Comparative military ranks
Encyclopedia
This article is a list of various states
' armed forces
ranking
designations. Comparisons are made between the different systems used by nations to categorize the hierarchy
of an armed force compared to another. Several of these lists mention NATO reference codes. These are the NATO rank reference codes
, used for easy comparison amongst NATO countries. Links to comparison charts can be found below.
First
Sovereign state
A sovereign state, or simply, state, is a state with a defined territory on which it exercises internal and external sovereignty, a permanent population, a government, and the capacity to enter into relations with other sovereign states. It is also normally understood to be a state which is neither...
' armed forces
Armed forces
The armed forces of a country are its government-sponsored defense, fighting forces, and organizations. They exist to further the foreign and domestic policies of their governing body, and to defend that body and the nation it represents from external aggressors. In some countries paramilitary...
ranking
Military rank
Military rank is a system of hierarchical relationships in armed forces or civil institutions organized along military lines. Usually, uniforms denote the bearer's rank by particular insignia affixed to the uniforms...
designations. Comparisons are made between the different systems used by nations to categorize the hierarchy
Hierarchy
A hierarchy is an arrangement of items in which the items are represented as being "above," "below," or "at the same level as" one another...
of an armed force compared to another. Several of these lists mention NATO reference codes. These are the NATO rank reference codes
Ranks and insignia of NATO
Ranks and insignia of NATO are combined military insignia used by the member countries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.The rank scale is used for specifying posts within NATO.-Definitions:...
, used for easy comparison amongst NATO countries. Links to comparison charts can be found below.
Argentina
- Military ranks of ArgentinaMilitary ranks of ArgentinaThis article presents the insignia and ranks of the armed forces of Argentina.-References:*Ejército Argentino **...
- Argentine Army officer rank insigniaArgentine Army officer rank insigniaArgentine Army officers wear their rank insignia in shoulderboards. Generals and Senior Colonels may be distinguished for the red trim of their shoulderboards and around the suns denoting their rank; they also wear golden wreath leaves in their coat lapels...
- Argentine Army enlisted rank insigniaArgentine Army enlisted rank insigniaThe following is a display of rank insignia used by enlisted personnel and non-commissioned officers of the Argentine Army, including field dress, parade dress and everyday dress uniforms...
Australia
- Australian Army officer rank insigniaAustralian Army officer rank insigniaAustralian Army officers receive a commission that is personally signed by the Governor-General of Australia, acting for the Monarch, currently Queen Elizabeth II, of Australia...
- Australian Army other ranks insigniaAustralian Army enlisted rank insigniaLike the British Army, the Australian Army does not use the term 'enlisted' to describe its non-commissioned ranks. Instead, personnel who are not Commissioned Officers are referred to as Other Ranks. These are soldiers, Non-Commissioned Officers and Warrant Officers . Warrant Officers are...
- Australian Air Force rank insigniaRanks of the RAAFThe Royal Australian Air Force inherited its rank structure from the Royal Air Force. The RAF based its officer ranks on the Royal Navy, and its airmen ranks on the British Army....
- Australian Defence Force ranks and insigniaAustralian Defence Force ranks and insigniaThis article lists the ranks of officers and enlisted personnel in the Australian Defence Force 's three service branches. The ADF comprises the:*Royal Australian Navy *Australian Army*Royal Australian Air Force...
Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bosnian Military ranks and insigniaMilitary ranks and insignia of Bosnia and HerzegovinaMilitary rank system and military insignia of Bosnia and Herzegovina shows the military rank system and insignias used by the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina that existed from 1992 to 2005 and the current Armed Forces of Bosnia-Herzegovina that exists from 2006 to present.- Military...
People's Republic of China
- Chinese Army ranksRanks of the People's Liberation ArmyThe People's Liberation Army has not always used ranks or insignia. In common with the practice of the Red Army at the time of its founding in 1927, neither were used until 1955 when a system of ranks was established. As a result of the Cultural Revolution, ranks were abolished in May 1965...
(People's Republic of China) - Chinese Navy ranksRanks of the People's Liberation Army NavyThe ranks in the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy are similar to those of the Chinese Army, formally known as the People's Liberation Army Ground Force, except that those of the PLA Navy are prefixed by 海军 meaning Naval Force or Navy. See Ranks of the People's Liberation Army or the article...
(People's Republic of China) - Chinese Air Force ranksRanks of the People's Liberation Army Air ForceThe ranks in the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force are similar to those of the Chinese Army, formally known as the People's Liberation Army Ground Force, except that those of the PLA Air Force are prefixed by 空军 meaning Air Force. See Ranks of the People's Liberation Army or the article...
(People's Republic of China)
Denmark
- Danish army ranks
- Danish navy ranks
- Danish air force ranks
- Danish OR's comparedOther ranks, DenmarkOther ranks are a joined term for military personnel that are not officers of various forces, by the NATO system of ranks and insignia. These personnel are NCO's and privates/seamen/aircraftsmen. In the Danish military those ranks are:...
France
- French Army ranksRanks in the French ArmySee Ranks in the French Navy for more details about the Navy Ranks.The ranks in the Armée de Terre :Rank insignia in the French army depend on whether the soldier belongs to an "infantry" or "cavalry" unit...
- French Navy ranksRanks in the French NavyThe rank insignia of the French Navy are worn on shoulder straps of shirts and white jackets, and on sleeves for navy jackets and mantels....
- French Air Force ranks
India
- Indian air force ranks and insigniaAir Force ranks and insignia of IndiaThe IAF's rank structure is based on that of the Royal Air Force. The highest rank attainable in the IAF is Marshal of the Indian Air Force, conferred by the President of India after exceptional service during wartime. MIAF Arjan Singh is the only officer to have achieved this rank. The head of the...
- Indian Army ranks and insigniaArmy ranks and insignia of IndiaThe following tables present the ranks of the Indian army. These ranks generally correspond with those of Western militaries, and in particular reflect those of the British and Commonwealth Armies. Traditional names for ranks are still used, as well as western names....
- Indian Navy ranks and insigniaNaval ranks and insignia of IndiaThe following graphs presents the officer ranks of the Indian navy. These ranks generally correspond with those of Western militaries, and reflect those of the British military ranks.- Officer ranks :AdmiralVice admiralCommodoreCommanderLieutanent Commander...
Ireland
- Irish Army enlisted rank insigniaIrish Army Enlisted Rank Insignia-Other Rank Insignia:Commissioned Ranks...
- Irish Army commissioned rank insigniaIrish Army Officer Rank Insignia-Officer Ranks:-See also:*Enlisted Ranks...
- Irish Navy enlisted rank insigniaIrish Naval Service Enlisted Rank InsigniaA selection of Irish Naval uniforms are on display in the National Maritime Museum of Ireland....
- Irish Navy commissioned rank insigniaIrish Naval Service Commissioned Rank InsigniaA selection of Irish Naval uniforms are on display in the National Maritime Museum of Ireland....
Peru
- Peruvian ArmyPeruvian ArmyThe Peruvian Army is the branch of the Peruvian Armed Forces tasked with safeguarding the independence, sovereignty and integrity of national territory on land through military force. Additional missions include assistance in safeguarding internal security, conducting disaster relief operations...
(Ejército del Perú) - Peruvian NavyPeruvian NavyThe Peruvian Navy is the branch of the Peruvian Armed Forces tasked with surveillance, patrol and defense on lakes, rivers and the Pacific Ocean up to 200 nautical miles from the Peruvian littoral...
(Marina de Guerra del Perú) - Peruvian Air ForcePeruvian Air ForceThe Peruvian Air Force is the branch of the Peruvian Armed Forces tasked with defending the nation and its interests through the use of air power...
(Fuerza Aérea del Perú)
Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka Army rank insigniaMilitary ranks and insignia of the Sri Lanka ArmyThe following tables present the military ranks and insignia of the Sri Lanka Army. These ranks generally correspond with those of Western or Commonwealth Nations militaries, and reflect those of the British Warrant Officer, Non Commissioned Officer and enlisted ranks and the Commissioned officer...
- Sri Lanka Navy rank insigniaMilitary ranks and insignia of the Sri Lanka NavyThe following tables present the military ranks and insignia of the Sri Lanka Navy. These ranks generally correspond with those of Western or Commonwealth Nations militaries, and reflect those of the British Warrant Officer, Non Commissioned Officer and enlisted ranks and the Commissioned officer...
- Sri Lanka Air Force rank insigniaMilitary ranks and insignia of the Sri Lanka Air ForceThe following tables present the military ranks and insignia of the Sri Lanka Air Force. Upon the formation of the Sri Lanka Air Force in 1951, rank titles and badges for ORs were adopted from the Royal Air Force officer ranks and enlisted ranks, specifically the Royal Flying Corps...
Sweden
- Swedish Military ranks and insignia (with number of persons in each rank)
- Swedish Military Ranks
- Swedish Army rank insignia
Turkey
- Turkish Army rank insignia
United Kingdom
- British Army Other Ranks rank insignia
- British Army officer rank insigniaBritish Army officer rank insignia-Origins:The first British Army rank insignia were introduced in 1760. According to the Royal Clothing Warrant, General Officers were distinguished by the pattern and arrangement of laces on the cuff.Badges for field officers were first introduced in 1810...
- Royal Air Force officer ranksRAF officer ranks- Ranks :-Origins:Lieutenant-General David Henderson originally proposed that Royal Air Force officers use a combination of British Army and Royal Navy ranks...
- Royal Air Force enlisted ranksRAF enlisted ranksThe term used in the Royal Air Force to refer to all ranks below commissioned officer level is Other Ranks . It includes Warrant Officers, non-commissioned officers , and airmen.-Ranks:-Origins:...
- Royal Navy officer rank insigniaRoyal Navy officer rank insignia-Officers:Uniforms for naval officers were not authorized until 1748. At first the cut and style of the uniform differed considerably between ranks and specific rank insignia only sporadically used...
- Royal Navy ratings rank insignia
United States
- United States uniformed services-comparative ranks of officers, warrant officers and servicemen
- United States Air ForceUnited States Air ForceThe United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
: enlistedUnited States Air Force enlisted rank insigniaThe chart below represents the current enlisted rank insignia of the United States Air Force.While all Air Force military personnel are referred to as Airmen, it can specifically refer to the pay grades of E-1 through E-4 which are below the level of non-commissioned officers...
, officerUnited States Air Force officer rank insignia-Current insignia:This chart displays the United States Air Force officer rank insignia. The ranks are divided into three sections: company grade, field grade, and general officers. Company grade officers are those officers of grades O-1 to O-3. Field grade officers are those of grades O-4 to O-6... - United States ArmyUnited States ArmyThe United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
: enlistedUnited States Army enlisted rank insigniaThe chart below represents the current enlisted rank insignia of the United States Army.This chart represents the U.S. Army enlisted rank insignia with seniority increasing left-to-right inside a given pay grade...
, warrant officer, officerUnited States Army officer rank insigniaUnited States Army officer rank insignia in use today.-History:The structure of U.S. ranks has its roots in British military traditions. At the start of the American Revolutionary War, uniforms, let alone insignia, were barely affordable and recognition of ranks in the field was problematic... - United States Coast GuardUnited States Coast GuardThe United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
: enlistedUnited States Coast Guard enlisted rate insigniaThese charts represents the United States Coast Guard enlisted rate insignia. Rates are used to describe an enlisted sailor's pay-grade. Rates aren't to be confused with "ratings", which describe the Coast Guards enlisted occupations...
, warrant officer, officerUnited States Coast Guard officer rank insigniaUnited States Coast Guard officer rank insignia describes an officer's pay-grade. Rank is displayed on collar devices, shoulder boards, and on the sleeves of dress uniforms.... - United States Marine CorpsUnited States Marine CorpsThe United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
: enlisted, warrant officer, officer - United States NavyUnited States NavyThe United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
: enlistedUnited States Navy enlisted rate insigniaA United States Navy enlisted rate indicates where an enlisted sailor stands within the chain of command, and also defines one's pay grade. An enlisted sailor's rate is similar conceptually to a naval officer's rank. The word rate refers to an enlisted sailor's pay grade, while the word rating...
, warrant officer, officerUnited States Navy officer rank insigniaIn the United States Navy, officers have various ranks. Equivalency between services is by pay grade.-Rank categories:In the U.S. Navy, pay grades for officers are:... - United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps officer rank insignia
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps officer rank insignia
Vietnam
- Vietnamese military ranks and insigniaVietnamese military ranks and insigniaThe Vietnam People's Army distinguishes three careerpaths: Officers , non-commissioned officers , and enlisted members ....
of the People's Army of Vietnam or PAVN
FirstWorld War IWorld War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and Second World WarWorld War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
comparisons
- Comparative military ranks of World War IComparative military ranks of World War IThe following table shows comparative officer ranks of the principal Allied and Central powers during World War I. For modern ranks refer to Comparative military ranks.See also: Comparative military ranks of World War IIMajor participants not shown:...
- Comparative military ranks of World War IIComparative military ranks of World War IIThe following table shows comparative officer ranks of major Allied and Axis powers during World War II. For modern ranks refer to Comparative military ranks.KEY:*Comparative military ranks of World War I*List of comparative military ranks...
- World War II German Army Ranks and InsigniaWorld War II German Army Ranks and InsigniaThe German Army of the Nazi regime inherited its uniforms and rank structure from the Reichsheer of the Weimar republic , many of whose traditions went back to the Imperial Army of the German Empire and beyond. The Reichsheer was renamed Wehrmacht Heer in May 1935...
- Japan - Army ranks of the Japanese Empire during World War IIArmy ranks of the Japanese Empire during World War IIThe following tables present the rank insignia of the Japanese military before and during World War II. These designs were worn on shoulders as passants between the years 1911 and 1938, then on collars afterwards until 1945, when the Imperial Japanese Army was dissolved.- Officer ranks :- Enlisted...
- Japan - Naval ranks of the Japanese Empire during World War IINaval ranks of the Japanese Empire during World War IIThe following graphs present the rank insignia of the Japanese navy during World War II. These designs had been used from 1931-1945, but were discontinued after World War II, when the Imperial Japanese Navy had been dissolved....
- Nazi party paramilitary ranksNazi party paramilitary ranksNazi party paramilitary ranks were pseudo-military titles which were used by the National Socialist German Workers Party between the years of 1920 and 1945...
:- Ranks and insignia of the Nazi PartyRanks and insignia of the Nazi PartyRanks and insignia of the Nazi Party were paramilitary titles used by the National Socialist German Workers Party between approximately 1928 and the fall of Nazi Germany in 1945...
- Ranks and insignia of the SchutzstaffelRanks and insignia of the SchutzstaffelThe uniforms and insignia of the Schutzstaffel were paramilitary ranks and uniforms used by the SS between 1925 and 1945 to differentiate that organization from the regular German armed forces, the German state, and the Nazi Party....
- Ranks and insignia of the SturmabteilungRanks and insignia of the SturmabteilungThe uniforms and insignia of the Sturmabteilung were Nazi party paramilitary ranks and uniforms used by SA stormtroopers from 1921 until the fall of Nazi Germany in 1945. The titles and phrases used by the SA were the basis for paramilitary titles used by several other Nazi paramilitary groups,...
- Ranks and insignia of the Hitler YouthRanks and insignia of the Hitler YouthThe Ranks and insignia of the Hitler Youth were a Nazi Party paramilitary rank system that existed from 1932 to 1945. The Hitler Youth had existed for nearly a decade before, but the organization did not maintain any particular system of ranks. Such ranks were introduced in the early 1930s and...
- Ranks and insignia of the National Socialist Flyers CorpsRanks and insignia of the National Socialist Flyers CorpsThe Ranks and insignia of the National Socialist Flyer Corps were a paramilitary rank system in use by the National Socialist Flyers Corps between the years of 1933 and 1945. The ranks were designed after paramilitary rank titles of the Sturmabteilung...
- Ranks and insignia of the National Socialist Motor CorpsRanks and insignia of the National Socialist Motor CorpsThe Ranks and insignia of the National Socialist Motor Corps were a paramilitary rank system used between the years of 1931 and 1945...
- Ranks and insignia of the Volkssturm
- Ranks and insignia of the Nazi Party
- United States Army enlisted rank insignia of World War IIUnited States Army enlisted rank insignia of World War IIThe U.S. Army enlisted rank insignia that was used during World War II differs from the current system. The color scheme used for the insignia's chevron design was defined as either silver grey on dark blue, olive drab on dark blue, or khaki on dark blue . This scheme of rank insignia was...
Other comparisons
- NATO ranks and insigniaRanks and insignia of NATORanks and insignia of NATO are combined military insignia used by the member countries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.The rank scale is used for specifying posts within NATO.-Definitions:...
- Comparative military ranks of KoreaComparative military ranks of KoreaComparative military ranks of Korea refer to the ranks and insignia maintained by the three primary military powers present on the Korean Peninsula, those being the Republic of Korea Armed Forces , the Korean People's Army of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea , and the military forces of...
- Senior Foreign ServiceSenior Foreign ServiceThe Senior Foreign Service comprises the top four ranks of the United States Foreign Service. These ranks were created by the Foreign Service Act of 1980 and Executive Order 12293 in order to provide the Foreign Service with senior grades equivalent to general- and flag ranks in the military and...
External links
- World Rank Insignia
- Dave VE7CNV Current Military Ranks of the World
- US Department of Defense rank insignia page
- On the Translation of Military Ranks of NATO Forces
- Australian Defence Force Badges of Rank
- British Army Badges of Rank
- Canadian Forces Badges of Rank
- Irish Defence Force Army Badges of Rank
- New Zealand Defence Force Badges of Rank