Ranks of the RAAF
Encyclopedia
The 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
.
Unlike the RAF, RAAF rank abbreviations are always written in uppercase without spaces (eg. PLTOFF, not Plt Off). Also, the RAAF does not have the ranks of Senior Aircraftman, Junior Technician, Chief Technician or Master Aircrew.
Rank insignia is very similar to that of the RAF, with the exception of LAC/W (which is one chevron (two bladed propellor in RAF)). Both officers and airmen wear rank on the shoulder, however it is worn on the sleeve of the ceremonial jacket (lower sleeve for officers, upper sleeve for airmen). The word 'Australia' appears immediately below all rank insignia worn on the shoulder.
The most senior active rank of the RAAF (Air Marshal - a 3-star rank) is reserved for Chief of Air Force
. On the occasions that Chief of the Defence Force
is occupied by a RAAF officer, that officer holds the rank of Air Chief Marshal. The rank Marshal of the Royal Australian Air Force is currently held as an honorary rank by HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
.
Royal Australian Air Force
The Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...
inherited its rank structure from 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...
. The RAF based its officer ranks
RAF 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...
on 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...
, and its airmen ranks on the British Army
British 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...
.
Unlike the RAF, RAAF rank abbreviations are always written in uppercase without spaces (eg. PLTOFF, not Plt Off). Also, the RAAF does not have the ranks of Senior Aircraftman, Junior Technician, Chief Technician or Master Aircrew.
Rank insignia is very similar to that of the RAF, with the exception of LAC/W (which is one chevron (two bladed propellor in RAF)). Both officers and airmen wear rank on the shoulder, however it is worn on the sleeve of the ceremonial jacket (lower sleeve for officers, upper sleeve for airmen). The word 'Australia' appears immediately below all rank insignia worn on the shoulder.
The most senior active rank of the RAAF (Air Marshal - a 3-star rank) is reserved for Chief of Air Force
Chief of Air Force
Chief of Air Force is the most senior appointment in the Royal Australian Air Force , responsible to the Chief of the Defence Force and the Secretary of Defence. The rank associated with the position is Air Marshal . The role encompasses "the delivery of aerospace capability, enhancing the Air...
. On the occasions that Chief of the Defence Force
Chief of the Defence Force (Australia)
Chief of the Defence Force is the most senior appointment in the Australian Defence Force . The CDF commands the ADF under the direction of the Minister of Defence, in a coequal arrangement with the Secretary of Defence, the most senior public servant in the Department of Defence.The position is a...
is occupied by a RAAF officer, that officer holds the rank of Air Chief Marshal. The rank Marshal of the Royal Australian Air Force is currently held as an honorary rank by HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh is the husband of Elizabeth II. He is the United Kingdom's longest-serving consort and the oldest serving spouse of a reigning British monarch....
.
Air Officers
| Insignia |  |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Title | Marshal of the RAAF | Air Chief Marshal Air Chief Marshal (Australia) Air chief marshal is the highest active rank of the Royal Australian Air Force and was created as a direct equivalent of the British Royal Air Force rank of air chief marshal. It is also considered a four-star rank... |
Air Marshal Air Marshal (Australia) Air marshal is the second highest active rank of the Royal Australian Air Force and was created as a direct equivalent of the British Royal Air Force rank of air marshal, it is also considered a three-star rank... |
Air Vice Marshal Air Vice-Marshal Air vice-marshal is a two-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force. The rank is also used by the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence and it is sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in... |
Air Commodore |
| Abbreviation | MRAAF | ACM Air Chief Marshal (Australia) Air chief marshal is the highest active rank of the Royal Australian Air Force and was created as a direct equivalent of the British Royal Air Force rank of air chief marshal. It is also considered a four-star rank... |
AIRMSHL Air Marshal (Australia) Air marshal is the second highest active rank of the Royal Australian Air Force and was created as a direct equivalent of the British Royal Air Force rank of air marshal, it is also considered a three-star rank... |
AVM AVM AVM may refer to:*Arteriovenous malformation, a congenital disorder of the veins and arteries that make up the vascular system*Cerebral arteriovenous malformation, an abnormal connection of the veins and arteries in the brain... |
AIRCDRE |
| RAAF Code | - | O-10 | O-9 | O-8 | O-7 |
| NATO Code | OF-10 | OF-9 | OF-8 | OF-7 | OF-6 |
| Army Equivalent | Field Marshal Field Marshal (Australia) Field Marshal is the highest rank of the Australian Army and was created as a direct equivalent of the British military rank of field marshal. A five-star rank, the equivalent ranks in the other armed services are Admiral of the Fleet and Marshal of the Royal Australian Air Force... |
General General (Australia) General is the second highest rank, and the highest active rank, of the Australian Army and was created as a direct equivalent of the British military rank of General; it is also considered a four-star rank.... |
Lieutenant General Lieutenant General (Australia) Lieutenant general is the second-highest active rank of the Australian Army and was created as a direct equivalent of the British military rank of lieutenant general. It is also considered a three-star rank.... |
Major General Major General (Australia) Major General is a senior rank of the Australian Army, and was created as a direct equivalent of the British military rank of Major General. It is the third-highest active rank of the Australian Army, and is considered to be equivalent to a two-star rank... |
Brigadier |
| Navy Equivalent | Admiral of the Fleet Admiral of the Fleet (Royal Australian Navy) Admiral of the Fleet is the highest rank in the Royal Australian Navy, but is a ceremonial, not active or operational, rank. It equates to the rank code O-11. Equivalent ranks in the other services are Field Marshal and Marshal of the Royal Australian Air Force... |
Admiral Admiral (Australia) Admiral is the highest active rank of the Royal Australian Navy and was created as a direct equivalent of the British Navy rank of Admiral. It is a four-star rank. Since World War II, in general, the only time the rank is held is when the Chief of the Defence Force is a Navy officer.Admiral is a... |
Vice Admiral Vice Admiral (Australia) Vice admiral is the second-highest active rank of the Royal Australian Navy and was created as a direct equivalent of the British rank of vice admiral. It is a three-star rank... |
Rear Admiral | Commodore |
Senior Officers
| Insignia |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Title | Group Captain Group Captain Group captain is a senior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries. It ranks above wing commander and immediately below air commodore... |
Wing Commander Wing Commander (rank) Wing commander is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries... |
Squadron Leader Squadron Leader Squadron Leader is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence. It is also sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in countries which have a non-English air force-specific rank structure. In these... |
| Abbreviation | GPCAPT | WGCDR | SQNLDR |
| RAAF Code | O-6 | O-5 | O-3 |
| NATO Code | OF-5 | OF-4 | OF-3 |
| Army Equivalent | Colonel | Lieutenant Colonel | Major |
| Navy Equivalent | Captain | Commander | Lieutenant Commander |
Junior Officers
| Insignia |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Title | Flight Lieutenant Flight Lieutenant Flight lieutenant is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many Commonwealth countries. It ranks above flying officer and immediately below squadron leader. The name of the rank is the complete phrase; it is never shortened to "lieutenant"... |
Flying Officer Flying Officer Flying officer is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence... |
Pilot Officer Pilot Officer Pilot officer is the lowest commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries. It ranks immediately below flying officer... |
| Abbreviation | FLTLT | FLGOFF | PLTOFF |
| RAAF Code | O-3 | O-2 | O-1 |
| NATO Code | OF-2 | OF-1 | OF-1 |
| Army Equivalent | Captain | Lieutenant | Second Lieutenant |
| Navy Equivalent | Lieutenant | Sub Lieutenant | Acting Sub Lieutenant |
Trainee Officers
| Insignia | |
|---|---|
| Title | Officer Cadet Officer Cadet Officer cadet is a rank held by military and merchant navy cadets during their training to become commissioned officers and merchant navy officers, respectively. The term officer trainee is used interchangeably in some countries... |
| Abbreviation | OFFCDT |
| Army Equivalent | Staff Cadet (RMC Royal Military College, Duntroon The Royal Military College, Duntroon is the Australian Army's officer training establishment. It was founded at Duntroon, in the Australian Capital Territory, in 1911 and is situated on picturesque grounds at the foot of Mount Pleasant near Lake Burley Griffin, close to the Department of Defence... rank only) Officer Cadet |
| Navy Equivalent | Midshipman |
Warrant Officer
| Insignia | ||
|---|---|---|
| Title | Warrant Officer of the Air Force | Warrant Officer Warrant Officer A warrant officer is an officer in a military organization who is designated an officer by a warrant, as distinguished from a commissioned officer who is designated an officer by a commission, or from non-commissioned officer who is designated an officer by virtue of seniority.The rank was first... |
| Abbreviation | WOFF-AF | WOFF Warrant Officer A warrant officer is an officer in a military organization who is designated an officer by a warrant, as distinguished from a commissioned officer who is designated an officer by a commission, or from non-commissioned officer who is designated an officer by virtue of seniority.The rank was first... |
| RAAF Code | E-9 | E-9 |
| Army Equivalent | Regimental Sergeant Major of the Army | Warrant Officer Class 1 |
| Navy Equivalent | Warrant Officer of the Navy | Warrant Officer |
Non-Commissioned Officers
| Insignia | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Title | Flight Sergeant Flight Sergeant Flight sergeant is a senior non-commissioned rank in the British Royal Air Force and several other air forces which have adopted all or part of the RAF rank structure... |
Sergeant Sergeant Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent.... |
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.... |
| Abbreviation | FSGT Flight Sergeant Flight sergeant is a senior non-commissioned rank in the British Royal Air Force and several other air forces which have adopted all or part of the RAF rank structure... |
SGT Sergeant Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent.... |
CPL 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.... |
| RAAF Code | E-8 | E-6 | E-5 |
| Army Equivalent | Warrant Officer Class 2 | Sergeant | Corporal |
| Navy Equivalent | Chief Petty Officer | Petty Officer | Leading Seaman |
Junior Airmen
| Insignia | ||
|---|---|---|
| Title | 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.... |
Aircraftman Aircraftman Aircraftman , or Aircraftwoman , is the lowest rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of several other Commonwealth countries.... |
| Abbreviation | LAC 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.... |
AC Aircraftman Aircraftman , or Aircraftwoman , is the lowest rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of several other Commonwealth countries.... |
| RAAF Code | E-3 | E-1/2 |
| Army Equivalent | [Private Proficient] | Private |
| Navy Equivalent | Able Seaman | Seaman |
See also
- 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...
- 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 enlisted rank 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...