Is there a history behind this?
2006-11-27 04:02:36 · 6 answers · asked by jj 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
It came about unintentionally while the military was trying to streamline the ranking insignia for all branches. However, the "gold" is actually brass with gold coloring on it. For an explanation of how this came about, check out this wikipedia link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Army_officer_rank_insignia
2006-11-27 04:12:40 · answer #1 · answered by nosleepthree 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The color silver holds a higher rank than the color gold, on U.S. Army military insignia because: The gold is actually brass and in accordance to the norms of heraldry silver holds more value than brass. Originally the insignia for 1st Lt. was gold. It wasn't changed to silver until 1917. Captain's bars are silver, a Major's Oak leaves are gold. A Lt. Colonel has silver oak leaves. Though this places the silver oak leaf higher than the gold oak leaf of the Major it is because the rank of major originally did not have an insignia. I believe the Lt. Colonel is also a rank that was added a little after the original order of command was established.
2006-11-27 04:17:31 · answer #2 · answered by smilindave1 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because originally the "gold" is actually BRASS (bronze alloy). And since Silver is more valuble than Bronze or Brass, it goes with the higher rank. In the 1900's, individuals would laquer the brass after polishing... making it look more like gold.
Interestingly, because of the AGE of this tradition, it applies to OFFICERS rather than Enlisted ranks:
For example, A Navy Ensign (O-1) wears a single brass bar, and a Navy Lieutenant ,Junior Grade (O-2) wears a single silver bar. This is interrupted by a Lieutenant (O-3) wearing DOUBLE silver bars. Next, a Navy Lieutenant Commander (O-4) wears a brass oak leaf, and a Navy Commander (O-5) wears a silver oak leaf. Lastly, a Navy Captain wears the silver Eagle.
Among the Enlisted rates it flip-flops... the metallic collar chevron devices are silver for all up until CHIEF Petty Officer (E-7) who wear Gold Anchors.
ALSO, those enlisted who have 12 years of Good Conduct wear GOLD Chevrons on their winter uniforms (a sign of their time).
2006-11-27 06:55:57 · answer #3 · answered by mariner31 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Don't know why silver is generally given for higher ranks, but in the Army anyway there's one exception that comes to mind -- a major has gold oak leaves and outranks a captain with silver bars.
2006-11-27 04:30:18 · answer #4 · answered by Chug-a-Lug 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Silver is made of silver and "gold" is made of brass, so silver is better.
2006-11-27 04:09:56 · answer #5 · answered by breastfed43 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Silver is more pure than gold.
2006-11-27 04:10:42 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋