Talk:RAF officer ranks

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[edit] Rank Abbreviations for Air Chief Marshals and Air Marshals

In the short time this page has been in exisitance, the abbreviations Air Chf Mshl and ACM, along with Air Mshl and AM have been shown. The RAF web page on ranks [1] lists Air Chf Mshl and Air Mshl as the rank abbreviations although I have seen ACM and AM used. Accordingly I have edited the article to show both abbreviations for each rank. 88.105.136.215 19:45, 4 December 2005 (UTC)

I have never, ever seen any abbreviation other than ACM and AM actually used for Air Chief Marshal and Air Marshal in a service context, whatever the website may say. Just as Flying Officer and Pilot Officer are in reality usually abbreviated F/O and P/O (although in those cases I have seen both forms used). I think there's a danger of relying too much on websites, which are usually compiled by public information people with little actual experience of reality. -- Necrothesp 00:33, 5 December 2005 (UTC)

Googling "air chf mshl" returns 86 hits including the Veterans Agency, RAF Cranwell and the Central Flying School's websites. The Joint Service Staff Manual – Defence Writing lists the same abbreviations as website quoted above. 88.105.142.36 23:25, 7 December 2005 (UTC)

Googling ACM and "Air Chief Marshal" returns 583 hits, including the RAF website, the MOD website and RAF Web. It appears both are used, although I think most military historians would agree that ACM/AM are more common. -- Necrothesp 11:06, 8 December 2005 (UTC)