Signalman (rank)
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Signalman is a military rank similar to that of Private (rank), but is used within units that specialize in communication. See Signaller for more about the roles of Signalmen.
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[edit] United States Use
[edit] U.S. Navy
In the U.S. Navy, "signalman" (usually nicknamed "Flags" or "Skivie Waver") was a job field combining both visual communications, and advanced lookout skills. While there was certainly a Signalman rating before World War II (the Signalman rating is one of the oldest in the Navy), a specialized Signalman rating was established shortly after the war. Then, Signalmen were identified by the symbol of two crossed semaphore flags on the left sleeve of the uniform, integrated with their rank insignia. Signalmen were responsible for transmitting, receiving, encoding, decoding, and distributing messages obtained via the visual transmission systems of semaphore, visual morse code, and international flaghoist. The U.S. Navy disestablished the rating of Signalman in late 2003, reassigning visual communications duties to the Quartermaster rating. Signalmen were either absorbed into the Quartermaster rating, or allowed to switch to other job fields in the Navy. Many chose the Master-At-Arms field, which expanded dramatically to meet the needs of the Navy in the War on Terror. [1]
[edit] Australian Usage
[edit] Australian Army
In the Australian Army, a Signalman (or "sigs") is an Other Rank (OR) that specialises in varied forms of communication. All signalmen are part of the Royal Australian Corps of Signals. Signalmen have a worn rank of Private.
[edit] British Usage
[edit] British Army
The British Army used to use Signalman within Royal Corps of Signals, but this was replaced by the rank Signaller. [citation needed]
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