OC/CO

[Greywolf]

What is the difference between the OC and CO? 

 

[Radop]

OC=officer commanding

ussually a sqn or coy depending on the unit.  They are ussually delegated officers. (Snr Capt or Maj for the most part)

CO=Commanding Officer

He is the boss of the unit.  The OCs work for him.  (Ussually Maj or LCol but some can be Capt in smaller units)

 

[pbi]

In the Canadian Army (and most Commonwealth armies) "OC" means "Officer Commanding". It is the term used to describe the officer (usually a Major) in command of a "sub-unit": a company, squadron or battery. We do not use the US practice of calling a sub-unit commander a"Commanding Officer"(CO). The term "Commanding Officer" in the Commonwealth system is used to denote the officer in command of a "unit": a battalion (in the Infantry and CSS) or a regiment (battalion equivalent in Armour, Artillery, Engineers and Signals.) This officer is normally a LCol. The capitalized term "Commander" in our Army is normally reserved for an officer commanding a base or a formation.

Cheers

 

[Infanteer]

Do we still use the term GOC (General Officer Commanding)?

 

[Radop]

Do we still use the term GOC (General Officer Commanding)?

I've heard of GSO (General Service Officer) but not GOC.  What was their role?

 

[Edward Campbell]

A GOC was a superior commander who had one or more formation (brigade, even division) commanders and other 'commanders' (above CO) under his command.   Thus GOC Western Command, back a few decades, commanded all the Army of the West within his boundaries: regular and reserve: brigades, garrisons (bases) and whatever.

In some armies there was, from time to time, a GOC-in-C (General Officer Commanding in Chief) as in GOC-in-C British Forces Germany whose responsibilities and national command authority included 1 (BR) Corps.

GSO, back in my day, when the earth was still cooling, meant General Staff Officer and we were graded, with LOs (liaison officers) and Staff Learners at the bottom and BGS (Brigadier General Staff) at the top of a heap of GSO3s, GSO2s, GSO1s (LCols) and Col GSs).   There were also AG (Adjutant General) (personnel) and QMG (Quarter Master General) (logistics) staff officers with such titles as DAAG Plans (Deputy Assistant Adjutant General - Plans) and, the 'biggest' DAA&QMG â “ the Deputy Assistant Adjutant and Quarter Master General â “ a major who was the head adm & log staff officer in a brigade.   The bottom of the AQ heap, just above the Los and SLs were SC-A and SC-Q: Staff Captains.

â Å“Aâ ? dealt with functions involving people, in groups, (individual personnel administration was, generally, dealt with by regimental adjutants and commanders) while the â Å“Qâ ? staff dealt with 'stuff.'   A perennial question was: â Å“is graves registration A staff (burying people) or Q staff?â ?   The answer is Q staff â “ dead people are no longer the A staff's problem.

 

[George Wallace]

GOC

We used to have an annual GOC Inspection at the same time as our ATI.  The GOC was the Brigade Commander.

GW

 

[Radop]

GOC
We used to have an annual GOC Inspection at the same time as our ATI.   The GOC was the Brigade Commander.
GW

So, we probably got rid of the term when the Bde Comd became Col vis B Gen. 

 

[Edward Campbell]

So, we probably got rid of the term when the Bde Comd became Col vis B Gen.  

Could be .... Brigade commanders were not GOCs when they were brigadiers becausew brigadiers were not general officers.   I suppose BGen brigade commanders were GOCs but I, personally, don't remember them using the title ....

I would think that army commanders like an Area Commander could still be styled General Officer Commanding.

 

[bob the piper]

So then, what does an Officer commanding a command do? Are these higher level commanders or what?

 

[Michael Dorosh]

So then, what does an Officer commanding a command do? Are these higher level commanders or what?

Officer Commanding - battery, squadron or battery
Commanding Officer - "unit" - battalion or regiment
Brigadier - brigade
General Officer Commanding - division (possibly also Corps)
General Officer Commanding in Chief - Army or equivalent

Below the OC are troop or platoon commanders.  Most armies call these "leaders" rather than "commanders".

Below troops and platoon are sections, weapons crews, vehicle crews,  etc.  Most armies also call these units "squads" and refer to "squad leaders" rather than commanders, as the actual powers of command are few, however, the Canadian Army seems to have always referred to Section Commanders, Crew Commanders, etc.

 

[McG]

So then, what does an Officer commanding a command do? Are these higher level commanders or what?

This would refer to the comanders of Land Forces Command, Air Command, Maritime Command, and Norther Command.  I think Canadian Forces Europe was considered a command in the 4 CMBG days.

 

[Michael Dorosh]

This would refer to the comanders of Land Forces Command, Air Command, Maritime Command, and Northern Command.  I think Canadian Forces Europe was considered a command in the 4 CMBG days.

There is also a Communications Command, or used to be one, at any rate.

 

[pbi]

however, the Canadian Army seems to have always referred to Section Commanders, Crew Commanders, etc.

This is not just us: it a pretty universal Commonwealth practice, as are many of our military usages.
Cheers

 

[DaveK]

There is also a Communications Command, or used to be one, at any rate.

Dust off your bell bottoms.  CFCC has been dead for a while now.  Just a jab for the "news flash" comment about the CAR. Coin # 5188

 

[Michael Dorosh]

Dust off your bell bottoms.  CFCC has been dead for a while now.  Just a jab for the "news flash" comment about the CAR. Coin # 5188

My coins all say "1972" on them.  Does yours have a picture of a moose?

 

[DaveK]

My coins all say "1972" on them.   Does yours have a picture of a moose?

1972 I do agree, however do you mean elk? Does Flint write your PER?

 

[Michael Dorosh]

1972 I do agree, however do you mean elk? Does Flint write your PER?

He did a nice writeup of my abilities on exercise when he was my company sergeant major...he seems to have mellowed a bit as RSM but I still think he is probably the best warrant officer I have served under in 17 years of reserve service.  He told me he appreciated that I don't disappear when there is work to be done.  We obviously didn't have internet access at company headquarters when in the field in Wainwright, otherwise his opinion of me may not have been so high...

It would appear you have me at a disadvantage...

But since I have been humbled twice now (CCFC and Moose), I will humbly withdraw to lick my wounds...

 

[Meridian]

Another stupid question...  what is the term for the person commanding a Platoon.

Ie if I was in a Plt and wanted to refer to my Plt IC... Do I just say "Oh, my IC is.....  who is your IC?"

 

[chrisf]

Platoon officer I would assume.