Aide-de-camp

An 1843 illustration of a French aide-de-camp (right) assisting a général de division (centre) during the Napoleonic wars

An aide-de-camp (UK: /ˌeɪddəˈkɒ̃/, US: /-ˈkæmp/;[1] French expression meaning literally "helper in the [military] camp"[2]) is a personal assistant or secretary to a person of high rank, usually a senior military, police or government officer, or to a member of a royal family or a head of state.

An aide-de-camp may participate at ceremonial functions, and the first aide-de-camp is typically the foremost personal aide. This is not to be confused with an adjutant, who is the senior administrator of a military unit.

The badge of office for an aide-de-camp is usually the aiguillette, a braided cord in gold or other colours, worn on the shoulder of a uniform. Whether it is worn on the left or the right shoulder is dictated by protocol.

In some countries, aide-de-camp is considered to be a title of honour, which confers the post-nominal letters ADC, A.D.C.[2] or A de C.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Jones1917 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Aide-de-Camp" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 1 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 435.