🇬🇧
British Military Ranks
The British Army has 19 ranks — 12 officer and 7 enlisted — from Private up to Field marshal. Below: all 78 ranks across 4 branches (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines), with insignia and NATO-code equivalents.
Branches
4
Ranks documented
78
Active personnel
144K
Army
Rank Ladder
Highest first · 19 of 19 matched
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Army | NATO code |
Equivalent in
|
|---|---|---|
| Officers | ||
Field marshal
|
OF-10 Marshal / General of the Army |
General of the Army
|
General
|
OF-9 General |
General
|
Lieutenant-general
|
OF-8 Lieutenant General |
Lieutenant general
|
Major-general
|
OF-7 Major General |
Major general
|
Brigadier
|
OF-6 Brigadier General |
Brigadier general
|
Colonel
|
OF-5 Colonel |
Colonel
|
Lieutenant colonel
|
OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel |
Lieutenant colonel
|
Major
|
OF-3 Major / Commandant |
Major
|
Captain
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
Captain
|
Lieutenant
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
First lieutenant
Second lieutenant
|
Second lieutenant
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
First lieutenant
Second lieutenant
|
Officer cadet
|
OF-D Student Officer | Cadet / Officer candidate |
| Enlisted ranks | ||
Warrant officer class 1
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Command sergeant major
Sergeant major
|
Warrant officer class 2
|
OR-8 1st Sergeant |
First sergeant
Master sergeant
|
Staff
|
OR-7 Sergeant 1st Class |
Sergeant first class
|
Sergeant
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Staff sergeant
|
Corporal
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Specialist
Corporal
|
Lance corporal
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class |
Private first class
|
| Private | OR-2 Private |
Private
|
Navy
Rank Ladder
Highest first · 18 of 18 matched
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Navy | NATO code |
Equivalent in
|
|---|---|---|
| Officers | ||
Admiral of the Fleet
|
OF-10 Marshal / General of the Army |
Fleet admiral
|
Admiral
|
OF-9 General |
Admiral
|
Vice admiral
|
OF-8 Lieutenant General |
Vice admiral
|
Rear admiral
|
OF-7 Major General |
Rear admiral
|
Commodore
|
OF-6 Brigadier General |
Rear admiral (lower half)
|
Captain
|
OF-5 Colonel |
Captain
|
Commander
|
OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel |
Commander
|
Lieutenant commander
|
OF-3 Major / Commandant |
Lieutenant commander
|
Lieutenant
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
Lieutenant
|
Sub lieutenant
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Lieutenant (junior grade)
Ensign
|
Midshipman
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Lieutenant (junior grade)
Ensign
|
Officer Cadet
|
OF-D Student Officer |
Midshipman / officer candidate
|
| Enlisted ranks | ||
Warrant officer class 1
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Command master chief petty officer
Master chief petty officer
|
Warrant officer class 2
|
OR-8 1st Sergeant |
Command senior chief petty officer
Senior chief petty officer
|
Chief petty officer
|
OR-7 Sergeant 1st Class |
Chief petty officer
|
Petty officer
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Petty officer first class
|
Leading rate
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Petty officer third class
|
Able rate
|
OR-2 Private |
Seaman apprentice
|
Air Force
Rank Ladder
Highest first · 22 of 22 matched
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Air Force | NATO code |
Equivalent in
|
|---|---|---|
| Officers | ||
Marshal of the RAF
|
OF-10 Marshal / General of the Army |
General of the Air Force
|
Air chief marshal
|
OF-9 General |
General
|
Air marshal
|
OF-8 Lieutenant General |
Lieutenant general
|
Air vice-marshal
|
OF-7 Major General |
Major general
|
Air commodore
|
OF-6 Brigadier General |
Brigadier general
|
Group captain
|
OF-5 Colonel |
Colonel
|
Wing commander
|
OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel |
Lieutenant colonel
|
Squadron leader
|
OF-3 Major / Commandant |
Major
|
Flight lieutenant
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
Captain
|
Flying officer
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
First lieutenant
Second lieutenant
|
Pilot officer / acting pilot officer
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
First lieutenant
Second lieutenant
|
Officer cadet
|
OF-D Student Officer | Cadet / Officer trainee |
| Enlisted ranks | ||
Warrant officer
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Command chief master sergeant
First sergeant
Chief master sergeant
|
Flight sergeant
|
OR-7 Sergeant 1st Class |
First sergeant
Master sergeant
|
Chief technician
|
OR-7 Sergeant 1st Class |
First sergeant
Master sergeant
|
Sergeant
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Technical sergeant
|
Corporal
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Senior airman
|
Lance corporal ( RAF Regiment only)
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class |
Airman first class
|
Air specialist (class 1) technician
|
OR-2 Private |
Airman
|
Air specialist (class 1)
|
OR-2 Private |
Airman
|
Air specialist (class 2)
|
OR-2 Private |
Airman
|
| Air recruit | OR-1 Private | Airman basic |
Marines
Rank Ladder
Highest first · 18 of 19 matched
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Marines | NATO code |
Equivalent in
|
|---|---|---|
| Officers | ||
Captain General Royal Marines
|
OF-10 Marshal / General of the Army | – |
General
|
OF-9 General |
General
|
Lieutenant-general
|
OF-8 Lieutenant General |
Lieutenant general
|
Major-general
|
OF-7 Major General |
Major general
|
Brigadier
|
OF-6 Brigadier General |
Brigadier general
|
Colonel
|
OF-5 Colonel |
Colonel
|
Lieutenant colonel
|
OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel |
Lieutenant colonel
|
Major
|
OF-3 Major / Commandant |
Major
|
Captain
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
Captain
|
Lieutenant
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
First lieutenant
Second lieutenant
|
Second lieutenant
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
First lieutenant
Second lieutenant
|
Officer cadet
|
OF-D Student Officer |
Midshipman / officer candidate
|
| Enlisted ranks | ||
Warrant officer class 1
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Sergeant major
Master gunnery sergeant
|
Warrant officer class 2
|
OR-8 1st Sergeant |
First sergeant
Master sergeant
|
Colour sergeant
|
OR-7 Sergeant 1st Class |
Gunnery sergeant
|
Sergeant
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Staff sergeant
|
Corporal
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Corporal
|
Lance corporal
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class |
Lance corporal
|
| Marine | OR-2 Private |
Private first class
|
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.
United Kingdom Military
Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) and other open sources.
Insignia image credits
- Sodacan — CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons: Field marshal, General (Army), Lieutenant-general (Army), Major-general (Army), Brigadier (Army), Colonel (Army), Lieutenant colonel (Army), Major (Army), Captain (Army), Lieutenant (Army), Second lieutenant (Army), Officer cadet, Warrant officer class 1 (Army), Warrant officer class 2 (Army), Staff, Sergeant (Army), Corporal (Army), Lance corporal (Army), Admiral of the Fleet, Admiral, Vice admiral, Rear admiral, Warrant officer class 1 (Navy), Warrant officer class 2 (Navy), Chief petty officer, Petty officer, Leading rate, Able rate, Marshal of the RAF, Air chief marshal, Air marshal, Air vice-marshal, Air commodore, Group captain, Wing commander, Squadron leader, Flight lieutenant, Flying officer, Pilot officer / acting pilot officer, Flight sergeant, Chief technician, Sergeant (Air Force), Corporal (Air Force), Lance corporal ( RAF Regiment only), Air specialist (class 1) technician, Air specialist (class 1), Air specialist (class 2), General (Marines), Lieutenant-general (Marines), Major-general (Marines), Brigadier (Marines), Colonel (Marines), Lieutenant colonel (Marines), Major (Marines), Captain (Marines), Lieutenant (Marines), Second lieutenant (Marines), Colour sergeant, Sergeant (Marines), Corporal (Marines), Lance corporal (Marines)
- Skjoldbro — CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons: Commodore, Captain, Commander, Lieutenant commander, Lieutenant, Sub lieutenant, Officer cadet (Air Force), Captain General Royal Marines, Officer cadet (Marines)
- Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons: Midshipman, Officer Cadet
- Cdjp1 — CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons: Warrant officer, Warrant officer class 1
- Dgp4004 — CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons: Warrant officer class 2