African Unification Front
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AFRICAN MILITARY REORGANIZATION and INTEGRATION
AUF PROPOSAL FOR BASIC SYMBOLS AND INSIGNIA STANDARDS
A Front formation on this chart is equivalent to a NATO "Army Group". A Front(also Strategic Front) is not to be confused with an operational front(equivalent to the US Joint Task Force). The symbol for a Strategic Front, the empty square with two triangles on top, represents ten or more divisions (or 100,000 to 250,000 soldiers). The "Army" is a formation that consists of 3 to 7 Divisions, and does not mean the entire forces of a nation.
The symbol for a Strategic Direction (formation consisting of 100 or more Divisions), or representing the second highest command echelon (the first being the Political leadership of the African Union), is a square with three triangles on top. The Strategic Direction approximates what is called Combatant Command(COCOM) in the US/NATO.
See history of African military organization
For easy comprehension, symbols, unit names and sizes approximate the various systems currently in use in Africa and around the world. In due course the African Union should adopt symbols, ranks and formations that are more culturally appropriate and reflective of African values.
In line with African traditons, there should be more female general officers in command, as well as ranks and units named after African heroes and heroines, and insignia that is African in style. African orders, formations, names and symbols must be fortified. Already African names are used for classes of planes, tanks and ships (eg Eland tanks, Cheetah planes, Crocodile trucks etc), as well as used for other military purposes (zulu time). Names of unit formations and medals include Simba battalion, and the Order of Queen Sheba.
A comprehensive military chart will consist of no more than 100 symbols (an excess of symbols can lead to confusion and redundancy). An effective military vocabulary also has approximately 100 words. With a 100 word vocabulary it is possible to communicate the most complex military instructions, perform mathematical calculations, and file comprehensive reports.
Each branch of the African Defense Force must have dress, service, and field uniforms. Dress uniforms are worn on formal occasions. The service uniform is worn for daily duty. Field uniforms consist of combat fatigues and other appropriate attire befitting the assignment.
Rank insignia must be similar for the army, navy, and air force. Each rank has a counterpart in all services. Comissioned officers wear insignia on shoulder boards. Army enlisted personnel wear stripes on the upper and lower sleeves.
Currently, there is no standard system of ranking military officers in Africa, and so each state follows the tradition of the former colonial power, or a combination of that is convenient (usually as a product of a negotiation when amalgamating armies after a civil war, or in cases where the new government chooses to adopt other systems). The most prevalent systems for grading military personnel in Africa combinations of French/Belgian, British, Spanish, Portuguese, American, Turkish and Italian.
In general the ranking for Non-Commissioned Officers follows the order below:
Recruit
Private
Lance Corporal
Corporal
Adjudant, (1 class, Chief Adjutant)
Sergeant
Squadron Quarter Master (Sergeant)
Squadron sergeant Major
Regimental Quarter Master (Sergeant)
Regimental Sergeant Major
Staff Sergent
Warrant Officer I and II
Unit sizes and Commissioned Officers' ranks correspond as follows:
See African Military Titles
JUNIOR OFFICERS
Basic Unit - 2 persons - Private
Team/Squad - 3 to 5 persons - Private First Class
Section - 10 to 15 - Second Lieutenant
Platoon - 30 to 50 - Lieutenant
Company - 100 to 300 - Captain (also Commandant)
SENIOR OFFICERS
Battalion - 1000 persons - Major
Regiment - 2000+ persons - Lt. Colonel
Brigade - 5000 persons - Colonel / Brigadier General
GENERAL OFFICERS (includes Brigadier General)
Division - 10,000 persons - Major General
Corps - 20,000+ persons - Lt. General
Army - appr. 50,000+ persons - General
Front/Army Group - 250,000+ persons - Vice Marshal
Strategic Direction - 1,000,000+ persons - Marshal
RANK INSIGNIA
The rank insignia below approximate those in use currently. Moreover, consideration has been given to clarity and explicit differentiation and ease of manufacture.
Many of the modern ranking systems correspond to the popular 19th Century Prussian styles. Nonetheless, some are confusing and non sequential, relying on nuance colors, subtle differences and incongrous symbolism for identification.
The insignia below are bold and simple. It should be easy to recognize even with modifications for services, rank classes, and unit insignia added.
The insignia are worn on shoulder boards, collar, breast, and head gear.
TACTICAL COMMAND INSIGNIA
Junior Officers
Sub/Junior or Second Lieutenant
Senior/First Lieutenant
Captain
Senior Officers
Major
Lt. Colonel
Colonel
OPERATIONAL COMMAND INSIGNIA
These insignia may consist of stars, triangles, bars, squares, diamonds (squares that stand on their corners), or round metallic/cloth discs, coins, rings or circles on shoulder board, collar, breast, or head gear. The choice of insignia shapes may serve to differentiate service arms, or for special occasion uniforms. The important thing is that the rank should correspond correctly with the number of signets.
General Officers
Commodore & Brigadier General
Rear Admiral & Major General
Vice Admiral & Lieutenant General
Admiral & General
STRATEGIC COMMAND INSIGNIA
The rank of Vice Marshal corresponds to the naval Fleet Vice Admiral. The insignia would be the same as that of Marshal or Fleet Admiral .
Supreme Commanding Officers
Marshal (Field Marshal) or Fleet Admiral
END
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