CORPORALS COURSE ADMINISTRATION
PRACTICE SOLUTION STUDY SHEET
QUESTIONS AND DETAILED ANSWERS
●● 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 (History)
Answer: The optio was 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 (History)
,Answer: The tesserarius was 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 (History)
Answer: The signifier was 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 (History)
Answer: The decantus was 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.
●● Which modern military rank originated as capo de squadra?
, Answer: Corporal. YES
Sergeant. NO
Captain. NO
NCO. NO
●● Roman Legion noncommissioned officers were responsible for
which of the following? Select all that apply.
Answer: Determining order of battle. NO
Supervising camp set-up. YES
Regulating guard duties. YES
Enforcing personal hygiene. YES
●● RESOLUTION (NCO EARLY HISTORY)
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
PRACTICE SOLUTION STUDY SHEET
QUESTIONS AND DETAILED ANSWERS
●● 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 (History)
Answer: The optio was 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 (History)
,Answer: The tesserarius was 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 (History)
Answer: The signifier was 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 (History)
Answer: The decantus was 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.
●● Which modern military rank originated as capo de squadra?
, Answer: Corporal. YES
Sergeant. NO
Captain. NO
NCO. NO
●● Roman Legion noncommissioned officers were responsible for
which of the following? Select all that apply.
Answer: Determining order of battle. NO
Supervising camp set-up. YES
Regulating guard duties. YES
Enforcing personal hygiene. YES
●● RESOLUTION (NCO EARLY HISTORY)
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
