I can't vouch for the historical accuracy of these, but maybe...
"Move out!" or "Now get going!" sound informal and urgent (also can be said with irritation or impatience).
"Commence" sounds official, like "Commence Operation: [Name]." I imagine a team or crew getting started while a captain or general oversees them.
I agree that "dismissed" can be used as a strong ending to an explanation or command. The commanding officer expects people to act, not ask questions or delay.
See, it's one of those awkward situations where people are about to argue - the commanding officer is injured and he's telling them to go do X before of helping him, and they very visibly hesitate. So on one hand he needs to get them moving, and on the other hand he's inclined to be a bit forgiving of the lapse in the discipline since the problem is their concern for him. He's also the kind of guy who defaults to formal when stressed, i.e. he's not about to tell them to "just #$^$ do it, you %&^# ^%@!#", which probably would've been the most effective and natural line under circumstances :D
So I'm now torn between "dismissed" and "now get to it". Probably "now get to it".
Ohhh, okay! Well, if he defaults to formal when stressed, then "dismissed" would work. A little cold and distant, but reminding the others of rank and jolting them back to attention and action. It's up to you, of course! XD I don't think you need a real military command in that type of situation. "Now, get to it," or more simply "Now, go," would be enough, since it's more about how he says it and what he means by it.
It isn't clear what ranks your commander is speaking to - to his junior officers, or to a group of enlisted men?
To enlisted men: 'Carry on' would certainly do - he has already told them exactly what he wants them to carry on doing - and he can add '. . . and look sharp about it!' if they are hesitant.
To subordinate officers: at the end of a council of war or staff briefing, the command would be, "Gentlemen: to your duties, dismiss'. Which means, 'this briefing is over, so go back to your unit and do what you've been ordered to do'.
But in the army if you just say 'Dismiss!' to anyone, you've more or less given them permission to slope off and have a mug of tea and a smoke.
"Move out!" or "Now get going!" sound informal and urgent (also can be said with irritation or impatience).
"Commence" sounds official, like "Commence Operation: [Name]." I imagine a team or crew getting started while a captain or general oversees them.
I agree that "dismissed" can be used as a strong ending to an explanation or command. The commanding officer expects people to act, not ask questions or delay.
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So I'm now torn between "dismissed" and "now get to it". Probably "now get to it".
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Thanks for the input, seriously :)
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It isn't clear what ranks your commander is speaking to - to his junior officers, or to a group of enlisted men?
To enlisted men: 'Carry on' would certainly do - he has already told them exactly what he wants them to carry on doing - and he can add '. . . and look sharp about it!' if they are hesitant.
To subordinate officers: at the end of a council of war or staff briefing, the command would be, "Gentlemen: to your duties, dismiss'. Which means, 'this briefing is over, so go back to your unit and do what you've been ordered to do'.
But in the army if you just say 'Dismiss!' to anyone, you've more or less given them permission to slope off and have a mug of tea and a smoke.
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