Other ranks

Other ranks, abbreviated to ORs and also known as rank and file, in the British Army, Royal Marines, Royal Air Force and in the armies and air forces of many other Commonwealth countries are those personnel who are not commissioned officers, usually including non-commissioned officers (NCOs). In the Royal Navy, these personnel are called "ratings". Non-commissioned member is the equivalent term for the Canadian Armed Forces. Colloquially, members of the other ranks are known as "rankers". In British India, a distinction was made between British other ranks (BORs) and Indian other ranks (IORs).

The term is sometimes considered to exclude warrant officers, and occasionally also excludes NCOs. In the United States military, and in the military forces of many non-Commonwealth countries, including the United States military, the equivalent term is enlisted rank, which generally includes non-commissioned officers (unless specifying junior enlisted), but always excludes the American type of warrant officer.[1]

References / notes

  1. Other ranks (UK). Wikipedia: The free encyclopedia. Accessed 22 April, 2017.

Glossary of words and phrases

The above term is listed in our glossary of words and phrases of the Armed Forces of Great Britain during the Great War. Included are trench slang, service terms, expressions in everyday use, nicknames, the titles and origins of British and Commonwealth Regiments, and warfare in general. These words and phrases are contemporary to the war, which is reflected in the language used. They have been transcribed from three primary sources (see Contents). Feel free to expand upon and improve this content.
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