substantive rank

/ səbˈstæntɪv /

noun

1. a permanent rank in the armed services obtained by length of service, selection, etc

Example Sentences

He was promoted brevet lieutenant-colonel and shortly afterwards to the same substantive rank.

From Project Gutenberg

It took Sir Harvey Adamson and myself, who were contemporaries, over seven years to get a step of substantive rank.

From Project Gutenberg