French Military Ranks 🇫🇷
Overview
The French Armed Forces, known as "Forces armées françaises," encompass several branches, each with specific roles and responsibilities:
- French Army (Armée de Terre): The French Army is responsible for land-based military operations, including infantry, armored units, artillery, and support units. It plays a key role in national defense and international missions.
- French Navy (Marine Nationale): The French Navy focuses on maritime defense and security, operating a variety of vessels, submarines, and aircraft carriers. It is responsible for protecting France's maritime interests and sea lanes.
- French Air and Space Force (Armée de l'Air et de l'Espace): The French Air and Space Force is responsible for aerial and space operations, including fighter aircraft, bombers, transport planes, and space assets. It ensures air superiority and contributes to space activities.
- National Gendarmerie (Gendarmerie Nationale): While primarily a law enforcement agency, the National Gendarmerie also has military responsibilities, particularly in rural and remote areas. It handles various policing duties and can be called upon for military support.
- French Foreign Legion (Légion étrangère): The French Foreign Legion is a unique branch known for its recruitment of foreign nationals. It serves as an elite force within the French Army and takes part in various military operations.
France Military
Air Force
| Rank name | Insignia | NATO code | US Army equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Général d'armée aérienne |
|
OF-9 | General |
| Général de corps aérien |
|
OF-8 | Lieutenant General |
| Général de division aérienne |
|
OF-7 | Major General |
| Général de brigade aérienne |
|
OF-6 | Brigadier General |
| Colonel |
|
OF-5 | Colonel |
| Lieutenant-colonel |
|
OF-4 | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Commandant |
|
OF-3 | Major / Commandant |
| Capitaine |
|
OF-2 | Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
| Lieutenant |
|
OF-1 | Lieutenant |
| Sous-lieutenant |
|
OF-1 | Lieutenant |
| Aspirant |
|
OF-D | Student Officer |
| Élève-officier |
|
OF-D | Student Officer |
| Major |
|
OR-9 | Sergeant Major |
| Adjudant-chef |
|
OR-9 | Sergeant Major |
| Adjudant |
|
OR-8 | 1st Sergeant |
| Sergent-chef |
|
OR-6 | Staff Sergeant |
| Sergent |
|
OR-5 | Sergeant |
| Caporal-chef |
|
OR-4 | Corporal |
| Caporal |
|
OR-3 | Private 1st Class |
| Aviateur 1 e classe |
|
OR-2 | Private |
| Aviateur 2e classe |
|
OR-1 | Private |
Army
| Rank name | Insignia | NATO code | US Army equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maréchal de France |
|
OF-10 | Marshal / General of the Army |
| Général d'armée |
|
OF-9 | General |
| Général de corps d'armée |
|
OF-8 | Lieutenant General |
| Général de division |
|
OF-7 | Major General |
| Général de brigade |
|
OF-6 | Brigadier General |
| Colonel |
|
OF-5 | Colonel |
| Lieutenant-colonel |
|
OF-4 | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Commandant |
|
OF-3 | Major / Commandant |
| Capitaine |
|
OF-2 | Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
| Lieutenant |
|
OF-1 | Lieutenant |
| Sous-lieutenant |
|
OF-1 | Lieutenant |
| Aspirant |
|
OF-D | Student Officer |
| Major |
|
OR-9 | Sergeant Major |
| Adjudant-chef |
|
OR-9 | Sergeant Major |
| Adjudant |
|
OR-8 | 1st Sergeant |
| Sergent-chef BM2 |
|
OR-7 | Sergeant 1st Class |
| Sergent-chef |
|
OR-6 | Staff Sergeant |
| Sergent |
|
OR-5 | Sergeant |
| Caporal-chef de 1re classe |
|
OR-4 | Corporal |
| Caporal-chef |
|
OR-4 | Corporal |
| Caporal |
|
OR-3 | Private 1st Class |
| Soldat de 1re classe |
|
OR-2 | Private |
| Soldat |
|
OR-1 | Private |
Navy
| Rank name | Insignia | NATO code | US Army equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amiral de France |
|
OF-10 | Marshal / General of the Army |
| Amiral |
|
OF-9 | General |
| Vice-amiral d'escadre |
|
OF-8 | Lieutenant General |
| Vice-amiral |
|
OF-7 | Major General |
| Contre-amiral |
|
OF-6 | Brigadier General |
| Capitaine de vaisseau |
|
OF-5 | Colonel |
| Capitaine de frégate |
|
OF-4 | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Capitaine de corvette |
|
OF-3 | Major / Commandant |
| Lieutenant de vaisseau |
|
OF-2 | Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
| Enseigne de vaisseau de 1re classe |
|
OF-1 | Lieutenant |
| Enseigne de vaisseau de 2e classe |
|
OF-1 | Lieutenant |
| Aspirant |
|
OF-D | Student Officer |
| Major |
|
OR-9 | Sergeant Major |
| Maître principal |
|
OR-9 | Sergeant Major |
| Premier maître |
|
OR-8 | 1st Sergeant |
| Maître |
|
OR-6 | Staff Sergeant |
| Second-maître |
|
OR-5 | Sergeant |
| Quartier-maître de 1 ère classe |
|
OR-4 | Corporal |
| Quartier-maître de 2 ème classe |
|
OR-3 | Private 1st Class |
| Matelot breveté |
|
OR-2 | Private |
| Matelot |
|
OR-1 | Private |
Wikipedia and other open sources.