Definition

1. Noun:
   • A senior military staff officer responsible for logistics and supplies for an entire army: A "quartermaster general" is a high-ranking officer whose primary duty is the planning, procurement, distribution, and maintenance of supplies, equipment, and transportation for all units within an army.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The quartermaster general reported that winter uniforms would be distributed to the troops by the end of the month.
  • Promotion to the role of quartermaster general requires extensive experience in military logistics.
  • The general's strategy depended on the efficiency of the quartermaster general's supply chain.

Advanced Usage

• The title "Quartermaster General" is often capitalized when referring to a specific person holding the office or as a formal title within a military's organizational structure.
  • General Abrams served as the Quartermaster General of the Army from 2018 to 2021.
• The role is a quintessential staff (planning and support) position rather than a command (combat leadership) position, though it carries significant authority and responsibility.

Variants and Related Words

• Quartermaster (n): A lower-ranking officer responsible for supplies and quarters for a specific unit, such as a battalion or ship. The "quartermaster general" oversees all such officers for the entire army.
• Logistics (n): The detailed organization and implementation of a complex operation, encompassing the procurement, maintenance, and transportation of material and personnel. This is the core function of the quartermaster general's department.

Synonyms

• Logistics chief: A more modern or general term for the senior officer in charge of supply and distribution.
• Supply chief: A simpler term emphasizing the provision of materials.

Related Phrases

• Office of the Quartermaster General: Refers to the entire department or staff organization headed by the quartermaster general.
  • The request was forwarded to the Office of the Quartermaster General for approval.

Noun

1. a staff officer in charge of supplies for a whole army