Corporal

Corporal is a military rank (equivalent to NATO Rank Code OR-4) in use by several militaries of the world. It is known by several different names depending upon the language of the military service in which the term is used. Beside the English term Corporal, the rank is also known as Gefreiter, Capo, Rav-Turai, alikersantti, and Rikushi.

British Armed Forces

Corporal (Cpl) is the second rank of non-commissioned officer in the British Army and Royal Marines, falling between Lance Corporal and Sergeant. The badge of rank is two chevrons (or "stripes"). A corporal's role varies between regiments, but in the standard infantry role a corporal commands a section, with a lance-corporal as Second-in-Command (2ic). When the section is split into fire teams, they command one each. In the Royal Armoured Corps, a corporal commands an individual tank. Their duties therefore largely correspond to those of sergeants or even staff sergeants in the United States Army and corporals are often described as the "backbone" of the British Army.

Related Topics:
Non-commissioned officer - British Army - Royal Marines - Lance Corporal - Sergeant - Chevron - Section - Second-in-Command - Fire teams - Royal Armoured Corps - Tank - Staff sergeant

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In the Household Cavalry all non-commissioned ranks are designated as different grades of corporal up to Regimental Corporal Major (who is a Warrant Officer class 1). There is no actual rank of corporal however, and the ranks progress directly from Lance Corporal to Lance Corporal of Horse (who is effectively equivalent to a corporal). Similarly, in the Foot Guards the rank of Lance Sergeant is effectively used instead of corporal. Royal Artillery corporals are called Bombardiers. The equivalent in the British Indian Army was Naik or Lance Daffadar.

Related Topics:
Household Cavalry - Regimental Corporal Major - Warrant Officer - Lance Corporal of Horse - Foot Guards - Lance Sergeant - Royal Artillery - Bombardier - British Indian Army - Naik - Lance Daffadar

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A common nickname for a corporal is a "full screw".

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Corporal is the lowest NCO rank in the Royal Air Force, coming between Junior Technician and Sergeant. Between 1950 and 1964, corporals in technical trades were known as Corporal Technicians and wore their chevrons point up.

Related Topics:
Royal Air Force - Junior Technician - Sergeant

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Although classified as NATO OR-4, British corporals frequently fill OR-5 equivalent posts.

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