Only general officers were entitled to know our true rank. To all others our standard reply to the inevitable question, What is your rank? was simply a firm, My rank is confidential, but at this moment I am not outranked.39
The book "Kissinger: Volume I: The Idealist, 1923-1968" by Niall Ferguson discusses the complexities of rank and authority within military hierarchies. It indicates that true ranks were only disclosed to general officers, creating an atmosphere of secrecy and strategic communication among different levels of military personnel.
This approach to rank led to a standard response for inquiries about one's military position, emphasizing discretion and a sense of equality among ranks with the phrase, "My rank is confidential, but at this moment I am not outranked." This reflects a broader theme of navigating power dynamics and the importance of maintaining a level of ambiguity in military roles.
