Ranks: An Explanation of Substantive, Acting, Temporary Ranks
v.1.0 June 30, 2002
Miles Glorious is the nom-de-plume of a European defense enthusiast and writer.
Many ranks are appointed only temporarily, particularly in wartime. It is useful to discuss officer rank nomenclature giving one American and one British example. This helps when reading military and historical books.
General CusterThe famous “General” Custer was only a Lieutenant Colonel when died at the Little Big Horn. His ranks in the American Civil War, Brigadier General at Gettysburg and Major General at Appomatox Court House, were temporary.
In the course of the war, he went from the rank of Lieutenant to the rank of General, but at the end of the war reverted to Major’s rank.
Field Marshal Sir Francis Wogan Festing (1902-1976)
In April 1942, Sir Francis was a war substantive lieutenant colonel, temporary colonel and acting brigadier!
In November 19 42, he was substantive colonel and temporary major general.
In November 1944, he became a substantive major general.
In 1960, he was appointed an honorary Field Marshal.
· Rank. Is the official level in the military hierarchy, with appropriate pay and allowances.
· Substantive (Rank). Is the fully paid and confirmed (commissioned) permanent rank.
· War substantive (Rank) The holder may revert at the end of war to previous rank held
· Acting (Rank). The holder assumes the pay and allowances appropriate to the acting rank, but a higher commanding officer may revert him to previous rank held.
· Brevet (Rank). Is a temporary rank, often honorary, without the pay and allowances appropriate to the rank
· Local or Temporary (Rank). Is an unpaid rank, usually granted for a specific task operation or mission in a specific location or period.