Useful

**Sixty** · 07-07-2009, 17:18

Originally Posted by right-grumpy

Staff Officer = Colonel and up

In which Army is this?

**donquixotedelamanche** · 11-07-2009, 16:07

Ummm... the answer is actually tricky...

Staff Officers form A, G, & Q and can be almost any rank, at any level within the hierarchy (technically).

However, the expression "Staff Officers" colloquially refers to Officers employed within a "Command Staff" and is generally applied as follows...

A military staff is a group of officers and enlisted personnel that provides a bi-directional flow of information between a commanding officer and subordinate military units.

Officers oversee staff sections, Senior Enlisted Personnel task personnel in the maintenance of tactical equipment and vehicles. Senior Analysts are tasked with the finalizing of reports, and enlisted personnel participate in the acquisition of information from subordinate staffs and units.

The purpose of a military staff is mainly that of providing accurate, timely information which by category represents information on which command decisions are based. The key application is that of decisions that effectively manage unit resources. While information flow toward the commander is a priority, information that is useful or contingent in nature is communicated to lower staffs and units.

This definition above, of course, means that CQMS / SQMS / BQMS etc along with others are technically Staff Officers, but;

Within the UK Army, the following definitions apply...

GSO1. General Staff Officer (1st Class). The chief of staff, graded a lieutenant colonel or colonel. He was in charge of the General Staff Branch, responsible for training, intelligence, planning operations and directing the battle as it progressed. Most orders from the GOC General Officer Commanding were actually written up and signed by the GSO1.[1]

GSO2. General Staff Officer (2nd Class). The deputy chief of staff, graded a major. He assisted the GSO1.

GSO3. General Staff Officer (3rd Class). Graded a captain. Usually responsible for intelligence.

Consequently, there is not (AFAIAA) a true definition which could be applied other than generically and incorrectly...

1) Officers (2Lt / Lt / Capt = Troop / Platoon / Battery Officers) The implementors of Tactics.
2) Field Officers (Maj / LtCol = Field Commanders) The Directors and Implementors of Tactics to satisfy the Strategy from above.
3) Staff Officers (Capt / Maj / LtCol / Col = General('s) Staff) Which actually means "The General's Staff" - i.e. his personal and key Advisors and Implementors of Strategy.
4) Generals (inc. FM although this now almost an Honoury Rank on retirement) which the Navy also would refer to as Flag Officers.

All three services Officers of this group get to fly pennants on their personal chariot

...but off course there are exceptions!

**Bugsy** · 11-07-2009, 16:14

There's something strange going on here. When I ticked "Field Offr" a box came up that said: "You lying bÃ¤stard, Bugsy!". :D :D :D

MsG

**RCT(V)** · 07-09-2009, 15:24

Originally Posted by in_the_cheapseats

And an explanation of the difference between field and officer splits you have put in.

Field to me means Maj and above (+ the Adjt) before General rank, starting at Brig.

Are you equating Field to mean Maj and Lt Col or are you meaning General Rank?

"in_the_cheapseats", your understanding is the same as mine.

However, I was happy to comply with the â€œGood_COâ€™sâ€ classification.

I ticked the â€œSnr Offr (to Col)â€, which is how I will henceforth describe myself . . . quoting the â€œGood COâ€ as authority !!

**elovabloke** · 07-09-2009, 15:29

Originally Posted by Good CO

So stop being so farkin' pedantic!

Thats why we get our Warrants

**Queensman** · 07-09-2009, 15:40

Originally Posted by Disco

Wheres the Warrants!!

Warrant Officers are Non Commissioned Officers!

**BevisRory** · 07-09-2009, 15:42

No Cadet option????

I'll be off!

**Queensman** · 07-09-2009, 15:44

Originally Posted by BevisRory

No Cadet option????

I'll be off!

Yes you better had be off, young man! You clown, have another look at the first option - then don't vote, because you're an Oxygen Tealeaf!

**iamalondoncrab** · 07-09-2009, 15:49

I'd just like to say that as a private, I resent being lumped with the O Cdts, and think we should have our own categories.

Not to be difficult or anything

**Queensman** · 08-09-2009, 08:42

Originally Posted by iamalondoncrab

I'd just like to say that as a private, I resent being lumped with the O Cdts, and think we should have our own categories.

Not to be difficult or anything

Officer Cadets are, or at least were in my day, Private soldiers. Paid as such and with an 8 figure number.