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Military Matters Trivia Quizzes

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Army, navy, air force, and all other forces are welcome here. Test your mettle with our military quizzes.
443 Military Matters quizzes and 6,202 Military Matters trivia questions.
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1.
Oh Captain My Captain
  Oh Captain, My Captain!   best quiz  
Photo Quiz
 10 Qns
Not to be confused with the naval captain, the rank of army captain is among the oldest military ranks. Here are the insignia of ten captains from around the world - but can you identify the country?
Average, 10 Qns, WesleyCrusher, Oct 05 18
Average
WesleyCrusher editor
Oct 05 18
462 plays
2.
  Military Leaders   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 20 Qns
A "Who am I?" quiz on famous military leaders in World History.
Average, 20 Qns, OohYeah, Apr 26 17
Average
OohYeah
9127 plays
3.
  Great and Famous Military Leaders   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Here are some fun questions on great army leaders of history.
Easier, 10 Qns, The_Sarrow, Jun 14 21
Easier
The_Sarrow
Jun 14 21
5520 plays
4.
Famous Weapon Testing Sites
  Famous Weapon Testing Sites    
Photo Quiz
 10 Qns
Many countries around the world have set aside special areas to test their most powerful weapons. Why not take your own "weapons test" and learn about some of these places?
Easier, 10 Qns, dcpddc478, Mar 22 23
Easier
dcpddc478
Mar 22 23
332 plays
5.
German Army Decorations
  German Army Decorations   popular trivia quiz  
Photo Quiz
 10 Qns
Compared to many other countries, German army uniforms tend to be relatively subdued in symbolism and extent of decoration, but there are still quite a few interesting (and rare) insignia for German soldiers to earn. Let's have a look!
Difficult, 10 Qns, WesleyCrusher, Apr 03 19
Difficult
WesleyCrusher editor
Apr 03 19
150 plays
6.
  Military Operation Names   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A quick quiz on the names given to various military operations over the years.
Average, 10 Qns, quogequox, Nov 16 04
Average
quogequox
2786 plays
7.
  So You Want to Be a Foreign Legionnaire   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Is "Beau Geste" your favorite movie? Do you enjoy eating sand in out-of-the-way world locations? Do you think you look good in a kepi? If so you may have what it takes to be a French Foreign Legionnaire. Take this quiz and find out.
Average, 10 Qns, deputygary, Dec 26 14
Average
deputygary
2462 plays
8.
  Key Military Innovations in History   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Some innovations in history (of military origin) either permanently changed warfare or provided the spark for significant change. These include technology, organization and doctrine. Test your knowledge of some of history's key military developments.
Average, 10 Qns, McAngus, Mar 26 12
Average
McAngus
2283 plays
9.
  You and What Army?   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Can you correctly answer these military-based questions?
Average, 10 Qns, nyirene330, Dec 27 16
Average
nyirene330
605 plays
10.
  The Bases are Loaded   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Here are some questions on ten of the world's most unusual military bases. Found all over the world, each one of these locations is unique in its own way.
Average, 10 Qns, dcpddc478, Apr 20 22
Average
dcpddc478
Apr 20 22
1452 plays
trivia question Quick Question
Located southeast of Calgary, in which province would you find CFB Suffield, Canada's largest military base?

From Quiz "The Bases are Loaded"




11.
  Elite Troops Through History    
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
Most nations field units of standard issue troops (called GIs in the U.S.) as well as elite or more specialized units. How many of these historical elites can you match with the culture from which they arose?
Easier, 10 Qns, havan_ironoak, Aug 20 19
Easier
havan_ironoak
Aug 20 19
455 plays
12.
  Tombs of Unknown Soldiers   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
This quiz looks at Tombs of the Unknowns around the world, notably US and Commonwealth countries. You'll find no humor or witty lines inside - this isn't the place. Read - Learn - Remember.
Average, 15 Qns, goatlockerjoe, Sep 17 19
Average
goatlockerjoe
Sep 17 19
395 plays
13.
  Origins of Military Words and Phrases   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Can you identify the true origin of well known phrases or words that sprang from military or naval backgrounds? Remember that usage may have altered since the word or phrase was first used.
Tough, 10 Qns, Simon_Templar, Jul 25 13
Tough
Simon_Templar
3298 plays
14.
  Soldiers of the Cross Keys - The Swiss Guard   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
For more than five hundred years the head of the Roman Catholic Church has been protected by a small mercenary army. This quiz examines one of the oldest military formations in the world; the Pontifical Swiss Guard.
Average, 10 Qns, SisterSeagull, May 06 16
Average
SisterSeagull gold member
177 plays
15.
  Close Quarters Battle, Part 1   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
You've got to be tactically smart to make it through this quiz, as there are some tough questions requiring specialized knowledge.
Tough, 10 Qns, Stillman, Oct 08 10
Tough
Stillman
3152 plays
16.
  Ireland's Soldier Sons   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
For generations, men born in Ireland have fought in wars and conflicts worldwide. These questions are about groups and individuals involved in battles beyond their own shores.
Difficult, 10 Qns, darksplash, Nov 25 08
Difficult
darksplash
737 plays
17.
  Close Quarters Battle, Part 3   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
By popular demand, here is the third installment in my series of quizzes on CQB: Close Quarters Battle. Enjoy.
Difficult, 10 Qns, Stillman, Apr 04 14
Difficult
Stillman
1861 plays
18.
  Special Units    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz consists of questions about some of the world's most elite police and military special units.
Average, 10 Qns, Arny, Apr 28 21
Average
Arny
Apr 28 21
1570 plays
19.
  Close Quarters Battle, Part 2   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
More tactics and trivia for the police and military CQB environment.
Tough, 10 Qns, Stillman, Sep 13 12
Tough
Stillman
2031 plays
20.
  Gallantry Medals of the World    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz will test your knowledge of some of the most famous (and not so famous) gallantry medals from around the world.
Average, 10 Qns, ancientnav, Jul 14 11
Average
ancientnav
1443 plays
21.
  You Want to Join the French Foreign Legion?    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
You want to join the French Foreign Legion? My advice: think about it and then think about it some more.
Average, 10 Qns, beterave, Nov 25 12
Average
beterave
516 plays
22.
  21 Gun Salute    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Some interesting facts about the 21 Gun Salute.
Tough, 10 Qns, brewpack, Jan 25 23
Tough
brewpack
Jan 25 23
359 plays
23.
  S.A. Special Forces: They Fear Nothing But God    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The South African Special Forces Commando was highly trained. They were considered to be South Africa's equivalent of the British SAS.
Average, 10 Qns, L_A_Best, Jul 27 07
Average
L_A_Best
584 plays
24.
  Military Awards    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Let's see if you really know your military awards.
Difficult, 10 Qns, crazyivancnd, Sep 14 15
Difficult
crazyivancnd
2762 plays
25.
  The Indian Army    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The fourth largest Army in the world, the Indian Army is also the oldest wing of India's armed forces. Here's a short quiz on the Army mainly relating to its equipment and regiments.
Difficult, 10 Qns, almaster, Dec 10 15
Difficult
almaster
1209 plays
26.
  Modern Military Technology    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This is a quiz of general military questions.
Difficult, 10 Qns, thekid92, Dec 27 11
Difficult
thekid92
3462 plays
27.
  Italian Military Commanders    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Do you know these Italian military commanders?
Tough, 10 Qns, maria36, Mar 13 14
Tough
maria36
473 plays
28.
  The Iranian Embassy Siege    
Multiple Choice
 20 Qns
The Iranian Embassy Siege in London and the following events first brought the SAS to eye of the general public. What do you remember?
Average, 20 Qns, YoungSmart, Dec 18 14
Average
YoungSmart
847 plays
29.
  Great Quotes from Military Figures    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Military Quotations
Tough, 10 Qns, Charlemagne, Apr 28 21
Tough
Charlemagne
Apr 28 21
1919 plays
30.
  UK and US Military Jargon    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Our fighting men and women can sometimes sound like they have their own language. See if you can figure out what some of these strange words mean!
Tough, 10 Qns, berty1979, Mar 29 13
Tough
berty1979
551 plays
31.
  The Little Rhodesian Air Force    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The Rhodesian Air Force fought against the nationalists for fifteen years, and despite sanctions, was still effective at the end of the war in 1980. This quiz relates to the machines used by the RHAF prior to and in this conflict.
Tough, 10 Qns, faintinggoat, Jun 18 18
Tough
faintinggoat
Jun 18 18
481 plays
Related Topics
  War History [History] (1068 quizzes)

  Espionage & Codebreaking [World] (31 quizzes)

  Technology and Computers [Sci / Tech] (256 quizzes)

  Military Leaders [History] (10 quizzes)


Military Matters Trivia Questions

1. Which U.S. branch of the service is INCORRECTLY matched with its military college?

From Quiz
You and What Army?

Answer: US Coast Guard - Parris Island, SC

While the Marine Corps Recruit Depot is located within Port Royal, South Carolina, the base for the Marine Corps is located in Quantico, Virginia but, as one wise man noted to me, Washington, D.C. is the home base for all the military services.

2. Prior to their employment as bodyguards to the pontiff, Swiss mercenary soldiers were providing protection for which king of France from as early as 1480?

From Quiz Soldiers of the Cross Keys - The Swiss Guard

Answer: Louis XI

Known as 'The Swiss Hundred', these mercenary soldiers fulfilled the role of bodyguard to the kings of France until the French Revolution. Their final action in this role took place when the Royal Palace was stormed in 1792 in which six hundred of the king's Swiss bodyguard fought to the death. As well as providing this service to the French king, Swiss soldiers acted as bodyguards for many royal houses across Europe; they were also employed by the rulers of Prussia, the Netherlands, Austria and the island of Sardinia in the Mediterranean Sea.

3. If a UK Royal Navy rating is working hard in a hot environment, what might he claim to be?

From Quiz UK and US Military Jargon

Answer: Redders

Obvious! "Red hot", get it? 'Thredders' means tired (threadbare)

4. Of what metal is the Victoria Cross made?

From Quiz Gallantry Medals of the World

Answer: Bronze

To this day, the London jewellers of Hancock & Co make Victoria Crosses using bronze from cannon captured from the Russians in the Crimean War.

5. The 21 gun salute stems from what military tradition?

From Quiz 21 Gun Salute

Answer: Navy

Warships would empty their cannons upon arrival in a foreign port. This was to signify that the approaching vessel meant no harm.

6. The French Foreign Legion, unlike a pirate crew, has entrance requirements. What nationality do you need to be to join the French Foreign Legion?

From Quiz So You Want to Be a Foreign Legionnaire

Answer: The Legion accepts all nationalities

Persons of any nationality are accepted into the French Foreign Legion. I believe that is where the "Foreign" part comes in. The entrance requirements are simple: 1. you must be between 17 and 40 years of age, 2. you must have an official identity card, 3. you must be physically fit enough to serve. While women were traditionally unable to join the French Foreign Legion, recent pronouncements that women will be able to serve in any part of the French Army has changed that. While women may not join the Legion straight from civilian life, they may be able to transfer from a military school. No matter what your marital status, you will enlist as "single" so get your wife's permission before you go.

7. Which Northern Ireland-born soldier made a speech to his troops in Iraq that was lauded by a US President?

From Quiz Ireland's Soldier Sons

Answer: Tim Collins

Colonel Tim Collins was born in Northern Ireland in 1960 and attended Queen's University, Belfast, before moving on to the the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. As commanding officer of the 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment, a speech to his troops in Kuwait in 2003 caught the imagination of the British nation and her allies. President George W. Bush expressed his admiration for the speech. Collins opened his address by saying: "We go to liberate, not to conquer" and added "As for ourselves, let's bring everyone home and leave Iraq a better place for us having been there."

8. Which famous British unit conducted the operation for rescuing the hostages at Iranian embassy?

From Quiz Special Units

Answer: SAS

The whole embassy was taken by a group of terrorists and all of its staff taken hostage. Days of useless negotiations followed. Later, SAS was deployed to finally solve the whole situation. Using ropes and smoke grenades, these elite troops entered the embassy through the balconies and windows and successfully fulfilled all of their objectives, rescuing all of the civilians and eliminating the terrorists.

9. The official name is The South African Special Forces Brigade. What is their popular nickname?

From Quiz S.A. Special Forces: They Fear Nothing But God

Answer: The Recces

South African Special Forces were considered to be among the best in the world, especially when it came to bush warfare. As a result of the political changes in South Africa the Special Forces were disbanded on March 31, 1992, and re-formed with the name Directorate of Reconnaissance Regiments when the New South African National Defence Force came into being on April 27, 1994.

10. What is the military origin of the word "aloof"?

From Quiz Origins of Military Words and Phrases

Answer: Derived from the order to the helmsman to steer away from a hazard by steering to the windward quarter or "luff"

If a sailing ship was being blown towards a hazard, the captain would issue the order to the helmsman to "steer aloof". This would be to turn the ship to the windward quarter, which was then called the "luff", in order to sail away from the hazard.

11. The Royal Rhodesian Airforce bought its first dedicated fighters from Great Britain in the fifties. What type of aircraft were purchased?

From Quiz The Little Rhodesian Air Force

Answer: Spitfire F Mk 22

These aircraft were later replaced by jets and sold to Syria.

12. Which World War II general was known as "Blood and Guts"?

From Quiz Great and Famous Military Leaders

Answer: George S. Patton

Many have viewed Patton as a ferocious warrior. He got his nickname "Old Blood and Guts", when a reporter misquoted his statement that it takes blood and brains to win a war.

13. What was the German invasion of the Soviet Union during World War Two named?

From Quiz Military Operation Names

Answer: Barbarossa

Originally to be called Fritz after Colonel Bernhard Von Lossberg's son. Hitler disapproved and it was renamed after the folk name of 12th century Holy Roman Emperor Fredrick I who had brought the Slavs under Germanic control.

14. Who was the captain of the thirteen Italian knights during the famous Barletta challenge?

From Quiz Italian Military Commanders

Answer: Ettore Fieramosca

Ettore Fieramosca (1476-1515) led thirteen Italian knights during the famous challenge ("Disfida di Barletta", in Italian)which took place on February 13th 1503 in BARLETTA, Southern Italy, where the Italians challenged thirteen French knights, led by their captain La Motte who had said that the Italians were not good soldiers. The Italian knights defeated the French.

15. CQB environments are tricky and very dangerous. Reflecting this, hallways are often referred to by an alliterative nickname. What is it?

From Quiz Close Quarters Battle, Part 3

Answer: Fatal Funnel

Hallways present numerous tactical problems, since they tend to channel your team into a defined killzone with limited options for cover, if any. It is for this reason that going down a hallway is called "going through the fatal funnel".

16. What was the name given to the operation of rescue (which took place in London)?

From Quiz The Iranian Embassy Siege

Answer: Operation Nimrod

All listed were actual operations. "Torch" was the Allied landing in North Africa in WWII. "Thunderbolt" was the Israeli raid on Entebbe. Eagle Claw was the unsuccessful attempt, undertaken by Delta Force, to rescue 66 hostages from the American Embassy in Tehran.

17. After stacking up, what technique do operators typically do to signal they are ready to move, assuming Stealth Entry conditions?

From Quiz Close Quarters Battle, Part 2

Answer: Bump up

In a Stealth Entry environment, noise must be kept at a minimum. Using the radio isn't needed if you are that close, but even a whisper might be too loud. Just keeping an eye on the leader isn't going to work, especially for whoever is watching the rear or the flanks. The technique is "bumping up", where the leader gently bumps backwards into the man behind him, who carries the bump back until the last man in the stack bumps it forward. When the leader gets the bump back, he knows the whole stack is ready. Another option is to "thumb up", where each man grabs the raised thumb of the man in front of him.

18. At what average range do most CQB engagements occur?

From Quiz Close Quarters Battle, Part 1

Answer: Less than 5 meters

Most police engagements that occur during typical duty occur from 5-7 meters... but these generally happen outdoors. CQB engagements by their very nature tend to occur indoors, where an expected range of 2 to 4 meters (around 6 to 12 feet) is typical, although sometimes the range can close to physical contact distances. Very rarely will you be able to measure a CQB engagement range at more than 15 feet (roughly 5 meters).

19. This is the highest military award for bravery given by the British Government.

From Quiz Military Awards

Answer: Victoria Cross

The actual metal used in the striking of a Victoria Cross is taken from bronze cannons captured by the British forces during the Crimean War. It is one of the world's most prestigious awards for bravery.

20. 'Between a battle lost and a battle won, the distance is immense and there stand empires.'

From Quiz Great Quotes from Military Figures

Answer: Napoleon

21. What precedent motivated US officials to propose a tomb for an American Unknown?

From Quiz Tombs of Unknown Soldiers

Answer: Similar Tombs had already been started by England and France

As early as 1916, discussions in Great Britain and France sought ways to memorialize the staggering numbers of their unknown dead. The Tomb concept took hold, and planning began in both countries shortly after the Armistice. The US took notice, and began its own review. Army Chief of Staff General Peyton March was somewhat cool about the idea, explaining that Army Graves Registration might eventually identify all US unknowns, thus rendering the Tomb useless. But the project was completed, and the American Unknown was interred on 11 November 1921, the third anniversary of the Armistice. The concept of national tombs spread through following years; at least 40 Tombs/Memorials to Unknown Soldiers were built around the world in countries as far-flung as Egypt, Venezuela, Namibia, and Ukraine. Brazil's Monument and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of World War II is in faraway Pistoia, Tuscany, Italy. Lesser known Tombs in the US include the Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier in Philadelphia Pennsylvania, and the Tomb of the Unknown Confederate Soldier in Biloxi Mississippi.

22. What country is correctly matched with its highest military medal?

From Quiz You and What Army?

Answer: Gold Star - Russia

The Gold Star, with its insignia "Hero of the Russian Federation" (formerly Hero of the Soviet Union) is Russia's highest award and can be given to Russian citizens and foreign nationals for 'Extraordinary service to the State'. The award was established in 1992 and is presented by the Russian president. Since its inception, the Gold Star has been awarded nearly 1,000 times, almost half of which were awarded posthumously.

23. Which pope, who shared his name with an earlier Roman leader and who had earned himself the sobriquet the 'Warrior Pope' due to his war-like exploits as a cardinal, founded the Pontifical Swiss Guard in 1506?

From Quiz Soldiers of the Cross Keys - The Swiss Guard

Answer: Julius II

During the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries the Swiss earned an enviable reputation as fearless, loyal and efficient soldiers, often emerging victorious over armies many times larger than their own. This reputation attracted the attention of Pope Julius II who invited a small number of Swiss soldiers to form the nucleus of an army for the Papal State and as a bodyguard for the person of the pontiff himself. This contingent of one hundred and fifty soldiers arrived in the Vatican on January 22, 1506 entering the city through the Porta del Popolo where shortly afterwards they received a blessing from Pope Julius. This date is officially recognised as the date upon which the Pontifical Swiss Guard was founded.

24. What do the American military mean by a "kinetic" operation?

From Quiz UK and US Military Jargon

Answer: An operation using lethal force to obtain its goal

Kinetic actually means motion. In military terms, it is used to describe an operation that is expected to result in violence between two forces.

25. In which American desert would you find Dugway Proving Ground, one of the largest U.S. Army Facilities in the world?

From Quiz The Bases are Loaded

Answer: Great Salt Lake Desert

Dugway Proving Ground is located 85 miles (140 km) southwest of Salt Lake City, Utah. It encompasses 1,252.352 sq mi (3,243.576 kmĀ²) of the great Salt Lake Desert, an area similar in size to the whole state of Rhode Island, and is surrounded on three side by mountains. Dugway's primary mission is the testing of biological and chemical weapons, and was chosen because of its isolated and secure environment. In March of 1968 over 6,000 sheep died in Skull Valley, which is over 30 miles away from Dugway's testing sites. Necropsy proved they died from a nerve gas being tested at Dugway. While the government did not openly take blame for the incident they did pay the ranchers for their losses.

26. What is the inscription on the Victoria Cross?

From Quiz Gallantry Medals of the World

Answer: For Valour

"For Gallantry" appears on the George Cross, "For Bravery in the Field" on the Military Medal and "For Conspicuous Gallantry" on the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (unsurprisingly!)

27. In Canada 21 gun salutes are used for the following people.

From Quiz 21 Gun Salute

Answer: Foreign heads of state

The Canadian Minister of Defence receives a 17 gun salute and Lieutenant Governors of the provinces receive a 15 gun salute.

28. On what date was 1 Reconnaissance Commando established?

From Quiz S.A. Special Forces: They Fear Nothing But God

Answer: 1 October 1972

The name 1 Reconnaissance Commando had at first been chosen to be a cover so that the general public would not have an idea as to the unit's real purpose. The word 'Commando' had been used during the Boer War by units of men who had carried out similar tasks.

29. What is the military origin of the phrase "swinging the lead"?

From Quiz Origins of Military Words and Phrases

Answer: Measuring depth by lowering a lead weight on a measured rope over the side of a ship

The leadsman's job was to measure depth by lowering a lead weight over the side of a vessel and noting the length of line that went out. An idle or lazy leadsman could extend this less than arduous task by simply swinging the lead over the side of the ship. Hence instead of doing his job he was "swinging the lead" i.e. being lazy.

30. What was the first jet powered aircraft of the RHAF?

From Quiz The Little Rhodesian Air Force

Answer: Vampire

These aircraft were ferried the length of Africa in an operation considered impossible by the British.

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Last Updated Mar 23 2024 5:44 AM
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