🇧🇪
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 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 |
Lieutenant general
|
Generaal-majoor / Général-major
|
OF-7 Major General |
Major general
|
Brigadegeneraal / Général de Brigade
|
OF-6 Brigadier General |
Brigadier general
|
Kolonel / Colonel
|
OF-5 Colonel |
Colonel
|
Luitenant-kolonel / Lieutenant-colonel
|
OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel |
Lieutenant colonel
|
Majoor / Major
|
OF-3 Major / Commandant |
Major
|
Kapitein-commandant / Capitaine-commandant
|
OF-3 Major / Commandant |
Major
|
Kapitein / Capitaine
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
Captain
|
Luitenant / Lieutenant
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
First lieutenant
Second lieutenant
|
Onderluitenant / Sous-lieutenant
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
First lieutenant
Second lieutenant
|
Aspirant / Aspirant
|
OF-D Student Officer | Cadet / Officer candidate |
| Enlisted ranks | ||
Adjudant-majoor / Adjudant-major
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Command sergeant major
Sergeant major
|
Adjudant-chef / Adjudant-chef
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Command sergeant major
Sergeant major
|
Adjudant / Adjudant
|
OR-8 1st Sergeant |
First sergeant
Master sergeant
|
1ste sergeant-majoor / 1er sergeant-major
|
OR-7 Sergeant 1st Class |
Sergeant first class
|
1ste sergeant-chef / 1er sergeant-chef
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Staff sergeant
|
1ste sergeant / 1er sergeant
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Staff sergeant
|
Sergeant / Sergeant
|
OR-5 Sergeant |
Sergeant
|
1ste korporaal-chef / 1er caporal-chef
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Specialist
Corporal
|
Korporaal-chef / Caporal-chef
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Specialist
Corporal
|
Korporaal / Caporal
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class |
Private first class
|
1ste soldaat / 1er soldat
|
OR-2 Private |
Private
|
Soldaat / Soldat
|
OR-1 Private | Private |
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 |
Vice admiral
|
Divisieadmiraal / Amiral de division / Divisionsadmiral
|
OF-7 Major General |
Rear admiral
|
Flottieljeadmiraal / Amiral de flottille / Flotillenadmiral
|
OF-6 Brigadier General |
Rear admiral (lower half)
|
Kapitein-ter-zee / Capitaine de vaisseau / Kapitän zur See
|
OF-5 Colonel |
Captain
|
Fregatkapitein / Capitaine de frégate / Fregattenkapitän
|
OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel |
Commander
|
Korvetkapitein / Capitaine de corvette / Korvettenkapitän
|
OF-3 Major / Commandant |
Lieutenant commander
|
Luitenant-ter-zee 1ste klasse / Lieutenant de vaisseau de 1re classe / Linienschiffsleutnant 1. klasse
|
OF-3 Major / Commandant |
Lieutenant commander
|
Luitenant-ter-zee / Lieutenant de vaisseau / Linienschiffsleutnant
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
Lieutenant
|
Vaandrig-ter-zee / Enseigne de vaisseau / Seefahnrich
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Lieutenant (junior grade)
Ensign
|
Vaandrig-ter-zee 2de klasse / Enseigne de vaisseau de 2e classe / Seefahnrich 2. klasse
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Lieutenant (junior grade)
Ensign
|
Aspirant der marine / Aspirant de marine / Aspirant von marine
|
OF-D Student Officer |
Midshipman / officer candidate
|
| Enlisted ranks | ||
Oppermeester-Chef / Maître principal-Chef / Chefhauptmeister
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Command master chief petty officer
Master chief petty officer
|
Oppermeester / Maître-principal / Hauptmeister
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Command master chief petty officer
Master chief petty officer
|
Eerste meesterchef / Premier-maître chef / Erster Chefmeister
|
OR-8 1st Sergeant |
Command senior chief petty officer
Senior chief petty officer
|
Eerste meester / Premier maître / Erster Meister
|
OR-7 Sergeant 1st Class |
Chief petty officer
|
Meester-chef / Maître-chef / Meister-Chef
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Petty officer first class
|
Meester / Maître / Meister
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Petty officer first class
|
Tweede meester / Second-maître / Zweiter Meister
|
OR-5 Sergeant |
Petty officer second class
|
Eerste kwartiermeester-chef / 1er Quartier-maître-chef / 1er Oberquartiermeister
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Petty officer third class
|
Kwartiermeester-chef / Quartier-maître-chef / Oberquartiermeister
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Petty officer third class
|
Kwartiermeester / Quartier maître / Quartiermeister
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class |
Seaman
|
Eerste matroos / Premier matelot / 1er Matrose
|
OR-2 Private |
Seaman apprentice
|
Matroos / Matelot / Matrose
|
OR-1 Private | Seaman recruit |
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 |
Lieutenant general
|
Generaal-majoor / Général-major / Generalmajor
|
OF-7 Major General |
Major general
|
Brigadegeneraal / Général de Brigade / Brigadegeneral
|
OF-6 Brigadier General |
Brigadier general
|
Kolonel / Colonel / Oberst
|
OF-5 Colonel |
Colonel
|
Luitenant-kolonel / Lieutenant-colonel / Oberstleutnant
|
OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel |
Lieutenant colonel
|
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 |
Captain
|
Luitenant / Lieutenant / Leutnant
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
First lieutenant
Second lieutenant
|
Onderluitenant / Sous-lieutenant / Unterleutnant
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
First lieutenant
Second lieutenant
|
Aspirant / Aspirant / Aspirant
|
OF-D Student Officer | Cadet / Officer trainee |
| Enlisted ranks | ||
Adjudant-Majoor / Adjudant-Major / Majoradjutant
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Command chief master sergeant
First sergeant
Chief master sergeant
|
Adjudant-chef / Adjudant-chef / Chefadjudant
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Command chief master sergeant
First sergeant
Chief master sergeant
|
Adjudant / Adjudant / Adjudant
|
OR-8 1st Sergeant |
First sergeant
Senior master sergeant
|
1ste sergeant-majoor / 1er sergeant-major / 1er Sergeant Major
|
OR-7 Sergeant 1st Class |
First sergeant
Master sergeant
|
1ste sergeant-chef / 1er sergeant-chef / 1er Sergeant Chef
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Technical sergeant
|
1ste sergeant / 1er sergeant / 1er Sergeant
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Technical sergeant
|
Sergeant / Sergeant / Sergeant
|
OR-5 Sergeant |
Staff sergeant
|
1ste korporaal-chef / 1er caporal-chef / 1er Korporal Chef
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Senior airman
|
Korporaal-chef / Caporal-chef / Korporal Chef
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Senior airman
|
Korporaal / Caporal / Korporal
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class |
Airman first class
|
1ste soldaat / 1er soldat / 1er soldat
|
OR-2 Private |
Airman
|
| Soldaat / Soldat / Soldat | OR-1 Private | Airman basic |
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
Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) and other open sources.
Insignia image credits
- Skjoldbro — CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons: Generaal / Général, Luitenant-generaal / Lieutenant général, Generaal-majoor / Général-major, Brigadegeneraal / Général de Brigade, Kolonel / Colonel, Luitenant-kolonel / Lieutenant-colonel, Majoor / Major, Kapitein-commandant / Capitaine-commandant, Kapitein / Capitaine, Luitenant / Lieutenant, Onderluitenant / Sous-lieutenant, Adjudant-majoor / Adjudant-major, Adjudant-chef / Adjudant-chef, Adjudant / Adjudant, 1ste sergeant-majoor / 1er sergeant-major, 1ste sergeant-chef / 1er sergeant-chef, 1ste sergeant / 1er sergeant, Sergeant / Sergeant, 1ste korporaal-chef / 1er caporal-chef, Korporaal-chef / Caporal-chef, Korporaal / Caporal, 1ste soldaat / 1er soldat, Soldaat / Soldat, Admiraal / Amiral / Admiral, Vice-admiraal / Vice-amiral / Vizeadmiral, Divisieadmiraal / Amiral de division / Divisionsadmiral, Flottieljeadmiraal / Amiral de flottille / Flotillenadmiral, Kapitein-ter-zee / Capitaine de vaisseau / Kapitän zur See, Fregatkapitein / Capitaine de frégate / Fregattenkapitän, Korvetkapitein / Capitaine de corvette / Korvettenkapitän, Luitenant-ter-zee 1ste klasse / Lieutenant de vaisseau de 1re classe / Linienschiffsleutnant 1. klasse, Luitenant-ter-zee / Lieutenant de vaisseau / Linienschiffsleutnant, Vaandrig-ter-zee / Enseigne de vaisseau / Seefahnrich, Vaandrig-ter-zee 2de klasse / Enseigne de vaisseau de 2e classe / Seefahnrich 2. klasse, Generaal / Général / General, Luitenant-generaal / Lieutenant général / Generalleutnant, Generaal-majoor / Général-major / Generalmajor, Brigadegeneraal / Général de Brigade / Brigadegeneral, Kolonel / Colonel / Oberst, Luitenant-kolonel / Lieutenant-colonel / Oberstleutnant, Majoor / Major / Major, Kapitein-commandant / Capitaine-commandant / Stabshauptmann, Kapitein / Capitaine / Hauptmann, Luitenant / Lieutenant / Leutnant, Onderluitenant / Sous-lieutenant / Unterleutnant, Adjudant-Majoor / Adjudant-Major / Majoradjutant, Adjudant-chef / Adjudant-chef / Chefadjudant, Adjudant / Adjudant / Adjudant
- CC0, via Wikimedia Commons: Oppermeester-Chef / Maître principal-Chef / Chefhauptmeister, Oppermeester / Maître-principal / Hauptmeister, Eerste meesterchef / Premier-maître chef / Erster Chefmeister, Eerste meester / Premier maître / Erster Meister, Meester-chef / Maître-chef / Meister-Chef, Meester / Maître / Meister, Tweede meester / Second-maître / Zweiter Meister, Eerste kwartiermeester-chef / 1er Quartier-maître-chef / 1er Oberquartiermeister, Kwartiermeester-chef / Quartier-maître-chef / Oberquartiermeister, Kwartiermeester / Quartier maître / Quartiermeister, Eerste matroos / Premier matelot / 1er Matrose, Matroos / Matelot / Matrose
- Belgian Defense — Copyrighted free use, via Wikimedia Commons: 1ste sergeant-majoor / 1er sergeant-major / 1er Sergeant Major, 1ste sergeant-chef / 1er sergeant-chef / 1er Sergeant Chef, 1ste sergeant / 1er sergeant / 1er Sergeant, Sergeant / Sergeant / Sergeant, 1ste korporaal-chef / 1er caporal-chef / 1er Korporal Chef, Korporaal-chef / Caporal-chef / Korporal Chef, Korporaal / Caporal / Korporal, 1ste soldaat / 1er soldat / 1er soldat
- Cdjp1 — CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons: Aspirant / Aspirant, Aspirant der marine / Aspirant de marine / Aspirant von marine, Aspirant / Aspirant / Aspirant