🇰🇼
Kuwait vs Iraq Military Ranks
The Kuwaiti Army has 17 ranks — 10 officer and 7 enlisted — from جندي Jundiun up to فريق أول Fariq 'awal. Below: all 68 ranks across 4 branches (Army, Navy, Air Force, National Guard), aligned tier by tier with their Iraqi equivalents.
Branches
4
Ranks documented
68
Active personnel
17K
Army
Rank Ladder
Highest first · 16 of 17 matched
| 🇰🇼 Kuwait · Army | NATO code |
Equivalent in
|
|---|---|---|
| Officers | ||
فريق أول Fariq 'awal
|
OF-9 General |
فريق أول / Fariq 'awal
|
فريق Fariq
|
OF-8 Lieutenant General |
فريق / Fariq
|
لواء Liwa
|
OF-7 Major General |
لواء / Liwa
|
عميد Amid
|
OF-6 Brigadier General |
عميد / Amid
|
عقيد Aqid
|
OF-5 Colonel |
عقيد / Aqid
|
مقدم Muqaddam
|
OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel |
مقدم / Muqaddam
|
رائد Ra'id
|
OF-3 Major / Commandant |
رائد / Ra'id
|
نقيب Naqib
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
نقيب / Naqib
|
ملازم أول Mulazim awwal
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
ملازم أول / Mulazim awwal
ملازم / Mulazim
|
ملازم Mulazim
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
ملازم أول / Mulazim awwal
ملازم / Mulazim
|
| Enlisted ranks | ||
وكيل أول Wakil 'awal
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major | نائب دابيت / Nayib dabit |
وكيل Wakil
|
OR-8 1st Sergeant | – |
رقيب أول Raqib 'awal
|
OR-7 Sergeant 1st Class |
رقيب أول / Raqib 'awal
|
رقیب Raqib
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
رقیب / Raqib
|
عريف Earif
|
OR-4 Corporal |
عريف / Earif
|
جندي أول Jundiun awwal
|
OR-2 Private |
جندي أول / Jundiun awwal
|
| جندي Jundiun | OR-1 Private |
جندي / Jundiun
|
Navy
Rank Ladder
Highest first · 16 of 17 matched
| 🇰🇼 Kuwait · Navy | NATO code |
Equivalent in
|
|---|---|---|
| Officers | ||
فريق أول Fariq 'awal
|
OF-9 General |
فريق أول / Fariq 'awal
|
فريق Fariq
|
OF-8 Lieutenant General |
فريق / Fariq
|
لواء Liwa
|
OF-7 Major General |
لواء / Liwa
|
عميد Amid
|
OF-6 Brigadier General |
عميد / Amid
|
عقيد Aqid
|
OF-5 Colonel |
عقيد / Aqid
|
مقدم Muqaddam
|
OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel |
مقدم / Muqaddam
|
رائد Ra'id
|
OF-3 Major / Commandant |
رائد / Ra'id
|
نقيب Naqib
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
نقيب / Naqib
|
ملازم أول Mulazim awwal
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
ملازم أول / Mulazim awwal
ملازم / Mulazim
|
ملازم Mulazim
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
ملازم أول / Mulazim awwal
ملازم / Mulazim
|
| Enlisted ranks | ||
وكيل أول Wakil 'awal
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major | نائب دابيت / Nayib dabit |
وكيل Wakil
|
OR-8 1st Sergeant | – |
رقيب أول Raqib 'awal
|
OR-7 Sergeant 1st Class |
رقيب أول / Rayiys eurafa
|
رقیب Raqib
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
رقيب / Arif
|
عريف Earif
|
OR-4 Corporal |
نائب عريف / Nāyīb arīf
|
جندي أول Jundiun awwal
|
OR-2 Private |
جندي أول / Jundi 'awwal
|
| جندي Jundiun | OR-1 Private | جندى / Jundi |
Air Force
Rank Ladder
Highest first · 16 of 17 matched
| 🇰🇼 Kuwait · Air Force | NATO code |
Equivalent in
|
|---|---|---|
| Officers | ||
فريق أول Fariq 'awal
|
OF-9 General |
فريق أول / Fariq 'awal
|
فريق Fariq
|
OF-8 Lieutenant General |
فريق / Fariq
|
لواء Liwa
|
OF-7 Major General |
لواء / Liwa
|
عميد Amid
|
OF-6 Brigadier General |
عميد / Amid
|
عقيد Aqid
|
OF-5 Colonel |
عقيد / Aqid
|
مقدم Muqaddam
|
OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel |
مقدم / Muqaddam
|
رائد Ra'id
|
OF-3 Major / Commandant |
رائد / Ra'id
|
نقيب Naqib
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
نقيب / Naqib
|
ملازم أول Mulazim awwal
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
ملازم أول / Mulazim awwal
ملازم / Mulazim
|
ملازم Mulazim
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
ملازم أول / Mulazim awwal
ملازم / Mulazim
|
| Enlisted ranks | ||
وكيل أول Wakil 'awal
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major | نائب دابيت / Nayib dabit |
وكيل Wakil
|
OR-8 1st Sergeant | – |
رقيب أول Raqib 'awal
|
OR-7 Sergeant 1st Class |
رقيب أول / Raqib 'awal
|
رقیب Raqib
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
رقیب / Raqib
|
عريف Earif
|
OR-4 Corporal |
عريف / Earif
|
جندي أول Jundiun awwal
|
OR-2 Private |
جندي أول / Jundiun awwal
|
| جندي Jundiun | OR-1 Private |
جندي / Jundiun
|
National Guard
Rank Ladder
Highest first · 16 of 17 matched
| 🇰🇼 Kuwait · National Guard | NATO code |
Equivalent in
Iraq equivalents from its Army.
|
|---|---|---|
| Officers | ||
فريق أول Fariq 'awal
|
OF-9 General |
فريق أول / Fariq 'awal
|
فريق Fariq
|
OF-8 Lieutenant General |
فريق / Fariq
|
لواء Liwa
|
OF-7 Major General |
لواء / Liwa
|
عميد Amid
|
OF-6 Brigadier General |
عميد / Amid
|
عقيد Aqid
|
OF-5 Colonel |
عقيد / Aqid
|
مقدم Muqaddam
|
OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel |
مقدم / Muqaddam
|
رائد Ra'id
|
OF-3 Major / Commandant |
رائد / Ra'id
|
نقيب Naqib
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
نقيب / Naqib
|
ملازم أول Mulazim awwal
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
ملازم أول / Mulazim awwal
ملازم / Mulazim
|
ملازم Mulazim
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
ملازم أول / Mulazim awwal
ملازم / Mulazim
|
| Enlisted ranks | ||
وكيل أول Wakil 'awal
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major | نائب دابيت / Nayib dabit |
وكيل Wakil
|
OR-8 1st Sergeant | – |
رقيب أول Raqib 'awal
|
OR-7 Sergeant 1st Class |
رقيب أول / Raqib 'awal
|
رقیب Raqib
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
رقیب / Raqib
|
عريف Earif
|
OR-4 Corporal |
عريف / Earif
|
جندي أول Jundiun awwal
|
OR-2 Private |
جندي أول / Jundiun awwal
|
| جندي Jundiun | OR-1 Private |
جندي / Jundiun
|
Overview
- Kuwait Land Force (القوات البرية الكويتية / Al-Quwwat al-Barriyah al-Kuwaitiyah): Conducts land operations including mechanized warfare, armored maneuvers, and artillery support. It is organized into specialized armored, mechanized, and artillery brigades under the Ministry of Defense. Primary equipment includes M1A2 Abrams main battle tanks and Desert Warrior infantry fighting vehicles.
- Kuwait Air Force (القوات الجوية الكويتية / Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiyah al-Kuwaitiyah): Directs air combat, air defense, and logistical airlift operations from facilities such as Ali Al Salem and Ahmad al-Jaber Air Bases. It operates fighter fleets comprising F/A-18 Hornets and Eurofighter Typhoons, alongside integrated Patriot missile defense batteries. The branch also handles tactical troop transport and search and rescue missions.
- Kuwait Naval Force (القوة البحرية الكويتية / Al-Quwwat al-Bahriyah al-Kuwaitiyah): Administers maritime patrol, coastal defense, and anti-smuggling operations within territorial waters. It is headquartered at the Mohammed Al-Ahmad Kuwait Naval Base and maintains a fleet of patrol craft, fast attack missile boats, and organic marine commando units. The force coordinates closely with regional maritime coalition partnerships.
- Kuwait National Guard (الحرس الوطني الكويتي / Al-Haris al-Watani al-Kuwaiti): Functions as an independent paramilitary and gendarmerie organization tasked with internal security and critical infrastructure protection. It operates under a separate command hierarchy and budget from the Ministry of Defense, reporting directly to the Supreme Defense Council. The Guard acts as a secondary combat reserve to support regular military branches during national emergencies.
- Kuwait Emiri Guard (الحرس الأميري الكويتي / Al-Haris al-Amiri): Exercises independent command authority within the armed forces structure to provide close protection for the Emir, Crown Prince, and visiting foreign dignitaries. It maintains security at royal palaces and state facilities. The brigade conducts specialized security sweeps and tactical escort duties.
- 25th Commando Brigade (لواء المغاوير ٢٥ / Liwa al-Maghaweer 25): Serves as the principal special operations command of the armed forces, possessing independent operational authority. It specializes in direct action, special reconnaissance, and counter-terrorism missions. The unit coordinates training and procurement activities through the General Staff.
Kuwait Military
Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) and other open sources.
Insignia image credits
- MrInfo2012 — CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons: فريق أول Fariq 'awal (Army), فريق Fariq (Army), لواء Liwa (Army), عميد Amid (Army), عقيد Aqid (Army), مقدم Muqaddam (Army), رائد Ra'id (Army), نقيب Naqib (Army), ملازم أول Mulazim awwal (Army), ملازم Mulazim (Army), وكيل أول Wakil 'awal (Army), وكيل Wakil (Army), رقيب أول Raqib 'awal (Army), رقیب Raqib (Army), عريف Earif (Army), جندي أول Jundiun awwal (Army), فريق أول Fariq 'awal (Navy), فريق Fariq (Navy), لواء Liwa (Navy), عميد Amid (Navy), عقيد Aqid (Navy), مقدم Muqaddam (Navy), رائد Ra'id (Navy), نقيب Naqib (Navy), ملازم أول Mulazim awwal (Navy), ملازم Mulazim (Navy), وكيل أول Wakil 'awal (Navy), وكيل Wakil (Navy), رقيب أول Raqib 'awal (Navy), رقیب Raqib (Navy), عريف Earif (Navy), جندي أول Jundiun awwal (Navy), فريق أول Fariq 'awal (Air Force), فريق Fariq (Air Force), لواء Liwa (Air Force), عميد Amid (Air Force), عقيد Aqid (Air Force), مقدم Muqaddam (Air Force), رائد Ra'id (Air Force), نقيب Naqib (Air Force), ملازم أول Mulazim awwal (Air Force), ملازم Mulazim (Air Force), وكيل أول Wakil 'awal (Air Force), وكيل Wakil (Air Force), رقيب أول Raqib 'awal (Air Force), رقیب Raqib (Air Force), عريف Earif (Air Force), جندي أول Jundiun awwal (Air Force)
- Cdjp1 — CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons: فريق أول Fariq 'awal, فريق Fariq, لواء Liwa, عميد Amid, عقيد Aqid, مقدم Muqaddam, رائد Ra'id, نقيب Naqib, ملازم أول Mulazim awwal, ملازم Mulazim, وكيل أول Wakil 'awal, وكيل Wakil, رقيب أول Raqib 'awal, رقیب Raqib, عريف Earif, جندي أول Jundiun awwal