1.     A subaltern is an officer below the rank of Captain. The subaltern appointed unit Senior Subaltern will have status immediately following that of the junior Captain though he may not be the senior subaltern by virtue of time in rank.

2.     The unit Senior Subaltern has many unwritten and unofficial duties, the principal of which is to act as a link between the subalterns and the commanding officer. He advises subalterns on matters of dress, deportment, military etiquette and Regimental customs, and he corrects minor faults without resorting to formal action. The Senior Subaltern will be guided on all matters by the unit Adjutant.

3.     The Senior Subaltern is the only officer in the battalion authorized to conduct a 'Whistle Check' in the Mess.

(Regimental Standing Orders for The Royal Canadian Regiment, article 404, 1992 Revision)