Signalman (rank)

Signalman (rank)

Signalman is a military rank similar to that of Private (rank), but is used within units that specialize in communication. See Signaller for more about the roles of Signalmen.

United States Use

U.S. Navy

In the U.S. Navy, "signalman" (usually nicknamed "Flags" or "Skivie Waver") was a job field combining both visual communications, and advanced lookout skills. While there was certainly a Signalman rating before World War II (the Signalman rating is one of the oldest in the Navy), a specialized Signalman rating was established shortly after the war. Then, Signalmen were identified by the symbol of two crossed semaphore flags on the left sleeve of the uniform, integrated with their rank insignia. Signalmen were responsible for transmitting, receiving, encoding, decoding, and distributing messages obtained via the visual transmission systems of flag semaphore, visual morse code, and international flaghoist. The U.S. Navy disestablished the rating of Signalman in late 2003, reassigning visual communications duties to the Quartermaster rating. Signalmen were either absorbed into the Quartermaster rating, or allowed to switch to other job fields in the Navy. Many chose the Master-At-Arms field, which expanded dramatically to meet the needs of the Navy in the War on Terror. [http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=10500]

Australian Usage

Australian Army

In the Australian Army, a Signalman (or "sigs") is an Other Rank (OR) that specialises in varied forms of communication. All signalmen are part of the Royal Australian Corps of Signals. Signalmen have a worn rank of Private.

British Usage

British Army

The British Army used to use "Signalman" within Royal Corps of Signals, but this was replaced by the rank Signaller. Fact|date=February 2007


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Signalman — A Signalman is a person who historically gave signals using flags and light. In modern times the role of Signalmen has evolved and now usually uses electronic communication equipment. Signalmen usually work in rail transport networks or armed… …   Wikipedia

  • Private (rank) — A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank (equivalent to NATO Rank Grades OR 1 to OR 3 depending on the force served in). The term dates from the Middle Ages, where privates were known as private soldiers (a term still used in the United …   Wikipedia

  • Australian Army enlisted rank insignia — Like the British Army, the Australian Army does not use the term enlisted to describe its non commissioned ranks. Instead, personnel who are not Commissioned Officers are referred to as Other Ranks. These are soldiers, Non Commissioned Officers… …   Wikipedia

  • Leonard Baldy — Leonard Frank Baldy (February 15, 1927 ndash;May 2, 1960) was a Chicago Police Department officer who became the city s first helicopter traffic reporter. His sometimes comical look at Chicago s traffic problems made him a household name. His… …   Wikipedia

  • Quartermaster — refers to two different military occupations. In land armies, it is a term referring to a military individual, or unit, who specializes in supplying and provisioning troops. In naval usage, it means a navigator on a ship. The equivalent naval… …   Wikipedia

  • Platoon — A platoon is a military unit typically composed of two to four sections or squads and containing about 30 to 50 soldiers. Platoons are organised into a company, which typically consists of three, four or five platoons. A platoon is typically the… …   Wikipedia

  • Frank William Foster — Wing Commander Frank William Foster (April 10 1887, London mdash; March 5 1963, Reading). Although born in West London, he was brought up and educated in the village of Stockcross in Berkshire. He joined the Royal Navy in 1903 at the age of 16,… …   Wikipedia

  • Canadian Forces ranks and insignia — This is a table of the ranks and insignia of the Canadian Forces. As the Canadian Forces is officially bilingual, the French language ranks are presented following the English (in italics). Contents 1 Commander in Chief 2 Flag officer / General… …   Wikipedia

  • Signaller — For signallers in rail transport, see Signalman (rail). A US Army signaller (25Q) erecting a 30 meter mast antenna In the armed forces, a signaller or signaleer is a specialist soldier or seaman or airman responsible for military communications.… …   Wikipedia

  • South African military ranks — Contents 1 Army 1.1 Officers 1.2 Other ranks 2 Air Force 2.1 Officers …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”