Military Terms - Aircraft of World War II

Njaco · 06-12-2008, 02:15 PM

I hate to admit this but after so many years reading and involved in history and war, I'm still not clear on a few things related. I'm sure I'll get guffaws but I've never come across what exactly are the differences or how many men constitue a ______ or why one over the other. The following three are the biggest confusion points for me. The funny thing is I know exactly the difference between squadrons, groups, geschwaders, etc but the others....well.

1. What is the difference in men between battalions, divisions, regiments, companies, etc? I've never figured this out.

2. What are the ranks in progression and what is the difference between a NCO and a Commissioned Officer? Is a Colonel over a Major or vice versa?

3. What are the sizes of warships and the difference between cruisers, destroyers, etc? Besides a Battleship being the largest part of the fleet hoe does it progress down and what is the importance of each ship within that fleet?

These are the top confusing items for me. I've never been in the military and my relatives have all been Air Force except my jarhead brother

(he understands!) I just never had a clue.

ToughOmbre · 06-12-2008, 03:07 PM

Njaco,

This diagram should help you with question number one.

The United States Army Operational Unit Diagram

TO

Thorlifter · 06-12-2008, 03:07 PM

Great questions Njaco. I know some of our ex military will have good answers.

magnocain · 06-12-2008, 03:10 PM

Biggest to smallest: Battleship, heavy cruiser, light cruiser, destroyer, destroyer escort, frigate, corvette, coastal attack craft.
Guns-----
Battleship-11-18 in
Cruisers-6-8 in---Shiping raiders
Destroyers- 3-6 in----escort the fleet
Frigate- 3in---escort
Corvette- 2-3in---escort/scout
Attack craft- mostly machine guns

I think I got most of it down.

ToughOmbre · 06-12-2008, 03:13 PM

Here's military ranks, officers and enlisted.

Enlisted Rank Insignias

Insignias - Officers Rank

TO

Njaco · 06-12-2008, 03:18 PM

Thanks TO! I've been too embarrassed to ask anyone before now and it was always a question I had. When I read that a battalion was thrown in against a regiment I could never understand in terms of men that meant. Thanks!!

ccheese · 06-12-2008, 03:29 PM

Now you know !!

Charles

Njaco · 06-12-2008, 07:30 PM

RabidAlien · 06-14-2008, 11:48 PM

Thanks, NJ! I've been wondering that myself, but always forget to ask whenever I'm on here. *g*

As for the NCO vs Officer question, an NCO is a "Non-Commissioned Officer", meaning he's in charge of a group of guys, but he's not the officer in charge. He's the leader that gets his hands dirty, and reports to the shiny officer so the shiny officer can report to HIS shiny officer, making the original shiny officer look good. In the Navy, anybody ranked E-4 or higher was an NCO. I think the same applies for Army, Marines, and Err Farce, but don't quote me on that.

Oh, and to add:

NAVY: "Never Again Volunteer Yourself"

ARMY: "Ain't Released from Momma Yet"

MARINES: "Morales Ain't Required, Intelligence Not Expected, Sir"

Err Farce: 'nuff said.

Maestro · 06-15-2008, 04:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToughOmbre

Here's military ranks, officers and enlisted.

Enlisted Rank Insignias

Insignias - Officers Rank

TO

Sheesh... And I thought that British ranks were f*cked up !

06-12-2008, 02:15 PM	#1
Njaco The Pop-Tart Whisperer Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: South Jersey, United States Posts: 10,237	Military Terms I hate to admit this but after so many years reading and involved in history and war, I'm still not clear on a few things related. I'm sure I'll get guffaws but I've never come across what exactly are the differences or how many men constitue a ______ or why one over the other. The following three are the biggest confusion points for me. The funny thing is I know exactly the difference between squadrons, groups, geschwaders, etc but the others....well. 1. What is the difference in men between battalions, divisions, regiments, companies, etc? I've never figured this out. 2. What are the ranks in progression and what is the difference between a NCO and a Commissioned Officer? Is a Colonel over a Major or vice versa? 3. What are the sizes of warships and the difference between cruisers, destroyers, etc? Besides a Battleship being the largest part of the fleet hoe does it progress down and what is the importance of each ship within that fleet? These are the top confusing items for me. I've never been in the military and my relatives have all been Air Force except my jarhead brother (he understands!) I just never had a clue. __________________ "If you can read this, thank a teacher. If it's English, thank a soldier!" http://www.njcacoa.org/

06-12-2008, 03:07 PM	#2
ToughOmbre Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jersey Shore Posts: 3,233	Njaco, This diagram should help you with question number one. The United States Army Operational Unit Diagram TO __________________ *“Let's get Enterprise* and Hornet turned into the wind."**

06-12-2008, 03:07 PM	#3
Thorlifter Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Dallas, Tx Posts: 4,346	Great questions Njaco. I know some of our ex military will have good answers. __________________

06-12-2008, 03:10 PM	#4
magnocain Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 394	Biggest to smallest: Battleship, heavy cruiser, light cruiser, destroyer, destroyer escort, frigate, corvette, coastal attack craft. Guns----- Battleship-11-18 in Cruisers-6-8 in---Shiping raiders Destroyers- 3-6 in----escort the fleet Frigate- 3in---escort Corvette- 2-3in---escort/scout Attack craft- mostly machine guns I think I got most of it down. __________________ Four hostile newspapers are more to be feared than a thousand bayonets. --Napoleon Bonaparte--

06-12-2008, 03:13 PM	#5
ToughOmbre Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jersey Shore Posts: 3,233	Here's military ranks, officers and enlisted. Enlisted Rank Insignias Insignias - Officers Rank TO __________________ *“Let's get Enterprise* and Hornet turned into the wind."**

06-12-2008, 03:18 PM	#6
Njaco The Pop-Tart Whisperer Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: South Jersey, United States Posts: 10,237	Thanks TO! I've been too embarrassed to ask anyone before now and it was always a question I had. When I read that a battalion was thrown in against a regiment I could never understand in terms of men that meant. Thanks!! __________________ "If you can read this, thank a teacher. If it's English, thank a soldier!" http://www.njcacoa.org/

06-12-2008, 03:29 PM	#7
ccheese Older Than Dirt Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Virginia Beach, Virginia Posts: 7,309	Now you know !! Charles __________________ I can only please one person per day. Today is not your day. Tomorrow doesn't look good either....

06-12-2008, 07:30 PM	#8
Njaco The Pop-Tart Whisperer Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: South Jersey, United States Posts: 10,237	__________________ "If you can read this, thank a teacher. If it's English, thank a soldier!" http://www.njcacoa.org/

06-14-2008, 11:48 PM	#9
RabidAlien Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Hurst, Texas Posts: 2,827	Thanks, NJ! I've been wondering that myself, but always forget to ask whenever I'm on here. g As for the NCO vs Officer question, an NCO is a "Non-Commissioned Officer", meaning he's in charge of a group of guys, but he's not the officer in charge. He's the leader that gets his hands dirty, and reports to the shiny officer so the shiny officer can report to HIS shiny officer, making the original shiny officer look good. In the Navy, anybody ranked E-4 or higher was an NCO. I think the same applies for Army, Marines, and Err Farce, but don't quote me on that. Oh, and to add: NAVY: "Never Again Volunteer Yourself" ARMY: "Ain't Released from Momma Yet" MARINES: "Morales Ain't Required, Intelligence Not Expected, Sir" Err Farce: 'nuff said. __________________ Pillage, then burn. Argue not with dragons, for thou art crunchy and go well on toast.

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