If you missed pt1 find it here:
http://www.kenyatalk.com/index.php?threads/demystifying-the-military-pt1-establishment-roles-and-organisational-structure-of-the-kdf.16966/
First of all let me say that I do not speak on behalf of my employer and the views expressed here are solely of the author. I am writing about what “I have seen” and views may not necessarily coincide with other peoples views. We have talkers from the kdf here but they keep a low profile and hence may not agree with my views I urge them to come forward and also give their accounts.
I come from the kenya army hence my views are greatly tilted in its favour. I hope in future we get talkers from the kenya airforce and the kenya navy to give their stories too. Information regarding the military is greatly classified so kindly do not ask questions that are above my clearance level or restricted.
There are over 150(my estimation) trades in the kdf. Trades are what you call proffesions in the civilian world. From infantryman to food technicians(referred to as chefs huko),pilots to teachers, ammo technician to doctors, mechanics to radio operators, plant operators to clerks etc in short look at the military as a society within another society. Some soldiers are trained in the service while others are recruited/enlisted with the relevant trades. I wont dwell much on those specialist officers/tradesmen but those who have been trained in service.
Majority of courses in the army are divided into three classes ie basic/class three, intermediary/class two and finally advanced/class one it should be noted that some courses have only two ie basic and advanced depending on the individual course and the duration of each class may vary from several weeks to even years with on job training in between classes. Your course and training coupled with availability of chances determines how far you rise up the ranking structure.
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Recruit :- Not really a rank but the term used to refer to someone undergoing training at the recruits training school. The less said about it the better enyewe its not easy turning someone from a civilian into a soldier and I learnt the hard way hekaya for another day. Abbreviated as rec.
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Private:- Immediately after graduation this is the name any soldier without a stripe is refffered to as. It’s the beginning point where one identifies a course interested in and starts persuing it upon successful completion of class one of the course undertaken one is called a senior private. Abbr as pte.
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Lance Corporal:- also known as a section second in command or 2ic he/she wears one stripe on their uniform very popular in the infantry but other services or brigades its non existent. Abbr as l/cpl.
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Corporal:- also known as section commander Abbr as cpl he/she wears two stripes on their uniform for pte and l/cpl to qualify to be promoted to a corporal they must satisfy the following conditions
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Class one in respective trade
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Served six years with clean record
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Completed junior NCOS cadre course/ NCOS command course
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Availability of positions
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- Sergeant:- also known as a platoon sergeant he/she wears three stripes on their uniform Abbr as sgt for cpl to be considered for promotion he/she must
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Served as a cpl for three yrs
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Successfully completed platoon sergeants course
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Successfully completed skill basic skills at arms course
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Clean record and availability of vacancies
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- Senior sergeant:- Abbr as ssgt wears three stripes and a coat of arms although not popular in the infantry some formations retain it. It shoul be noted that while infantry sergeant wait a little longer to be promoted from sergeant to warrant offer class two those in other formations get promoted at intervals of three years each. For sgt to be promoted to a ssgt he/she
- must have served for three years as a sergeant
-successfully completed drill and duties basic course
-successfully completed advanced skill at arms course
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clean record and availability of vacancies
[ATTACH=full]39006[/ATTACH]- Warrant officer class two:- Abbr as WO2 he/she does not wear the rank on the uniform except for ceremonial dress they wear it on the wrist of the right hand like a watch. For a sgt /ssgt to be promoted to WO2 they must
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served for six years(infantry sgt) or three yrs as a ssgt in other formations
-successfully completed drill and duties advanced course
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warrant officers course.
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clean record and availability of vacancies.
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- Warrant officer class one : Abbr as WO1 it’s the epitome of the NON COMMISIONED OFFICERS(NCOS) one can rise to criteria for promotion to this rank is not clear cut but WO2S must have
-seniority
-exemplary discipline command and control over juniors
-leadership qualities etc
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So there you have it ladies and gentlemen I know some of you were barrack boys and girls ie wale watoto kiherehere wa kambi now you know how your fathers got those ranks
Coming up pt3 military ranks explained: officers