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Private (rank)
Encyclopedia
A Private is a soldier
of the lowest military rank
(equivalent to NATO Rank Grades OR-1 to OR-3
depending on the force served in).
In modern military parlance, 'Private' is shortened to 'Pte' in the United Kingdom
and other Commonwealth
countries and to 'Pvt.' in the United States
.
Notably both Sir Fitzroy MacLean and Enoch Powell are examples of, rare, rapid career progression with the British army, both rising from the rank of Private to Brigadier during World War II.
term "private soldiers" (a term still used in the United Kingdom), denoting soldiers who were either hired, conscripted
, or feudalized
into service by a nobleman forming an army. The usage of "Private" dates from the 18th century, when the army of Napoleon Bonaparte
first established the permanent rank of Soldat.
, a soldier of Private rank wears no insignia. Like its British Army counterpart, the Australian Army rank of Private (PTE) has other titles, depending on the Corps and specification of that service member.
The following alternative ranks are available for Privates in the Australian Army:
there are three levels of Private: Private (Recruit), Private (Basic), and Private (Trained). All persons holding the rank of Private are referred to as such and the qualifier shown in brackets is used on employment records only. A Private is considered an "apprentice" in their trade, and there are no pay raises between the various levels of private except for time in rank raise. The Canadian Army
and Air Force
have an identical rank structure.
An Army Private may also be known by other titles, depending on unit and/or branch
:
The Canadian Navy's
equivalents are:
& Pakistan Army
the lowest enlisted rank is Sepoy
, literally meaning Soldier
in Urdu
. A Sepoy does not wear any rank insignia on his uniform. Sipahis are sometimes also referred to as Jawan
, literally meaning "young" in Urdu.
, a Private (Pte) equates to both OR-1 and OR-2 on the NATO scale, although there is no difference in rank. Privates wear no insignia. Many regiment
s and corps
use other distinctive and descriptive names instead of Private, some of these ranks have been used for centuries, others are less than 100 years old. In the contemporary British Armed Forces
, the Army rank of Private is broadly equivalent to Able Seaman
in the Royal Navy
, Aircraftman
, Leading Aircraftman
and Senior Aircraftman
in the Royal Air Force
, and Marine or Bandsman, as appropriate equivalent rank in the Royal Marines
. Also in the Boys Brigade the rank of Private is used when a boy moves from the Junior Section to the Company Section.
Distinctive equivalents for Private include:
is the soldado meaning soldier.
equivalent rank is Sotamies (literally "soldier"), although since 1973 this has been purely a paper term as all infantry troopers were renamed as jääkäri troops, previously reserved only to mobile light infantry. As in the British army, the various branches use different names:
In the Finnish Air Force
, the basic rank is lentosotamies ("flight soldier"). In the Finnish Navy
, the basic rank is matruusi ("seaman").
Special corps troopers may be referred by their function or unit, such as Kaartinjääkäri (Guards Jaeger), Panssarijääkäri (Armoured Jäger) Laskuvarjojääkäri (Paratroop Jaeger) or Rannikkojääkäri (Coastal Jaeger).
The German
equivalent of Private (OR-1) is Soldat (soldier), until 1918 it was Gemeiner ("common man"), until 1945 Schütze
(Rifleman). The rank of Schütze has existed as a military rank since at least the 18th century and the term has been used since the Middle Ages
. It is to some extent still used as another word for the rank of "soldier", sometimes is Grenadier. Informally, even the Bundeswehr sometimes simplifies this to Rekrut
, which actually is a post and not a rank, but is in fact the post most of these rank-holders fulfil.
As in the British Army, different names for this lowest rank are in use in the German Army, for example Schütze (supply chain, collective protection, military police, reconnaissance, technical reparation), Grenadier (Wachbataillon
/army parts), Pionier (engineer), Kanonier (gunner), Jäger (trooper/rifleman), Funker (wireless operator), Sanitätssoldat (medic), Panzerschütze (main battle tank soldier), Panzergrenadier
, Panzerkanonier, Panzerpionier, Panzerfunker.
The Naval equivalent is known as Matrose
(sailor/seaman), and the Luftwaffe (airforce) equivalent is Flieger (aviator/airman) which is also used by army aviators.
According to the NATO rank code, the rank of Gefreiter
is equivalent to Private (OR-2), and Obergefreiter
is equivalent to Private (OR-3).
Private (Pte) (Saighdiúr Singil in Irish
), is the lowest enlisted rank in the Irish Army
. Soldiers enlist as recruits then undergo a basic course of instruction. There are three grades of Private in the Army. After basic training the soldier is upgraded (rather than promoted) from Recruit to Private 2 Star (Pte 2*) (Saighdiúr Singil, 2 Réalta). After more Corps Specific Training (usually lasting eight weeks) the Soldier is upgraded to Private 3 Star (Pte 3*) (Saighdiúr Singil, 3 Réalta). All are usually just addressed as "Private", although before being upgraded, Recruits may be addressed as "Recruit".
In corps units the rank designation changes. In the Artillery the rank is known as Gunner
(Gnr), but usually only after the completion of a Gunners Course, and in the Cavalry it is known as Trooper
(Tpr).
Communications and Information Services Privates are known as Signalman
or Signalwoman
. Medical Orderlies are sometimes referred to as Medic, although this can apply to Privates and Corporal
s.
Depending on where the Soldaat serves, he may be deemed a kanonnier (gunner in the artillery), huzaar (hussar in the cavalry) or fuselier (rifleman in the rifles) as well as commando, jager or rijder. There is less differentiation than in other countries between different armed forces. A Soldaat can be promoted to Korporaal (Corporal) .
In the U.S. Army
, Private (PVT) is used for the two lowest enlisted ranks, just below Private First Class
. The lowest rank (officially known as Private E-1 (PVT) and sometimes referred to as recruit
but also held by some soldiers after an Article 15 or prisoners after conviction until they are dishonorably discharged) wears no uniform insignia, and for this reason is often called a "Fuzzy", referring to the blank velcro patch on the ACU
where the rank would normally be placed. The second rank, Private E-2 (PV2), wears a single chevron. Advancement to the higher rank is currently automatic after six months time in service, but may get shortened to four months if given a waiver (a pay raise may take effect after four months of service, even without advancement to Private E-2 if the private's commanders believe the private's performance has warranted it).
In the U.S. Marine Corps
, Private (PVT) only refers to the lowest enlisted rank, just below Private First Class
. A Marine Corps Private wears no uniform insignia and is sometimes described as having a "slick sleeve" for this reason. Most new, non-officer Marines begin their military career as a Private. In the Marine Corps, Privates First Class are not referred to as "Privates." It is more appropriate to use either "Private First Class" or "PFC."
Soldier
A soldier is a member of the land component of national armed forces; whereas a soldier hired for service in a foreign army would be termed a mercenary...
of the lowest military rank
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...
(equivalent to NATO Rank Grades OR-1 to OR-3
Ranks and insignia of NATO Armies Enlisted
The following lists the enlisted ranks and insignia of NATO member armies:-Other/Enlisted ranks :-See also:* NATO* Ranks and insignia of NATO* Ranks and insignia of NATO Armies Officers* Ranks and insignia of NATO Armies Enlisted...
depending on the force served in).
In modern military parlance, 'Private' is shortened to 'Pte' in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and other Commonwealth
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
countries and to 'Pvt.' in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Notably both Sir Fitzroy MacLean and Enoch Powell are examples of, rare, rapid career progression with the British army, both rising from the rank of Private to Brigadier during World War II.
Etymology
The term derives from the medievalMiddle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
term "private soldiers" (a term still used in the United Kingdom), denoting soldiers who were either hired, conscripted
Conscription
Conscription is the compulsory enlistment of people in some sort of national service, most often military service. Conscription dates back to antiquity and continues in some countries to the present day under various names...
, or feudalized
Feudalism
Feudalism was a set of legal and military customs in medieval Europe that flourished between the 9th and 15th centuries, which, broadly defined, was a system for ordering society around relationships derived from the holding of land in exchange for service or labour.Although derived from the...
into service by a nobleman forming an army. The usage of "Private" dates from the 18th century, when the army of Napoleon Bonaparte
Napoleon I of France
Napoleon Bonaparte was a French military and political leader during the latter stages of the French Revolution.As Napoleon I, he was Emperor of the French from 1804 to 1815...
first established the permanent rank of Soldat.
Korea
The equivalent ranks to Privates within the North and South Korean armies are Il-byong and E-byong. The symbol for this rank is 1 line( | ) or 2 lines( || ). Private second class is known by 1 line, while Private first class is 2 lines.Singapore
Once Recruits complete their Basic Military Training (BMT) or Basic Rescue Training (BRT), they attain the rank of Private (PTE). Privates do not wear ranks on their rank holder.Australia
In the Australian ArmyAustralian Army
The Australian Army is Australia's military land force. It is part of the Australian Defence Force along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. While the Chief of Defence commands the Australian Defence Force , the Army is commanded by the Chief of Army...
, a soldier of Private rank wears no insignia. Like its British Army counterpart, the Australian Army rank of Private (PTE) has other titles, depending on the Corps and specification of that service member.
The following alternative ranks are available for Privates in the Australian Army:
- Craftsman (CFN) - Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical EngineersRoyal Australian Electrical and Mechanical EngineersThe Royal Corps of Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers is a corps of the Australian Army that has responsibility for the maintenance and recovery of all land electrical and mechanical equipment...
- GunnerGunner (rank)Gunner is a rank equivalent to Private in the British Army Royal Artillery and the artillery corps of other Commonwealth armies. The next highest rank is usually Lance-Bombardier, although in the Royal Canadian Artillery it is Bombardier....
(GNR) - Royal Australian Artillery - SapperSapperA sapper, pioneer or combat engineer is a combatant soldier who performs a wide variety of combat engineering duties, typically including, but not limited to, bridge-building, laying or clearing minefields, demolitions, field defences, general construction and building, as well as road and airfield...
(SPR) - Royal Australian EngineersRoyal Australian EngineersThe Royal Australian Engineers is a corps of the Australian Army . The RAE is ranked fourth in seniority of the corps of the Australian Army, behind the Staff Cadets, Armoured and Artillery Corps...
; - MusicianMusicianA musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
(MUSN) - Australian Army Band CorpsAustralian Army Band CorpsThe Australian Army Band Corps is the Australian Army's musical branch. The Corps was formed on 2 August 1968 and provides the Army with musical support and seeks to improve the Army's public image.-See also:* Army Recruit Training Centre... - SignalmanSignalman (rank)Signalman was a U.S. Navy rating for sailors that specialized in visual communication. See Signaller for more about the roles of Signalmen.-U.S. Navy:A signal lamp is a visual signaling device for optical communication...
(SIG) - Royal Australian Corps of SignalsRoyal Australian Corps of SignalsThe Royal Australian Corps of Signals is one of the 'arms' of the Australian Army. It is responsible for installing, maintaining and operating all types of telecommunications equipment and information systems... - TrooperTrooper (rank)Trooper from the French "troupier" is the equivalent rank to private in a regiment with a cavalry tradition in the British Army and many other Commonwealth armies, including those of Australia, Canada, South Africa and New Zealand. Today, most cavalry units operate in the armoured role, equipped...
(TPR) - Royal Australian Armoured Corps, Australian Army AviationAustralian Army AviationAustralian Army Aviation is a corps of the Australian Army, and was formed on 1 July 1968 with a strength of 106 officer pilots, although it has a history dating back to 1911, when the Minister of Defence at the time, Senator George Pearce, decided there should be a flying school in the Defence...
and the Australian Special Air Service RegimentAustralian Special Air Service RegimentThe Special Air Service Regiment, officially abbreviated SASR but commonly known as the SAS, is a special forces unit of the Australian Army...
Canada
In the Canadian ForcesCanadian Forces
The Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."...
there are three levels of Private: Private (Recruit), Private (Basic), and Private (Trained). All persons holding the rank of Private are referred to as such and the qualifier shown in brackets is used on employment records only. A Private is considered an "apprentice" in their trade, and there are no pay raises between the various levels of private except for time in rank raise. The Canadian Army
Canadian Forces Land Force Command
The Canadian Army , previously called Land Force Command, is responsible for army operations within the Canadian Forces. The current size of the Army is 19,500 regular soldiers and 16,000 reserve soldiers, for a total of around 35,500 soldiers...
and Air Force
Canadian Forces Air Command
The Royal Canadian Air Force , formerly Canadian Forces Air Command, is one of three environmental commands of the Canadian Forces...
have an identical rank structure.
- Private (Recruit) (Pte(R)) - Fresh recruit, untrained. Holds this rank through recruit training.
- Private (Basic) (Pte(B)) - After finishing recruit training, a member becomes a Private (Basic). This rank is held through training and beyond.
- Private (Trained) (Pte(T)) - A Private (Basic) becomes a Private (Trained) a year after completion of their DP 1 training depending on their Regiment, some Regiments may promote them right away. Typically in the Regular Force, this rank is awarded after two and a half years of service, not a year after completion of one's trade qualifications. A Private (Trained) is the only Private to wear rank insignia, a single chevronChevron (insigne)A chevron is an inverted V-shaped pattern. The word is usually used in reference to a kind of fret in architecture, or to a badge or insignia used in military or police uniforms to indicate rank or length of service, or in heraldry and the designs of flags .-Ancient history:The chevron occurs in...
.
An Army Private may also be known by other titles, depending on unit and/or branch
Personnel branch
Personnel branch, in the Canadian Forces , refers to a grouping of related military occupations.Personnel branches were officially established at unification in 1968 to amalgamate the old Canadian Army Corps and similar occupational groupings in the Royal Canadian Navy and Royal Canadian Air...
:
- Craftsman - Electrical and Mechanical Engineering BranchElectrical and Mechanical Engineering BranchThe Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Branch is a personnel branch of the Canadian Forces that provides army engineering maintenance support.-History:...
- FusilierFusilierFusilier was originally the name of a soldier armed with a light flintlock musket called the fusil. The word was first used around 1680, and has later developed into a regimental designation.-History:...
- Fusilier regiments (infantry) - GuardsmanGuardsmanGuardsman is a rank used instead of Private in some military units that serve as the official bodyguard of a sovereign or head of state. It is also used as a generic term for any member of a Guards unit of any rank....
- Foot GuardsFoot Guards-British Army:The Foot Guards are the Regular Infantry regiments of the Household Division of the British Army. There have been six regiments of foot guards, five of which still exist. The Royal Guards Reserve Regiment was a reserve formation of the Household Brigade in existence from 1900-1901...
regiments (infantry) - GunnerGunner (rank)Gunner is a rank equivalent to Private in the British Army Royal Artillery and the artillery corps of other Commonwealth armies. The next highest rank is usually Lance-Bombardier, although in the Royal Canadian Artillery it is Bombardier....
- Royal Regiment of Canadian ArtilleryRoyal Regiment of Canadian ArtilleryThe Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery is the artillery personnel branch of the Canadian Forces .-History:... - Highlander - Highland Regiments (infantry)
- Rifleman - RifleRifleA rifle is a firearm designed to be fired from the shoulder, with a barrel that has a helical groove or pattern of grooves cut into the barrel walls. The raised areas of the rifling are called "lands," which make contact with the projectile , imparting spin around an axis corresponding to the...
regiments (infantry) - SapperSapperA sapper, pioneer or combat engineer is a combatant soldier who performs a wide variety of combat engineering duties, typically including, but not limited to, bridge-building, laying or clearing minefields, demolitions, field defences, general construction and building, as well as road and airfield...
- Canadian Military EngineersCanadian Military EngineersThe Canadian Military Engineers is the military engineer branch of the Canadian Forces.-Mission:The mission of the Canadian Military Engineers is to contribute to the survival, mobility, and combat effectiveness of the Canadian Forces... - SignallerSignallerIn the armed forces, a signaller or signaleer is a specialist soldier or seaman or airman responsible for military communications. Signallers, aka Combat Signallers or signalmen or women, are commonly employed as radio or telephone operators, relaying messages for field commanders at the front line...
- SignalsCommunications and Electronics BranchThe Communications and Electronics Branch is a personnel branch of the Canadian Forces .-History:Major Wallace Bruce Matthews Carruthers was the founder of the Canadian Signalling Corps, forerunner of the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals and the Communications and Electronics Branch of the... - TrooperTrooper (rank)Trooper from the French "troupier" is the equivalent rank to private in a regiment with a cavalry tradition in the British Army and many other Commonwealth armies, including those of Australia, Canada, South Africa and New Zealand. Today, most cavalry units operate in the armoured role, equipped...
- Royal Canadian Armoured CorpsRoyal Canadian Armoured CorpsThe Royal Canadian Armoured Corps is the armoured branch of service of the Canadian Army, including regular force and reserve regiments.-History:...
The Canadian Navy's
Canadian Forces Maritime Command
The Royal Canadian Navy , is the naval force of Canada. The RCN is one of three environmental commands within the unified Canadian Forces. Operating 33 warships and several auxiliary vessels, the Royal Canadian Navy consists of 8,500 Regular Force and 5,100 Primary Reserve sailors, supported by...
equivalents are:
- Ordinary SeamanOrdinary Seaman (rank)In the Royal Navy in the middle of the 18th century, the term ordinary seaman was used to refer to a seaman with between one and two years' experience at sea, who showed enough seamanship to be so rated by their captain...
(OS) - Private (Recruit/Basic) - Able SeamanAble Seaman (rank)In the British Royal Navy in the middle of the 18th century, the term able seaman referred to a seaman with at least two years' experience at sea...
(AB) - Private (Trained)
India & Pakistan
In the Indian ArmyIndian Army
The Indian Army is the land based branch and the largest component of the Indian Armed Forces. With about 1,100,000 soldiers in active service and about 1,150,000 reserve troops, the Indian Army is the world's largest standing volunteer army...
& Pakistan Army
Pakistan Army
The Pakistan Army is the branch of the Pakistani Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. The Pakistan Army came into existence after the Partition of India and the resulting independence of Pakistan in 1947. It is currently headed by General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. The Pakistan...
the lowest enlisted rank is Sepoy
Sepoy
A sepoy was formerly the designation given to an Indian soldier in the service of a European power. In the modern Indian Army, Pakistan Army and Bangladesh Army it remains in use for the rank of private soldier.-Etymology and Historical usage:...
, literally meaning Soldier
Soldier
A soldier is a member of the land component of national armed forces; whereas a soldier hired for service in a foreign army would be termed a mercenary...
in Urdu
Urdu
Urdu is a register of the Hindustani language that is identified with Muslims in South Asia. It belongs to the Indo-European family. Urdu is the national language and lingua franca of Pakistan. It is also widely spoken in some regions of India, where it is one of the 22 scheduled languages and an...
. A Sepoy does not wear any rank insignia on his uniform. Sipahis are sometimes also referred to as Jawan
Jawan
Jawan refers to a young man in Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, and Punjabi. It can also refer to a "donkey" in the Bengali language. In the Indian subcontinent, it has additionally taken on the reference to an infantryman, and is used in much the same meaning as soldier in English...
, literally meaning "young" in Urdu.
United Kingdom
In the British ArmyBritish Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
, a Private (Pte) equates to both OR-1 and OR-2 on the NATO scale, although there is no difference in rank. Privates wear no insignia. Many regiment
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
s and corps
Corps
A corps is either a large formation, or an administrative grouping of troops within an armed force with a common function such as Artillery or Signals representing an arm of service...
use other distinctive and descriptive names instead of Private, some of these ranks have been used for centuries, others are less than 100 years old. In the contemporary British Armed Forces
British Armed Forces
The British Armed Forces are the armed forces of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.Also known as Her Majesty's Armed Forces and sometimes legally the Armed Forces of the Crown, the British Armed Forces encompasses three professional uniformed services, the Royal Navy, the...
, the Army rank of Private is broadly equivalent to Able Seaman
Able Seaman (rank)
In the British Royal Navy in the middle of the 18th century, the term able seaman referred to a seaman with at least two years' experience at sea...
in the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
, Aircraftman
Aircraftman
Aircraftman , or Aircraftwoman , is the lowest rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of several other Commonwealth countries....
, Leading Aircraftman
Leading Aircraftman
Leading aircraftman Leading aircraftman (LAC) Leading aircraftman (LAC) (or leading aircraftwoman (LACW) is a rank in some air forces, between aircraftman and senior aircraftman and having a NATO rank code of OR-2. The rank badge is a horizontal two-bladed propeller....
and Senior Aircraftman
Senior Aircraftman
Senior Aircraftman , or Senior Aircraftwoman , is a rank in the Royal Air Force, ranking between Leading Aircraftman and Senior Aircraftman Technician and having a NATO rank code of OR-2. The rank, which is non-supervisory, was introduced on 1 January 1951...
in the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
, and Marine or Bandsman, as appropriate equivalent rank in the Royal Marines
Royal Marines
The Corps of Her Majesty's Royal Marines, commonly just referred to as the Royal Marines , are the marine corps and amphibious infantry of the United Kingdom and, along with the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary, form the Naval Service...
. Also in the Boys Brigade the rank of Private is used when a boy moves from the Junior Section to the Company Section.
Distinctive equivalents for Private include:
- AirtrooperAirtrooperThe rank of Airtrooper abbreviated Atpr is a private rank, the first rank awarded to a soldier of the British Army Air Corps .- Army Air Corps :...
(Atpr) - Army Air Corps - Bugler (Bgr) - Buglers in The RiflesThe RiflesThe Rifles is the largest regiment of the British Army. Formed in 2007, it consists of five regular and two territorial battalions, plus a number of companies in other TA battalions, Each battalion of the Rifles was formerly an individual battalion of one of the two large regiments of the Light...
and formerly also in other Rifle regiments - Craftsman (Cfn) - Royal Electrical and Mechanical EngineersRoyal Electrical and Mechanical EngineersThe Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers is a corps of the British Army that has responsibility for the maintenance, servicing and inspection of almost every electrical and mechanical piece of equipment within the British Army from Challenger II main battle tanks and WAH64 Apache...
(women as well as men use this rank) - Drummer (Dmr) - Drummers in infantry regiments
- FusilierFusilierFusilier was originally the name of a soldier armed with a light flintlock musket called the fusil. The word was first used around 1680, and has later developed into a regimental designation.-History:...
(Fus) - FusilierFusilierFusilier was originally the name of a soldier armed with a light flintlock musket called the fusil. The word was first used around 1680, and has later developed into a regimental designation.-History:...
regiments - GunnerGunner (rank)Gunner is a rank equivalent to Private in the British Army Royal Artillery and the artillery corps of other Commonwealth armies. The next highest rank is usually Lance-Bombardier, although in the Royal Canadian Artillery it is Bombardier....
(Gnr) - Royal ArtilleryRoyal ArtilleryThe Royal Regiment of Artillery, commonly referred to as the Royal Artillery , is the artillery arm of the British Army. Despite its name, it comprises a number of regiments.-History:... - GuardsmanGuardsmanGuardsman is a rank used instead of Private in some military units that serve as the official bodyguard of a sovereign or head of state. It is also used as a generic term for any member of a Guards unit of any rank....
(Gdsm) - Foot GuardsFoot Guards-British Army:The Foot Guards are the Regular Infantry regiments of the Household Division of the British Army. There have been six regiments of foot guards, five of which still exist. The Royal Guards Reserve Regiment was a reserve formation of the Household Brigade in existence from 1900-1901... - Highlander (Hldr) - The Highlanders
- KingsmanKingsmanKingsman is a rank in the British Army equivalent to Private. Historically, it could be applied to any man serving in the British Army from the late 17th century...
(Kgn) - Duke of Lancaster's Regiment - Musician (Mus) - Military bands (formerly called Bandsman)
- Piper (Ppr) - Bagpipers in Scottish and Irish regiments
- Ranger (Rgr) - Royal Irish Regiment and Royal Irish RangersRoyal Irish RangersThe Royal Irish Rangers was a regular infantry regiment of the British Army.-Creation:...
- Rifleman (Rfn) - Rifle regiments
- SapperSapperA sapper, pioneer or combat engineer is a combatant soldier who performs a wide variety of combat engineering duties, typically including, but not limited to, bridge-building, laying or clearing minefields, demolitions, field defences, general construction and building, as well as road and airfield...
(Spr) - Royal EngineersRoyal EngineersThe Corps of Royal Engineers, usually just called the Royal Engineers , and commonly known as the Sappers, is one of the corps of the British Army.... - SignallerSignallerIn the armed forces, a signaller or signaleer is a specialist soldier or seaman or airman responsible for military communications. Signallers, aka Combat Signallers or signalmen or women, are commonly employed as radio or telephone operators, relaying messages for field commanders at the front line...
(Sig) - Royal Corps of SignalsRoyal Corps of SignalsThe Royal Corps of Signals is one of the combat support arms of the British Army...
(formerly called Signalman) - TrooperTrooper (rank)Trooper from the French "troupier" is the equivalent rank to private in a regiment with a cavalry tradition in the British Army and many other Commonwealth armies, including those of Australia, Canada, South Africa and New Zealand. Today, most cavalry units operate in the armoured role, equipped...
(Tpr) - Household CavalryHousehold CavalryThe term Household Cavalry is used across the Commonwealth to describe the cavalry of the Household Divisions, a country’s most elite or historically senior military groupings or those military groupings that provide functions associated directly with the Head of state.Canada's Governor General's...
, Royal Armoured CorpsRoyal Armoured CorpsThe Royal Armoured Corps is currently a collection of ten regular regiments, mostly converted from old horse cavalry regiments, and four Yeomanry regiments of the Territorial Army...
, Special Air ServiceSpecial Air ServiceSpecial Air Service or SAS is a corps of the British Army constituted on 31 May 1950. They are part of the United Kingdom Special Forces and have served as a model for the special forces of many other countries all over the world...
and Honourable Artillery CompanyHonourable Artillery CompanyThe Honourable Artillery Company was incorporated by Royal Charter in 1537 by King Henry VIII. Today it is a Registered Charity whose purpose is to attend to the “better defence of the realm"... - TrumpeterTrumpeter (rank)A Trumpeter is a regiment specific, descriptive name given to Privates in the British Army. It is used for trumpeters in the Household Cavalry and was formerly used in all other cavalry regiments.-See also:...
(Tptr) - Trumpeters in the Household Cavalry (and formerly in all cavalry regiments)
Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Mexico and Spain
The equivalent rank to private in the Spanish, Mexican, Colombian, Dominican and Argentinian army is the "soldado raso" meaning rankless soldier.Belgium
On enlistment in the Belgian army one is given the rank of Soldat, whether one wishes to be a volunteer, NCO or officer. Subsequent rank depends on the branch of the service: for example, at the École Royale Militaire (for officer training) one is soon promoted to the rank of Caporal ("corporal"). The insignia is a simple black mark.Brazil and Portugal
The equivalent rank to Private in the Brazilian and Portuguese Armed ForcesPortuguese Armed Forces
The armed forces of Portugal, commonly known as the Portuguese Armed Forces encompasses a Navy , an Army and an Air Force...
is the soldado meaning soldier.
Finland
The FinnishFinland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
equivalent rank is Sotamies (literally "soldier"), although since 1973 this has been purely a paper term as all infantry troopers were renamed as jääkäri troops, previously reserved only to mobile light infantry. As in the British army, the various branches use different names:
- InfantryInfantryInfantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
- Jääkäri ("Jaeger") - Military engineers - Pioneeri ("Pioneer")
- Signal corpsSignal CorpsThe Signal Corps is a military branch, usually subordinate to a country's army, responsible for the military communications .Many countries have a Signal Corps, whose main function is usually communication .* Arma de Comunicaciones, signals branch of the Argentine Army* Arma delle...
- Viestimies ("Signal man") - CavalryCavalryCavalry or horsemen were soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback. Cavalry were historically the third oldest and the most mobile of the combat arms...
- Rakuuna ("Dragoon") - ArtilleryArtilleryOriginally applied to any group of infantry primarily armed with projectile weapons, artillery has over time become limited in meaning to refer only to those engines of war that operate by projection of munitions far beyond the range of effect of personal weapons...
- Tykkimies ("Gunner") - TankTankA tank is a tracked, armoured fighting vehicle designed for front-line combat which combines operational mobility, tactical offensive, and defensive capabilities...
corps - Panssarimies ("Tank man")
In the Finnish Air Force
Finnish Air Force
The Finnish Air Force is one of the branches of the Finnish Defence Forces. Its peacetime tasks are airspace surveillance, identification flights, and production of readiness formations for wartime conditions...
, the basic rank is lentosotamies ("flight soldier"). In the Finnish Navy
Finnish Navy
The Finnish Navy is one of the branches of the Finnish Defence Forces. The Navy employs 2,300 people and about 4,300 conscripts are trained each year. Finnish Navy vessels are given the ship prefix "FNS" simply short for "Finnish Navy Ship"...
, the basic rank is matruusi ("seaman").
Special corps troopers may be referred by their function or unit, such as Kaartinjääkäri (Guards Jaeger), Panssarijääkäri (Armoured Jäger) Laskuvarjojääkäri (Paratroop Jaeger) or Rannikkojääkäri (Coastal Jaeger).
France
In the French army Soldat de seconde classe is the lowest military rank. This rank is also referred to as Recrue ("recruit").Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
equivalent of Private (OR-1) is Soldat (soldier), until 1918 it was Gemeiner ("common man"), until 1945 Schütze
Schütze
Schütze in German means "shooter" or "rifleman". It also occasionally occurs as a surname, as Schütz, as in the opera Der Freischütz. The word itself is derived from the German word schützen, meaning to protect, or to guard...
(Rifleman). The rank of Schütze has existed as a military rank since at least the 18th century and the term has been used since the Middle Ages
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
. It is to some extent still used as another word for the rank of "soldier", sometimes is Grenadier. Informally, even the Bundeswehr sometimes simplifies this to Rekrut
Army recruit
Recruit or army recruit is a term often colloquially used to refer to the lowest military rank in various armed services. It usually implies that the soldier so labeled has not yet completed basic training....
, which actually is a post and not a rank, but is in fact the post most of these rank-holders fulfil.
As in the British Army, different names for this lowest rank are in use in the German Army, for example Schütze (supply chain, collective protection, military police, reconnaissance, technical reparation), Grenadier (Wachbataillon
Wachbataillon
The Wachbataillon is the German Bundeswehr's elite drill unit. The Wachbataillon is the largest battalion of the German forces with about 1,800 soldiers, split in two garrisons in Berlin and Siegburg...
/army parts), Pionier (engineer), Kanonier (gunner), Jäger (trooper/rifleman), Funker (wireless operator), Sanitätssoldat (medic), Panzerschütze (main battle tank soldier), Panzergrenadier
Panzergrenadier
is a German term for motorised or mechanized infantry, as introduced during World War II. It is used in the armies of Austria, Chile, Germany and Switzerland.-Forerunners:...
, Panzerkanonier, Panzerpionier, Panzerfunker.
The Naval equivalent is known as Matrose
Matrose
Matrose is a German term for sailor. It may also refer to:* Matrose, the lowest enlisted rank in the German Navy* Matrose, a rank in the Kriegsmarine* матрос, an enlisted rank in the Bulgarian Navy* матрос, an enlisted rank in the Ukrainian Navy...
(sailor/seaman), and the Luftwaffe (airforce) equivalent is Flieger (aviator/airman) which is also used by army aviators.
According to the NATO rank code, the rank of Gefreiter
Gefreiter
Gefreiter is the German, Swiss and Austrian equivalent for the military rank Private . Gefreiter was the lowest rank to which an ordinary soldier could be promoted. As a military rank it has existed since at least the 16th century...
is equivalent to Private (OR-2), and Obergefreiter
Obergefreiter
Obergefreiter is a rank of the German and Swiss militaries which dates from the 19th century.The rank was only used in the German army's heavy artillery branch before 1919 and commonly established with the founding of the Reichswehr...
is equivalent to Private (OR-3).
Hungary
The name of the lowest rank in the Hungarian army (Magyar Honvédség) is the Honvéd which literally means "homeland defender". The word is also used informally for a soldier in general of any rank (ie. "our Honvéds" or an officer referred as a "honvédtiszt", "Honvéd officer"). This is because Hungarian military traditions are strictly defensive, albeit the Hungarian army was participating in offensives on foreign soil in both world wars. The word "honvéd" is in use since the 1848 revolution and war for independence.Ireland
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Private (Pte) (Saighdiúr Singil in Irish
Irish language
Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
), is the lowest enlisted rank in the Irish Army
Irish Army
The Irish Army, officially named simply the Army is the main branch of the Defence Forces of Ireland. Approximately 8,500 men and women serve in the Irish Army, divided into three infantry Brigades...
. Soldiers enlist as recruits then undergo a basic course of instruction. There are three grades of Private in the Army. After basic training the soldier is upgraded (rather than promoted) from Recruit to Private 2 Star (Pte 2*) (Saighdiúr Singil, 2 Réalta). After more Corps Specific Training (usually lasting eight weeks) the Soldier is upgraded to Private 3 Star (Pte 3*) (Saighdiúr Singil, 3 Réalta). All are usually just addressed as "Private", although before being upgraded, Recruits may be addressed as "Recruit".
In corps units the rank designation changes. In the Artillery the rank is known as Gunner
Gunner (rank)
Gunner is a rank equivalent to Private in the British Army Royal Artillery and the artillery corps of other Commonwealth armies. The next highest rank is usually Lance-Bombardier, although in the Royal Canadian Artillery it is Bombardier....
(Gnr), but usually only after the completion of a Gunners Course, and in the Cavalry it is known as Trooper
Trooper (rank)
Trooper from the French "troupier" is the equivalent rank to private in a regiment with a cavalry tradition in the British Army and many other Commonwealth armies, including those of Australia, Canada, South Africa and New Zealand. Today, most cavalry units operate in the armoured role, equipped...
(Tpr).
Communications and Information Services Privates are known as Signalman
Signalman (rank)
Signalman was a U.S. Navy rating for sailors that specialized in visual communication. See Signaller for more about the roles of Signalmen.-U.S. Navy:A signal lamp is a visual signaling device for optical communication...
or Signalwoman
Signalman (rank)
Signalman was a U.S. Navy rating for sailors that specialized in visual communication. See Signaller for more about the roles of Signalmen.-U.S. Navy:A signal lamp is a visual signaling device for optical communication...
. Medical Orderlies are sometimes referred to as Medic, although this can apply to Privates and Corporal
Corporal
Corporal is a rank in use in some form by most militaries and by some police forces or other uniformed organizations. It is usually equivalent to NATO Rank Code OR-4....
s.
Netherlands
In the Royal Netherlands Army, the Landmacht, the equivalent ranks are Soldaat (soldier), similar to the original French, with different classes:- Soldaat der derde klasse (Soldier/Private 3rd Class), for soldiers in Algemene Militaire Opleiding or AMO (General Military Training), with insignia.
- Soldaat der tweede klasse (Soldier/Private 2nd Class), the basic infantry rank, an insignia single striped red band, obtained after AMO but before completion of Initiële Functie Opleiding or IFO (Initial Job Training).
- Soldaat der eerste klasse (Soldier/Private 1st Class), comparable to Private First ClassPrivate First ClassPrivate First Class is a military rank held by junior enlisted persons.- Singapore :The rank of Private First Class in the Singapore Armed Forces lies between the ranks of Private and Lance-Corporal . It is usually held by conscript soldiers midway through their national service term...
, with an insignia with 2 neighbouring striped red bands, obtained automatically a year after completion of IFO.
Depending on where the Soldaat serves, he may be deemed a kanonnier (gunner in the artillery), huzaar (hussar in the cavalry) or fuselier (rifleman in the rifles) as well as commando, jager or rijder. There is less differentiation than in other countries between different armed forces. A Soldaat can be promoted to Korporaal (Corporal) .
Switzerland
In the Swiss army a recruit is given the rank of Soldat when he finished basic training, mostly after 13 weeks. Some branches of the military have special ranks such as Fusilier (Fus) or Pionier (Pi).United States
United States Army
The 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...
, Private (PVT) is used for the two lowest enlisted ranks, just below Private First Class
Private First Class
Private First Class is a military rank held by junior enlisted persons.- Singapore :The rank of Private First Class in the Singapore Armed Forces lies between the ranks of Private and Lance-Corporal . It is usually held by conscript soldiers midway through their national service term...
. The lowest rank (officially known as Private E-1 (PVT) and sometimes referred to as recruit
Army recruit
Recruit or army recruit is a term often colloquially used to refer to the lowest military rank in various armed services. It usually implies that the soldier so labeled has not yet completed basic training....
but also held by some soldiers after an Article 15 or prisoners after conviction until they are dishonorably discharged) wears no uniform insignia, and for this reason is often called a "Fuzzy", referring to the blank velcro patch on the ACU
Army Combat Uniform
The Army Combat Uniform is the current combat uniform worn by the United States Army. It is the successor to the Battle Dress Uniform and Desert Camouflage Uniform worn during the 1980s and 1990s. It features a number of design changes, as well as a different camouflage pattern from its...
where the rank would normally be placed. The second rank, Private E-2 (PV2), wears a single chevron. Advancement to the higher rank is currently automatic after six months time in service, but may get shortened to four months if given a waiver (a pay raise may take effect after four months of service, even without advancement to Private E-2 if the private's commanders believe the private's performance has warranted it).
In the U.S. Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The 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...
, Private (PVT) only refers to the lowest enlisted rank, just below Private First Class
Private First Class
Private First Class is a military rank held by junior enlisted persons.- Singapore :The rank of Private First Class in the Singapore Armed Forces lies between the ranks of Private and Lance-Corporal . It is usually held by conscript soldiers midway through their national service term...
. A Marine Corps Private wears no uniform insignia and is sometimes described as having a "slick sleeve" for this reason. Most new, non-officer Marines begin their military career as a Private. In the Marine Corps, Privates First Class are not referred to as "Privates." It is more appropriate to use either "Private First Class" or "PFC."