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    CAPTAIN

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GENERAL
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Captain

Capt.
Junior (Field) Officer

Major
Lieutenant

DISCRIPTION

The Captain is currently the second highest attainable rank in the unit. Due to the honorary status of the Major rank, the Captain is the highest rank with executive and command power.
 

The Captain is the highest executive rank in the unit, making him/her the Officer in Command of the unit. As the highest executive rank, the Captain has the highest authority on both administrative and command level. The Captain has a veto right and the final say in all decision making, should it be deemed necessary. The Captain rank is attached to 151 - Brigade Headquarters, where the rank is assisted by the Lieutenant and a Senior NCO.

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On the battlefield, the Captain generally acts as the platoon commander. The Captain directs the troops and ordinance accordingly. In the absence of the Captain, a Lieutenant generally assumes command.

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The unit's ORBAT currently lists one Captain commission. Meaning if there is an active Captain, no other members can be promoted to the rank.

Promotion requirements:

  • three or more years of active service to the unit

  • extensive experience as a battle/platoon commander

  • excellent leadership, and administrative, skills

  • must embody the unit's ethos of commitment and teamwork

HISTORY

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Current Captain(s)
> Capt. J. Harper

Former Captain(s)
> Maj. S. Bertrand

TRIVIA

  • Captain J. Harper is currently the longest serving Captain of the unit;
     

  • The original 6th Guards Armoured Brigade was commanded by a Brigadier General. Due to the current size of the unit, a general rank is deemed too high and un-necessary;
     

  • Currently, the Captain commands 60 to120 members. In reality, the rank suited for this formation of manpower (platoon or company) would be a Second Lieutenant or Lieutenant. However for administrative purposes, the rank of Captain was chosen;
     

  • Historically the captains were posted to the Brigade HQ (4) and the attached units (2). In addition, all nine Squadrons had a captain as second-in-command. Overall, the ORBAT listed around 40-45 captains;
     

  • Captains were the highest rank to wear the No2 jackets due to wool shortages in WWII. Ranks of Major and above wore the No1 jackets, with the famous Sam Brown belts.
     

  • The German equivalent for the Captain rank is Hauptmann (Wehrmacht) and 
    SS-Hauptsturmführer (Waffen-SS).

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