🇫🇷
France vs Portugal 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 Portuguese equivalents.
Branches
3
Ranks documented
65
Active personnel
270K
Army
Rank Ladder
Highest first · 23 of 23 matched
| 🇫🇷 France · Army | NATO code |
Equivalent in
|
|---|---|---|
| Officers | ||
Maréchal de France
|
OF-10 Marshal / General of the Army |
Marechal do exército
|
Général d'armée
|
OF-9 General |
General
|
Général de corps d'armée
|
OF-8 Lieutenant General |
Tenente-general
|
Général de division
|
OF-7 Major General |
Major-general
|
Général de brigade
|
OF-6 Brigadier General |
Brigadeiro-general
|
Colonel
|
OF-5 Colonel |
Coronel-tirocinado
Coronel
|
Lieutenant-colonel
|
OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel |
Tenente-coronel
|
Commandant
|
OF-3 Major / Commandant |
Major
|
Capitaine
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
Capitão
|
Lieutenant
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Tenente
Alferes
|
Sous-lieutenant
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Tenente
Alferes
|
Aspirant
|
OF-D Student Officer |
Aspirante-a-oficial
|
| Enlisted ranks | ||
Major
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Sargento-mor
Sargento-chefe
|
Adjudant-chef
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Sargento-mor
Sargento-chefe
|
Adjudant
|
OR-8 1st Sergeant |
Sargento-ajudante
|
Sergent-chef BM2
|
OR-7 Sergeant 1st Class |
Primeiro-sargento
|
Sergent-chef
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Segundo-sargento
|
Sergent
|
OR-5 Sergeant |
Furriel
Segundo-furriel
|
Caporal-chef de 1re classe
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Cabo de secção
|
Caporal-chef
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Cabo de secção
|
Caporal
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class |
Cabo-adjunto
|
Soldat de 1re classe
|
OR-2 Private |
Primeiro-cabo
Segundo-cabo
|
Soldat
|
OR-1 Private |
Soldado
|
Navy
Rank Ladder
Highest first · 21 of 21 matched
| 🇫🇷 France · Navy | NATO code |
Equivalent in
|
|---|---|---|
| Officers | ||
Amiral de France
|
OF-10 Marshal / General of the Army |
Almirante da Armada
|
Amiral
|
OF-9 General |
Almirante
|
Vice-amiral d'escadre
|
OF-8 Lieutenant General |
Vice-almirante
|
Vice-amiral
|
OF-7 Major General |
Contra-almirante
|
Contre-amiral
|
OF-6 Brigadier General |
Comodoro
|
Capitaine de vaisseau
|
OF-5 Colonel |
Capitão de mar e guerra
|
Capitaine de frégate
|
OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel |
Capitão de fragata
|
Capitaine de corvette
|
OF-3 Major / Commandant |
Capitão-tenente
|
Lieutenant de vaisseau
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
Primeiro-tenente
|
Enseigne de vaisseau de 1re classe
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Segundo-tenente
Guarda-marinha / Subtenente
|
Enseigne de vaisseau de 2e classe
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Segundo-tenente
Guarda-marinha / Subtenente
|
Aspirant
|
OF-D Student Officer |
Aspirante (Naval school)
Aspirante (others)
Cadete
|
| Enlisted ranks | ||
Major
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Sargento-mor
Sargento-chefe
|
Maître principal
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Sargento-mor
Sargento-chefe
|
Premier maître
|
OR-8 1st Sergeant |
Sargento-ajudante
|
Maître
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Segundo-sargento
|
Second-maître
|
OR-5 Sergeant |
Subsargento
|
Quartier-maître de 1 ère classe
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Cabo-mor
Cabo
|
Quartier-maître de 2 ème classe
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class |
Primeiro-marinheiro
|
Matelot breveté
|
OR-2 Private |
Segundo-marinheiro
Primeiro-grumete
|
Matelot
|
OR-1 Private | Segundo-grumete |
Air Force
Rank Ladder
Highest first · 21 of 21 matched
| 🇫🇷 France · Air Force | NATO code |
Equivalent in
|
|---|---|---|
| Officers | ||
Général d'armée aérienne
|
OF-9 General |
General
|
Général de corps aérien
|
OF-8 Lieutenant General |
Tenente-general
|
Général de division aérienne
|
OF-7 Major General |
Major-general
|
Général de brigade aérienne
|
OF-6 Brigadier General |
Brigadeiro-general
|
Colonel
|
OF-5 Colonel |
Coronel
|
Lieutenant-colonel
|
OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel |
Tenente-coronel
|
Commandant
|
OF-3 Major / Commandant |
Major
|
Capitaine
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
Capitão
|
Lieutenant
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Tenente
Alferes
|
Sous-lieutenant
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Tenente
Alferes
|
Aspirant
|
OF-D Student Officer |
Aspirante-a-oficial
Cadete aluno
|
Élève-officier
|
OF-D Student Officer |
Aspirante-a-oficial
Cadete aluno
|
| Enlisted ranks | ||
Major
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Sargento-mor
Sargento-chefe
|
Adjudant-chef
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Sargento-mor
Sargento-chefe
|
Adjudant
|
OR-8 1st Sergeant |
Sargento-ajudante
|
Sergent-chef
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Segundo-sargento
|
Sergent
|
OR-5 Sergeant |
Furriel
Segundo-furriel
|
Caporal-chef
|
OR-4 Corporal | Cabo-de-secção |
Caporal
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class |
Cabo-adjunto
|
Aviateur 1 e classe
|
OR-2 Private |
Primeiro-cabo
Segundo-cabo
|
Aviateur 2e classe
|
OR-1 Private |
Soldado
|
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