Military Ranks of Cambodia πŸ‡°πŸ‡­

Overview

The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces are responsible for defending the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Cambodia. Re-established in 1993 under the new constitution, the RCAF's structure and development have been heavily influenced by the nation's post-conflict reconstruction following the Khmer Rouge era and the subsequent civil war. Its missions include national defense, internal security, disaster relief, and contributing to socio-economic development projects.

  • Royal Cambodian Army: This is the largest branch of the RCAF, tasked with land-based defense and security across the country. The army is organized into several military regions, which generally correspond to provincial groupings. It comprises infantry divisions, engineering units, and armored cavalry units, although much of its equipment is of Soviet, Chinese, or older US origin. A notable and powerful formation within the army is the Prime Minister's Bodyguard Unit, an elite force responsible for the security of the country's leadership.

  • Royal Cambodian Navy: The navy's primary responsibility is to patrol and secure Cambodia's maritime borders, including its coastline in the Gulf of Thailand and its inland waterways like the Mekong and TonlΓ© Sap. Its duties focus on counter-piracy, anti-smuggling operations, fisheries protection, and safeguarding offshore natural resources. The fleet consists mainly of patrol boats and fast attack craft, reflecting a coastal and riverine defense posture rather than a blue-water naval capability.

  • Royal Cambodian Air Force: This is the smallest of the three main services. Its main functions are providing air transport for military and government officials, troop mobility, reconnaissance, and limited air support. The air force's inventory is modest and includes transport aircraft, training planes, and a fleet of utility and transport helicopters, primarily of Chinese and Russian origin. It does not possess a significant modern fighter jet or air combat capability.

  • Royal Gendarmerie of Cambodia: Operating as a distinct fourth branch, the Royal Gendarmerie is a paramilitary police force with responsibilities in both civilian and military domains, similar in concept to the French Gendarmerie. It reports to the Ministry of National Defence and is tasked with maintaining public order, law enforcement in rural areas, counter-terrorism, and internal security, operating throughout the country.

Cambodian Air Force

Rank name Insignia NATO code US Army equivalent
αž“αžΆαž™αž§αžαŸ’αžŠαž˜αžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸ / Neay utdamsenei αž“αžΆαž™αž§αžαŸ’αžŠαž˜αžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸ / Neay utdamsenei insignia OF-9 General
αž§αžαŸ’αžŠαž˜αžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸαž―αž€ / Utdamsenei ek αž§αžαŸ’αžŠαž˜αžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸαž―αž€ / Utdamsenei ek insignia OF-8 Lieutenant General
αž§αžαŸ’αžαž˜αžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸαž‘αŸ„ / Utdamsenei tou αž§αžαŸ’αžαž˜αžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸαž‘αŸ„ / Utdamsenei tou insignia OF-7 Major General
αž§αžαŸ’αžαž˜αžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸαžαŸ’αžšαžΈ / Utdamsenei trei αž§αžαŸ’αžαž˜αžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸαžαŸ’αžšαžΈ / Utdamsenei trei insignia OF-6 Brigadier General
αžœαžšαžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸαž―αž€ / Veareasenei ek αžœαžšαžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸαž―αž€ / Veareasenei ek insignia OF-5 Colonel
αžœαžšαžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸαž‘αŸ„ / Veareasenei tou αžœαžšαžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸαž‘αŸ„ / Veareasenei tou insignia OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel
αžœαžšαžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸαžαŸ’αžšαžΈ / Veareasenei trei αžœαžšαžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸαžαŸ’αžšαžΈ / Veareasenei trei insignia OF-3 Major / Commandant
αž’αž“αž»αžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸαž―αž€ / Anusenei ek αž’αž“αž»αžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸαž―αž€ / Anusenei ek insignia OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant
αž’αž“αž»αžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸαž‘αŸ„ / Anusenei tou αž’αž“αž»αžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸαž‘αŸ„ / Anusenei tou insignia OF-1 Lieutenant
αž’αž“αž»αžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸαžαŸ’αžšαžΈ / Anusenei trei αž’αž“αž»αžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸαžαŸ’αžšαžΈ / Anusenei trei insignia OF-1 Lieutenant
αž–αŸ’αžšαžΉαž“αŸ’αž‘αž”αžΆαž›αž―αž€ / Pruentobal ek αž–αŸ’αžšαžΉαž“αŸ’αž‘αž”αžΆαž›αž―αž€ / Pruentobal ek insignia OR-9 Sergeant Major
αž–αŸ’αžšαžΉαž“αŸ’αž‘αž”αžΆαž›αž‘αŸ„ / Pruentobal tou αž–αŸ’αžšαžΉαž“αŸ’αž‘αž”αžΆαž›αž‘αŸ„ / Pruentobal tou insignia OR-8 1st Sergeant
αž–αž›αž”αžΆαž›αž―αž€ / Polobal ek αž–αž›αž”αžΆαž›αž―αž€ / Polobal ek insignia OR-7 Sergeant 1st Class
αž–αž›αž”αžΆαž›αž‘αŸ„ / Polobal tou αž–αž›αž”αžΆαž›αž‘αŸ„ / Polobal tou insignia OR-6 Staff Sergeant
αž–αž›αž”αžΆαž›αžαŸ’αžšαžΈ / Polobal trei αž–αž›αž”αžΆαž›αžαŸ’αžšαžΈ / Polobal trei insignia OR-5 Sergeant
αž“αžΆαž™αž―αž€ / Neay ek αž“αžΆαž™αž―αž€ / Neay ek insignia OR-4 Corporal
αž“αžΆαž™αž‘αŸ„ / Neay tou αž“αžΆαž™αž‘αŸ„ / Neay tou insignia OR-3 Private 1st Class
αž–αž›αž―αž€ / Pol ek αž–αž›αž―αž€ / Pol ek insignia OR-2 Private
αž–αž›αž‘αŸ„ / Pol tou αž–αž›αž‘αŸ„ / Pol tou insignia OR-1 Private

Cambodian Army

Rank name Insignia NATO code US Army equivalent
αž“αžΆαž™αž§αžαŸ’αžŠαž˜αžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸαž•αž»αžαž›αŸαž / Neay utdamsenei phot lek αž“αžΆαž™αž§αžαŸ’αžŠαž˜αžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸαž•αž»αžαž›αŸαž / Neay utdamsenei phot lek insignia OF-10 Marshal / General of the Army
αž“αžΆαž™αž§αžαŸ’αžŠαž˜αžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸ / Neay utdamsenei αž“αžΆαž™αž§αžαŸ’αžŠαž˜αžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸ / Neay utdamsenei insignia OF-9 General
αž§αžαŸ’αžŠαž˜αžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸαž―αž€ / Utdamsenei ek αž§αžαŸ’αžŠαž˜αžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸαž―αž€ / Utdamsenei ek insignia OF-8 Lieutenant General
αž§αžαŸ’αžαž˜αžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸαž‘αŸ„ / Utdamsenei tou αž§αžαŸ’αžαž˜αžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸαž‘αŸ„ / Utdamsenei tou insignia OF-7 Major General
αž§αžαŸ’αžαž˜αžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸαžαŸ’αžšαžΈ / Utdamsenei trei αž§αžαŸ’αžαž˜αžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸαžαŸ’αžšαžΈ / Utdamsenei trei insignia OF-6 Brigadier General
αžœαžšαžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸαž―αž€ / Veareasenei ek αžœαžšαžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸαž―αž€ / Veareasenei ek insignia OF-5 Colonel
αžœαžšαžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸαž‘αŸ„ / Veareasenei tou αžœαžšαžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸαž‘αŸ„ / Veareasenei tou insignia OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel
αžœαžšαžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸαžαŸ’αžšαžΈ / Veareasenei trei αžœαžšαžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸαžαŸ’αžšαžΈ / Veareasenei trei insignia OF-3 Major / Commandant
αž’αž“αž»αžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸαž―αž€ / Anusenei ek αž’αž“αž»αžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸαž―αž€ / Anusenei ek insignia OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant
αž’αž“αž»αžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸαž‘αŸ„ / Anusenei tou αž’αž“αž»αžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸαž‘αŸ„ / Anusenei tou insignia OF-1 Lieutenant
αž’αž“αž»αžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸαžαŸ’αžšαžΈ / Anusenei trei αž’αž“αž»αžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸαžαŸ’αžšαžΈ / Anusenei trei insignia OF-1 Lieutenant
αž–αŸ’αžšαžΉαž“αŸ’αž‘αž”αžΆαž›αž―αž€ / Pruentobal ek αž–αŸ’αžšαžΉαž“αŸ’αž‘αž”αžΆαž›αž―αž€ / Pruentobal ek insignia OR-9 Sergeant Major
αž–αŸ’αžšαžΉαž“αŸ’αž‘αž”αžΆαž›αž‘αŸ„ / Pruentobal tou αž–αŸ’αžšαžΉαž“αŸ’αž‘αž”αžΆαž›αž‘αŸ„ / Pruentobal tou insignia OR-8 1st Sergeant
αž–αž›αž”αžΆαž›αž―αž€ / Polobal ek αž–αž›αž”αžΆαž›αž―αž€ / Polobal ek insignia OR-7 Sergeant 1st Class
αž–αž›αž”αžΆαž›αž‘αŸ„ / Polobal tou αž–αž›αž”αžΆαž›αž‘αŸ„ / Polobal tou insignia OR-6 Staff Sergeant
αž–αž›αž”αžΆαž›αžαŸ’αžšαžΈ / Polobal trei αž–αž›αž”αžΆαž›αžαŸ’αžšαžΈ / Polobal trei insignia OR-5 Sergeant
αž“αžΆαž™αž―αž€ / Neay ek αž“αžΆαž™αž―αž€ / Neay ek insignia OR-4 Corporal
αž“αžΆαž™αž‘αŸ„ / Neay tou αž“αžΆαž™αž‘αŸ„ / Neay tou insignia OR-3 Private 1st Class
αž–αž›αž―αž€ / Pol ek αž–αž›αž―αž€ / Pol ek insignia OR-2 Private
αž–αž›αž‘αŸ„ / Pol tou αž–αž›αž‘αŸ„ / Pol tou insignia OR-1 Private

Cambodian Gendarmerie

Rank name Insignia NATO code US Army equivalent
αž“αžΆαž™αž§αžαŸ’αžŠαž˜αžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸ / Neay utdamsenei αž“αžΆαž™αž§αžαŸ’αžŠαž˜αžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸ / Neay utdamsenei insignia OF-9 General
αž§αžαŸ’αžŠαž˜αžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸαž―αž€ / Utdamsenei ek αž§αžαŸ’αžŠαž˜αžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸαž―αž€ / Utdamsenei ek insignia OF-8 Lieutenant General
αž§αžαŸ’αžαž˜αžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸαž‘αŸ„ / Utdamsenei tou αž§αžαŸ’αžαž˜αžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸαž‘αŸ„ / Utdamsenei tou insignia OF-7 Major General
αž§αžαŸ’αžαž˜αžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸαžαŸ’αžšαžΈ / Utdamsenei trei αž§αžαŸ’αžαž˜αžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸαžαŸ’αžšαžΈ / Utdamsenei trei insignia OF-6 Brigadier General
αžœαžšαžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸαž―αž€ / Veareasenei ek αžœαžšαžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸαž―αž€ / Veareasenei ek insignia OF-5 Colonel
αžœαžšαžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸαž‘αŸ„ / Veareasenei tou αžœαžšαžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸαž‘αŸ„ / Veareasenei tou insignia OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel
αžœαžšαžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸαžαŸ’αžšαžΈ / Veareasenei trei αžœαžšαžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸαžαŸ’αžšαžΈ / Veareasenei trei insignia OF-3 Major / Commandant
αž’αž“αž»αžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸαž―αž€ / Anusenei ek αž’αž“αž»αžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸαž―αž€ / Anusenei ek insignia OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant
αž’αž“αž»αžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸαž‘αŸ„ / Anusenei tou αž’αž“αž»αžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸαž‘αŸ„ / Anusenei tou insignia OF-1 Lieutenant
αž’αž“αž»αžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸαžαŸ’αžšαžΈ / Anusenei trei αž’αž“αž»αžŸαŸαž“αžΈαž™αŸαžαŸ’αžšαžΈ / Anusenei trei insignia OF-1 Lieutenant
αž–αŸ’αžšαžΉαž“αŸ’αž‘αž”αžΆαž›αž―αž€ / Pruentobal ek αž–αŸ’αžšαžΉαž“αŸ’αž‘αž”αžΆαž›αž―αž€ / Pruentobal ek insignia OR-9 Sergeant Major
αž–αŸ’αžšαžΉαž“αŸ’αž‘αž”αžΆαž›αž‘αŸ„ / Pruentobal tou αž–αŸ’αžšαžΉαž“αŸ’αž‘αž”αžΆαž›αž‘αŸ„ / Pruentobal tou insignia OR-8 1st Sergeant
αž–αž›αž”αžΆαž›αž―αž€ / Polobal ek αž–αž›αž”αžΆαž›αž―αž€ / Polobal ek insignia OR-7 Sergeant 1st Class
αž–αž›αž”αžΆαž›αž‘αŸ„ / Polobal tou αž–αž›αž”αžΆαž›αž‘αŸ„ / Polobal tou insignia OR-6 Staff Sergeant
αž–αž›αž”αžΆαž›αžαŸ’αžšαžΈ / Polobal trei αž–αž›αž”αžΆαž›αžαŸ’αžšαžΈ / Polobal trei insignia OR-5 Sergeant
αž“αžΆαž™αž―αž€ / Neay ek OR-4 Corporal
αž“αžΆαž™αž‘αŸ„ / Neay tou OR-3 Private 1st Class
αž–αž›αž―αž€ / Pol ek OR-2 Private
αž–αž›αž‘αŸ„ / Pol tou OR-1 Private

Cambodian Navy

Rank name Insignia NATO code US Army equivalent
αž“αžΆαž™αž§αžαŸ’αžŠαž˜αž“αžΆαžœαžΈ / Neay Utdamneavi αž“αžΆαž™αž§αžαŸ’αžŠαž˜αž“αžΆαžœαžΈ / Neay Utdamneavi insignia OF-9 General
αž§αžαŸ’αžŠαž˜αž“αžΆαžœαžΈαž―αž€ / Utdamneavi ek αž§αžαŸ’αžŠαž˜αž“αžΆαžœαžΈαž―αž€ / Utdamneavi ek insignia OF-8 Lieutenant General
αž§αžαŸ’αžαž˜αž“αžΆαžœαžΈαž‘αŸ„ / Utdamneavi tou αž§αžαŸ’αžαž˜αž“αžΆαžœαžΈαž‘αŸ„ / Utdamneavi tou insignia OF-7 Major General
αž§αžαŸ’αžαž˜αž“αžΆαžœαžΈαžαŸ’αžšαžΈ / Utdamneavi trei αž§αžαŸ’αžαž˜αž“αžΆαžœαžΈαžαŸ’αžšαžΈ / Utdamneavi trei insignia OF-6 Brigadier General
αžœαžšαž“αžΆαžœαžΈαž―αž€ / Veareaneavi ek αžœαžšαž“αžΆαžœαžΈαž―αž€ / Veareaneavi ek insignia OF-5 Colonel
αžœαžšαž“αžΆαžœαžΈαž‘αŸ„ / Veareaneavi tou αžœαžšαž“αžΆαžœαžΈαž‘αŸ„ / Veareaneavi tou insignia OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel
αžœαžšαž“αžΆαžœαžΈαžαŸ’αžšαžΈ / Veareaneavi trei αžœαžšαž“αžΆαžœαžΈαžαŸ’αžšαžΈ / Veareaneavi trei insignia OF-3 Major / Commandant
αž’αž“αž»αž“αžΆαžœαžΈαž―αž€ / Anuneavi ek αž’αž“αž»αž“αžΆαžœαžΈαž―αž€ / Anuneavi ek insignia OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant
αž’αž“αž»αž“αžΆαžœαžΈαž‘αŸ„ / Anuneavi tou αž’αž“αž»αž“αžΆαžœαžΈαž‘αŸ„ / Anuneavi tou insignia OF-1 Lieutenant
αž’αž“αž»αž“αžΆαžœαžΈαžαŸ’αžšαžΈ / Anuneavi trei αž’αž“αž»αž“αžΆαžœαžΈαžαŸ’αžšαžΈ / Anuneavi trei insignia OF-1 Lieutenant
αž“αžΆαž™αž…αž€αŸ’αžšαž”αžΆαž›αž―αž€ / Neay chakrabal ek αž“αžΆαž™αž…αž€αŸ’αžšαž”αžΆαž›αž―αž€ / Neay chakrabal ek insignia OR-9 Sergeant Major
αž“αžΆαž™αž…αž€αŸ’αžšαž”αžΆαž›αž‘αŸ„ / Neay chakrabal tou αž“αžΆαž™αž…αž€αŸ’αžšαž”αžΆαž›αž‘αŸ„ / Neay chakrabal tou insignia OR-8 1st Sergeant
αž…αž€αŸ’αžšαž”αžΆαž›αž―αž€ / Chakrabal ek αž…αž€αŸ’αžšαž”αžΆαž›αž―αž€ / Chakrabal ek insignia OR-7 Sergeant 1st Class
αž…αž€αŸ’αžšαž”αžΆαž›αž‘αŸ„ / Chakrabal tou αž…αž€αŸ’αžšαž”αžΆαž›αž‘αŸ„ / Chakrabal tou insignia OR-6 Staff Sergeant
αž…αž€αŸ’αžšαž”αžΆαž›αžαŸ’αžšαžΈ / Chakrabal trei αž…αž€αŸ’αžšαž”αžΆαž›αžαŸ’αžšαžΈ / Chakrabal trei insignia OR-5 Sergeant
αž…αž€αŸ’αžšαž”αžΆαž›αžšαž„αž―αž€ / Chakrabal rong ek αž…αž€αŸ’αžšαž”αžΆαž›αžšαž„αž―αž€ / Chakrabal rong ek insignia OR-4 Corporal
αž…αž€αŸ’αžšαž”αžΆαž›αžšαž„αž‘αŸ„ / Chakrabal rong tou αž…αž€αŸ’αžšαž”αžΆαž›αžšαž„αž‘αŸ„ / Chakrabal rong tou insignia OR-3 Private 1st Class
αž“αžΆαžœαž·αž€αž―αž€ / Neavik ek αž“αžΆαžœαž·αž€αž―αž€ / Neavik ek insignia OR-2 Private
αž“αžΆαžœαž·αž€αž‘αŸ„ / Neavik tou αž“αžΆαžœαž·αž€αž‘αŸ„ / Neavik tou insignia OR-1 Private