Talk:Commissioned officer

We really need a more internationalized rank table than the list of USN/USCG ranks I found. Building such lists is not trivial, as there isn't always a direct mapping between national ranks, and land/sea/naval ranks often differ within a country. Howard C. Berkowitz 23:39, 31 January 2009 (UTC)

Comments

What is the origin of the phrase? Is there a formal document? I have heard people speak of holding "the Queen's Commission"; is there a piece of parchment or a ceremony involved?

Some non-military organisations also have commissioned officers. My father was proud of having been commissioned twice, Canadian Army in WW II and RCMP later. Insignia for RCMP Superintendent are as for Lieutenant Colonel, crown & diamond. At least for Canadian Forces, the military officers recognised Mountie rank; for example, dad regularly visited a nearby Air Force officer's mess and was admitted without question where a civilian or Sergeant might not be.

Mountie officers sometimes make much of the fact that they have a far lower ratio of officers to other ranks than the Army. I have heard Coast Guard officers make similar comparisons to the Navy. I presume there is a rebuttal, but I have not heard that. Parkinson formulated his Law while studying the Royal Navy; does discussion of that belong here?

I heard a story some years back of a Canadian Wing Commander (commands a wing, above Squadron Leader, below Group Captain, roughly a light colonel) visiting Washington and, somewhat to his surprise, being treated with great respect and ceremony. Apparently at the time "Wing Commander" in US parlance was a high flag rank like General of the Army or Commander of the Fleet. Sandy Harris 04:19, 23 April 2011 (UTC)

I'm sure there's a formal document issued by the Queen, though whether it's on parchment is another question. Peter Jackson 10:14, 23 April 2011 (UTC)