CPLS COURSE EXAM SCRIPT FULL
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
DETAILED REVIEW SHEET
●● HISTORY OF ORGANIZED RANKS
Answer: The leadership position of the Marine NCO did not begin with
the birth of the United States Marines Corps. This position evolved over
centuries of military action and was influenced by different cultures.
Historically, armies consisted of officers and groups of men they enlisted
to be in their charge. As the first professional army in history, the Roman
Legion formalized a military rank structure that recognized subordinate
ranks to the centurion who was the equivalent of today's company
commander.
These individuals assisted the centurion in the running of the unit.
●● optio
Answer: the centurion's second in command and oversaw all training of
the century. In battle, the optio commanded the rear of the formation and
was identified by a white and black plume and the wooden staff he
carried to enforce orders
,●● tesserarius
Answer: the head of the guard, keeper of the watch, and second in
command to the optio. This noncommissioned officer oversaw fatigue
and guard duties for the company.
●● signifier
Answer: the treasurer and also carried the "standard," a medallion
decorated staff that identified the company rally point. He was third in
command of the century and wore a draped bear's hide.
●● decantus
Answer: the first rank a legionary could be promoted to. Supervising a
section of eight men, they oversaw camp set-up and training while
enforcing personal hygiene and maintenance of equipment. They were
identified by two feathers attached to the side of their helmets
●● ORIGIN OF TERMS: CORPORAL
Answer: The term corporal is derived from 15th century Italy.
The Italian army's main tactical formation was the squadra which
translates into square. The squadra was commanded by a reliable veteran
known as the capo de squadra, or head of the square.
,A hundred years later, during the 17th century, the term was shortened to
caporale. At that same time, the French picked up the term pronouncing
it in various ways, one of them being corporal.
By the 17th or 18th century, the British adopted the rank of corporal. In
1803, when they began using chevrons, British corporals received two
stripes.
During the American Revolution, both British and French regulations
influenced the military structure of the continental forces.
●● ORIGIN OF TERMS: SERGEANT
Answer: The term sergeant began as serviens, Latin for servant, to a
knight in 13th century France.
, The serviens were experienced warriors that rode horses, but were not
wealthy enough to afford all the equipment and retainers to qualify as a
knight. Serviens would be called upon to take charge of a group of serfs
forced to serve in the army. They were responsible for conducting
training, leading serfs into battle, and keeping order. At the time it was
an occupation, not a rank.
The English adopted the word from the French and began pronouncing it
SAR-gent. The colonies continued to supply both soldiers and Marines
to the British empire. Therefore, when the American colonies created
their own military it was only natural to include the rank of sergeant.
Over the years, technical advances and many different duties and
responsibilities have led to several grades of sergeant.
●● RESOLUTION
Answer: More than just our emblem was derived from the British Royal
Marines. In the 17th and 18th century American colonists were notably a
maritime people. England found the colonists to be well acclimated to
service upon the sea and therefore, a large number were raised to serve
the British fleet as Royal Marines.
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
DETAILED REVIEW SHEET
●● HISTORY OF ORGANIZED RANKS
Answer: The leadership position of the Marine NCO did not begin with
the birth of the United States Marines Corps. This position evolved over
centuries of military action and was influenced by different cultures.
Historically, armies consisted of officers and groups of men they enlisted
to be in their charge. As the first professional army in history, the Roman
Legion formalized a military rank structure that recognized subordinate
ranks to the centurion who was the equivalent of today's company
commander.
These individuals assisted the centurion in the running of the unit.
●● optio
Answer: the centurion's second in command and oversaw all training of
the century. In battle, the optio commanded the rear of the formation and
was identified by a white and black plume and the wooden staff he
carried to enforce orders
,●● tesserarius
Answer: the head of the guard, keeper of the watch, and second in
command to the optio. This noncommissioned officer oversaw fatigue
and guard duties for the company.
●● signifier
Answer: the treasurer and also carried the "standard," a medallion
decorated staff that identified the company rally point. He was third in
command of the century and wore a draped bear's hide.
●● decantus
Answer: the first rank a legionary could be promoted to. Supervising a
section of eight men, they oversaw camp set-up and training while
enforcing personal hygiene and maintenance of equipment. They were
identified by two feathers attached to the side of their helmets
●● ORIGIN OF TERMS: CORPORAL
Answer: The term corporal is derived from 15th century Italy.
The Italian army's main tactical formation was the squadra which
translates into square. The squadra was commanded by a reliable veteran
known as the capo de squadra, or head of the square.
,A hundred years later, during the 17th century, the term was shortened to
caporale. At that same time, the French picked up the term pronouncing
it in various ways, one of them being corporal.
By the 17th or 18th century, the British adopted the rank of corporal. In
1803, when they began using chevrons, British corporals received two
stripes.
During the American Revolution, both British and French regulations
influenced the military structure of the continental forces.
●● ORIGIN OF TERMS: SERGEANT
Answer: The term sergeant began as serviens, Latin for servant, to a
knight in 13th century France.
, The serviens were experienced warriors that rode horses, but were not
wealthy enough to afford all the equipment and retainers to qualify as a
knight. Serviens would be called upon to take charge of a group of serfs
forced to serve in the army. They were responsible for conducting
training, leading serfs into battle, and keeping order. At the time it was
an occupation, not a rank.
The English adopted the word from the French and began pronouncing it
SAR-gent. The colonies continued to supply both soldiers and Marines
to the British empire. Therefore, when the American colonies created
their own military it was only natural to include the rank of sergeant.
Over the years, technical advances and many different duties and
responsibilities have led to several grades of sergeant.
●● RESOLUTION
Answer: More than just our emblem was derived from the British Royal
Marines. In the 17th and 18th century American colonists were notably a
maritime people. England found the colonists to be well acclimated to
service upon the sea and therefore, a large number were raised to serve
the British fleet as Royal Marines.
