Originally the ranks were Lt. General (cavalry commander) who was a higher rank than a Sgt.Maj. General (infantry commander). Over time the Sgt.Maj. Gen became Maj. General as Army command structures unified.
As to your cow-orker’s story, yes it could very well have happened. Sounds like they ran into a security patrol in an area where they should not have been. And, no, the major would not have been able to tell them to piss off if they were doing their duty.
Undoubtably the security guys were polite to the officer but if your cow-orker and his brother were in a restricted area they, the security patrol, would have the authority to do what they did.
…and while I’m thinking of it, a very common example of this is the OOD. As UncleBill mentioned in carrying the authority of the CO, most (all?) OOD’s do this. On a cutter, whether in port or underway, the only 2 people that don’t have to answer to the OD are the CO and XO. The OOD’s at various units can be of almost any rank or grade. I was a patrol boat inport OOD as an E3 (rated striker). However, it’s best to keep in mind that you’re only an OOD for one day out of many, so if you piss off your sup on your duty day, he’s still got your ass on the next hot workday. :eek:
The Marine Corps falls under the leadership of the Secretary of the Navy, it is not a branch off the Navy. And for what it’s worth: The Department of the Navy is soon to change its title to The Department of the Navy and Marine Corps.
As far as having to salute ALL militaries, that is not true. We would not salute officers of enemy militaries. Not every country has agreed to the Geneva Convention.
I think (no cite) that this applies to military officers of the U.S., and not just civil officers. I think that Congress has passed legislation allowing the appointment and promotion of military officers below a certain level without Senate approval, but to be promoted into the higher ranks, the Advice and Consent of the Senate is required (though little advice and free consent is usually given).
I would imagine the promotion of a General/Admiral to five-star rank would be one of those instances where there would be discussion in the Senate over the appropriateness of the promotion.
Don’t tell me I’m telling a lie, Will. I usually bristle quite abruptly over that sort of stuff.
I know that not all countries have agreed to the Geneva Conventions. It’s irrelevant if a particular country agrees to it or not–the thing still applies. Say you’re a prisoner of war. You are required to salute the camp commander, for one.
OK, some citations: Under the US Code, there are differences in the authority for appointment and promotion of officers in the Regular and Reserve components of the armed forces, and also differences depending on active-duty status.
For appointment as an officer in the Regular Army/Navy/AF/MC in any grade 2nd Lt-Colonel or Ensign-Captain, the President must have the advice and consent of the Senate: 10 USC 531(a)
Whoa there, Monty, nobody called you a liar, but anyone can be mistaken.
AR 600-25 1-3.c: “It is customery to salute officers of friendly foriegn nations when recognized as such. The Commander in Chief, US Army, Europe and Seventh Army; Commander, US Army, Japan; Commander Eighth US Army; and the Commander, US Army Communications Command are delegated authority to establish recognition courtesies prevailing locally for foriegn officials. This authority will not be delegated farther.”
Monty, we had this discussion about saluting hostile forces before. Myself and other posters have provided cites stating that you do not salute in these circumstances. From where does your claim that we are supposed to salute originate?
So to sum up:
You do not salute officers of nations who aren’t recognized by the U.S., unless you are their POW, and they are signatory to the GC.
Interesting that nowhere in the regs, it seems, is this requirement mentioned. Out of curiosity, is this specified in any U.S. originated material, military or otherwise? I ran a quick word search of the Code of Conduct and saluting was not found, nor do I remember the subject ever coming up in training.
In other words: The Marine Corps is part of the Department of the Navy.
May I see a cite for that? Please don’t use the Identification Card instrustion for that as that thing’s title page actually has “Secretary of the Coast Guard” on it.
H.R. 3478 was introduced in December, 2001. S. 2718 went to the Committee on Armed Services in July, 2002. Bill is to change SecNav to “Secretary of the Navy and Marine Corps”.
The Department of the Navy is the “boss” of the US Navy and the “boss” of the US Marine Corps, although if you google “Department of the Navy and Marine Corps” it seems to be in common use today. The Secretary of the Navy’s website says on the Responsibilities page
It is correct to say the US Marine Corps is part of the Department of the Navy, just like the US Navy is part of the Department of the Navy.