Quartermaster

Quartermaster is a term usually referring to a military unit which specializes in supplying and provisioning troops, or to an individual who does the same. The term was first coined in Germany as Quartiermeister and initially denoted a court official with the duty of preparing the monarch's sleeping quarters. (It now designates a non-commissioned officer in charge of supplies.) In the 17th century, it started to be used in various militaries in its modern sense.

Related Topics:
Germany - Non-commissioned officer - 17th century

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In the British Army, the Quartermaster (QM) is the officer in a battalion or regiment responsible for supply. By longstanding tradition, he or she is always commissioned from the ranks (and is usually a former Regimental Sergeant Major) and holds the rank of captain or major. Some units also have a Technical Quartermaster, who is in charge of technical stores. The Quartermaster is assisted by the Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant (RQMS) and a staff of storemen. The QM, RQMS and storemen are drawn from the regiment or corps in which they work, not from the Royal Logistic Corps, which is responsible for issuing and transporting supplies to them. Units which specialise in supply are known as "supply" units, not "quartermaster" units, and their personnel as "suppliers".

Related Topics:
British Army - Battalion - Regiment - Commissioned - Regimental Sergeant Major - Captain - Major - Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant - Storemen - Corps - Royal Logistic Corps

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Until 1813, the Quartermaster was the senior NCO in a British cavalry troop. In that year, the position was replaced by the new appointment of Troop Sergeant Major, the cavalry adopting commissioned, regimental Quartermasters as described above.

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In the United States Army, the term is used to describe all supply personnel and units that are part of the Quartermaster Corps.

Related Topics:
United States Army - Quartermaster Corps

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In the United States Navy, the term is used quite differently. It refers to a petty officer who specializes in navigation.

Related Topics:
United States Navy - Petty officer

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A Quartermaster within the scout movement is responsible for all the kit in a troop.

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In the French Navy, a Quartier-maître has nothing to do with supplies; it is a rank equivalent to an Army Caporal.

Related Topics:
French Navy - Army - Caporal

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