NationStates Jolt Archive

If you could be in the military, what rank would you choose to be?? Why so? And what qualifications would you have? And what would your job be??

E-4 (Specialist), member of the Spec 4 Mafia.

don't know that much about the military, but i'd have to say General :)
i've always been pretty good at RTS games, and it would mean i get to say in some nice house/bunker a many miles behind the front line, drinking fine wines and eating cheese (and suchlike) :)

Lt. Colonel
US Marine Corps
Tank Battalion Commander

I'd choose to be a Lt. Colonel, cause you are high enough not to take orders from National Guard folk.. But you're not high enought to get out of a fight..

During my 3 years in the Marines (2001-2004) "Light Birds" where the best, they where career officers of 17+ years. And knew their stuff.

Commander-in-Chief.

The E-4 gets to go to the fun schools, is far enough down the chain of command to not really be responsible for anything, and is invisible to anyone political.

I had a lot of fun as an E-4 in the infantry.

I second Sdaeriji's choice, but failing that: Commodore.

For some reason, I just like that rank instead of the odious Rear Admiral Lower Half or Rear Admiral Upper Half. I'd be high enough to have a sea command if I wanted it and I might be low enough to avoid a desk job.

If I couldn't have Commodore, I'd settle for Rear Admiral Lower Half since that is sometimes referred to as Commodore these days.

Sergeant. Knows everything, likely has done everything, and knows how to get away with most things. I never made it past private, though: too twitchy.

Sergeant. Knows everything, likely has done everything, and knows how to get away with most things. I never made it past private, though: too twitchy.

It's best not to make Sergeant sometimes. Make E-5, and suddenly, you're visible.

Below that, you can be invisible.

I guess 'conscientious objector' doesn't really qualify as a rank, does it?

If you could be in the military, what rank would you choose to be?? Why so? And what qualifications would you have? And what would your job be??
Captain, 'cause that's what I were ... and still are, technically. I loved being a company commander. You still get intimately involved in tactics, but work through your lieutenants and the first sergeant.

Retired. I would not want to be in the military. (It does not fit my personality to obey orders.)

Retired. I would not want to be in the military. (It does not fit my personality to obey orders.)
Ditto!

When I was in I like being E-3

You have some pull in the grand scheme of things.. But nothing too great..

I mean you could lead a fire team, but that was about it.

Fire Team = 2-4 Marines

Heh, I could boss all of you around. :D

Heh, I could boss all of you around. :D
I would be invisible to you...

I would be invisible to you...

Not if you kept on telling me how invisible you were to me.

If I had my choise, I'd be a fighter pilot. Captain or Major, something like that... You get to fly a plane and use weapons! And not having to worry about commanding a squadron. Yay!

W-4. IE, Warrant Officer 4. Why? Because W-4 is the highest paying rank for what I wish to do. What I wish to do being flying helicopters. The comparable traditional rank would probaby be an O-4, ie a Major IIRC.

Heh, I could boss all of you around. :D
You could tell us what to do, but whether we'd get around to doing it... :D

You could tell us what to do, but whether we'd get around to doing it... :D

Ooh, disobeying a direct order, eh?

Ooh, disobeying a direct order, eh?
Which I've done many a time, and then just disappeared.

It's great to be in a tactical situation that allows you to tape over your name tag. No one knows who you are.

Ooh, disobeying a direct order, eh?
No, sir, just working to rule. ;)

I'd be a Colonel. No higher, no less.

Colonel, Navy Captain-Intelligence.

Lt. Colonel
US Marine Corps
Tank Battalion Commander

I'd choose to be a Lt. Colonel, cause you are high enough not to take orders from National Guard folk.. But you're not high enought to get out of a fight..

Problem here. If that Nation Guard person is a Colonel and your under his command, you have to follow his orders.

As for my rank, I think I would want to be a General but I won't be a general from the back, but from the front. I would lead my troops into battle, anytime, anywhere. I'm a good listener and I would listen to those that know the situation abit better than me and take what they say into consideration for attack.

Kapelmeister!

Not only is it always pre-1918, but I get to lead the band in the Radetzky March!

Oh sure, it's the Austrian military, but at least I get to serve the Empire that completed all of it's WW1 war aimes... (the only nation to do so!)

(And the frauleins dig musicians...) ;)

Problem here. If that Nation Guard person is a Colonel and your under his command, you have to follow his orders.

As for my rank, I think I would want to be a General but I won't be a general from the back, but from the front. I would lead my troops into battle, anytime, anywhere. I'm a good listener and I would listen to those that know the situation abit better than me and take what they say into consideration for attack.

If I'm a general, I'm leading from the rear. Why? Because if Private so-and-so gets killed, it doesn't cause chaos. I f the general gets killed, it causes chaos.

If I'm a general, I'm leading from the rear. Why? Because if Private so-and-so gets killed, it doesn't cause chaos. I f the general gets killed, it causes chaos.

Look at history. All the best Generals led from the front, not the rear.

Well, ideally I would like something that doesn't involve me getting shot at but similarly doesn't require me to do a whole lot-least of all anything important. Is there such a rank?

Failing that, probably a Fighter Pilot of some sort. Seems a tad safer somehow...but I don't particularly want to be involved in the military at all.

I was a Sergeant in the Artillery back home. It was a good rank, in Russia though it requires going ot a special school to be a sergeant usually.

I was a Sergeant in the Artillery back home. It was a good rank, in Russia though it requires going ot a special school to be a sergeant usually.

Sounds like the US's NCO Academy!

Whatever rank has the biggest salary and least danger.

Specialist.

Captain, Chaplain

I would have to most definitally be a Master Chief (Navy). Just because of the name, and I'm just cool like that.

I would be a private. Cannon fodder for me!

Look at history. All the best Generals led from the front, not the rear.
Yes, that's partly true (it's many, not all). However, on the other hand, so did a good portion of history's worst ones. A general should only get away with leading from the front if he really trusts his immediate subordinates to replace him well. Otherwise, stick him out back.

As for me, I'd probably be a short Colonel. General is nice, but I want to get my hands dirty without risking screwing everything up.
For enlisted, definately an E-4.

Sounds like the US's NCO Academy!
Sergeant's training courses are some, if not the most grueling non-special forces courses offerred by many militaries. In Canada, we had -- maybe still have, though it's hard to say with all the silly government policies and defence cuts -- a junior commander's course (for corporals) and a senior/sergeant's course. There was also a show on British television called "Battle Stripes" that followed a group of corporals trying for their sergeant stripes that was pretty interesting. A lot of hard physical and mental labour and a mountain of practical tests as well. Being an RSM would be nice, too, though it would feel a bit odd calling some 21 year old "sir."

Whatever rank has the biggest salary and least danger.
King.


Personally I would prefer captain, because it sounds so cool.

Oh captain, my captain!

King.


Personally I would prefer captain, because it sounds so cool.

Oh captain, my captain!


King?

I prefer..... Lord of All Beasts of the Earth and Fishes of the Sea and Conqueror of the British Empire in Africa in General and Uganda in Particular.

G-d Bless Idi Amin Dada...best title ever!

I guess 'conscientious objector' doesn't really qualify as a rank, does it?

does wuss count? if id does then i have a rank :(

I'd be the Rear Admiral :p
USN

Meh ... was honorably discharged at E-6 (Staff Sergeant - SSG) and I must say the honor and responsibility that went along with being an NCO for the United States Army is not one I would give up for anything.

Sergeant of my very own M1A2! BAM! BAM! BAM!

Or a gunner on a UH-60.

Or a Captain of an Aircraft Carrier. I just don't want to start as barrel boy...

Navy Captain. Give me a set of turbines!

KING.

The leader of the british army...when lizzy finally gets off her arse and lets charlie have a go!

I bet he feels like this :headbang: and really wants to do this :mp5:

Major General. So I could sing that funky song by Gilbert and Sullivan.

Captain ( senior grade ) for the Star Kindgom of Manticore, white beret ( line command rather than staff )

for to command a starship should be my last, best destiny to paraphrase a very wise Vulcan...

Major General. So I could sing that funky song by Gilbert and Sullivan.

That being I'm a very modern major general?

I had a lot of fun as an E-4 in the infantry.

Oh! Dunno if I've gotten around to you or not yet ...

Thank you for your service, WL. :)

That being I'm a very modern major general?

Actually I think it's called "I am the very model of a modern major general". But yes. :D

u.s.a delta force

Actually I think it's called "I am the very model of a modern major general". But yes. :D

Your right. LOL!! I do like that. They used that as the closing song in a Babylon 5 episode :D

Your right. LOL!! I do like that. They used that as the closing song in a Babylon 5 episode :D

Really? That's cool. I've never seen Babylon 5; I don't have a TV. But I have seen HMS Pinafore at the theatre. It's a good play.

Really? That's cool. I've never seen Babylon 5; I don't have a TV. But I have seen HMS Pinafore at the theatre. It's a good play.

Heard a small, very small part actually, of it on Star Trek: Insurrection

Heard a small, very small part actually, of it on Star Trek: Insurrection

Hehe, the things you learn from Scifi. I would have no idea about USAF ranks if it wasn't for Stargate.

Must log off now, early lectures tomorrow.

Hehe, the things you learn from Scifi. I would have no idea about USAF ranks if it wasn't for Stargate.

Must log off now, early lectures tomorrow.

Yea and kewl.

Telegram me if you want to talk or use one of the buttons under my name if you want to talk more.

Really? That's cool. I've never seen Babylon 5; I don't have a TV. But I have seen HMS Pinafore at the theatre. It's a good play.

I am the Very Model of a Modern Major General is actually from the "Pirates of Penzance", another Gilbert and Sullivan operreta

man I'm rusty with this stuff I don't know all the letter/number designations anymore. . .1st Lieutenant in an armored unit. Always wanted to be a tanker. Couldn't pass the medical check to join the Marines. I have Crohns disease. Real letdown.

I am the Very Model of a Modern Major General is actually from the "Pirates of Penzance", another Gilbert and Sullivan operreta

Seen that too. They all get muddled up in my mind though. It had ships and sailor dudes and singing. :p

I am the Very Model of a Modern Major General is actually from the "Pirates of Penzance", another Gilbert and Sullivan operretaPreferre the spoof... "The Pirate Movie" :D

Ships Captain, Give me the high seas anyday.

Platoon Sergeant, because that what I am. Infantry/Military Police. :D

Captain, 'cause that's what I were ... and still are, technically. I loved being a company commander. You still get intimately involved in tactics, but work through your lieutenants and the first sergeant.
That was the best time I had in the Marines. Senior Captains are experienced enough to get pretty good jobs, but they still blend in with all the other junior officers. In the Air Wing, there really isn't much rank between JOs.

Now for a really bullet-proof rank, pick CWO3 or 4. Those guys are untouchable.

Look at history. All the best Generals led from the front, not the rear.

Lord Wellington, Duke of Malborough, Robert. E Lee. This is naming just three, they didn't lead from the front, Wellington and Lee were too old when they were in their prime and Malborough had to hold an army of mainly mercenaries in check without having to lead the charge. Eisenhower didn't lead from the front either, and did Rommel or Von Rundstedt get stuck in? Hardly. Rommel was in Berlin when D-Day kicked off! He has a reputation as a brilliant general and so he was, but he wasnt the one laying down covering fire or storming a point. He was a few miles away in a staff car with some maps.

Lord Wellington, Duke of Malborough, Robert. E Lee. This is naming just three, they didn't lead from the front, Wellington and Lee were too old when they were in their prime and Malborough had to hold an army of mainly mercenaries in check without having to lead the charge. Eisenhower didn't lead from the front either, and did Rommel or Von Rundstedt get stuck in? Hardly. Rommel was in Berlin when D-Day kicked off! He has a reputation as a brilliant general and so he was, but he wasnt the one laying down covering fire or storming a point. He was a few miles away in a staff car with some maps.

Check your history again! Lee DID lead from the front line. He was right there at Gettysburg and alot of other major battles between the Army of the Potomic and the Confederate Army. I don't know much about British Generals but I do know that General Lord Cornwallis lead his troops at the front too during the Revolutionary War as did General Washington.

Led from the front as in fought? Did he actually fight? I think not, he had a select group of aides with him, not a fighting unit. The aides were there to deliver messages, the whole point of a general in modern warfare is that he doesn't fight. It was less important in the past as there was less in the way of tactics. From pretty much the advent of a 3 rounds a minute musket I can't imagine there being a wealth of fighting generals.

Major of course, not high enough to have to take much responsiblity, not low enough to be bossed around.

And of course you still get to fight...

Oh and Lord Cornwallies never led from the front, I don't know where you got that notion from, he was a Lord as a result he sat on a horse on a hill watching the battle, he never got stuck in.

Hell the guy couldn't even bring himself to surrender when he was trapped by the American and French forces, one of his aides did it for him.

Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps (USMC) or Major in la Legion Etrangere, but only if properly earned, which will never happen.
(For those who don't know, that is the highest NCO rank in the French Foreign Legion).

Either one would be a supurb honor.

Lord Wellington, Duke of Malborough, Robert. E Lee. This is naming just three, they didn't lead from the front, Wellington and Lee were too old when they were in their prime and Malborough had to hold an army of mainly mercenaries in check without having to lead the charge. Eisenhower didn't lead from the front either, and did Rommel or Von Rundstedt get stuck in? Hardly. Rommel was in Berlin when D-Day kicked off! He has a reputation as a brilliant general and so he was, but he wasnt the one laying down covering fire or storming a point. He was a few miles away in a staff car with some maps.
Actually at Waterloo Wellington rode from square to square urging his troops on whilst French cavalry were charging them, and almost died on several occasions. After the Old Guard broke he personally led the general advance also. In WWI, as much as people knock the generals, there was no point being at the front as the war was static, and if anything the Generals would know less about what's going on due to all the communications being shelled and such.

If you could be in the military, what rank would you choose to be?? Why so? And what qualifications would you have? And what would your job be??

II LT. USAF - Fighter Pilot, Because I am a pilot and the USAF has the best fighter jets. AFROTC educated.

If I could also choose the time-period then this is what I would want to be...

Colonel of a North Carolina or Massachusets regiment in the ca. mid 19th C. Graduated from West Point. As a leader I would be able to lead my men into battle and fight in the old way with a sword and six shooter and also hand to hand combat. I won't be sitting in some Pentagn office drinking coffee bombing some people thousands of miles away like some coward.

II LT. USAF - Fighter Pilot, Because I am a pilot and the USAF has the best fighter jets. AFROTC educated.

If I could also choose the time-period then this is what I would want to be...

Colonel of a North Carolina or Massachusets regiment in the ca. mid 19th C. Graduated from West Point. As a leader I would be able to lead my men into battle and fight in the old way with a sword and six shooter and also hand to hand combat. I won't be sitting in some Pentagn office drinking coffee bombing some people thousands of miles away like some coward.
But the Navy/Marine Corps has the best pilots.

But the Navy/Marine Corps has the best pilots.
Well, sign me up in the Navy! Maybe I'll get into OCS. :)

I be an A10 non-combatant medic. I'd have a very hard time killing someone and would probably only do it to protect the life of someone unable to defend themself.

Well, sign me up in the Navy! Maybe I'll get into OCS. :)
With a name like North Island, it's the only choice.

With a name like North Island, it's the only choice.Humor Me.

But the Navy/Marine Corps has the best pilots.

No they don't. The USAF does.

No they don't. The USAF does.
Do not. Sea Services win hands down. They do all the fun stuff that the Zoomies do, but they have to live under the runway.

A major general.

Because
I am the very model of a modern major general.

colonel

Air Kommadore [Insert name] Scourge of The Sea-Lions

Do not. Sea Services win hands down. They do all the fun stuff that the Zoomies do, but they have to live under the runway.

Nope. The Air Force is the best brance and can out do the sea services anytime.

Air force, navy.. Its the army that does the down and dirty fighting! Army Colonel (tanks...*drool*) all the way!

I want to be an admiral of the fleet. I quite fancy being Sir John!

Major. In an SR-71 Blackbird or a B-1B. The rank is high enough to tell people what to do (at least Squadron XO), and the planes rock.

Major. In an SR-71 Blackbird or a B-1B. The rank is high enough to tell people what to do (at least Squadron XO), and the planes rock.

B-1B Yes. It is an awesome bomber.

The SR-71 Blackbird has been retired for awhile now though NASA I think still flies them.

The SR-71 Blackbird has been retired for awhile now though NASA I think still flies them.

I know that, but it's still the coolest aircraft ever (just look at it, it looks like its from the future). I just want to go at Mach 3.

Colonel. USAF. My mind is good for on the second thoughts that save people in a combat group.

I think as a sir I could carry a sword around. Much better than actually having to fight!

If you could be in the military, what rank would you choose to be?? Why so? And what qualifications would you have? And what would your job be??

I don't know much about army ranks, but lieutenant of some sort of squad that I could fly a jet with missels over enemy lines and shoot down people! And that's coming from a GIRL :D

Preferably a Colonel or posibly a Capitain though I wouldn't mind Commander (I have a strange intrest in that rank...)

Captain, Engineering Company. I'm studying aerospace engineering, but the vast majority of it's applications are structural. Hence, I could be the bugger laying out pontoon bridges, throwing up revetments, laying down roads and doing other things that involve double entendres.

Either that, or wind up as a service and maintainance engineering officer on an airbase. The navy is out, since I don't like choppers and Australia doesn't have carriers anymore. Being on an airbase might be cool, but in a pre-emptive you'd be fucked, as they're the first targets. Anyone remember the Iraqi Air Force after the '91 war, the Argentinians in the Shetlands (the Shetland air strips were bombed, so they had to fly from the mainland, whereas the British harriers had a nearby carrier) or the Poles in WWII?

Either way, I'd get my hands dirty with some beautiful machines and carry on a good family tradition; my grandfather was Royal Army Service Corps, and a mechanical engineer.

<snip>

Either that, or wind up as a service and maintainance engineering officer on an airbase. The navy is out, since I don't like choppers and Australia doesn't have carriers anymore. Being on an airbase might be cool, but in a pre-emptive you'd be fucked, as they're the first targets. Anyone remember the Iraqi Air Force after the '91 war, the Argentinians in the Shetlands (the Shetland air strips were bombed, so they had to fly from the mainland, whereas the British harriers had a nearby carrier) or the Poles in WWII?
<snip>

The Shetland Isles would have been rather puzzled to have been occupied by Argentinians, since they are slightly north of Scotland. Might you mean the Falklands?

oops.... well, there goes my street credibility!

yeah, don't know why I had shetlands in my head, I definitely meant Falkland islands, or Las Malvinas as some might prefer to know them.

once again, oops.

just goes to show, the engineers might know the relevant points, but really bugger up the details.

B-1B Yes. It is an awesome bomber.

The SR-71 Blackbird has been retired for awhile now though NASA I think still flies them.
The 'Bone' really just doesn't fit in. The Air Force tries and tries, but they just can't make it work well. They should have scrapped that thing back in the Carter days.

The B-2 really outdoes it every which way. Even the Buff can carry more bombs.

Primus Pilus. I am aware of the double entandre.
Nvm I found Wiki.

Commodore of the Marine Corps.

Semper Fedilus, Always Faithful.

From the Halls of Montezuma
To the Shores of Tripoli;
We fight our country's battles
In the air, on land and sea;
First to fight for right and freedom
And to keep our honor clean;
We are proud to claim the title of
The United States Marines.

Our flag's unfurled to every breeze
From dawn to setting sun;
We have fought in ev'ry time and place
Where we could take a gun;
In the snow of far-off Northern lands
And in sunny tropic scenes;
You will find us always on the job--
The United States Marines.

Here's health to you and to our Corps
Which we are proud to serve
In many a strife we've fought for life
and never lost our nerve;
If the Army and the Navy
Ever look on Heaven's scenes;
They will find the streets are guarded
By The United States Marines.

Sergeant or Staff Sergeant.

Why?
You have the troops respect and fear, you havae probably been through plenty to get that high without switching to Officer. You can get along with everyone, but always be superior (or equal when dealing with hardcore spec ops guys) as the troops around you. But not superior in a bratty way, superior in a grungy "I had sex and used the jagged edge of a tuna fish can as my condum to make sure your mom didn't have another one of you ". Thats way over the top..but yeah thats my ideal of a sergeant..grungy...able to mix in any group...respected..hardcore.

Engineers and Medic are pretty tite to. But those are not ranks, those are positions....or whatever.

Commodore of the Marine Corps.


Pal, I think you mean Commandant. Semper Fi.

At least you picked the right service and want to be an officer. I won't say it sucks to be enlisted, but it is at least 10 times better to be a zero.

I would have to say, my current rank in the Canadian Navy;

Commander
Executive Officer
HMS Kingston

I would be a sniper :sniper: for the millitary...that would be so cool. I would be the one in the tree just picking people off and everyone would be looking around to see where the shooter was, but I'd be so well hidden, they wouldn't be able to find me! :p

I would be a sniper :sniper: for the millitary...that would be so cool. I would be the one in the tree just picking people off and everyone would be looking around to see where the shooter was, but I'd be so well hidden, they wouldn't be able to find me! :p

that is where mortars and artillery come in handy

that is where mortars and artillery come in handy
That's where the Napalm works wonders.

That's where the Napalm works wonders.
I like the way you think