🇫🇷
French 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), with insignia and NATO-code 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 |
General of the Army
|
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 general
|
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 |
First lieutenant
Second lieutenant
|
Sous-lieutenant
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
First lieutenant
Second lieutenant
|
Aspirant
|
OF-D Student Officer | Cadet / Officer candidate |
| Enlisted ranks | ||
Major
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Command sergeant major
Sergeant major
|
Adjudant-chef
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Command sergeant major
Sergeant major
|
Adjudant
|
OR-8 1st Sergeant |
First sergeant
Master sergeant
|
Sergent-chef BM2
|
OR-7 Sergeant 1st Class |
Sergeant first class
|
Sergent-chef
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Staff sergeant
|
Sergent
|
OR-5 Sergeant |
Sergeant
|
Caporal-chef de 1re classe
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Specialist
Corporal
|
Caporal-chef
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Specialist
Corporal
|
Caporal
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class |
Private first class
|
Soldat de 1re classe
|
OR-2 Private |
Private
|
Soldat
|
OR-1 Private | Private |
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 |
Fleet admiral
|
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 |
Rear admiral (lower half)
|
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 |
Lieutenant (junior grade)
Ensign
|
Enseigne de vaisseau de 2e classe
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Lieutenant (junior grade)
Ensign
|
Aspirant
|
OF-D Student Officer |
Midshipman / officer candidate
|
| Enlisted ranks | ||
Major
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Command master chief petty officer
Master chief petty officer
|
Maître principal
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Command master chief petty officer
Master chief petty officer
|
Premier maître
|
OR-8 1st Sergeant |
Command senior chief petty officer
Senior chief petty officer
|
Maître
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Petty officer first class
|
Second-maître
|
OR-5 Sergeant |
Petty officer second class
|
Quartier-maître de 1 ère classe
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Petty officer third class
|
Quartier-maître de 2 ème classe
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class |
Seaman
|
Matelot breveté
|
OR-2 Private |
Seaman apprentice
|
Matelot
|
OR-1 Private | Seaman recruit |
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 |
Lieutenant general
|
Général de division aérienne
|
OF-7 Major General |
Major general
|
Général de brigade aérienne
|
OF-6 Brigadier General |
Brigadier general
|
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 |
First lieutenant
Second lieutenant
|
Sous-lieutenant
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
First lieutenant
Second lieutenant
|
Aspirant
|
OF-D Student Officer | Cadet / Officer trainee |
Élève-officier
|
OF-D Student Officer | Cadet / Officer trainee |
| Enlisted ranks | ||
Major
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Command chief master sergeant
First sergeant
Chief master sergeant
|
Adjudant-chef
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Command chief master sergeant
First sergeant
Chief master sergeant
|
Adjudant
|
OR-8 1st Sergeant |
First sergeant
Senior master sergeant
|
Sergent-chef
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Technical sergeant
|
Sergent
|
OR-5 Sergeant |
Staff sergeant
|
Caporal-chef
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Senior airman
|
Caporal
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class |
Airman first class
|
Aviateur 1 e classe
|
OR-2 Private |
Airman
|
Aviateur 2e classe
|
OR-1 Private | Airman basic |
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