🇰🇼
Kuwaiti 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), with insignia and NATO-code equivalents.
Branches
4
Ranks documented
68
Active personnel
17K
Army
Rank Ladder
Highest first · 17 of 17 matched
| 🇰🇼 Kuwait · Army | NATO code |
Equivalent in
|
|---|---|---|
| Officers | ||
فريق أول Fariq 'awal
|
OF-9 General |
General
|
فريق Fariq
|
OF-8 Lieutenant General |
Lieutenant general
|
لواء Liwa
|
OF-7 Major General |
Major general
|
عميد Amid
|
OF-6 Brigadier General |
Brigadier general
|
عقيد Aqid
|
OF-5 Colonel |
Colonel
|
مقدم Muqaddam
|
OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel |
Lieutenant colonel
|
رائد Ra'id
|
OF-3 Major / Commandant |
Major
|
نقيب Naqib
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
Captain
|
ملازم أول Mulazim awwal
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
First lieutenant
Second lieutenant
|
ملازم Mulazim
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
First lieutenant
Second lieutenant
|
| Enlisted ranks | ||
وكيل أول Wakil 'awal
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Command sergeant major
Sergeant major
|
وكيل Wakil
|
OR-8 1st Sergeant |
First sergeant
Master sergeant
|
رقيب أول Raqib 'awal
|
OR-7 Sergeant 1st Class |
Sergeant first class
|
رقیب Raqib
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Staff sergeant
|
عريف Earif
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Specialist
Corporal
|
جندي أول Jundiun awwal
|
OR-2 Private |
Private
|
| جندي Jundiun | OR-1 Private | Private |
Navy
Rank Ladder
Highest first · 17 of 17 matched
| 🇰🇼 Kuwait · Navy | NATO code |
Equivalent in
|
|---|---|---|
| Officers | ||
فريق أول Fariq 'awal
|
OF-9 General |
Admiral
|
فريق Fariq
|
OF-8 Lieutenant General |
Vice admiral
|
لواء Liwa
|
OF-7 Major General |
Rear admiral
|
عميد Amid
|
OF-6 Brigadier General |
Rear admiral (lower half)
|
عقيد Aqid
|
OF-5 Colonel |
Captain
|
مقدم Muqaddam
|
OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel |
Commander
|
رائد Ra'id
|
OF-3 Major / Commandant |
Lieutenant commander
|
نقيب Naqib
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
Lieutenant
|
ملازم أول Mulazim awwal
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Lieutenant (junior grade)
Ensign
|
ملازم Mulazim
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Lieutenant (junior grade)
Ensign
|
| Enlisted ranks | ||
وكيل أول Wakil 'awal
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Command master chief petty officer
Master chief petty officer
|
وكيل Wakil
|
OR-8 1st Sergeant |
Command senior chief petty officer
Senior chief petty officer
|
رقيب أول Raqib 'awal
|
OR-7 Sergeant 1st Class |
Chief petty officer
|
رقیب Raqib
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Petty officer first class
|
عريف Earif
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Petty officer third class
|
جندي أول Jundiun awwal
|
OR-2 Private |
Seaman apprentice
|
| جندي Jundiun | OR-1 Private | Seaman recruit |
Air Force
Rank Ladder
Highest first · 17 of 17 matched
| 🇰🇼 Kuwait · Air Force | NATO code |
Equivalent in
|
|---|---|---|
| Officers | ||
فريق أول Fariq 'awal
|
OF-9 General |
General
|
فريق Fariq
|
OF-8 Lieutenant General |
Lieutenant general
|
لواء Liwa
|
OF-7 Major General |
Major general
|
عميد Amid
|
OF-6 Brigadier General |
Brigadier general
|
عقيد Aqid
|
OF-5 Colonel |
Colonel
|
مقدم Muqaddam
|
OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel |
Lieutenant colonel
|
رائد Ra'id
|
OF-3 Major / Commandant |
Major
|
نقيب Naqib
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
Captain
|
ملازم أول Mulazim awwal
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
First lieutenant
Second lieutenant
|
ملازم Mulazim
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
First lieutenant
Second lieutenant
|
| Enlisted ranks | ||
وكيل أول Wakil 'awal
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Command chief master sergeant
First sergeant
Chief master sergeant
|
وكيل Wakil
|
OR-8 1st Sergeant |
First sergeant
Senior master sergeant
|
رقيب أول Raqib 'awal
|
OR-7 Sergeant 1st Class |
First sergeant
Master sergeant
|
رقیب Raqib
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Technical sergeant
|
عريف Earif
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Senior airman
|
جندي أول Jundiun awwal
|
OR-2 Private |
Airman
|
| جندي Jundiun | OR-1 Private | Airman basic |
National Guard
Rank Ladder
Highest first · 17 of 17 matched
| 🇰🇼 Kuwait · National Guard | NATO code |
Equivalent in
United States equivalents from its Army.
|
|---|---|---|
| Officers | ||
فريق أول Fariq 'awal
|
OF-9 General |
General
|
فريق Fariq
|
OF-8 Lieutenant General |
Lieutenant general
|
لواء Liwa
|
OF-7 Major General |
Major general
|
عميد Amid
|
OF-6 Brigadier General |
Brigadier general
|
عقيد Aqid
|
OF-5 Colonel |
Colonel
|
مقدم Muqaddam
|
OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel |
Lieutenant colonel
|
رائد Ra'id
|
OF-3 Major / Commandant |
Major
|
نقيب Naqib
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
Captain
|
ملازم أول Mulazim awwal
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
First lieutenant
Second lieutenant
|
ملازم Mulazim
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
First lieutenant
Second lieutenant
|
| Enlisted ranks | ||
وكيل أول Wakil 'awal
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Command sergeant major
Sergeant major
|
وكيل Wakil
|
OR-8 1st Sergeant |
First sergeant
Master sergeant
|
رقيب أول Raqib 'awal
|
OR-7 Sergeant 1st Class |
Sergeant first class
|
رقیب Raqib
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Staff sergeant
|
عريف Earif
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Specialist
Corporal
|
جندي أول Jundiun awwal
|
OR-2 Private |
Private
|
| جندي Jundiun | OR-1 Private | Private |
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