Talk:Enlisted rank

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Can someone offer an explanation of how this particular term ("enlisted") came to be used for this purpose? It has always seemed to me that the simple meaning of "enlisted man" is to exclude those who have been drafted into the service. --Keeves 18:26, 20 June 2006 (UTC)

Enlisted/Other Ranks entries for other Nation's militaries link to this page. Should this article be more general and not just about the U.S. Military? Sharkbait784 21:36, 25 June 2006 (UTC)

The term "enlisted" exists in apposition to the authority of commissioned officers or the commissioned commander of a military unit. In Western or European Militaries Commanders and officers typically hold a "commission" from the sovereign. That is, they exercise some of the authority and responsibility of the sovereign for a limited or specific purpose. In the case of the Army or Navy, the purpose is the raising and maintenance of military forces. Commissioned officers hold their authority, and responsibility, at the will and pleasure of the sovereign. Technically no officer holding a commission may resign that commission without the approval of the sovereign. A commission is permanent until revoked.

In the United States Commissions are granted by Public Law, passed by Congress and signed by the President. In the United Kingdom they are granted by Parliament and the Queen.

The distinction is important for this discussion. Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Airmen are enlisted, named on the company list by a commissioned officer, for a fixed term: five years; the duration of the war; the duration of voyage; etc., etc. By being "Enlisted" the soldier is bound to the command of officers, and the officer commanding could the draw pay and rations for the "enlisted" soldiers or seaman. How they were enlisted, voluntary or by draft or empressment, did not matter. Being on the roles matters.

In common modern usage in Western Military Services the term "enlisted" applies to those volunteers or draftees that do not have a commission and whose term is fixed by law or contract with the sovereign. Non Commissioned Officers are enlisted personnel who are authorized subordinate privilege and responsibility for the order and discipline of other enlisted personnel. Typically they are appointed by Warrant from an authorized Commissioned Officer. In the United States that warrant is signed by the Service Secretary (Secretary of the Navy, Army, Air Force, or Homeland Security or Health and Human Service for the Coast Guard and Public Health Service) although in United States during time of war a Non Commissioned Officer can be appointed or promoted by a Commanding Officer subject to review by the Service Secretaries.

I know you need a citation for this and I will look for one. I learned this while in military service, the Blue Jackets Manual is a good source. Arnhout Zwingley