Looking for a military term

[ffutures]

I think that there's a military term for this - a civilian who signs on as a temporary officer equivalent in the armed forces, subject to orders etc.

The idea is that I want a rationale for civilian characters aboard a military vessel. Reserves doesn't quite work for my purposes. I could make them civilian employees, but I think I want them to be a little more in the chain of command.

Any suggestions?

Later - I think "Acting supernumerary" will do.

Comments

[gbsteve.livejournal.com]

Civil servants have brevet ranks equivalent to military ranks. There's a table here: http://www.dasa.mod.uk/modintranet/UKDS/UKDS2009/c2/table225.html

I'm a Grade 7 so OF-5, Captain, Group Captain or Colonel.

[aitkendrum.livejournal.com]

Hey I'm a Lt. OF2! (EO)

Now if someone would actually take my orders

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

Thanks - think I'm looking for a more American / universal term.

[major-clanger.livejournal.com]

Hmmm, when I was in uniform (I left the RAF in 2007) the situation was a bit more complex; in particular, the MOD itself seemed to use such equivalence but the individual services would work it differently. In the RAF, a Grade 7 was usually taken to equate to a Wing Commander; as a Squadron Leader, I once reported directly to one.