thanks for answering my question

It's been a while since I've posted on this thread... but after finding this wiki article I couldn't resist :D

Anyways it's a list of nicknames of Canadian Regiments, some more than a little risque or more often downright insulting. This is something that I'm sure a few Greeks here can relate directly to with in the Greek system ;)

Anyways here's the list, enjoy:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regimen...anadian_Forces

Oh and for reference the regiments I served with are the Governor General Foot Guards and the Governor General Horse Guards... I was also attached to the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry...

Well with amalgamation all the ranks were standardized into one system, so as to supposed eliminate confusion and create a greater sense of unity... at the same time the rank insignia was also changed to the current system, which simply put eliminated the British "pip" or crown insignia system for officers. All it really did was create a serious backlash from different branches trying to protect their traditions.

Anyways eventually the Army and the Navy switched back to the traditional ranks (ie. seaman, trooper, gunner, sapper, and such); while the Air Force remained with the new rank system - mainly in an effort to better intergrate with NORAD (the British ranks and insignia were a little to confusing and different for the US... and frankly me).

For the most part the old, traditional rank insignia remain for cerimonial dress (which is fancier than a dress uniform).

The whole system is a little hard and complicated to explain via a message - so here is a link to the wiki site dealing with Canadian Military Ranks & Insignia... it's actually a much better teaching tool than the poster we use to teach recruits - because you can click on different ranks and insignia to get more indepth info. Besides I have no desire to try and type out all the french versions of rank ;)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CF_ranks_and_insignia

One bit of trivia:
The reason that a Lieutenant-General out ranks a Major-General, but a Major out ranks a Lietenant is this - originally a Major-General used to be a Sergeant Major-Geneal under the British system that disappeared way back in the 1700s...

As for what a Squadron Leader and Wing Commander would be equal to these days... a Squadron Leader would be a Major, while a Wing Commander would be a Lieutenant Colonel.