Brevet (military)

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In the US military, brevet refers to a warrant authorizing a commissioned officer to hold a higher rank temporarily, but usually without receiving the pay of that higher rank. An officer so promoted may be referred to as being brevetted. For example, "He was brevetted major general."

In the 19th century United States Army, brevet promotions were extremely common. New officers received brevet rank until authorized positions were made available. Additionally, officers could be brevetted to fill higher positions or for gallantry. Typically, a brevetted officer would be authorized the authority and insignia of the brevetted rank, but not the pay. During the American Civil War almost all senior officers received one form of brevet or another. It was not unheard of for an officer to have several different ranks simultaneously; there is an instance of an officer who was simultaneously a brevet Major General of Volunteers, an actual Brigadier General of Volunteers, a brevet Lieutenant Colonel in the regular army and an actual regular army Captain.

Today the practice of brevetting has disappeared from the U.S. military, though the similar practice of frocking (authorized early wearing of a higher rank by a promotee, before the actual promotion takes effect) continues, particularly though not exclusively in the United States Navy.

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