Ranks: Great Britain

v.1.1 April 29, 2001

v.1.0 March 18, 2001

This list has been prepared by Mr. Miles Glorious.

Royal Marine ranks are similar to Army ranks with three exceptions:

Mr. Glorious adds:

From March 1995, after Betts Report, the rank of Field Marshal/Admiral of the Fleet/Marshal of RAF, traditionally awarding the Chief of the Defence Staff was suspended .As with American five star generals, the rank was not formally abolished, but the promotion is provided in the event of a major war (or perhaps on the occasion of a future King's incoronation ??).

British Army

Royal Air Force

Royal Navy

Field Marshal

Marshal of the RAF

Admiral of the Fleet

General

Air Chief Marshal

Admiral

Lt.-General

Air Marshal

Vice Admiral

Major General

Air Vice-Marshal

Rear Admiral

Brigadier

Air Commodore

Commodore

Colonel

Group Captain

Captain

Lieutenant Colonel

Wing Commander

Commander

Major

Squadron Leader

Lieutenant-Commander

Captain

Flight Lieutenant

Lieutenant

1st Lieutenant

Flying Officer

Sub-Lieutenant (but junior to military and air force ranks)

2nd Lieutenant

Pilot Officer/ Acting Pilot Officer / (but junior to Second-Lieutenant)

Midshipman / (but junior to military and air force ranks)

Warrant Officer Class 1

Warrant Officer/ Master Aircrew/ Master Signaler/ Master Engineer/ Master Air Electronics Operator/ Master Air Loadmaster

Warrant Officer

Warrant Officer Class 2

   

Staff Corporal/Staff Sergeant

Flight Sergeant

Chief Petty Officer

 

Chief Technician

 

Sergeant

Sergeant

Petty Officer

Corporal

Corporal

Bombardier 1

Leading Rate
(but junior to military ranks of corporal and bombardier)

Lance Corporal

Lance Bombardier

Seaman

 

Junior Technician

Able Rate/ Ordinary Rate

Private: Trooper, Gunner, Sapper, Signalman, Guardsman, Fusilier, Kingsman, Rifleman, Ranger, Airtrooper, Driver, Craftsman

Junior Technician; Senior aircraftman/woman; Leading aircraftman/woman; Aircraftman/woman.