Adjutant

Adjutant comes from the Latin adiutāns, present participle of the verb adiūtāre, frequentative form of adiuvāre 'to help'; the Romans actually used adiūtor for the noun.

In various uniformed hierarchies, the term is used for a number of functions, but generally as a principal aide to a commanding officer.

In United States Army squadrons, the adjutant is often the officer-in-charge (OIC) of the administrative platoon.

In the Foot Guards, the adjutant of the unit in charge of Trooping the Colour is one of three officers on horseback.

There is no RAO position within the Australian or Canadian armies, where an adjutant performs the administrative role with the assistance of a Chief Clerk, who usually has a rank of Warrant Officer Class Two.

The adjutant also works closely with the unit's command sergeant major for awards ceremonies, traditional ceremonial functions, casual events (hails and farewells), evaluation reports, and management of correspondence and other secretarial functions.

They ensure that every Marine in their command has administrative resources both for day-to-day tasks and long-term career progression.

They also manage their unit's legal matters and monitor fitness reports, among other administrative duties.

A French adjutant wears a band, with thin red line, in the opposite colour to that of his corps.

[citation needed] In cavalry units, adjudants and adjudants-chefs are addressed by tradition as "lieutenants".

[citation needed] Within the Netherlands Armed Forces the seniormost non-commissioned officer rank across all branches is called adjudant-onderofficier.