Modern armed forces have far more officers per soldier than armies of the past
In the First World War fewer than one British soldier in twenty held a commission. Today officers make up around a sixth of many Western forces. Early in the 20th century Spain's army, with one officer for every eight personnel, was mocked at home and abroad as absurdly top-heavy. That ratio now looks ordinary.
Recent figures cluster in a narrow band. In 2013 officers formed 17 percent of Britain's armed forces and 13.7 percent of France's; in 2012 about 18 percent of Germany's and 16.4 percent of America's. The low First World War share was partly grim arithmetic, since junior officers were killed at high rates.
The mix also depends on the branch. Aircraft are flown by officers, and ships and submarines are commanded by them, so air forces and navies carry a larger share. In 2013 officers were 22.2 percent of the Royal Air Force but only 13.9 percent of the British Army, even though the much bigger army still had more officers in absolute terms.
How people become officers has changed too. Until the Cardwell Reforms of 1871, British Army commissions were bought, whereas the Royal Navy offered a somewhat more open, merit-based path. Today many countries insist on a university degree, but Britain, Australia, Israel, Switzerland, Singapore and several others do not, though plenty of their officers are graduates anyway. British candidates can enter directly, or rise from the ranks as so-called ex-rankers; those commissioned at 30 or older are termed late entry officers.
Training lengths vary by service. Army cadets at Sandhurst spend 44 weeks in three 14-week terms focused on soldiering, leadership and exercises. Future naval officers do 30 weeks at Britannia Royal Naval College, and RAF recruits 24 weeks at Cranwell. Royal Marines officers train longest, about 15 months, including lessons in etiquette and international affairs alongside combat. In the United States, the service academies require at least four years and supply roughly a fifth of the officer corps.
Source: Officer (armed forces)
