Origins The rank originated in the British
Royal Air Force and was adopted by several other air forces which use, or used, the
RAF rank system. On 1 April 1918, the newly created RAF adopted its officer rank titles from the
British Army, with
Royal Naval Air Service lieutenant commanders and
Royal Flying Corps majors becoming majors in the RAF. In response to the proposal that the RAF should use its own rank titles, it was suggested that the RAF might use the
Royal Navy's officer ranks, with the word "air" inserted before the naval rank title. For example, the rank that later became squadron leader would have been air lieutenant commander. However, the
Admiralty objected to this modification of their rank titles. The rank title squadron leader was chosen as
squadrons were typically led by RAF majors and the term squadron commander had been used in the Royal Naval Air Service. The rank of squadron leader was introduced in August 1919 and has been used continuously since then.
RAF usage From 1 April 1918 to 31 July 1919, the RAF used major as the equivalent rank to squadron leader. Royal Naval Air Service lieutenant-commanders and Royal Flying Corps majors on 31 March 1918 became RAF majors on 1 April 1918. On 31 August 1919, the RAF rank of major was superseded by squadron leader which has remained in continuous usage ever since. Promotion to squadron leader is strictly on merit, and requires the individual to be appointed to a Career Commission, which will see them remain in the RAF until retirement or voluntary resignation. Before the
Second World War, a squadron leader commanded a
squadron of aircraft. Today, however, a flying squadron is usually commanded by a
wing commander, with each of the two
flights under a squadron leader. However, ground-operating squadrons which are sub-divisions of a
wing are ordinarily commanded by a squadron leader. This includes squadrons of the
RAF Regiment and
University Air Squadrons.
Insignia and command flag The rank insignia consists of a thin blue band on a slightly wider black band between two narrow blue bands on slightly wider black bands. This is worn on both the lower sleeves of the tunic or on the shoulders of the flying suit or the casual uniform. Squadron leaders are the lowest ranking officers that may fly a command flag. The flag may be depicted on the officer's aircraft or, should the squadron leader be in command, the flag may be flown from a flagpole or displayed on an official car as a car flag. If the squadron leader is in command of a numbered squadron, then the number of the squadron is also shown on the flag. File:UK-Air-OF3.svg|An RAF squadron leader's sleeve/shoulder insignia File:File-UK-Air-OF3-mess-insignia.svg|An RAF squadron leader's sleeve mess insignia File:RAF-Sqn Ldr-OF-3.png|An RAF squadron leader's sleeve on No.1 service dress uniform
Land forces served as a subaltern Squadron Leader in the
South African Light Horse. In the British
Household Cavalry and
Royal Armoured Corps, "squadron leader" is the title (but not the rank) often given to the commander of a
squadron of
armoured fighting vehicles. The squadron leader is usually a major (thus the equivalent rank to an RAF squadron leader), although in the
Second World War the post was often held by a
captain. Before the modern cavalry and the invention of tanks and helicopters, the squadron leader led
cavalry squadrons. This position was held by the
South African Light Horse, and other similar cavalry units throughout the British Empire. Squadron Leader is specifically the name for this position in the modern English language, but equivalent positions can be found in the
Phylarch of Ancient Greece or the
Decurion of Ancient Rome. == Gallery ==