Hyphens in ranks

[greylin]

I have been trying to locate the definitive source for the correct spelling of ranks in the army - I specifically need to have it confirmed that hyphens are no longer used in ranks such as Lieutenant Colonel and Lance Corporal. I've perused JSP 101 and searched army.mod.uk and armynet.mod.uk but can't find the document I need.

I'm not in the army but am a civilian who has worked with the army for decades. I'm pretty sure I remember all the hyphens being dropped in the late 70s or early 80s. I'd be very grateful if somebody could confirm this and point me to the source I need (preferably online). Thank you!

 

[Wedge_not_Sapper]

I don't know about Lt Col but Lance Corporal was explained too me many moons ago as when written as L/Cpl, it was acting, when written LCpl it was substantive. Could be wrong, normally am, not seen the hyphen being used in the OR context though. Hope this helps.

 

[Private_Pike]

/ = forward slash
- = hyphen
pedantic mode off.

 

[greylin]

Lance Corporal was explained too me many moons ago as when written as L/Cpl, it was acting, when written LCpl it was substantive.

That's a separate issue, but an interesting one - as I understand it, all uses of forward slashes (or "obliques") in ranks are now also defunct.

So hyphens and/or obliques in ranks - right or wrong? Anyone got any official proof?

 

[CRmeansCeilingReached]

I don't know about Lt Col but Lance Corporal was explained too me many moons ago as when written as L/Cpl, it was acting, when written LCpl it was substantive. Could be wrong, normally am, not seen the hyphen being used in the OR context though. Hope this helps.

never heard of that. thought it was just down to personal preference!

 

[greylin]

never heard of that. thought it was just down to personal preference!

Since when has anything in the Army been down to personal preference?

Come on all you spotters out there. Someone must know. I feel sure it's Major General rather than Major-General and SSgt rather than S/Sgt but I need PROOF!

 

[CRmeansCeilingReached]

qreylin, can't believe you joined arrse just to find this out. shame on you.

arrse is for goatshagging, wife-mocking and other forms of hilarity. not sensible things.

i hope you buck your ideas up.

 

[greylin]

arrse is for [...] wife-mocking [...] not sensible things.

You'd like to know, though wouldn't you. Go on, admit it ... I can tell from your hyphen ...

 

[CRmeansCeilingReached]

huh?

 

[Wedge_not_Sapper]

/ = forward slash
- = hyphen
pedantic mode off.

Pedantic Mong on!

Really, Fascinating! Thought I might add something that may help his research, you however contibuted nothing, well done you!!

Pedantic Mong off

 

[in_the_cheapseats]

Hyphons are not used in UK rank abbreviation. You probably won't even find anything relating to them. I haven't seen or used them used in my time in (nearly two decades - enough to know, I'd hope) and folk don't even refer to their use anymore.

The doc to reference is in the EBB and is found at

Doctrine/Land handbooks/Acronyms, Abbreviations, Glossary of Terms and Symbology. This, the gospel, is compliant with NATO speak but includes UK rank abbreviations it also.

The only time I have seen hyphons used when refering to the rank is in NATO speak as a grade equivalent and then only in written documentation to give an international comparative when setting a grade for a job.

Pte = OR-1
RSM = OR-9
2Lt = OF-1
Lt Col = OF-5
Brig = OF-7
etc

The Yanks, of course, do things a little differently, dropping the F but keeping the hyphon.

Hope this helps


Edited to add that I know I'm really sad....I just like doctrine. Off to put myself out of my misery

Edited once for mong finger spelling

 

[Badger_Heed]

Come on all you spotters out there. Someone must know. I feel sure it's Major General rather than Major-General and SSgt rather than S/Sgt but I need PROOF!

Is it not proof enough that serving soldiers are giving you the answers?

WO2(no hyphen) Badger_Heed

 

[oldbaldy]

Come on all you spotters out there. Someone must know. I feel sure it's Major General rather than Major-General and SSgt rather than S/Sgt but I need PROOF!

Is it not proof enough that serving soldiers are giving you the answers?

WO2(no hyphen) Badger_Heed

Ah! but remember when a WO2 was a WOII.

 

[greylin]

Is it not proof enough that serving soldiers are giving you the answers?

I'm very grateful for the views of serving soldiers but I need the primary source.

 

[greylin]

huh?

Never mind, it was just something light-hearted about the way you (correctly) hyphenated wife-mocking.

 

[greylin]

The doc to reference is in the EEB and is found at

Doctrine/Land handbooks/Acronyms, Abbreviations, Glossary of Terms and Symbology. This, the gospel, is compliant with NATO speak but includes UK rank abbreviations it also.

Thank you!

Edited to add that I know I'm really sad....I just like doctrine. Off to put myself out of my misery

That makes two of us then.

 

[LARD]

This rings a bell. I did CAA B1 in 1982 at Deepcut and I am sure that we had much toing-and-froing at this (boring!) subject. I'll try and find my course notes (strange and sad what sh!te one keeps) and get back to you.

LARDICUS MAXUS

 

[stinker]

Pte
LCpl
Cpl
Sgt
SSgt
WO2
WO1
2Lt
Lt
Capt
Maj
LtCol
Col

Get the hint, no hyphens, no forward slashes from JSP 101 the now defunct version, new one is about much use as tits on fish (unless your a baby fish of course).

greylin - should be good enough for you now please stop before this thread turns abusive.

 

[greylin]

Get the hint

Thank you for the extensive list of acronyms - I do appreciate the effort you went to.

from JSP 101 the now defunct version, new one is about much use as tits on fish

In some respects, I agree - but there is also some great advice in there about things like being tactful and diplomatic. Worth a read.

 

[Praetorian]

qreylin, can't believe you joined arrse just to find this out. shame on you.

arrse is for goatshagging, wife-mocking and other forms of hilarity. not sensible things.

i hope you buck your ideas up.

You forgot about child abuse and rape.