are addressed as "Sir" or "Ma'am" by non-commissioned members, and by rank and name by superior officers. As they do not hold commissions they are not required to be saluted. They may however hold positions of authority, either in an acting capacity or for training purposes, such as second-in-command of a platoon, under the close supervision of a superior officer.
United Kingdom
In the Royal NavyRoyal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve and Royal Naval Reserve
Royal Naval Reserve
The Royal Naval Reserve is the volunteer reserve force of the Royal Navy in the United Kingdom. The present Royal Naval Reserve was formed in 1958 by merging the original Royal Naval Reserve and the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve , a reserve of civilian volunteers founded in 1903...
, subordinate officers included Acting Sub-Lieutenants, Midshipmen
Midshipman
A midshipman is an officer cadet, or a commissioned officer of the lowest rank, in the Royal Navy, United States Navy, and many Commonwealth navies. Commonwealth countries which use the rank include Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Kenya...
and Naval Cadet
Officer Cadet
Officer cadet is a rank held by military and merchant navy cadets during their training to become commissioned officers and merchant navy officers, respectively. The term officer trainee is used interchangeably in some countries...
s, as well as Probationary Second Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
s of the Royal Marines
Royal Marines
The Corps of Her Majesty's Royal Marines, commonly just referred to as the Royal Marines , are the marine corps and amphibious infantry of the United Kingdom and, along with the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary, form the Naval Service...
. They held their ranks by Admiralty Board orders. They were officers for the purposes of the Naval Discipline Act 1957
Naval Discipline Act 1957
The Naval Discipline Act 1957 was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom governing discipline in the Royal Navy. It governed courts martial and criminal penalties for crimes committed by officers and ratings of the Royal Navy...
and the Queen's Regulations for the Royal Navy, and were entitled to be saluted and to be addressed as "Sir" by rating
Naval rating
A Naval Rating is an enlisted member of a country's Navy, subordinate to Warrant Officers and Officers hence not conferred by commission or warrant...
s and addressed as "Mr" by superior officers. They also wore officer uniform, although with a smaller cap badge
Cap badge
A cap badge, also known as head badge or hat badge, is a badge worn on uniform headgear and distinguishes the wearer's nationality and/or organisation. The wearing of cap badges is a convention commonly found among military and police forces, as well as uniformed civilian groups such as the Boy...
until April 1927, when it was made the same size as that of commissioned officers. In 1972, all cadets became midshipmen when the rank of cadet was abolished.
From 1925, all masters, mates and engineers 1st and 2nd class of the Admiralty Yard Craft Service
Admiralty Yard Craft Service
The Admiralty Yard Craft Service was the civilian service which operated auxiliary vessels for the British Admiralty, mainly in HM Dockyards or the vicinity. It was renamed the Port Auxiliary Service between 1960 and 1962, and later the Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service after 1970.The service...
held the courtesy status of subordinate officer.
Subordinate Officer was also the most junior rank in HM Prison Service. Until late 1922, it was divided into Divisions II and I. It is now simply called Prison Officer
Prison officer
A prison officer , also referred to as a corrections officer , correctional officer , or detention officer , is a person charged with the responsibility of the supervision, safety and security of prisoners in a prison, jail, or similar form of secure...
.