Military Ranks of United Kingdom 🇬🇧
Overview
The armed forces of the United Kingdom, collectively known as the "British Armed Forces," comprise several branches, each with specific roles and responsibilities:
- British Army: The British Army is the land-based military branch responsible for ground operations. It includes infantry, armored units, artillery, and support units. The Army plays a vital role in both national defense and international peacekeeping missions.
- Royal Navy: The Royal Navy is responsible for maritime defense and security. It operates a wide range of vessels, including aircraft carriers, submarines, and surface ships, ensuring the protection of the UK's maritime interests.
- Royal Air Force (RAF): The Royal Air Force is responsible for aerial operations, with a diverse fleet of fighter aircraft, transport planes, and helicopters. It plays a critical role in air defense and global mobility.
- Royal Marines: The Royal Marines are a specialized branch known for amphibious warfare and rapid response capabilities. They serve as the UK's elite naval infantry.
- British Special Forces: The UK has various elite special forces units, including the SAS (Special Air Service) and SBS (Special Boat Service), known for their covert and special operations expertise.
British Air Force
| Rank name | Insignia | NATO code | US Army equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marshal of the RAF |
|
OF-10 | Marshal / General of the Army |
| Air chief marshal |
|
OF-9 | General |
| Air marshal |
|
OF-8 | Lieutenant General |
| Air vice-marshal |
|
OF-7 | Major General |
| Air commodore |
|
OF-6 | Brigadier General |
| Group captain |
|
OF-5 | Colonel |
| Wing commander |
|
OF-4 | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Squadron leader |
|
OF-3 | Major / Commandant |
| Flight lieutenant |
|
OF-2 | Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
| Flying officer |
|
OF-1 | Lieutenant |
| Pilot officer / acting pilot officer |
|
OF-1 | Lieutenant |
| Officer cadet |
|
OF-D | Student Officer |
| Warrant officer |
|
OR-9 | Sergeant Major |
| Flight sergeant |
|
OR-7 | Sergeant 1st Class |
| Chief technician |
|
OR-7 | Sergeant 1st Class |
| Sergeant |
|
OR-6 | Staff Sergeant |
| Corporal |
|
OR-4 | Corporal |
| Lance corporal ( RAF Regiment only) |
|
OR-3 | Private 1st Class |
| Air specialist (class 1) technician |
|
OR-2 | Private |
| Air specialist (class 1) |
|
OR-2 | Private |
| Air specialist (class 2) |
|
OR-2 | Private |
| Air recruit | OR-1 | Private |
British Army
| Rank name | Insignia | NATO code | US Army equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Field marshal |
|
OF-10 | Marshal / General of the Army |
| General |
|
OF-9 | General |
| Lieutenant-general |
|
OF-8 | Lieutenant General |
| Major-general |
|
OF-7 | Major General |
| Brigadier |
|
OF-6 | Brigadier General |
| Colonel |
|
OF-5 | Colonel |
| Lieutenant colonel |
|
OF-4 | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Major |
|
OF-3 | Major / Commandant |
| Captain |
|
OF-2 | Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
| Lieutenant |
|
OF-1 | Lieutenant |
| Second lieutenant |
|
OF-1 | Lieutenant |
| Officer cadet |
|
OF-D | Student Officer |
| Warrant officer class 1 |
|
OR-9 | Sergeant Major |
| Warrant officer class 2 |
|
OR-8 | 1st Sergeant |
| Staff |
|
OR-7 | Sergeant 1st Class |
| Sergeant |
|
OR-6 | Staff Sergeant |
| Corporal |
|
OR-4 | Corporal |
| Lance corporal |
|
OR-3 | Private 1st Class |
| Private | OR-2 | Private |
British Marines
| Rank name | Insignia | NATO code | US Army equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Captain General Royal Marines |
|
OF-10 | Marshal / General of the Army |
| General |
|
OF-9 | General |
| Lieutenant-general |
|
OF-8 | Lieutenant General |
| Major-general |
|
OF-7 | Major General |
| Brigadier |
|
OF-6 | Brigadier General |
| Colonel |
|
OF-5 | Colonel |
| Lieutenant colonel |
|
OF-4 | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Major |
|
OF-3 | Major / Commandant |
| Captain |
|
OF-2 | Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
| Lieutenant |
|
OF-1 | Lieutenant |
| Second lieutenant |
|
OF-1 | Lieutenant |
| Officer cadet |
|
OF-D | Student Officer |
| Warrant officer class 1 |
|
OR-9 | Sergeant Major |
| Warrant officer class 2 |
|
OR-8 | 1st Sergeant |
| Colour sergeant |
|
OR-7 | Sergeant 1st Class |
| Sergeant |
|
OR-6 | Staff Sergeant |
| Corporal |
|
OR-4 | Corporal |
| Lance corporal |
|
OR-3 | Private 1st Class |
| Marine | OR-2 | Private |
British Navy
| Rank name | Insignia | NATO code | US Army equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admiral of the Fleet |
|
OF-10 | Marshal / General of the Army |
| Admiral |
|
OF-9 | General |
| Vice admiral |
|
OF-8 | Lieutenant General |
| Rear admiral |
|
OF-7 | Major General |
| Commodore |
|
OF-6 | Brigadier General |
| Captain |
|
OF-5 | Colonel |
| Commander |
|
OF-4 | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Lieutenant commander |
|
OF-3 | Major / Commandant |
| Lieutenant |
|
OF-2 | Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
| Sub lieutenant |
|
OF-1 | Lieutenant |
| Midshipman |
|
OF-1 | Lieutenant |
| Officer Cadet |
|
OF-D | Student Officer |
| Warrant officer class 1 |
|
OR-9 | Sergeant Major |
| Warrant officer class 2 |
|
OR-8 | 1st Sergeant |
| Chief petty officer |
|
OR-7 | Sergeant 1st Class |
| Petty officer |
|
OR-6 | Staff Sergeant |
| Leading rate |
|
OR-4 | Corporal |
| Able rate |
|
OR-2 | Private |