🇫🇷
France vs United Kingdom Military Ranks
The French Army has 23 ranks — 12 officer and 11 enlisted — from Soldat up to Maréchal de France. Below: all 65 ranks across 3 branches (Army, Navy, Air Force), aligned tier by tier with their British equivalents.
Branches
3
Ranks documented
65
Active personnel
270K
Army
Rank Ladder
Highest first · 21 of 23 matched
| 🇫🇷 France · Army | NATO code |
Equivalent in
|
|---|---|---|
| Officers | ||
Maréchal de France
|
OF-10 Marshal / General of the Army |
Field marshal
|
Général d'armée
|
OF-9 General |
General
|
Général de corps d'armée
|
OF-8 Lieutenant General |
Lieutenant-general
|
Général de division
|
OF-7 Major General |
Major-general
|
Général de brigade
|
OF-6 Brigadier General |
Brigadier
|
Colonel
|
OF-5 Colonel |
Colonel
|
Lieutenant-colonel
|
OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel |
Lieutenant colonel
|
Commandant
|
OF-3 Major / Commandant |
Major
|
Capitaine
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
Captain
|
Lieutenant
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Lieutenant
Second lieutenant
|
Sous-lieutenant
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Lieutenant
Second lieutenant
|
Aspirant
|
OF-D Student Officer |
Officer cadet
|
| Enlisted ranks | ||
Major
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Warrant officer class 1
|
Adjudant-chef
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Warrant officer class 1
|
Adjudant
|
OR-8 1st Sergeant |
Warrant officer class 2
|
Sergent-chef BM2
|
OR-7 Sergeant 1st Class |
Staff
|
Sergent-chef
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Sergeant
|
Sergent
|
OR-5 Sergeant | – |
Caporal-chef de 1re classe
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Corporal
|
Caporal-chef
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Corporal
|
Caporal
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class |
Lance corporal
|
Soldat de 1re classe
|
OR-2 Private | Private |
Soldat
|
OR-1 Private | – |
Navy
Rank Ladder
Highest first · 18 of 21 matched
| 🇫🇷 France · Navy | NATO code |
Equivalent in
|
|---|---|---|
| Officers | ||
Amiral de France
|
OF-10 Marshal / General of the Army |
Admiral of the Fleet
|
Amiral
|
OF-9 General |
Admiral
|
Vice-amiral d'escadre
|
OF-8 Lieutenant General |
Vice admiral
|
Vice-amiral
|
OF-7 Major General |
Rear admiral
|
Contre-amiral
|
OF-6 Brigadier General |
Commodore
|
Capitaine de vaisseau
|
OF-5 Colonel |
Captain
|
Capitaine de frégate
|
OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel |
Commander
|
Capitaine de corvette
|
OF-3 Major / Commandant |
Lieutenant commander
|
Lieutenant de vaisseau
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
Lieutenant
|
Enseigne de vaisseau de 1re classe
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Sub lieutenant
Midshipman
|
Enseigne de vaisseau de 2e classe
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Sub lieutenant
Midshipman
|
Aspirant
|
OF-D Student Officer |
Officer Cadet
|
| Enlisted ranks | ||
Major
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Warrant officer class 1
|
Maître principal
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Warrant officer class 1
|
Premier maître
|
OR-8 1st Sergeant |
Warrant officer class 2
|
Maître
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Petty officer
|
Second-maître
|
OR-5 Sergeant | – |
Quartier-maître de 1 ère classe
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Leading rate
|
Quartier-maître de 2 ème classe
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class | – |
Matelot breveté
|
OR-2 Private |
Able rate
|
Matelot
|
OR-1 Private | – |
Air Force
Rank Ladder
Highest first · 19 of 21 matched
| 🇫🇷 France · Air Force | NATO code |
Equivalent in
|
|---|---|---|
| Officers | ||
Général d'armée aérienne
|
OF-9 General |
Air chief marshal
|
Général de corps aérien
|
OF-8 Lieutenant General |
Air marshal
|
Général de division aérienne
|
OF-7 Major General |
Air vice-marshal
|
Général de brigade aérienne
|
OF-6 Brigadier General |
Air commodore
|
Colonel
|
OF-5 Colonel |
Group captain
|
Lieutenant-colonel
|
OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel |
Wing commander
|
Commandant
|
OF-3 Major / Commandant |
Squadron leader
|
Capitaine
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
Flight lieutenant
|
Lieutenant
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Flying officer
Pilot officer / acting pilot officer
|
Sous-lieutenant
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Flying officer
Pilot officer / acting pilot officer
|
Aspirant
|
OF-D Student Officer |
Officer cadet
|
Élève-officier
|
OF-D Student Officer |
Officer cadet
|
| Enlisted ranks | ||
Major
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Warrant officer
|
Adjudant-chef
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Warrant officer
|
Adjudant
|
OR-8 1st Sergeant | – |
Sergent-chef
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Sergeant
|
Sergent
|
OR-5 Sergeant | – |
Caporal-chef
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Corporal
|
Caporal
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class |
Lance corporal ( RAF Regiment only)
|
Aviateur 1 e classe
|
OR-2 Private |
Air specialist (class 1) technician
Air specialist (class 1)
Air specialist (class 2)
|
Aviateur 2e classe
|
OR-1 Private | Air recruit |
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
Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) and other open sources.
Insignia image credits
- Rama — CC BY-SA 2.0 fr, via Wikimedia Commons: Amiral, Vice-amiral d'escadre, Vice-amiral, Contre-amiral, Capitaine de vaisseau, Capitaine de frégate, Capitaine de corvette, Lieutenant de vaisseau, Enseigne de vaisseau de 1re classe, Enseigne de vaisseau de 2e classe, Major (Navy), Maître principal, Premier maître, Maître, Second-maître, Quartier-maître de 1 ère classe, Quartier-maître de 2 ème classe, Matelot breveté, Matelot, Général d'armée aérienne, Général de corps aérien, Général de division aérienne, Général de brigade aérienne, Colonel, Lieutenant-colonel, Commandant, Capitaine, Lieutenant, Sous-lieutenant, Aspirant, Élève-officier, Major (Air Force), Adjudant-chef, Adjudant, Sergent-chef, Sergent, Caporal-chef, Caporal, Aviateur 1 e classe, Aviateur 2e classe
- Bilou — CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons: Colonel, Lieutenant-colonel, Commandant, Capitaine, Lieutenant, Sous-lieutenant, Aspirant, Major, Adjudant-chef, Adjudant, Sergent-chef, Sergent, Caporal-chef de 1re classe, Caporal-chef, Caporal, Soldat de 1re classe
- Original file by Bilou. Modifications by Otourly and Skjoldbro. — CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons: Général d'armée, Général de corps d'armée, Général de division, Général de brigade
- Rama derivative work: Captain29 — CC BY-SA 2.0 fr, via Wikimedia Commons: Amiral de France, Aspirant
- Bilou derivative work: とある白い猫 — CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons: Soldat
- Bloomsbury Group — CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons: Sergent-chef BM2
- Skjoldbro — CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons: Maréchal de France