🇫🇷
France vs Italy 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 Italian 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 | – |
Général d'armée
|
OF-9 General |
Generale
Generale di Corpo d'Armata con Incarichi Speciali
|
Général de corps d'armée
|
OF-8 Lieutenant General |
Generale di Corpo d'Armata
|
Général de division
|
OF-7 Major General |
Generale di Divisione
|
Général de brigade
|
OF-6 Brigadier General |
Generale di Brigata
|
Colonel
|
OF-5 Colonel |
Colonnello
|
Lieutenant-colonel
|
OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel |
Tenente Colonnello
|
Commandant
|
OF-3 Major / Commandant |
Maggiore
|
Capitaine
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
Primo capitano
Capitano
|
Lieutenant
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Tenente
Sottotenente
|
Sous-lieutenant
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Tenente
Sottotenente
|
Aspirant
|
OF-D Student Officer | – |
| Enlisted ranks | ||
Major
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Primo luogotenente q.s.
Luogotenente
Primo maresciallo
|
Adjudant-chef
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Primo luogotenente q.s.
Luogotenente
Primo maresciallo
|
Adjudant
|
OR-8 1st Sergeant |
Maresciallo capo
|
Sergent-chef BM2
|
OR-7 Sergeant 1st Class |
Sergente maggiore capo q.s.
Sergente Maggiore Capo
|
Sergent-chef
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Sergente Maggiore
|
Sergent
|
OR-5 Sergeant |
Sergente
|
Caporal-chef de 1re classe
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Caporale maggiore capo scelto q.s.
Caporale maggiore capo scelto
Caporale maggiore capo
Caporale maggiore scelto
Primo caporale maggiore
|
Caporal-chef
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Caporale maggiore capo scelto q.s.
Caporale maggiore capo scelto
Caporale maggiore capo
Caporale maggiore scelto
Primo caporale maggiore
|
Caporal
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class |
Caporal Maggiore
|
Soldat de 1re classe
|
OR-2 Private |
Caporale
|
Soldat
|
OR-1 Private |
Soldato
|
Navy
Rank Ladder
Highest first · 20 of 21 matched
| 🇫🇷 France · Navy | NATO code |
Equivalent in
|
|---|---|---|
| Officers | ||
Amiral de France
|
OF-10 Marshal / General of the Army | – |
Amiral
|
OF-9 General |
Ammiraglio
Ammiraglio di squadra con incarichi speciali
|
Vice-amiral d'escadre
|
OF-8 Lieutenant General |
Ammiraglio di squadra
|
Vice-amiral
|
OF-7 Major General |
Ammiraglio di divisione
|
Contre-amiral
|
OF-6 Brigadier General |
Contrammiraglio
|
Capitaine de vaisseau
|
OF-5 Colonel |
Capitano di vascello
|
Capitaine de frégate
|
OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel |
Capitano di fregata
|
Capitaine de corvette
|
OF-3 Major / Commandant |
Capitano di corvetta
|
Lieutenant de vaisseau
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
Tenente di vascello
|
Enseigne de vaisseau de 1re classe
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Sottotenente di vascello
Guardiamarina
|
Enseigne de vaisseau de 2e classe
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Sottotenente di vascello
Guardiamarina
|
Aspirant
|
OF-D Student Officer |
Aspirante guardiamarina
|
| Enlisted ranks | ||
Major
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Primo luogotenente q.s.
Luogotenente
Primo maresciallo
Capo di prima classe
|
Maître principal
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Primo luogotenente q.s.
Luogotenente
Primo maresciallo
Capo di prima classe
|
Premier maître
|
OR-8 1st Sergeant |
Capo di seconda classe
Capo di terza classe
|
Maître
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Secondo capo
|
Second-maître
|
OR-5 Sergeant |
Sergente
|
Quartier-maître de 1 ère classe
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Sottocapo di Prima Classe Scelto
Sottocapo di Prima Classe
Sottocapo di seconda Classe
Sottocapo di terza Classe
|
Quartier-maître de 2 ème classe
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class |
Sottocapo
|
Matelot breveté
|
OR-2 Private |
Comune di prima classe
|
Matelot
|
OR-1 Private | Comune di seconda classe |
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 |
Generale
Generale di squadra aerea con incarichi speciali
|
Général de corps aérien
|
OF-8 Lieutenant General |
Generale di squadra aerea
|
Général de division aérienne
|
OF-7 Major General |
Generale di divisione aerea
|
Général de brigade aérienne
|
OF-6 Brigadier General |
Generale di brigata aerea
|
Colonel
|
OF-5 Colonel |
Colonnello
|
Lieutenant-colonel
|
OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel |
Tenente colonnello
|
Commandant
|
OF-3 Major / Commandant |
Maggiore
|
Capitaine
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
Primo capitano
Capitano
|
Lieutenant
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Tenente
Sottotenente
|
Sous-lieutenant
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Tenente
Sottotenente
|
Aspirant
|
OF-D Student Officer | – |
Élève-officier
|
OF-D Student Officer | – |
| Enlisted ranks | ||
Major
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Luogotenente
Primo maresciallo
Maresciallo di prima classe
|
Adjudant-chef
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Luogotenente
Primo maresciallo
Maresciallo di prima classe
|
Adjudant
|
OR-8 1st Sergeant |
Maresciallo di seconda classe
Maresciallo di terza classe
|
Sergent-chef
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Sergente maggiore
|
Sergent
|
OR-5 Sergeant |
Sergente
|
Caporal-chef
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Primo aviere capo scelto
Primo aviere capo
Primo aviere scelto
Aviere capo
|
Caporal
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class |
Primo aviere
|
Aviateur 1 e classe
|
OR-2 Private |
Aviere scelto
|
Aviateur 2e classe
|
OR-1 Private | Aviere |
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