This is the companion song for my essay of the same name published in MilSpeak Memo March 2012.
– Performed by Danny Santos
– Words by Mark L Berry& Music by Danny Santos
Confusion in the Ranks – lyrics:
(chorus)
Confusion in the ranks
May we all give thanks
That our titles are all numbered
In ships and in tanks
(1)
A Lieutenant I am
When I first begin
A 2nd Lieutenant that is
Equal to a Navy Ensign
(2)
After 2nd L-T
The Ensign and me
Become a 1st L-T
And a Lieutenant J-G
(3)
The Navy Lieutenant and me
Next we’re both an O-3
But they call me a Captain
’cause I’m in the Army
(4)
Promoted again
This time to O-4
They call one of us a major
And the other a Lieutenant Commander
(5)
With a Lieutenant Colonel
Oak leaf on my lapel
He’s a commander
And our ranks are still equal
(6)
He’s a Captain at last
Over in the Navy
While I’m called a Colonel
Here in the Army
(7)
A Brigadier General
A star I do wear
While he’s some type of Admiral
Back over there
(8 & 9)
Major General, Lieutenant General
My next two steps in a row
Lower half, Upper half
Are how his titles go
An O-10 in the end
Four stars at the top
A General and an Admiral
Can we make this confusion stop?