Please see our pictures and good luck! There is some disagreement in sources over its formal designation, possibly either Pistol, General Officers', Caliber .45, M15 or Pistol, Cal. U.S. Army Col. Michael T. Morrissey, the USARCENT director of operations, was promoted to general officer in a ceremony that highlighted traditions as old as the Army itself; he is among less than 1 percent of his commissioning year . On March 9TH 1935 the formation of the new Reichsluftwaffe was announced to the foreign press and on March 16TH conscription was reintroduced for all three branches of service. 833 views, 4 likes, 1 loves, 10 comments, 31 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Leticia Remauro: Mario F. Gallucci Esq. Copyright 2013 The Military Memorial Museum, All Rights Reserved. The slide is also engraved, "General Officer's Model" and the abbreviation "RIA" for Rock Island Arsenal. The value of these pistols is worth several times that of its civilian counterpart An excellent new reference book. and opinions expressed on this website are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the The compact M18 joins a long line of Army-issued general officer pistols stretching back to 1944, when the service started issuing the Colt .380 to generals. Contact the author here. We have written about U.S. Army General Scott Miller, America's top officer in Afghanistan and a Delta Force alumni, and his penchant for carrying unique sidearms. About 410 pistols were issued from 1982 to 1986, and about half of them were returned to Rock Island Arsenal when the newer Beretta was issued. Additionally, each GO handgun is supplied with a large and small grip module in addition to the medium grip module it is configured with upon delivery.. The top of the barrel is marked 9MM CTG.. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The legacy of the classic .45 caliber M1911 pistol can be found today in the Springfield Armorys Mil-Spec Series 1911. The shorter barrel is reported to have a greater muzzle blast, yet even with the abbreviated barrel, the pistol maintains a muzzle velocity of 245m/s (800ft/s). General Officer and Senior Executive Service stationery, in vitation and envelopes. By The M15 is the first firearm in the series issued to general officers that bears the serial number prefix "G.O." 2023 Rock Island Auction Company. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein has recognized the value of diversity, stating that "recruiting and retaining diverse airmen cultivates innovation. The grip panels are bordered checkered wood with S&W medallions at their tops. wrote Ellsworth Air Force Base public affairs. Initially, the primary pistol issued to American generals was the Colt 1908 Hammerless, chambered in .380. of The Gallucci Law Firm.. The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user. A closeup of a Sig Sauer M18 shows the "G.O." At any time, the USG may inspect and seize data stored on this IS. The thinking seems to be that smaller and cheaper are better, as anyone whos ever had to lug around a bunch of heavy gear can attest. Oops, there's been an error. In an incident in October, 2018, Miller was present when a Taliban gunman killed an Afghan police chief. There are only light handling marks and minor operational wear. Air Force General Officer Archetype Duty Assignments and Related Experience . Matt is also co-founder of The Armourers Bench, a video series on historically significant small arms. An Army spokesman told Task & Purpose at the time that Miller was first issued the sidearm back in 1992, well after the Army started phasing in the M9, and it became his official general officer assigned weapon in 2009. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you. Air Force Active Duty, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve. When the force needs critical readiness components delivered, whether at home or abroad, it depends on the TACOM ILSC. Quotes from generals in the book The Colt U.S. General Officers Pistol, by Harold Greeley IV, dont mention firing it in combat, and that they often considered it a social weapon, instead preferring to rely on their purchased Colt M1911s. The commissioned officer ranks are divided into 10 pay grades O-1 through O-10. K-Mart Classics: Remingtons Nylon Rimfires Engineered To Last. Seller Inventory # 5281 This weapon is accurate. Berettas issued to Air Force general officers dont appear to carry G.O. It's fairly standard and is only differentiated by the serial number. Activity. The Indian Wars. This new weapons system also will replace the M11-A1 Compact used by the Air Force Office of Special Investigations and the U.S. Army M15 General Officer pistol for military working dog training. Type of Finish: Blue & Black Alloy Grip Frame. These handguns are legacy pieces, each issued to a general officer who achieved the rank of brigadier general or higher, and should be a must-have for military collectors, especially the recently issued Sig Sauer M18. Maj. Gen. Olson transitioned to the Air Force Reserve in 2004 after joining NASA, where he served as a Senior Executive Service leader in several civil space leadership roles for nearly a decade, earning the Presidential Rank Award. "In addition to the pistol they get a flag, belt buckle, holster, magazine, cleaning rod and brush and other accessories," said Kemmis. A week ago, the top American officer in Afghanistan, U.S. Army General Scott Miller, appeared at a meeting with Afghan troops armed with a version of the iconic .45 caliber Colt M1911 pistol . Originally intended for high-ranking military personnel, the M15 was built from an existing stock of Colt M1911 pistols. "They are general officers after all, and we give them exceptional service. Pistols. views and opinions of Springfield Armory. Table 8.5. Variants . certified instructor prior to handling any firearm and be sure to read your owners manual. In his industry capacity, he served as a CEO, President, Vice President, and General Manager in both public and . Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. Markings: The left side of the slide is marked SMITH & WESSON with the four line Marcas Registradas address, the left side of the frame is marked with the serial and model numbers. | Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. Internally and externally the General Officer's M18 is no different to the M18 entering general service with the US Marine Corps, US Air Force, US Navy and specific roles within the US Army. CLARK AIR FORCE GENERAL BLACK BELT AND HOLSTER VIETNAM 1972, GENERAL BRUCE PALMER WEARING PISTOL - VIETNAM - 1965, ARMY MAJ. GEN. CHARLES WING RIA M-15 .45 BLACK BELT AND HOLSTER 1979, ARMY MAJOR GENERAL SAM LEFFLER RIA M -15 WITH BLACK BELT AND HOLSTER 1985, AIR FORCE MAJ. GEN. MICHAEL KOSTELNIK BERETTA M9 9MM BLACK BELT AND HOLSTER 1988, ARMY GENERAL JAMES LINDSAY BERETTA M-9 9MM BIACHI M-12 HOLSTER AND BELT 1988, ARMY GENERAL ANN DUNWOODY COMMANDING GENERAL MATERIAL COMMAND 2008. Most general officers purchase their pistols when they retire, said Kemmis. Get the latest in military news, entertainment and gear in your inbox daily. GEN A.P. . 94 W. Cochran St., Suite B General Officer Pistol Program Army regulations . The USG routinely intercepts and monitors communications on this IS for purposes including, but not limited to, penetration testing, COMSEC monitoring, network operations and defense, personnel misconduct (PM), law enforcement (LE), and counterintelligence (CI) investigations. David covers the Air Force, Space Force and anything Star Wars-related. Features solid brass buckle and hardware. Military decorations include: Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon, and National Order of Vietnam 5th Class, and he was a Command Pilot. It sold in RIAC's May Premier Auction for $5,288. All . The 1908s chambered in .380 quickly ran out, and the .32 caliber pocket model was substituted. When it came time to retire the M9, the Sig Sauer M17 and M18 were selected as the new sidearm for the military in 2017, besting seven competitors. When a general left active service he was given the choice of returning it or purchasing it. While generals may now have the option of a personalized M18 on their hip, they wont be the only ones touting the compact new sidearm downrange: the Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps are all going all-in on the pistol. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. In 1975, Dillon returned to active duty, returning to Reserve in 1982 as mobilization assistant to the vice commander in chief of NORAD and to the vice commander of the U.S. Air Force Space Command, remaining in this position until he retired in 1989. To ensure a long life of shooting, this 1911 features a carbon steel frame and slide, both forged (rather than cast) for extreme strength. Most of them did, and still do, as this long-standing practice is still in effect today. BASE FOR INVASION FORCE. This is Lot 1453. However, by 1943, in the middle of World War II, the U.S. Army began a program to equip general officers with standard-issue pistols. Substitute College Police Officer Salary: $36.07 Hourly Location: Various Locations - San Bernardino County, CA Job Type: Department: District Police Department Job Number: 0906 Closing: 6/30/2023 4:30 PM Pacific Job Description This posting is to establish a pool of qualified applicants for the 2022-2023 academic year. Lodewick's name is inscribed on one of the gold sheathed legs of the first lunar lander. Free shipping for many products! Overall, this pistol is in about Excellent condition. M9 General Officer's Model. Generals are required to annually file a statement that they still have the issued sidearm, and can purchase the gun when they left the service. The belt's buckle and any other metal parts were either in gold for the Army or silver for the Air Force. Stay in the know. The Sig Sauer M18 is the latest General Officer pistol issued by the U.S. military. During the Korean War . These were replaced in turn by General Officer Model M15 .45 caliber pistols made by the Army's Rock Island Arsenal in the 1970s before Beretta M9 GOs became the standard in the mid-1980s. The magazines show very faint operational wear with intact feed lips and strong springs, in about Excellent condition. According to museum records, it was produced in 1972, and is a modified version of the Ithaca Gun Co. M1911A1 made in 1943. The tradition of General Officer pistols bearing serial numbers with the prefix G.O. standing for general officer, started with the M15. Epic 22 Pocket Pistol: The Beretta 71 Jaguar. In the Army, Marine Corps, and Air Force, these pay grades correspond to the ranks of second lieutenant (O-1), first lieutenant (O-2), and captain (O-3). prefix. By Rebecca Montgomery, TACOM LCMC Rock Island Pubic AffairsJanuary 9, 2008. Nevertheless, he purchased the Colt M1908 Hammerless pistol he was issued. . A lanyard may be attached to the mainspring housing. The views Click here for more information. Emergency Management Law and Order. There is nothing ordinary about this job or those who go out and do it every day. When officers are promoted to Brigadier General they are presented with the new sidearm. Since then, the Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force have all adopted the M17 and M18 series pistols. The Air Force bought the M9s back in the 1980s, and the design has not really changed since then, said Merrill Adkison, USAF Small Arms Program Office senior logistics manager. Nonetheless, the FBI is still claiming they weren't . Rock Island Auction Company has three General Officers Pistol Program pistols in the Aug. 26-28 Premier Auction that are a progression of the sidearms issued to those who achieved the rank of brigadier general during different eras: a Colt M15 pistol, an Beretta M9, and the latest General Officer pistol, the Sig Sauer M18, the military variation of Sigs P320. prefix when issuing the M9 to general officers. U.S. Air Force Fielding 125,000 New Sig Sauer M18 Pistols. Previous pistols issued to senior army officers have included the ColtModel 1908 Pocket Hammerless pistols and the ColtM15 General Officers Pistol. Live The Armory Life. You must have JavaScript enabled in your browser to use this website. The primary difference appears to be the weapons' serial numbers. Women are underrepresented among the Air Force's senior leadership, which could be robbing the service of the potential to improve innovation, agility, and performance. The U.S. Air Force says it will finally replace the very last of its .38 Special caliber M15 revolvers with the compact variant of the U.S. Army's new 9mm Modular Handgun System pistol, the M18 . The document is stamped "CUSTOMS CLEARANCE/JOINT CUSTOMS GROUP/SAIGON AREA DET." Air Force General Officer Archetype Career Experiences 198 Table 8.6. This Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless was a General Officer pistol issued to Brigadier General Chauncey D. Merrill. Functionally, the M15 operates the same as a basic M1911 Colt pistol. It replaces the M9, which airmen have wielded since 1985. A long-standing US Army tradition is the issuing of General Officer sidearms. He graduated from West Point in 1915 but in his long military career never saw combat. Answer (1 of 2): during WWII he did also carry a Colt Pocket Model hammerless, as well as a Remington Model 51 .380. Firearms Family. David Roza may we recommend an ivory finish, perhaps? A variant of the Sig Sauer P320 with a number of upgrades to include a coyote-tan PVD coated stainless steel slide and a removable top plate for optics, the M18 can use a 17-round 9mm flush fit or 21-round extended magazine. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards. prefix to the serial number. General Officer Pistol Kits, Flags, Poles for Flags, Belts and Buckles. Contact the author here. The Beretta M9 General Officer's Model is a special model issued to General Officers in the Army and Air Force that replaced the special issue RIA M15 General Officer's Pistol and Colt M1911A1 beginning in 1986. The general reached out to Col. Kelly to organize the first Air Force Marksmanship School at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, TX. The double action trigger pull is smooth, single action has a smooth takeup followed by a crisp break with a short reset. Sig has even produced both standard and commemorative versions for the gun-buying public. The pistol was presented to General Poe in 1969, and the custom grips, which feature the four stars of his rank, inlaid U.S. Air Force seal, and inlaid unit seal, were made for General Poe's retirement in 1981. And still today, when general officers retire they can buy the pistols they were issued. The arrest was absolutely berserk and Houck, as of Jan. 2023, has been cleared of all counts. Show per page. The [Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act] authorization and policy for Ellsworth [Air Force Base] strengthens security by enhancing Security Forces response to threats, including active shooter threats, wrote Ellsworth Air Force Base public affairs in 2017. The guns then went on to pass required interchangeability, material, and accuracy tests. Weve included a selection of photos here to visually prove that point. Air Force Active Duty, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve. Mechanics: The action functions correctly. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. $10.99. It is estimated that at least 570,000 Colt Pocket Hammerless pistols were produced between 1903 and 1945. It is identical to the standard M9 sidearm, with standard Bruniton-polymer finish and black composite grips, except it has a "GO"-prefix to its serial number range, starting . A closeup of this M15 shows the G.O. This model is commonly referred to as the "Officer". There are currently no customer product questions on this lot. Department of the Air Force. In all, the USAF is acquiring some 125,000 new M18s from Sig Sauer at a cost of $22.1 million, which breaks down do about $176.80 per firearm proving it pays to buy guns in bulk! Many chose to be seen as a fighting general, a combat commander who led from the front. Octaviano then verifies the requester, assigns the pistol and logs the request into a database, which notifies Anniston Army Depot personnel who ship the pistol to the general. View Product. Copyright 2011-2023 All Rights Reserved. There are 650 pistols issued according to current records. It had no distinguishing characteristics as a General Officer pistol beyond the G.O. Company grade officers are those officers in grades O-1 to O-3, field grade officers are . All rights reserved. Finally, the new pistols ability to use blank firing kits and Simunitions will allow it to replace the long-serving .38-caliber Smith & Wesson M15 K-frame revolver, which is used in training military working dogs. 1.2.2.2. The M15 General Officers is a .45 ACP pistol developed by the U.S. Army's Rock Island Arsenal from stock M1911 pistols as a replacement for the aging Colt Model 1903 and Model 1908 Pocket Hammerless pistols.The pistol was issued to United States Army general officers as a personal weapon.. Simi Valley, CA 93065. He attended both the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado . In those times that he is cornered in a corporate environment, he will talk about marketing until he is released. Our Assessment: This model 39 from Smith & Wesson was issued as a General Officers pistol to Major General Edward Dillon of the United States Air Force. 23K views, 608 likes, 89 loves, 217 comments, 128 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Roberto Cavada: EN VIVO: Desfile Militar con motivo al 179. Year of Manufacture: 1957-1969 (a later serial number was issued as a General Officers pistol in 1969), Action Type: Double Action, Semi-Automatic, Removable Magazine Fed Pistol with Decocker Safety & Magazine Disconnect. Julie Ferrigno (left), Accountable Officer for Tank-automotive and Armaments Command General Officer Pistol Program, issues a SIG Sauer Modular Handgun System to Brig. It was only adopted in 2017, so Lot 347 in RIAC's Aug. 26-28 Premier Auction is exceedingly rare. . The grips are excellent with lightly visible scuffs. Some 2.7 million M1911 and the later M1911A1 variation were produced throughout its long service with the U.S. military. He faces dismissal from the military and up to seven years in prison. Lock, Stock & Barrel Investments This M15 was issued to Major General John Coffey Jr., Adjutant General of the Oklahoma Military Department. Miller drew his sidearm in self-defense, a rarity for generals in the U.S. military but an acknowledgement that the enemy could be anywhere. of the Air Force. It replaced the previous M15 General Officer's pistol. BREAKING NEWS: US Nuclear Base PURGED, Moscow Air raids, ICBMs on The Move, Bakhmut COLLAPSE. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for US M.1917 Remington Made Bayonet And Scabbard at the best online prices at eBay! Gen. Douglas MacArthur was another general who didnt wear a firearm and was proud that he went unarmed in World War I. In 1967 the U.S. Air Force began issuing Smith & Wesson Model 39 pistols to flag rank officers. Historically, General Officer pistols often had some sort of customisation, such as engraved names or embellishments, it seems that personalised serial numbers, with the GO prefix, is the modern equivalent. GENERAL BRUCE PALMER WEARING PISTOL - VIETNAM - 1965. Careers (223 results found) Career name Rank Service component Favorite. The U.S. Navy doesnt have a similar program but the Air Force does. These heavy duty top-grain leather belts are 1-7/8" wide and adjustable to fit waists up to 50". The Air Force would like to make its already-tiny M18 service pistol even smaller, according to a bid posted last month on the U.S. governments contracting website. General Goldfeins pistol was the first time wed seen a General Officers M18 MHS in the wild. According to the Army, the Colt was . The grips have a few scattered individual blunted checkers, minor nicks and scuffs. Live The Armory Life. Overall, the grips are in about Fine-Excellent condition. 1.2.3. Weve also previously seenGeneral David L. Goldfein,a four-star general, who is the current Chief of Staff of the Air Force has also received hisnew M18 Modular Handgun System General Officers sidearm. August 6, 2018. "When a general officer requests a pistol he has to either go through the GOMO office (General Officer Management Office) or come through us with a request to receive the pistol," Octaviano said. The Colt M15 became the next General Officer pistol, though Smith & Wesson Model 39, Colt Model 1969, and Walther Model P38 were also considered. It comes with one 15 . M9s are larger, heavier, all-metal pistols; whereas M18s are lighter polymer pistols with a more consistent trigger pull and adjustable grips for large and small hands, said Merrill Adkison, Small Arms Program Office senior logistics manager, at the time. The M15 is quite similar to the Colt Commander and is operationally similar to the M1911A1. Click the Go To Forum Thread link below to jump in! The right side of the frame is marked with S&Ws monogram logo. Despite the issue of the small 1908 and 1903 pocket pistols, many generals chose to carry something a bit more powerful: pistols such as the .45 caliber 1911 automatic pistol. This marked the start of issuance of a standard pistol as a badge of rank to the General Officers. The pistols cost $497. The Air Force Security Forces Center, in partnership with the Air Force Small Arms Program Office, has begun fielding the new M18 SIG Sauer Modular Handgun System to security forces units as part of . Officer's Style Pistol Belt. Daniel James, the first Black four-star general in the Air Force, became a member of the Tuskegee Airmen in 1943, but spent World War II stateside as a flight instructor. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Free shipping for many products! M9s are larger, heavier, all-metal pistols; whereas M18s are lighter polymer pistols with a more consistent trigger pull and adjustable grips for large and small hands.. The pistol has fixed iron sights. Mechanically excellent. Previous pistols issued to senior army officers have (1984). Oct 2021 - Present1 year 6 months. Late last year, Sig Sauer announced they are releasing a commercially-available version of the militarys M18 on the consumer market. The left side of the trigger guard is marked P. Some were issued to US Army and US Air Force general officers from World War II through the 1970s. However, when the Air Force announced it was buying 125,000 M18 service pistols last June, the service announced that Security Forces airmen (the Air Force equivalent of military police) were among the first to field the weapon. The M15 was a Colt M1911-A1 pistol modified at Rock Island Arsenal, located just a few short miles away from Rock Island Auction Company. The Sig Sauer M18 was adapted as an American military gun in 2017, so it is exceedingly rare to have a General Officer pistol of this make become available. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. The M17 is the full-sized model, while the M18 serves as the shorter carry model and is issued as the General Officers pistol. Community. Gen. Glenn Dean, Program . Posted on February 28, 2023 by Constitutional Nobody. The pistol is documented by serial number in Williams & Brunners book U.S. We try to take really good care of them. RIAC believes that this website is accessible to the widest possible audience pursuant to the guidelines of the Americans with Disability Act. Get the latest in military news, entertainment and gear in your inbox daily. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. During Vietnam he was assigned to Headquarters U.S. Air Force in the office of Deputy Chief of Staff, and attended The National War College from 1969 to 1971. When Gens. General MacArthur's headquarters announced that the entire Ryukyu Island News and events. Eisenhower, who was the Allied Supreme Commander in Europe during World War II, didnt wear a firearm. Single/Double action Striker. The M15 is made to a higher standard of finish to distinguish it as a general officer's pistol. A total of 1,004 were made and issued. It was with the Remington that he shot at a Luftwaffe airplane, as it was attempting to strafe his encampment. articles and videos are considered to be suggestions and not recommendations from Springfield Armory. Color. SOLD FOR: $7,025. It is Lot 347 in RIAC's Aug. 26-28 Premier Auction. He earned a masters degree in electrical engineering from Purdue University in 1949 and in 1952 took a teaching position West Point, in the department of electricity. Rock Island Auction Company has three General Officer's Pistol Program pistols in the Aug. 26-28 Premier Auction that are a progression of the sidearms issued to those who achieved the rank of brigadier general during different eras: a Colt M15 pistol, an Beretta M9, and the latest General Officer pistol, the Sig Sauer . The exposed metal parts such as the safety and slide lock have a polished blued finish, while the top of the slide has a black matte-type finish. MLA Citation. He regularly contributes articles to national magazines and websites on military history and firearms topics, and historical photos from his collection are used by publishers around the world. The pistol came with a black leather belt, black leather holster, black leather two-pocket magazine pouch, cleaning kit, and three magazines that were serial-numbered to the weapon. serial number for general officers and also provided with large and small grips and arrives in the medium grip. From 1945 to 1946 he served as officer in charge of flight control at Guam. The finish on the guns was a deep blue on portions of the slide and frame. Roster of USAF retired general officers. The generals code of dress changed during World War II so that sidearms were issued to generals because they no longer stayed in one place on the battlefield and as battle lines could be fluid, a general had to be armed to protect themselves if they ran into trouble. Here on TFB he covers product and current military small arms news. This was followed by the M9 9mm pistol beginning in 1984. By signing up you agree to Guns.com's While earlier serial numbers were documented as shipped as early as 1967, this pistol comes with a Defense Department Materiel Condition tag dated in 1973 and the book states that this serial number was shipped in 1982. United States. About 1,400 of the M1908 pistols were issued and 2,368 M1903 pistols were distributed. U.S. Army Air Force General James B. Newman (Commander of the 9th AF Engineer Command) along with Colonel Schilling inspecting forward . Army Surplus World is a premier supplier of USGI and commercial products for past and present members of the military, public service professionals, outdoor enthusiasts, and patriotic Americans. Mini Pistol Belt. Though Colt produced the M1903 until 1927 and the M1908 until 1944, the M1908 was issued as the first General Officer pistol until 1950, followed by the M1903 from 1950 to 1972 when inventory ran out. Two of the four proposed replacements were the P38 and M39, already in use by Air Force Officers. The M15, chambered in .45 Auto and based on the M1911 design, is not that different from the Colt Commander. Generals were not expected to get into gunfights, and an American generals decision to carry a pistol was based largely in personal preference. Exercise Crimson Dawn 23. Each officer made up their own mind. The Army recently approved Sig Sauers M17 and M18 pistols for Full Material Release, declaring that the new sidearm meets all operational performance requirements to formally replace the Vietnam-era M9. LSB#: 201208ED01 Make: Smith & Wesson Model: 39, USAF General Officer's Pistol Serial Number: 81942 Year of Manufacture: 1957-1969 (a later serial number was issued as a General Officer's pistol in 1969) Caliber: 9mm Parabellum Action Type: Double Action, Semi-Automatic, Removable Magazine Fed Pistol with Decocker Safety & Magazine Disconnect of the Air Force [Washington, DC] 1984. Air Force officer ranks are divided into three sections: company grade, field grade and general officers. Matt is a British historian specialising in small arms development and military history. Omar N. Bradley, George S. Patton and Dwight D. Eisenhower retired, they purchased the pistols they were issued when they were on active duty. Nor was that the end of the P38's influence: The Army's General Officer Pistol program supplied distinctive sidearms to flag officers as a sign of rank.