I was in the RCAF in the 60s. My ranks were AC2, AC1, LAC, F/C, O/C, P/O, F/O an Lt. I.e. Aircraftsman second class, Aircraftsman first class, Leading aircraftsman, Flight Cadet, Officer Cadet , Pilot Officer, Flying Officer, and finally Lieutenant.
Yeah it used to be the old RAF ranks. Back when master Corporal was Flight Corporal, warrant officer was flight sergeant and aviators were aircraftsmen
Why aren't officers below Air Commodore given the same Respect and Distinction by Insignia as their counterparts in the other branches of service?? I.E St. Edwards Crown for Major but a collection of confusing and unimpressive looking bands for Wing Commander or Group Captain?!?
@sleeque6809 There was never a rank called Master Corporal in the pre-unification RCAF. Flight Corporal is a rank in the Royal Canadian Air Cadets and was only introduced about a decade ago.
Until about 15 years ago the RCAF had been lost to dust of history after the great disaster called unification. So slowly after 35 or so years they began an attempt to pull unified forces if not totally apart as far as possible. All 3 services had already gone back to their environmental uniforms but the rank were still the ones used under unification. So slowly the three services where given their old historic names back. RCN, RCAF and CA. In fact the army's officers all changed their rank insignias back to the old British ones. About 37 seconds later the generals being unable to understand how to memorize the old insignias suddenly went back to the unified general insignias. there reason....get ready. They thought other services would not recognized them as Canadian despite the fact that Canada is already on their shoulders. What children. So the RCAF, not be out done retain the now old stripes on their uniforms but kept the unified titles to keep in step with USAF (funny there was never a problem from 1941 until 1968) so now we have a unique situation. basically it goes like this . "Only the RCAF doesn't use RCAF officer rank titles"....God Bless the administrative and support staffs. I see they have also gone political correct on the junior ranks as well. They are now gender neutral as aviators. Only problem is technically an aviator is a pilot. The RCN change seaman to simple sailor. Grow up ladies and gentlemen.
I believe all the rank codes are incorrect. We start at OR-1 Aviator (Recruit), which is held during Basic Training. Upon gradiation they become Aviator (Basic) which os OR-2. This means every rank should be shifted up.
Again, so disappointed that the Officer Rank Insignias below General are shown such disrespect by not even afforded the dignity of distinction given to those of equal rank in the other branches of service!
The practice of identifying commissioned officers as "officers" should be discontinued. There are other officers in the military as well: non-commissioned officers and petty officers.
Really I mean really! for hundreds of years it has never been an issue in any military service. Rank structures and insignias are fairly easy to understand. But just to put you an easy Canada calls their NCOs NCMs. What next? Can't call the Sgt/maj sir anymore? If you think calling different ranks sir is confusing or difficult try and figure out one of the Household Cavalry Regiments. One doesn't us the title of sergeant. Instead its corporal. As in Cpl/maj
@@michaelb9529 The point I'm making, and maybe I "worded it" wrong, is... Call commissioned officers "commissioned officers", not just "officers". And yes, I'm aware how Canada identifies all of the their enlisted members.
@@jayeallen6668 Doesnt make sense. They are called commissioned officers but that is general statement. Day to day they are referred to by their rank or sir. commissioned by HM.. Warrant Officers not commissioned but warranted, normally called warrant. etc
@@michaelb9529 Apparently I'm having trouble making myself understood... In most military organizations, from what I know, commissioned officers aren't the only kinds of officers in a military organization There's also Noncomissioned, Petty and Warrant officers. But when the term "officer in the military" is used, it's implied that the officer is commissioned. I'm just saying-what about the other military officers? I was an NCO in the US Army. A status I earned...I was also an officer.
@@jayeallen6668 No you were not a commissioned officer. you ere an NCO. HUGE difference. I guess it just really comes down to if you can deal with it of know the difference you shouldn't be in the organization. Its all really quite simple
Bring back pre-unification ranks for all three services. Thanks to Paul Hellyer, the Minister of Defence in 1968 who championed integration and unification, to advance his own political agenda. It like unfication failed miserably.
I was in the RCAF in the 60s. My ranks were AC2, AC1, LAC, F/C, O/C, P/O, F/O an Lt. I.e. Aircraftsman second class, Aircraftsman first class, Leading aircraftsman, Flight Cadet, Officer Cadet , Pilot Officer, Flying Officer, and finally Lieutenant.
Yeah it used to be the old RAF ranks. Back when master Corporal was Flight Corporal, warrant officer was flight sergeant and aviators were aircraftsmen
Why aren't officers below Air Commodore given the same Respect and Distinction by Insignia as their counterparts in the other branches of service?? I.E St. Edwards Crown for Major but a collection of confusing and unimpressive looking bands for Wing Commander or Group Captain?!?
@@garryhalliday9186 Nope. The RCAF changed its rank names around 1967.
@sleeque6809 There was never a rank called Master Corporal in the pre-unification RCAF. Flight Corporal is a rank in the Royal Canadian Air Cadets and was only introduced about a decade ago.
Interested how the RCAF ranks are more like the USAF than the RAF.
Until about 15 years ago the RCAF had been lost to dust of history after the great disaster called unification. So slowly after 35 or so years they began an attempt to pull unified forces if not totally apart as far as possible. All 3 services had already gone back to their environmental uniforms but the rank were still the ones used under unification. So slowly the three services where given their old historic names back. RCN, RCAF and CA. In fact the army's officers all changed their rank insignias back to the old British ones. About 37 seconds later the generals being unable to understand how to memorize the old insignias suddenly went back to the unified general insignias. there reason....get ready. They thought other services would not recognized them as Canadian despite the fact that Canada is already on their shoulders. What children. So the RCAF, not be out done retain the now old stripes on their uniforms but kept the unified titles to keep in step with USAF (funny there was never a problem from 1941 until 1968) so now we have a unique situation. basically it goes like this . "Only the RCAF doesn't use RCAF officer rank titles"....God Bless the administrative and support staffs.
I see they have also gone political correct on the junior ranks as well. They are now gender neutral as aviators. Only problem is technically an aviator is a pilot. The RCN change seaman to simple sailor. Grow up ladies and gentlemen.
Remember the pre-unification officers designations,like Group Captain, Squadron Leader,Wing Commander,Air Marshal, Air Vice Marshal,Flight Lt., Flight Sgt.
One interesting difference between Officer Cadets in the RCAF and the RAF is that some of them in the RAF are commissioned.
So what is the purpose of being an officer cadet if not for the commission? You may as well be an enlisted man then.
There are some advantages. One is that you get to eat in the Officers' Mess where the food is better because they are cooking for fewer people.
I believe all the rank codes are incorrect. We start at OR-1 Aviator (Recruit), which is held during Basic Training. Upon gradiation they become Aviator (Basic) which os OR-2.
This means every rank should be shifted up.
If you check the official website for the ranks, the spot of OR-1 is held by both recruits and basics.
There is one more rank above CWO that is CCWO. The highest enlisted rank in the Canadian Forces.
CF CWO and, it is an appointment, not a rank
We Canadians have bragging rights to the degree of training, compared with RAF, USAF,……….
Again, so disappointed that the Officer Rank Insignias below General are shown such disrespect by not even afforded the dignity of distinction given to those of equal rank in the other branches of service!
The practice of identifying commissioned officers as "officers" should be discontinued. There are other officers in the military as well: non-commissioned officers and petty officers.
Really I mean really! for hundreds of years it has never been an issue in any military service. Rank structures and insignias are fairly easy to understand. But just to put you an easy Canada calls their NCOs NCMs. What next? Can't call the Sgt/maj sir anymore? If you think calling different ranks sir is confusing or difficult try and figure out one of the Household Cavalry Regiments. One doesn't us the title of sergeant. Instead its corporal. As in Cpl/maj
@@michaelb9529 The point I'm making, and maybe I "worded it" wrong, is... Call commissioned officers "commissioned officers", not just "officers". And yes, I'm aware how Canada identifies all of the their enlisted members.
@@jayeallen6668 Doesnt make sense. They are called commissioned officers but that is general statement. Day to day they are referred to by their rank or sir. commissioned by HM.. Warrant Officers not commissioned but warranted, normally called warrant. etc
@@michaelb9529 Apparently I'm having trouble making myself understood... In most military organizations, from what I know, commissioned officers aren't the only kinds of officers in a military organization There's also Noncomissioned, Petty and Warrant officers. But when the term "officer in the military" is used, it's implied that the officer is commissioned.
I'm just saying-what about the other military officers? I was an NCO in the US Army. A status I earned...I was also an officer.
@@jayeallen6668 No you were not a commissioned officer. you ere an NCO. HUGE difference. I guess it just really comes down to if you can deal with it of know the difference you shouldn't be in the organization. Its all really quite simple
Air Cadets all have similar ranks
Bring back pre-unification ranks for all three services. Thanks to Paul Hellyer, the Minister of Defence in 1968 who championed integration and unification, to advance his own political agenda. It like unfication failed miserably.
“Inverted” chevrons?
Yes. In heraldry, a chevron is point up.
First