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Belgian Military Ranks
The Belgian Army has 24 ranks — 12 officer and 12 enlisted — from Soldaat / Soldat up to Generaal / Général. Below: all 72 ranks across 3 branches (Army, Navy, Air Force), with insignia and NATO-code equivalents.
Branches
3
Ranks documented
72
Active personnel
26K
Army
| Rank name | Insignia | NATO code | US Army equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generaal / Général |
|
OF-9 | General |
| Luitenant-generaal / Lieutenant général |
|
OF-8 | Lieutenant General |
| Generaal-majoor / Général-major |
|
OF-7 | Major General |
| Brigadegeneraal / Général de Brigade |
|
OF-6 | Brigadier General |
| Kolonel / Colonel |
|
OF-5 | Colonel |
| Luitenant-kolonel / Lieutenant-colonel |
|
OF-4 | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Majoor / Major |
|
OF-3 | Major / Commandant |
| Kapitein-commandant / Capitaine-commandant |
|
OF-3 | Major / Commandant |
| Kapitein / Capitaine |
|
OF-2 | Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
| Luitenant / Lieutenant |
|
OF-1 | Lieutenant |
| Onderluitenant / Sous-lieutenant |
|
OF-1 | Lieutenant |
| Aspirant / Aspirant |
|
OF-D | Student Officer |
| Adjudant-majoor / Adjudant-major |
|
OR-9 | Sergeant Major |
| Adjudant-chef / Adjudant-chef |
|
OR-9 | Sergeant Major |
| Adjudant / Adjudant |
|
OR-8 | 1st Sergeant |
| 1ste sergeant-majoor / 1er sergeant-major |
|
OR-7 | Sergeant 1st Class |
| 1ste sergeant-chef / 1er sergeant-chef |
|
OR-6 | Staff Sergeant |
| 1ste sergeant / 1er sergeant |
|
OR-6 | Staff Sergeant |
| Sergeant / Sergeant |
|
OR-5 | Sergeant |
| 1ste korporaal-chef / 1er caporal-chef |
|
OR-4 | Corporal |
| Korporaal-chef / Caporal-chef |
|
OR-4 | Corporal |
| Korporaal / Caporal |
|
OR-3 | Private 1st Class |
| 1ste soldaat / 1er soldat |
|
OR-2 | Private |
| Soldaat / Soldat |
|
OR-1 | Private |
Navy
| Rank name | Insignia | NATO code | US Army equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admiraal / Amiral / Admiral |
|
OF-9 | General |
| Vice-admiraal / Vice-amiral / Vizeadmiral |
|
OF-8 | Lieutenant General |
| Divisieadmiraal / Amiral de division / Divisionsadmiral |
|
OF-7 | Major General |
| Flottieljeadmiraal / Amiral de flottille / Flotillenadmiral |
|
OF-6 | Brigadier General |
| Kapitein-ter-zee / Capitaine de vaisseau / Kapitän zur See |
|
OF-5 | Colonel |
| Fregatkapitein / Capitaine de frégate / Fregattenkapitän |
|
OF-4 | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Korvetkapitein / Capitaine de corvette / Korvettenkapitän |
|
OF-3 | Major / Commandant |
| Luitenant-ter-zee 1ste klasse / Lieutenant de vaisseau de 1re classe / Linienschiffsleutnant 1. klasse |
|
OF-3 | Major / Commandant |
| Luitenant-ter-zee / Lieutenant de vaisseau / Linienschiffsleutnant |
|
OF-2 | Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
| Vaandrig-ter-zee / Enseigne de vaisseau / Seefahnrich |
|
OF-1 | Lieutenant |
| Vaandrig-ter-zee 2de klasse / Enseigne de vaisseau de 2e classe / Seefahnrich 2. klasse |
|
OF-1 | Lieutenant |
| Aspirant der marine / Aspirant de marine / Aspirant von marine |
|
OF-D | Student Officer |
| Oppermeester-Chef / Maître principal-Chef / Chefhauptmeister |
|
OR-9 | Sergeant Major |
| Oppermeester / Maître-principal / Hauptmeister |
|
OR-9 | Sergeant Major |
| Eerste meesterchef / Premier-maître chef / Erster Chefmeister |
|
OR-8 | 1st Sergeant |
| Eerste meester / Premier maître / Erster Meister |
|
OR-7 | Sergeant 1st Class |
| Meester-chef / Maître-chef / Meister-Chef |
|
OR-6 | Staff Sergeant |
| Meester / Maître / Meister |
|
OR-6 | Staff Sergeant |
| Tweede meester / Second-maître / Zweiter Meister |
|
OR-5 | Sergeant |
| Eerste kwartiermeester-chef / 1er Quartier-maître-chef / 1er Oberquartiermeister |
|
OR-4 | Corporal |
| Kwartiermeester-chef / Quartier-maître-chef / Oberquartiermeister |
|
OR-4 | Corporal |
| Kwartiermeester / Quartier maître / Quartiermeister |
|
OR-3 | Private 1st Class |
| Eerste matroos / Premier matelot / 1er Matrose |
|
OR-2 | Private |
| Matroos / Matelot / Matrose |
|
OR-1 | Private |
Air Force
| Rank name | Insignia | NATO code | US Army equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generaal / Général / General |
|
OF-9 | General |
| Luitenant-generaal / Lieutenant général / Generalleutnant |
|
OF-8 | Lieutenant General |
| Generaal-majoor / Général-major / Generalmajor |
|
OF-7 | Major General |
| Brigadegeneraal / Général de Brigade / Brigadegeneral |
|
OF-6 | Brigadier General |
| Kolonel / Colonel / Oberst |
|
OF-5 | Colonel |
| Luitenant-kolonel / Lieutenant-colonel / Oberstleutnant |
|
OF-4 | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Majoor / Major / Major |
|
OF-3 | Major / Commandant |
| Kapitein-commandant / Capitaine-commandant / Stabshauptmann |
|
OF-3 | Major / Commandant |
| Kapitein / Capitaine / Hauptmann |
|
OF-2 | Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
| Luitenant / Lieutenant / Leutnant |
|
OF-1 | Lieutenant |
| Onderluitenant / Sous-lieutenant / Unterleutnant |
|
OF-1 | Lieutenant |
| Aspirant / Aspirant / Aspirant |
|
OF-D | Student Officer |
| Adjudant-Majoor / Adjudant-Major / Majoradjutant |
|
OR-9 | Sergeant Major |
| Adjudant-chef / Adjudant-chef / Chefadjudant |
|
OR-9 | Sergeant Major |
| Adjudant / Adjudant / Adjudant |
|
OR-8 | 1st Sergeant |
| 1ste sergeant-majoor / 1er sergeant-major / 1er Sergeant Major |
|
OR-7 | Sergeant 1st Class |
| 1ste sergeant-chef / 1er sergeant-chef / 1er Sergeant Chef |
|
OR-6 | Staff Sergeant |
| 1ste sergeant / 1er sergeant / 1er Sergeant |
|
OR-6 | Staff Sergeant |
| Sergeant / Sergeant / Sergeant |
|
OR-5 | Sergeant |
| 1ste korporaal-chef / 1er caporal-chef / 1er Korporal Chef |
|
OR-4 | Corporal |
| Korporaal-chef / Caporal-chef / Korporal Chef |
|
OR-4 | Corporal |
| Korporaal / Caporal / Korporal |
|
OR-3 | Private 1st Class |
| 1ste soldaat / 1er soldat / 1er soldat |
|
OR-2 | Private |
| Soldaat / Soldat / Soldat | OR-1 | Private |
Overview
Belgium, located at the crossroads of Western Europe, has often played a significant role in European history due to its strategic position. Its defense policies have been influenced by both World Wars, leading Belgium to be a founding member of NATO. Today, the country emphasizes collective defense through its active participation in NATO initiatives and international peacekeeping missions.
- Belgian Land Component: The army is responsible for ground-based operations, both domestically and as part of international missions. It consists of infantry, artillery, and reconnaissance units, among others.
- Belgian Naval Component: Tasked with maritime defense, this branch operates in the North Sea and occasionally participates in international missions. It includes frigates, minehunters, and support ships.
- Belgian Air Component: Ensures air sovereignty, provides air support to ground forces, and contributes to international missions. It operates fighter aircraft, transport planes, and helicopters.
- Medical Component: Provides medical support to the Belgian Armed Forces during operations and ensures the medical readiness of troops.
Belgium Military
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