Army officer ranks

Armies have military rank systems that are often used by other military services such as air forces or marines.

NATO rank codes

To aid in the comparison of ranks in the armed forces of different countries, NATO rank codes are used. These are established codes for determining the seniority of officer and other ranks in NATO countries for a particular joint task group or command structure, although specific appointments designate a higher level of seniority over other equivalent rank codes in a given situation. Officer ranks go from OF-1 (applying to all subaltern officers below captain) up to OF-10; OF(D) being a special category for trainee officers awaiting a commission. Other Ranks (those considered enlisted men in the United States forces) are classified from OR-1 to OR-9. Warrant Officers in the United States forces are a special case as they are single track career specialists between the enlisted and officer ranks in terms of seniority, and have no NATO rank code. The system should not be confused with the pay grades used in the US military. While countries outside the NATO command structure do not strictly fall into this classification structure and there may be incidences of overlap (particularly in OR ranks between countries), the codes still provide a useful gauge in determining what ranks are broadly equivalent.

General officers

These are the highest ranks. Promotion to OF-10 rank is now rare and usually reserved for wartime.

Note that there is doubt about rank equivalency in countries that have no brigadier-generals but both colonel-generals and full generals, such as the German Empire and Russia - often it is considered that in these countries a colonel-general equates to an OF-9 rank, a general to OF-8, a lieutenant-general to OF-7, and a major-general to OF-6 (i.e. the ranks below colonel-general all move down one grade).

Country	OF-10	OF-9	OF-8	OF-7	OF-6
Albania	-	-	Gjenerallejtnant	Gjeneralmajor	Gjeneralbrigad
Argentina	-	Teniente General	General de División	General de Brigada	Coronel Mayor
Austria	-	General	Generalleutnant	Generalmajor	Brigadier
Azerbaijan	-	-	General-Polkovnik	General-Leytenant	General-Mayor
Belarus	-	-	General-polkovnik	General-leytenant	General-mayor
Belgium¹	-	Général Generaal	Lieutenant-général Luitenant-generaal	Général-major Generaal-majoor	Général de Brigade Brigadegeneraal
Bosnia	General Armije General of the Armies	General General	General-pukovnik Lieutenant-general	General-major Major-general	Brigadni General Brigadier-general
Brazil	Marechal	General de exército	General de divisão	General de brigada	-
Canada²	-	General général	Lieutenant-General Lieutenant-général	Major-General major-général	Brigadier-General brigadier-général
Chile	Capitan General	General de Ejército	General de División	General de Brigada	Brigadier
China (Modern)	Yi Ji Shang Jiang 一級上將 (Rank existed only 1988-1994; never held)	Shang Jiang 上将	Zhong Jiang 中将	Shao Jiang 少将	Da Xiao 大校
China 1950s	Da Yuan Shuai 大元帅 Yuan Shuai 元帅 Da Jiang 大将	Shang Jiang 上将	Zhong Jiang 中将	Shao Jiang 少将	Da Xiao 大校
Colombia	-	General del Ejército	Teniente General	Mayor General	Brigadier General
Croatia	Stožerni general	General zbora	General pukovnik	General bojnik	Brigadni general
Egypt	Musheer مشير	Fariq Awwal (فريق أول)	Fariq (فريق)	Liwa (لواء)	Amid (عميد)
Finland³	Sotamarsalkka Fältmarskalk	Kenraali General	Kenraaliluutnantti Generallöjtnant	Kenraalimajuri Generalmajor	Prikaatikenraali Brigadgeneral
France	Maréchal de France	Général d'Armée	Général de Corps d'Armée	Général de Division	Général de Brigade
Georgia	-	armiis generali (არმიის გენერალი / Army General)	general-leitenanti (გენერალ-ლეიტენანტი / Lieutenant General)	general-maiori (გენერალ-მაიორი / Major General)	brigadis generali (ბრიგადის გენერალი / Brigadier General)
Germany (modern)	-	General	Generalleutnant	Generalmajor	Brigadegeneral
German Empire	Generalfeldmarschall	Generaloberst	General der Infanterie (Kavallerie, Artillerie, etc.)	Generalleutnant (until 1899, Generallieutenant)	Generalmajor
Nazi Germany (Wehrmacht rank)	Reichsmarschall des Großdeutschen Reiches Generalfeldmarschall	Generaloberst	General der Infanterie (Panzertruppen, Flieger, Artillerie, etc.)	Generalleutnant	Generalmajor
Nazi Germany (SS rank)	Reichsführer-SS	Oberstgruppenführer	Obergruppenführer	Gruppenführer	Brigadeführer
Greece	-	Strategos (Στρατηγός / General)	Antistrategos (Αντιστράτηγος / Lieutenant General)	Hypostrategos (Υποστράτηγος / Major General)	Taxiarkhos (Ταξίαρχος / Brigadier General)
Hungary	(tábornagy)	Vezérezredes	Altábornagy	Vezérőrnagy	Dandártábornok
India	Field Marshal	General	Lieutenant General	Major General	Brigadier
Indonesia	Jenderal Besar	Jenderal	Letnan Jenderal	Mayor Jenderal	Brigadir Jenderal
Israel	-	-	Rav-aluf (רב-אלוף)	Aluf (אלוף)	Tat-aluf (תת-אלוף)
Italy (since 2002)	-	Generale	Generale di Corpo d'Armata	Generale di Divisione	Generale di Brigata
Italy (1923–1946)	Maresciallo d'Italia	Generale (design.) d'Armata	Generale di Corpo d'Armata	Generale di Divisione	Generale di Brigata
Italy (MVSN)	Comandante Generale	Luogotenente Generale Capo di S.M	Luogotenente Generale	-	Console Generale
Japan (Imperial Japanese Army)	Gensui 元帥	Taishō 大将	Chūjō 中将	Shōshō 少将	-
Japan Ground Self Defense Force	-	Rikujō-Bakuryōchō 陸上幕僚長	Rikushō 陸将	Rikushō-ho 陸将補	-
Jordan⁴	Musheer (Field Marshal)	Fariq Awwal (General)	Fariq (Lieutenant General)	Liwa'a (Major General)	A'mid (Brigadier General)
Latvia	-	-	Ģenerālleitnants	Ģenerālmajors	Brigādes ģenerālis
Lebanon	-	-	'Imād (General)	Liwā' (Major General)	'Ameed (Brigadier General)
Lithuania	-	-	Generolas leitenantas	Generolas majoras	Brigados generolas
Republic of Macedonia	-	Армиски Генерал	Генерал Полковник	Генерал Мајор	Бригаден Генерал
Malaysia	Marshal Darat	Jeneral	Leftenan Jeneral	Mejar Jeneral	Brigedier Jeneral
Mexico	Comandante Supremo de Las Fuerzas Armadas	General Secretario de La Defensa Nacional	General de División	General de Brigada	General Brigadier
Moldova	-	-	general de corp	general de divizie	general de brigadă
Mongolia	Маршал	Генерал	Дэслэгч генерал	Хошууч генерал	Бригадын генерал
Myanmar	Bo Gyoke Hmu Gyi (Senior General, Commander in Chief of Myanmar Armed force)	Du Bo Gyoke Hmu Gyi (Vice Senior General, Vice Commander in Chief of Myanmar Armed force) Bo Gyoke Kyee (General)	Du Bo Gyoke Kyee (Lieutenant General)	Bo Gyoke (Major General)	Bo Hmu Gyoke (Brigader General)
Netherlands	Veldmaarschalk	Generaal	Luitenant-generaal	Generaal-majoor	Brigade-generaal
New Zealand	-	-	Lieutenant General	Major General	Brigadier
Nigeria	Field Marshal	General	Lieutenant-General	Major-General	Brigadier
North Korea	Daewŏnsu Konghwagukwŏnsu Inmingunwŏnsu	Chasu Daejang Sangjang	Jungjang	Sojang	Daejah
Norway	-	General	Generalløytnant	Generalmajor	Brigader
Pakistan	Field Marshal	General	Lieutenant-General	Major-General	Brigadier
Philippines	Field Marshal (obsolete)	General	Lieutenant General	Major General	Brigadier General
Poland	Marszałek Polski	Generał	Generał broni	Generał dywizji	Generał brygady
Portugal (since 1999)	Marechal	General	Tenente-general	Major-general	Brigadeiro-general
Portugal (1929–1999)	Marechal	-	General	Brigadeiro	-
Romania	Mareșal	General	General-locotenent	General-maior	General de brigadă
Russian Federation	Marshal of the Russian Federation	General of the Army Colonel-General	Lieutenant-General	Major-General	-
Russian Empire	General-feldmarshal	General ot infanterii (kavalerii, artilerii)	General-leytenant	General-mayor	Brigadir (until 1798)
Saudi Arabia	-	Fariq Awwal (فريق أول)	Fariq (فريق)	Liwa (لواء)	Amid (عميد)
Serbia	-	General	General-potpukovnik	General-major	Brigadni-General
Singapore	-	-	Lieutenant General	Major General	Brigadier General
South Africa	-	General	Lieutenant General	Major General	Brigadier General
South Korea	Wonsu (원수)	Daejang (대장)	Jungjang (중장)	Sojang (소장)	Junjang (준장)
Soviet Union	Generalissimus of the Soviet Union Marshal of the Soviet Union	Chief Marshals of branches, Marshals of Branche General of the army Colonel-General	Lieutenant-General	Major-General	-
Spain	Capitán General	General de Ejército	Teniente General	General de división	General de Brigada
Sri Lanka	Field Marshall	General	Lieutenant General	Major General	Brigadier
Sweden	Fältmarskalk	General	Generallöjtnant	Generalmajor	Brigadgeneral⁵
Switzerland	-	General	Lieutenant General	Major General	Brigadier General
Taiwan (Republic of China)	Teji-shangjiang 特級上將	Yiji-Shangjiang 一級上將 Erji-Shangjiang 二級上將	Zhongjiang 中將	Shaojiang 少將	-
Thailand	Chom Phon (Field Marshal)	Phon Ek (General)	Phon Tho (Lt Gen)	Phon Tri (Maj Gen)	Phan Ek Phiset (Senior Col)
Turkey	Mareşal	Orgeneral	Korgeneral	Tümgeneral	Tuğgeneral
Ukraine	Генерал армії України (Heneral armiï Ukraïny)	Генерал-полковник (Heneral - polkovnyk)	Генерал-лейтенант (Heneral - ley̆tenant)	Генерал-майор (Heneral - may̆or)	Бригадний-генерал (Bryhadyr - Heneral)
United Kingdom	Field Marshal	General	Lieutenant-General	Major-General	Brigadier
United States	General of the Armies General of the Army	General	Lieutenant General	Major General	Brigadier General
Vietnam	-	Đại Tướng (General, rank of Minister of Defense, usually only one in active) Thượng tướng (Colonel General, rank of Chief of General saff, usually 7 capacity in active )	Trung Tướng (Lieutenant General, rank of military zone commander)	Thiếu Tướng (Major General, rank of corp commander)	Đại tá ( Senior Colonel, rank of brigade commander and division commander)
Country	OF-10	OF-9	OF-8	OF-7	OF-6

Field and company officers

Country	OF-5	OF-4	OF-3	OF-2	OF-1
Albania	Kolonel	Nënkolonel	Major	Kapiten	Toger	Nëntoger
Argentina	Coronel	Teniente Coronel	Mayor	Capitán	Teniente Primero	Teniente	Subteniente
Austria	Oberst	Oberstleutnant	Major	Hauptmann	Oberleutnant	Leutnant
Azerbaijan	Polkovnik	Polkovnik-leytenant	Mayor	Kapitan	Bash Leytenant	Leytenant	Kichik Leytenant
Belarus	Polkovnik	Podpolkovnik	Mayor	Kapitan	Starshiy leytenant	Leytenant	Mladshiy Leytenant
Belgium¹	Colonel Kolonel	Lieutenant-colonel Luitenant-kolonel	Major Majoor Capitaine-commandant Kapitein-commandant	Capitaine Kapitein	Lieutenant Luitenant	Sous-lieutenant Onderluitenant
Brazil	Coronel	Tenente-coronel	Major	Capitão	1º Tenente	2º Tenente	Aspirante a oficial
Canada²	Colonel colonel	Lieutenant-Colonel lieutenant-colonel	Major major	Captain capitaine	Lieutenant lieutenant	Second Lieutenant sous-lieutenant	Officer Cadet;
Chile	Coronel	Teniente Coronel	Mayor	Capitan	Teniente	Subteniente	Alferez
China	Shang Xiao 上校	Zhong Xiao 中校	Shao Xiao 少校	Shang Wei 上尉	Zhong Wei 中尉	Shao Wei 少尉
China 1950s	Shang Xiao 上校	Zhong Xiao 中校	Shao Xiao 少校	Shang Wei 上尉, Also exists one rank above: Da Wei 大尉	Zhong Wei 中尉	Shao Wei 少尉	Zhun Wei 准尉
Colombia	Coronel	Teniente Coronel	Mayor	Capitán	Teniente	Subteniente
Croatia	Brigadir	Pukovnik	Bojnik	Satnik	Nadporučnik	Poručnik
Denmark	Oberst	Oberstløjtnant	Major	Kaptajn	Premierløjtnant	Løjtnant
Egypt	Aqid عقيد	Mokadem مقدم	Ra'ed رائد	Naqeeb نقيب	Molazem Awal ملازم اول	Molazem Thani ملازم ثاني
Finland³	Eversti Överste	Everstiluutnantti Överstelöjtnant	Majuri Major	Kapteeni Kapten	Yliluutnantti Premiärlöjtnant Luutnantti Löjtnant	Vänrikki Fänrik
France	Colonel	Lieutenant-Colonel	Commandant	Capitaine	Lieutenant	Sous-Lieutenant	Aspirant;
Georgia	polkovniki (პოლკოვნიკი / Colonel)	vitse-polkovniki (ვიცე-პოლკოვნიკი / Lieutenant-Colonel)	maiori (მაიორი / Major)	kapitani (კაპიტანი / Captain)	ufrosi leitenanti (უფროსი ლეიტენანტი / Senior Lieutenant)	leitenanti (ლეიტენანტი / Lieutenant)
Germany (modern)	Oberst	Oberstleutnant	Major	Stabshauptmann Hauptmann	Oberleutnant	Leutnant
German Empire	Oberst	Oberstleutnant (until 1899, Oberstlieutenant)	Major	Hauptmann/Rittmeister	Oberleutnant (until 1899, Premierlieutenant)	Leutnant (until 1899, Sekondelieutenant or Secondlieutenant)
Nazi Germany (Wehrmacht rank)	Oberst	Oberstleutnant	Major	Hauptmann/Rittmeister	Oberleutnant	Leutnant
Nazi Germany (SS rank)	Oberführer Standartenführer	Obersturmbannführer	Sturmbannführer	Hauptsturmführer	Obersturmführer	Untersturmführer
Greece	Syntagmatarkhes (Συνταγματάρχης / Colonel)	Antisyntagmatarkhes (Αντισυνταγματάρχης / Lieutenant-Colonel)	Tagmatarkhes (Ταγματάρχης / Major)	Lokhagos (Λοχαγός / Captain)	Hypolokhagos (Υπολοχαγός / Lieutenant)	Anthypolokhagos (Ανθυπολοχαγός / Second Lieutenant)
Hungary	Ezredes	Alezredes	Őrnagy	Százados	Főhadnagy	Hadnagy
India	Colonel	Lieutenant Colonel	Major	Captain	Lieutenant
Indonesia	Kolonel	Letnan Kolonel	Mayor	Kapten	Letnan Satu	Letnan Dua
Israel	Aluf mishne	Sgan aluf	Rav seren	Seren	Segen	Segen mishne
Italy	Colonello comandante di corpo Colonnello	Tenente Colonnello	Maggiore	Primo Capitano Capitano	Primo Tenente Tenente	Sottotenente
Italy (MVSN)	Console	Primo Seniore	Seniore	Centurione	Capomanipolo	Sottocapomanipolo
Japan (Imperial Japanese Army)	Taisa 大佐	Chūsa 中佐	Shōsa 少佐	Taii 大尉	Chūi 中尉	Shōi 少尉
Japan Ground Self Defense Force	Ittō-Rikusa (Issa) 一等陸佐(一佐)	Nitō-Rikusa (Nisa) 二等陸佐(二佐)	Santō-Rikusa (Sansa) 三等陸佐(三佐)	Ittō-Rikui (Ichii) 一等陸尉(一尉)	Nitō-Rikui (Nii) 二等陸尉(二尉)	Santō-Rikui (San'i) 三等陸尉(三尉)
Jordan⁴	A'qid (Colonel)	Muqaddam (Lieutenant Colonel)	Ra'id (Major)	Naqib (Captain)	Mulazem Awwal (1st Lieutenant)	Mulazem (Thani) (2nd Lieutenant)
Latvia	Pulkvedis	Pulkvežleitnants	Majors	Kapteinis	Virsleitnants	Leitnants
Lebanon	'Aqeed (Colonel)	Muqaddam (Lieutenant Colonel)	Rā'id (Major)	Naqeeb (Captain)	Mulāzim 'Awwal (First Lieutenant)	Mulāzim (Lieutenant)
Lithuania	Pulkininkas	Pulkininkas leitenantas	Majoras	Kapitonas	Vyresnysis leitenantas	Leitenantas
Republic of Macedonia	Полковник	Потполковник	Мајор	Капетан	Поручник	Потпоручник
Malaysia	Kolonel	Leftenan Kolonel	Mejar	Kapten	Leftenan	Leftenan Muda
Mexico	Coronel	Teniente Coronel	Mayor	Capitan Primero	Capitan Segundo	Teniente	Subteniente
Moldova	Colonel	Locotenent-colonel	Maior	Căpitan	Locotenent major	Locotenent
Mongolia	Хурандаа	Дэд хурандаа	Хошууч	Ахмад	Ахлах дэслэгч	Дэслэгч
Netherlands	Kolonel	Luitenant-kolonel/ Overste	Majoor	Kapitein (cavalry: Ritmeester)	Eerste luitenant	Tweede luitenant
New Zealand	Colonel	Lieutenant Colonel	Major	Captain	Lieutenant	Second Lieutenant
North Korea	Daejwa Sangjwa	Jungjwa	Sojwa	Daewi Sangwi	Jungwi	Sowi
Norway	Oberst	Oberstløytnant	Major	Kaptein (cavalry: Rittmester)	Løytnant	Fenrik
Pakistan	Colonel	Lieutenant-Colonel	Major	Captain	Lieutenant	Second Lieutenant
Republic of the Philippines	Colonel	Lieutenant Colonel	Major	Captain	1st Lieutenant	2nd Lieutenant
Poland	Pułkownik	Podpułkownik	Major	Kapitan	Porucznik	Podporucznik
Portugal	Coronel	Tenente-coronel	Major	Capitão	Tenente	Alferes	Aspirante an oficial
Romania	Colonel	Locotenent-colonel	Maior	Căpitan	Locotenent	Sublocotenent
Russian Empire	Polkovnik	Podpolkovnik	Mayor (until 1884) Kapitan	Shtabs-Kapitan	Poruchik	Podporuchik	Praporshchik
Russian Federation	Polkovnik (Полковник)	Podpolkovnik (Подполковник)	Mayor (Майор)	Kapitan (Капитан)	Starshiy leytenant (Старший лейтенант)	Leytenant (Лейтенант)	Mladshiy Leytenant (Младший лейтенант)
Saudi Arabia	Aqid (عقيد)	Muqaddam (مقدم)	Raid (رائد)	Naqib (نقيب)	Mulazim Awwal (ملازم أول)	Mulazim (ملازم)
Serbia	Pukovnik	Podpukovnik	Major	Kapetan	Poručnik	Potporučnik
Singapore	Colonel	Senior Lieutenant-Colonel Lieutenant-Colonel	Major	Captain	Lieutenant	Second Lieutenant
South Africa	Colonel	Lieutenant Colonel	Major	Captain	Lieutenant	Second Lieutenant
South Korea	Daeryeong (대령)	Jungryeong (중령)	Soryeong (소령)	Daewi (대위)	Jungwi (중위)	Sowi (소위)
Spain	Coronel	Teniente coronel	Comandante	Capitán	Teniente	Alférez
Sweden	Överste av 1. graden⁶ Överste	Överstelöjtnant	Major	Kapten	Löjtnant	Fänrik
Switzerland	Colonel	Lieutenant Colonel	Major	Captain	Lieutenant	Second Lieutenant
Taiwan (Republic of China)	Shangxiao 上校	Zhongxiao 中校	Shaoxiao 少校	Shangwei 上尉	Zhongwei 中尉	Shaowei 少尉	Zhunwei 准尉
Thailand	Phan Ek (Colonel)	Phan Tho (Lt. Col)	Phan Tri (Major)	Roi Ek (Captain)	Roi Tho (Lieutenant)	Roi Tri (Sub-Lieutenant)
Turkey	Albay	Yarbay	Binbaşı	Yüzbaşı	Üsteğmen	Teğmen	Asteğmen
Ukraine	Полковник (Polkovnyk)	Пидполковник (Pidpolkovnik)	Майор (May̆or)	Капитан (Kapitan)	Старший лейтенант (Starshyy̆ ley̆tenant)	Лейтенант (Ley̆tenant)	Молодший лейтенант (Molodshyy̆ ley̆tenant)
United Kingdom	Colonel	Lieutenant-Colonel	Major	Captain	Lieutenant	Second Lieutenant	-
United States of America	Colonel	Lieutenant Colonel	Major	Captain	1st Lieutenant	2nd Lieutenant	-
Vietnam	Thượng Tá (Colonel, rank of regiment commander)	Trung Tá (Lieutenant Colonel, rank of battalion commander)	Thiếu Tá (Major, rank of vice battalion commander)	Đại Uý (Captain, rank of company commander) Thượng Uý (Senior Lieutenant, rank of platoon commander)	Trung Uý (Lieutenant)	Thiếu Uý (Sub-Lieutenant)	Học viên (Office Cadet)
Country	OF-5	OF-4	OF-3	OF-2	OF-1

¹ Belgium has three official languages, French, Dutch and German.
² Canada has two official languages, English and French.
³ Finland has two official languages, Finnish and Swedish.
⁴Jordan recognizes the English titles listed above as official.
⁵ Introduced on 1 July 2000, when promotions to the rank of Överste av 1. graden ceased.
⁶ Promotions to the rank of Överste av 1. graden ceased on 1 July 2000, when the new junior general officer rank of Brigadgeneral was introduced.

Army officer ranks

NATO rank codes

General officers

Field and company officers

See also