The Regimental Rogue

The Senior Subaltern, and guidance for young officers

The Senior Subaltern
"Many regiments and battalions appoint a Senior Subaltern. Although the role of this appointment is not always well-defined it includes such responsibilities as advising younger officers on duties and social responsibilities..."

Staff Duties and the Young Officer
" The line officer despises the lowly "staff officer," and rues the day he might become one himself. But every officer, regardless of rank, position, or responsibilities requires the fundamental skills on which the capable staff officer depends."

How to Write Effective English
"It is a matter of fact that most writing done by Staff Officers falls short of the required standard because the writers present papers which are full of muddled jargon and do not take the time to write short, clear, understandable English."

Notes and Quotes - Staff Duties
Mess Dinners
"The following provides a guide to the general procedures for mess dinners. Tradition may produce variation in individual messes. All ranks must acquaint themselves with the special customs or variations in messes to which they belong or visit."

The Officer and Fighting Efficiency (1940)
"The immediate responsibility for the care and preparation of men for battle rests on the shoulders of the junior commander - a responsibility that he must seize eagerly and tackle firmly..."

The Officers' Mess
"There is probably no subject more imposing to the new officer, or more clouded in the mysteries of implied traditions and expectations, than the Officers' Mess."

Advice to Officers (1782)
"Those who are unacquainted with the service may perhaps imagine, that this chapter is addressed to the subalterns only--but a little knowledge of the present state of the British forces will soon convince them, that it comprehends not only the greatest part of the captains, but also many of the field officers, of the army."

The Young Officer's Guide to Knowledge (1915)
"Your little book rivals the official publications. From a long and varied experience, I may say that it contains everything essential for a young officer to know without the useless padding that confuses without instructing."

An Open Letter to the Very Young Officer (1917)
"In the Old Army the great majority of the officers were drawn from the class, or genus, which in the bird world is represented by the gallinaceous, or combative, fowls, you who read this may belong to that' genus..."

An Officer's Code (1925)
"His Majesty the King has done me the honour of conferring upon me a Commission as an Officer. This is the greatest honour that can be conferred upon any man."

RCSI Hints for Young Officers (1931)
"The hints contained in this pamphlet are not intended to cast the least reflection on the behaviour of officers – rather are they intended to be of assistance to young officers, who, through lack of experience, may, on first entering the Mess, feel somewhat at a loss as to their general line of conduct."

RCSI Notes on Drill (1931)
"Drill is necessary in every branch of the service. Teaches convenient formations for movement of troops and for fighting. Instils the habit of obedience and command. Teaches alertness and modicum of physical fitness."

Customs of the Service (1939)
"EVERY officer is expected to obey certain unwritten laws. There are no regulations or written instructions to assist the newly commissioned officer in most of these matters. If he seeks guidance from those in authority over him, he usually receives the unsatisfactory reply that this is " done " or " not done " because it is the " Custom of the Service."

Hints for Newly Commissioned Officers (1943)
"The following material is adapted from a pamphlet produced by The Infantry School and distributed to all Officer Candidates upon completion of their training."

Customs of the Army (1956)
"This pamphlet is intended to give an Officer Cadet about to be commissioned an idea of some of the things to look out for on joining his regiment or corps."

How to be a Successful Subaltern (1978)
The successful subaltern, on promotion, is perfectly placed to mount an effective assault on the somewhat tedious middle ranks of Captain, Major, Lieutenant Colonel and Colonel. He will, by the time he is 27, have established such a reputation that he should be able to coast until he joins the Generals, the third most important power group in the Army (the Wives' Club and the Sergeants' Mess being seeded 1 and 2).

The RCR Regimental Standing Orders - Senior Subaltern (1992)
"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."

A Miscellany of Advice for Subalterns

The Young Officer and the NCO - Quotes

 

The Regimental Rogue