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Ranks· 🇧🇪 Belgium

Belgium vs Germany 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), aligned tier by tier with their German equivalents.

Branches

Ranks documented

Active personnel

26K

Army

Rank Ladder Highest first · 24 of 24 matched

🇧🇪 Belgium · Army	NATO code	Equivalent in
Officers
Generaal / Général	OF-9 General	General
Luitenant-generaal / Lieutenant général	OF-8 Lieutenant General	Generalleutnant
Generaal-majoor / Général-major	OF-7 Major General	Generalmajor
Brigadegeneraal / Général de Brigade	OF-6 Brigadier General	Brigadegeneral
Kolonel / Colonel	OF-5 Colonel	Oberst
Luitenant-kolonel / Lieutenant-colonel	OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel	Oberstleutnant
Majoor / Major	OF-3 Major / Commandant	Major
Kapitein-commandant / Capitaine-commandant	OF-3 Major / Commandant	Major
Kapitein / Capitaine	OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant	Stabshauptmann Hauptmann
Luitenant / Lieutenant	OF-1 Lieutenant	Oberleutnant Leutnant
Onderluitenant / Sous-lieutenant	OF-1 Lieutenant	Oberleutnant Leutnant
Aspirant / Aspirant	OF-D Student Officer	Oberfähnrich Fähnrich Fahnenjunker
Enlisted ranks
Adjudant-majoor / Adjudant-major	OR-9 Sergeant Major	Oberstabsfeldwebel
Adjudant-chef / Adjudant-chef	OR-9 Sergeant Major	Oberstabsfeldwebel
Adjudant / Adjudant	OR-8 1st Sergeant	Stabsfeldwebel
1ste sergeant-majoor / 1er sergeant-major	OR-7 Sergeant 1st Class	Hauptfeldwebel
1ste sergeant-chef / 1er sergeant-chef	OR-6 Staff Sergeant	Oberfeldwebel Feldwebel
1ste sergeant / 1er sergeant	OR-6 Staff Sergeant	Oberfeldwebel Feldwebel
Sergeant / Sergeant	OR-5 Sergeant	Stabsunteroffizier Unteroffizier
1ste korporaal-chef / 1er caporal-chef	OR-4 Corporal	Stabskorporal Korporal Oberstabsgefreiter Stabsgefreiter
Korporaal-chef / Caporal-chef	OR-4 Corporal	Stabskorporal Korporal Oberstabsgefreiter Stabsgefreiter
Korporaal / Caporal	OR-3 Private 1st Class	Hauptgefreiter Obergefreiter
1ste soldaat / 1er soldat	OR-2 Private	Gefreiter
Soldaat / Soldat	OR-1 Private	Soldat

Navy

Rank Ladder Highest first · 24 of 24 matched

🇧🇪 Belgium · Navy	NATO code	Equivalent in
Officers
Admiraal / Amiral / Admiral	OF-9 General	Admiral
Vice-admiraal / Vice-amiral / Vizeadmiral	OF-8 Lieutenant General	Vizeadmiral
Divisieadmiraal / Amiral de division / Divisionsadmiral	OF-7 Major General	Konteradmiral
Flottieljeadmiraal / Amiral de flottille / Flotillenadmiral	OF-6 Brigadier General	Flottillenadmiral
Kapitein-ter-zee / Capitaine de vaisseau / Kapitän zur See	OF-5 Colonel	Kapitän zur See
Fregatkapitein / Capitaine de frégate / Fregattenkapitän	OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel	Fregattenkapitän
Korvetkapitein / Capitaine de corvette / Korvettenkapitän	OF-3 Major / Commandant	Korvettenkapitän
Luitenant-ter-zee 1ste klasse / Lieutenant de vaisseau de 1re classe / Linienschiffsleutnant 1. klasse	OF-3 Major / Commandant	Korvettenkapitän
Luitenant-ter-zee / Lieutenant de vaisseau / Linienschiffsleutnant	OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant	Stabskapitänleutnant Kapitänleutnant
Vaandrig-ter-zee / Enseigne de vaisseau / Seefahnrich	OF-1 Lieutenant	Oberleutnant zur See Leutnant zur See
Vaandrig-ter-zee 2de klasse / Enseigne de vaisseau de 2e classe / Seefahnrich 2. klasse	OF-1 Lieutenant	Oberleutnant zur See Leutnant zur See
Aspirant der marine / Aspirant de marine / Aspirant von marine	OF-D Student Officer	Oberfähnrich zur See Fähnrich zur See Seekadett
Enlisted ranks
Oppermeester-Chef / Maître principal-Chef / Chefhauptmeister	OR-9 Sergeant Major	Oberstabsbootsmann
Oppermeester / Maître-principal / Hauptmeister	OR-9 Sergeant Major	Oberstabsbootsmann
Eerste meesterchef / Premier-maître chef / Erster Chefmeister	OR-8 1st Sergeant	Stabsbootsmann
Eerste meester / Premier maître / Erster Meister	OR-7 Sergeant 1st Class	Hauptbootsmann
Meester-chef / Maître-chef / Meister-Chef	OR-6 Staff Sergeant	Oberbootsmann Bootsmann
Meester / Maître / Meister	OR-6 Staff Sergeant	Oberbootsmann Bootsmann
Tweede meester / Second-maître / Zweiter Meister	OR-5 Sergeant	Obermaat Maat
Eerste kwartiermeester-chef / 1er Quartier-maître-chef / 1er Oberquartiermeister	OR-4 Corporal	Stabskorporal Korporal Oberstabsgefreiter Stabsgefreiter
Kwartiermeester-chef / Quartier-maître-chef / Oberquartiermeister	OR-4 Corporal	Stabskorporal Korporal Oberstabsgefreiter Stabsgefreiter
Kwartiermeester / Quartier maître / Quartiermeister	OR-3 Private 1st Class	Hauptgefreiter Obergefreiter
Eerste matroos / Premier matelot / 1er Matrose	OR-2 Private	Gefreiter
Matroos / Matelot / Matrose	OR-1 Private	Matrose

Air Force

Rank Ladder Highest first · 24 of 24 matched

🇧🇪 Belgium · Air Force	NATO code	Equivalent in
Officers
Generaal / Général / General	OF-9 General	General
Luitenant-generaal / Lieutenant général / Generalleutnant	OF-8 Lieutenant General	Generalleutnant
Generaal-majoor / Général-major / Generalmajor	OF-7 Major General	Generalmajor
Brigadegeneraal / Général de Brigade / Brigadegeneral	OF-6 Brigadier General	Brigadegeneral
Kolonel / Colonel / Oberst	OF-5 Colonel	Oberst
Luitenant-kolonel / Lieutenant-colonel / Oberstleutnant	OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel	Oberstleutnant
Majoor / Major / Major	OF-3 Major / Commandant	Major
Kapitein-commandant / Capitaine-commandant / Stabshauptmann	OF-3 Major / Commandant	Major
Kapitein / Capitaine / Hauptmann	OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant	Stabshauptmann Hauptmann
Luitenant / Lieutenant / Leutnant	OF-1 Lieutenant	Oberleutnant Leutnant
Onderluitenant / Sous-lieutenant / Unterleutnant	OF-1 Lieutenant	Oberleutnant Leutnant
Aspirant / Aspirant / Aspirant	OF-D Student Officer	Oberfähnrich Fähnrich Fahnenjunker
Enlisted ranks
Adjudant-Majoor / Adjudant-Major / Majoradjutant	OR-9 Sergeant Major	Oberstabsfeldwebel
Adjudant-chef / Adjudant-chef / Chefadjudant	OR-9 Sergeant Major	Oberstabsfeldwebel
Adjudant / Adjudant / Adjudant	OR-8 1st Sergeant	Stabsfeldwebel
1ste sergeant-majoor / 1er sergeant-major / 1er Sergeant Major	OR-7 Sergeant 1st Class	Hauptfeldwebel
1ste sergeant-chef / 1er sergeant-chef / 1er Sergeant Chef	OR-6 Staff Sergeant	Oberfeldwebel Feldwebel
1ste sergeant / 1er sergeant / 1er Sergeant	OR-6 Staff Sergeant	Oberfeldwebel Feldwebel
Sergeant / Sergeant / Sergeant	OR-5 Sergeant	Stabsunteroffizier Unteroffizier
1ste korporaal-chef / 1er caporal-chef / 1er Korporal Chef	OR-4 Corporal	Stabskorporal Korporal Oberstabsgefreiter Stabsgefreiter
Korporaal-chef / Caporal-chef / Korporal Chef	OR-4 Corporal	Stabskorporal Korporal Oberstabsgefreiter Stabsgefreiter
Korporaal / Caporal / Korporal	OR-3 Private 1st Class	Hauptgefreiter Obergefreiter
1ste soldaat / 1er soldat / 1er soldat	OR-2 Private	Gefreiter
Soldaat / Soldat / Soldat	OR-1 Private	Flieger

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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Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) and other open sources.

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