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Following is a list of Common Ranks in some of the world's prominent existing and historical military forces: USA (UsefulNotes/YanksWithTanks), UK (UsefulNotes/BritsWithBattleships), USSR/Russia (UsefulNotes/RedsWithRockets and UsefulNotes/RussiansWithRustingRockets, respectively), UsefulNotes/ImperialJapan, the Third Reich (UsefulNotes/NazisWithGnarlyWeapons) [[UsefulNotes/CanucksWithChinooks and Canada]]. The Imperial Japan military (UsefulNotes/KatanasOfTheRisingSun) is included instead of JSDF (UsefulNotes/KaijuDefenseForce) because the imperial ranks are far more common in {{Anime}} than JSDF ones, so that's [[SmallReferencePools what you are probably looking for, anyway]]. See also certain UsefulNotes pages for historical armies to find uncommon ranks that were used in them, such as UsefulNotes/RussiansWithRifles.
See also UsefulNotes/CommonMilitaryUnits.
For when someone is promoted on show, see RankUp.
For the sake of easier comparison, the UsefulNotes/{{NATO}} rank scale is used, so several disclaimers should be made:
* Note that US, UK [[MyFriendsAndZoidberg and Canada]] are the only members of NATO on the list. Moreover, NATO was formed in 1949, whereas Imperial Japanese and [[ThoseWackyNazis the Third Reich's]] armies were disbanded in 1945 (though the modern [[UsefulNotes/WeAreNotTheWehrmacht Bundeswehr]] did inherit all Wehrmacht's ranks up to OF-9, save for those of the disbanded Waffen-SS). Additionally, the Schutzstaffel rank ladder was shuffled multiple times before 1934, and this list refers to its final version.
* Both UsefulNotes/TsaristRussia and the [[UsefulNotes/SovietRussiaUkraineAndSoOn Soviet Union]] also had the rank of Generalissimus, which is largely off the NATO scale and was awarded just six times in history. Russian Federation has inherited its complete rank ladder from the Soviet Union (except the Marshal of the Soviet Union, which was obviously renamed).
* Also note that the ranks for UsefulNotes/RedsWithRockets as listed here were estabilished in 1940s (non-general officer ranks were in late 1930s). Before that, the Red Army used position names (e.g. brigade commander, regiment commander) instead of ranks. Rudiments of this system existed during WWII in ranks such as "regiment commissar" or "division military lawyer".
* Ranks above OF-9 (four star general) have never been awarded in peacetime in the USA.
* The list also doesn't contain the Commander-in-Chief of the entire national military. The CIC may not hold any military rank at all (e.g. a democratically elected president) but still be on top of the entire chain of military command.
* Due to reductions in numbers of squadrons, in the UK a Squadron is usually commanded by a Wing Commander today.
* Warships of destroyer size or smaller tend to be commanded by officers of OF-4 rank (i.e. Commanders), but the ship's commanding officer (aka the skipper) is always addressed as "Captain" while aboard ship, regardless of their actual rank. Likewise, if any member of the Army/Marine Corps/etc. is on board who's actually ''holding'' the rank of Captain, he is addressed as "Major" to avoid confusion. Those of cruiser size or greater have OF-5s in charge, so you have a Captain for a ''Ticonderoga''-class cruiser and a Commander for an ''Arleigh Burke''-class destroyer.
* Even the NATO rank scale isn't perfect. For example although a Lance Corporal is only a single promotion up from a Private in the British Army, they are often considered equivalent to a US Sergeant in terms of responsibility [They both command a fire-team], even sometimes wearing the American 3 Chevrons when working with American units. It doesn't help that Lance Corporals are considered [=NCOs=] in the British Army, while a US PFC, or even a Specialist is just a higher paid Private, or that before 1961, Lance Corporal was an appointment, given to a private acting as NCO, not a substantive rank and could be rescinded by the CO rather than court martial. Long story short, rank's a [[CurseCutShort complicated]]
!Officer ranks
Officers play the commanding role in the military. If enlisted ranks are its hands, the officers are its brains. Usually, an officer has [[MilitaryAcademy formal education in warfare]] in addition to the usual training, so that he can assume the responsibility for others and [[OfficerAndAGentleman uphold the officer honor]]. In fiction (and often in RealLife), they are usually also [[AuthorityEqualsAsskicking way more badass]] than their non-commissioned and enlisted subordinates.
The "''n'' star" designation refers to the American custom of placing stars on the generals' shoulder boards. Note that other military forces who also use stars to denote ranks (e.g. USSR) may not necessarily have exactly the same numbers of them.
* '''Supreme (six star general)''' (off the NATO scale but still within range)
** US: [[color:green:General of the Armies]], [[color:navy:Admiral of the Navy]], [[color:gray:''none'']]
*** Only three individuals have ever held this rank in the entire history of the United States Armed Forces, though none of them were technically six-star commanders while alive. UsefulNotes/GeorgeWashington (who died as a lieutenant general) was posthumously promoted to this rank (his rank is officially "General of the Armies of the United States"), as he must by law be the most senior officer on the rolls of the United States Army. John J. Pershing was promoted to the rank of General of the Armies (at the time equivalent to a five-star rank) as a one-time affair so that he would not be outranked by the field marshals then commanding the other major Allied armies on the Western Front;[[note]]The rank of (four-star) General was new to the US Army. European armies, even those smaller than America's, had five-star ranks much earlier[[/note]] he is traditionally seen as senior to the current five-star rank, but this has never been officially confirmed (in part because this would mean promoting Washington to a new [[RankInflation seven-star rank]]). George Dewey was promoted to Admiral of the Navy (also held as equivalent to a five-star rank at the time, though he actually wore three) during the Spanish-American War. Unlike Pershing's case, however, the Department of the Navy explicitly made the newly-created Fleet Admiral rank junior to Dewey's.
*** The United States did consider creating an explicit 6-star rank for both the Army and the Navy during UsefulNotes/WorldWarII in anticipation of the invasion of Japan, to be held by Douglas [=MacArthur=] and Chester Nimitz respectively. Like the rest of the invasion plans, these were discarded after the atomic bombs fell and Japan surrendered.
** USSR: [[color:maroon:Generalissimus of the Soviet Union (Generalissimus Sovétskogo Soyuza)]]. Intended as a rank specifically for Joseph Stalin to distinguish him from other high-ranked Marshals of the Soviet Union but was refused several times.
** Italy: The rank of Marshal of Italian Empire (superior to a regular old marshal of Italy) was created in 1938, just for the king and the Duce.
** IJ: [[color:maroon:Grand Marshal (Dai-Gensui)]], reserved exclusively for the Emperors of Japan.
** Third Reich: [[color:maroon:Imperial Marshal of the Greater German Reich (Reichsmarschall des Großdeutschen Reiches)]], created solely for Hermann Göring to differentiate him from the other generals promoted to Field Marshal after the Battle of France and to firmly establish him as Hitler's successor.
* '''OF-10 (five star general)'''
** US: [[color:green:General of the Army]], [[color:navy:Fleet Admiral]], [[color:gray:General of the Air Force]]. A total of nine 5-star Army and Navy officers were appointed in 1944-45, with two more appointments immediately after WWII. [[note]]When the Air Force was split from the Army in 1949, 5-star Army General Henry Arnold was made head of the Air Force and allowed to keep his 5-star status by the one-off creation of the General of the Air Force rank. When 4-star General Omar Bradley was made Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in 1950, he was promoted to 5-star to ensure he would not be outranked by his subordinate, 5-star General Douglas [=MacArthur=].[[/note]] By 1953, all 5-star generals had retired from active duty. Omar Bradley, the last surviving 5-star officer, passed away in 1981.
*** Only one man has attained the rank of General of the Air Force, Henry "Hap" Arnold. One of the first military pilots in history, trained by the Wright Brothers, and afraid of heights.[[note]]Though he evidently was not afraid of heights until ''after'' he was first taken up in the Wright Flyer, which was still only one or two steps removed from being a kite[[/note]]
*** The five-star rank is reserved in the US for wartime only. As the US has not had a declared war since [[UsefulNotes/WorldWarTwo WWII]], and the rank was only created during that war, no one has been awarded the rank since then and there are none still alive. Still, it remains on the books in case it is ever needed again.
** UK: [[color:green:Field Marshal]], [[color:navy:Admiral of the Fleet]], [[color:gray:Marshal of the Royal Air Force]]
** USSR: [[color:maroon:Marshal of the Soviet Union (Marshal Sovetskogo Soyuza)]], [[color:navy:Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union (Admiral Flota Sovetskogo Soyuza)]], [[color:gray:Chief Marshal of Aviation (Glavny Marshal Aviatsii)]]; note that these ranks technically have only ''ONE'' large star.
*** The five-star admiral rank has been only held by three individuals during the UsefulNotes/ColdWar, partly because one of them, Sergey Gorshkov, spent 27 years (1958-1985) in the post. The rest of the time, the Marshal commanded all Soviet armed forces including the Navy. This rank was not passed down to the modern Russian military.
*** The five-star general in some branches of the Soviet military, such as artillery and tank forces, was called "Chief Marshal of [insert branch here]". Discontinued in 1984, fully removed from the rank structure in 1993.
** IJ: [[color:green:Field Marshal (Rikugun Gensui)]], [[color:navy:Marshal-Admiral (Kaigun Gensui)]]
** Third Reich: Reich Leader SS (Reichsführer-SS), [[color:green:General Field Marshal (Generalfeldmarschall)]], [[color:navy:Grand Admiral (Großadmiral)]]
** Canada: ''No equivalent''.
* '''OF-9 (four star general)''' a.k.a. FourStarBadass, cf. GeneralRipper and GeneralFailure
** US: [[color:green:General]], [[color:navy:Admiral]]. There are approximately 40 4-star ranks in the US military, all of them at either the highest or second-highest level of command.[[note]]As in, they either answer directly to the civilian leadership of the President and Secretary of Defense, or to another 4-star who does so.[[/note]]
** UK: [[color:green:General]], [[color:navy:Admiral]], [[color:gray:Air Chief Marshal]]
** USSR: [[color:green:General of the Army (General armii)]], [[color:navy:Admiral of the Fleet (Admiral flota)]], [[color:gray:Marshal of Aviation (Marshal aviatsii)]]; note that due to the absence of TheBrigadier rank in the Soviet Union, General of the Army and Admiral of the Fleet only carry ''four'' stars, while being generally equivalent to their five-star Western counterparts.
*** In artillery and some other branches, this rank was called "Marshal of [insert branch here]". Discontinued in 1984, fully removed in 1993.
** IJ: [[color:green:General (Rikugun Taishou)]], [[color:navy:Admiral (Kaigun Taishou)]]
** Third Reich: Supreme Group Leader (Oberstgruppenführer), [[color:green:General Colonel (Generaloberst)]], [[color:navy:General Admiral (Generaladmiral)]]
** Canada: [[color:green:General (Général)]], [[color:black:Admiral (Amiral)]]
* '''OF-8 (three star general)'''
** US: [[color:green:Lieutenant General]], [[color:navy:Vice Admiral]]
** UK: [[color:green:Lieutenant General]] (pronounced ''Leff''tenant [[note]]Presumably so we can spot American spies[[/note]]), [[color:navy:Vice Admiral]], [[color:gray:Air Marshal]]
** USSR: [[color:green:General-Colonel (General-polkovnik)]], [[color:navy:Admiral]]
*** Until late 1930s, the equivalent rank was Army Commander Second Rank (Komandarm vtorogo ranga).
** IJ: [[color:green:Lieutenant General (Rikugun Chuujou)]], [[color:navy:Vice Admiral (Kaigun Chuujou)]]
** Third Reich: Senior Group Leader (Obergruppenführer), [[color:green:General]],[[note]]Properly, it's General der (arm). These included Kavallerie (calvary), Artillerie (artillery), Infanterie (infantry), Panzertruppen (armoured troops), Gebirgstruppen (mountain troops), Pioniere (engineers), Fallschirmtruppen (parachute troops), Flieger (aviators), Flakartillerie (anti-aircraft artillery), and Nachrichtentruppen (communications troops).[[/note]] [[color:navy:Admiral]]
** Canada: [[color:green:Lieutenant-General (Lieutenant-Général)]] [[note]]''Also'' pronounced ''Leff''tenant, just like the UK, [[BrickJoke presumably for the same reasons]][[/note]] , [[color:black:Vice-Admiral (Vice-Amiral)]].
* '''OF-7 (two star general)''', cf. ModernMajorGeneral
** US: [[color:green:Major General]], [[color:navy:Rear Admiral (upper half)]]
*** This is the highest ''permanent'' peacetime rank possible in the US armed forces. All higher ranks are tied to specific positions whose holders are required by law to have 3 or more stars. Under current policy, an officer is expected to retire upon leaving a 3- or 4-star position, unless he or she is moved to another position of equal or higher rank. Virtually all officers who retire at this point are approved to retire at their highest rank.
** UK: [[color:green:Major General]], [[color:navy:Rear Admiral]], [[color:gray:Air Vice-Marshal]]
** USSR: [[color:green:General-Lieutenant (General-leytenant)]], [[color:navy:Vice Admiral (Vicee-Amiral)]]
*** Until late 1930s, the equivalent rank was Corps Commander (Komkor).
** IJ: [[color:green:Major General (Rikugun Shoushou)]], [[color:navy:Rear Admiral (Kaigun Shoushou)]]
** Third Reich: Group Leader (Gruppenführer), [[color:green:General Lieutenant (Generalleutnant)]], [[color:navy:Vice Admiral (Vizeadmiral)]]
** Canada: [[color:green: Major-General (Major-Général)]], [[color:black: Rear-Admiral (Contre-Amiral)]]
* '''OF-6 (one star general)''' a.k.a. TheBrigadier
** US: [[color:green:Brigadier General]], [[color:navy:Rear Admiral (lower half)]]
** UK: [[color:green:Brigadier, formerly Brigadier-General]], [[color:navy:Commodore]], [[color:gray:Air Commodore]]
** Imperial Russia: [[color:green:Brigadier]], [[color:navy:Captain-Commander (Kapitan-komandor)]]; both of these were abolished back in the Tsarist times, so neither USSR nor modern Russia ever used them, except for the late 1930s, when the rank of Brigade Commander (Kombrig) existed (the corresponding naval rank of Flagman, 3rd rank is not attested). On the other hand, there are talks about reinstating them, due to ongoing reorganization of the command structure.
*** Captain-Commander was briefly named "Captain, Brigadier-rank" in late 18th century.
** USSR: [[color:green:General-Major (General-mayor)]], [[color:navy:Counter Admiral (Kontr-admiral)]]
*** Until late 1930s, the equivalent rank was Division Commander (Komdiv).
*** For some time after introduction the Rear/Counter Admiral rank was called schout-bij-nacht[[note]]Night Watchman[[/note]] in Russia, after the corresponding Dutch rank (UsefulNotes/PeterTheGreat was a [[ForeignCultureFetish great fan of everything Dutch]]), before being renamed the more common Counter Admiral after his death.
** Third Reich: Brigade Leader (Brigadeführer), [[color:green:General Major (Generalmajor)]], [[color:navy:Counter Admiral (Konteradmiral)]]
** Canada: [[color:green: Brigadier-General (Brigadier-Général)]], [[color:black: Commodore]]
* '''OF-5''' a.k.a. ColonelBadass and TheCaptain (four-striper)
** US: [[color:green:Colonel]], [[color:navy:Captain]]
** UK: [[color:green:Colonel]], [[color:navy:Captain]], [[color:gray:Group Captain]]
** USSR: [[color:green:Colonel (Polkovnik - literally "regimentary")]], [[color:navy:Captain, 1st Rank (Kapitan pervogo ranga)]]
*** Contrary to the Western practice, Russian Captains have one wide sleeve stripe, like NATO OF-6'ers.
** IJ: [[color:green:Colonel (Rikugun Taisa)]], [[color:navy:Captain (Kaigun Taisa)]]; note that it is also customary to refer to the ship's captain as "Kanchou" (on warships) and "Senchou", regardless of the actual rank he holds
** Third Reich: Regiment Leader (Standartenführer), [[color:green:Colonel (Oberst - literally "uppermost")]], [[color:navy:Captain (Kapitän zur See)]]
** Canada: [[color:green: Colonel]], [[color:black: Captain (Capitaine de vaisseau)]]
* '''OF-4''' a.k.a. CommandingCoolness and TheCaptain (three-striper)
** US: [[color:green:Lieutenant Colonel]], [[color:navy:Commander]]
** UK: [[color:green:Lieutenant Colonel]], [[color:navy:Commander]], [[color:gray:Wing Commander]]
** USSR: [[color:green:Lieutenant Colonel (Podpolkovnik)]], [[color:navy:Captain, 2nd Rank (Kapitan vtorogo ranga)]]
** IJ: [[color:green:Lieutenant Colonel (Rikugun Chuusa)]], [[color:navy:Commander (Kaigun Chuusa)]]
** Third Reich: Senior Storm Unit Leader (Obersturmbannführer), [[color:green:Lieutenant Colonel (Oberstleutnant)]], [[color:navy:Frigate Captain (Fregattenkapitän)]]
** Canada: [[color:green: Lieutenant-Colonel]], [[color:black: Commander (Capitaine de frégate)]]
* '''OF-3''' a.k.a. MajorlyAwesome
** US: [[color:green:Major]], [[color:navy:Lieutenant Commander]]
** UK: [[color:green:Major]], [[color:navy:Lieutenant Commander]], [[color:gray:Squadron Leader]]
** USSR: [[color:green:Major (Mayor)]], [[color:navy:Captain, 3rd Rank (Kapitan tret'ego ranga)]]
** IJ: [[color:green:Major (Rikugun Shousa)]], [[color:navy:Lieutenant Commander (Kaigun Shousa)]]
** Third Reich: Storm Unit Leader (Sturmbannführer), [[color:green:Major]], [[color:navy:Corvette Captain (Korvettenkapitän)]]
** Canada: [[color:green: Major]], [[color:black: Lieutenant-Commander (Capitaine de corvette)]]
* '''OF-2'''
** US: [[color:green:Captain]], [[color:navy:Lieutenant]]
** UK: [[color:green:Captain]], [[color:navy:Lieutenant]], [[color:gray:Flight Lieutenant]]
** USSR: [[color:green:Captain (Kapitan)]], [[color:navy:Captain Lieutenant (Kapitan-leytenant)]]
** IJ: [[color:green:Captain (Rikugun Taii)]], [[color:navy:Lieutenant (Kaigun Taii)]]
** Third Reich: Head Storm Leader (Hauptsturmführer), [[color:green:Captain (Hauptmann)]], [[color:navy:Captain Lieutenant (Kapitänleutnant)]]
** Canada: [[color:green: Captain (Capitaine)]], [[color:black: Lieutenant (Lieutenant de vaisseau)]]
* '''OF-1 (senior)'''
** US: [[color:green:First Lieutenant]], [[color:navy:Lieutenant, Junior Grade]]
** UK: [[color:green:Lieutenant]], [[color:navy:Sub-Lieutenant]], [[color:gray:Flying Officer]]
** USSR: [[color:maroon:Senior Lieutenant (Starshiy leytenant)]]
** IJ: [[color:green:Lieutenant (Rikugun Chuui)]], [[color:navy:Sub-Lieutenant (Kaigun Chuui)]]
** Third Reich: Senior Storm Leader (Obersturmführer), [[color:green:Senior Lieutenant (Oberleutnant)]], [[color:navy:Senior Navy Lieutenant (Oberleutnant zur See)]]
** Canada: [[color:green: Lieutenant]], [[color:black: Sub-Lieutenant (Enseigne de vaisseau de 1re classe)]]
* '''OF-1 (junior)''' a.k.a. EnsignNewbie
** US: [[color:green:Second Lieutenant]], [[color:navy:Ensign]]
** UK: [[color:green:Second Lieutenant]],[[note]]Ensign in some regiments until 1871.[[/note]] [[color:navy:Midshipman]], [[color:gray:Pilot Officer]]
** USSR: [[color:maroon:Lieutenant (Leytenant)]]
*** The lowest officer rank the Soviets had was [[color:maroon:Junior Lieutenant (Mladshiy leytenant)]], which was reserved for demoting normal lieutenants or bestowing to half-year officer training course graduates during wartime. It is therefore usually lumped with full Lieutenant.
** IJ: [[color:green:Second Lieutenant (Rikugun Shoui)]], [[color:navy:Ensign (Kaigun Shoui)]]
** Third Reich: Junior Storm Leader (Untersturmführer), [[color:green:Lieutenant (Leutnant)]], [[color:navy:Navy Lieutenant (Leutnant zur See)]]
** Canada: [[color:green: Second Lieutenant (Sous-Lieutenant)]], [[color:black: Acting Sub-Lieutenant (Enseigne de vaisseau de 2e classe)]]
!Warrant officers
The technical difference between an "actual" officer and a warrant officer is that the former has been ''commissioned'' (''[[TheChainsOfCommanding charged]]'' with performing their duties of office) - they likely graduated from officer school and were sworn in as such. A warrant officer, by comparison, received a ''warrant'' - a writ issued by a lawful authority ''authorizing'' them to perform their duties. The first warrant officers served on [[WoodenShipsAndIronMen sailing ships]]; they were the sailing masters, gunners, carpenters, and other skilled experts that actually operated the ship while under the command of commissioned officers (many of whom were landlubber noblemen [[ScrewTheRulesIHaveMoney who paid for their commission]] and [[ModernMajorGeneral didn't know an anchor from a yardarm]]).[[note]]Although this was a practice that was far more common in army regiments than on warships - even a frigate cost more to build than recruiting a battalion from scratch. Strongly averted in the British Royal Navy, which demanded professional competence through years of seagoing experience in its naval officers and did ''not'' sell commissions[[/note]] Later on, specialists who weren't directly involved in operating the ship (such as pursers, cooks, and even schoolmasters for the younger midshipmen on board) were considered warrant officers as well.
Their authority is greater than that of [=NCOs=] and sometimes can outrank even junior [=COs=]. The reason the military, usually pedantic about a clear chain of command, introduced this was technical expertise. [=WOs=] tend to be really good at what they do and it is usually technical, like keeping a nuclear reactor running or (in the case of the US Army) piloting a helicopter. You don't want any pasty-faced Ensign, fresh from the academy, to order your senior reactor technicians around. You also don't want to make the man an officer as he's not expected to fill a command position and hasn't been trained for the task. That's why you give him a warrant, so he can kindly tell the pasty faced ensign to bugger off, this is grownup stuff.
Note that the definition of a warrant officer varies greatly across different countries: e.g. in the US, they are an extra ranks category, whereas in UK [[note]][[OverlyLongGag and]] [[UsefulNotes/CanucksWithChinooks Canada]][[/note]] they are part of the non-commissioned ranks. US warrant officers, unlike commissioned officers, are not required to have a college degree.
* '''WO-5''' through '''WO-2'''
** US: [[color:maroon:Chief Warrant Officer 5, 4, 3, or 2]], respectively.[[labelnote:Note]] Chief Warrant Officers in the US Armed Forces are commissioned officers, due to the fact that authority of Chief Warrant Officers is by commission from the President of the United States. They're still lower than Officers, but can be placed in command as needed. [[/labelnote]]
** USSR: [[color:green:Senior Warrant Officer (Starshiy praporschik)]], [[color:navy:Senior Midshipman (Starshiy michman)]]
*** Russian military inherited this rank from USSR but abolished it in 2008. Reinstated back in 2013 as a part of a complex political and bureaucratic game around switching of the Defence Ministers (and partly because the original reasoning didn't play out).
** Third Reich: [[color:green:Senior Warrant Officer (Oberfähnrich)]], [[color:navy:Senior Midshipman (Oberfähnrich zur See)]]
* '''WO-1'''
** US: [[color:maroon:Warrant Officer 1]]
** USSR: [[color:green:Warrant Officer (Praporschik)]], [[color:navy:Midshipman (Michman)]]
*** Likewise, inherited by Russia, abolished in 2008, reinstated in 2013.
** IJ: [[color:maroon:Warrant Officer (Jun-i)]]
** Third Reich: [[color:green:Warrant Officer (Fähnrich)]], [[color:navy:Midshipman (Fähnrich zur See)]]
!Other ranks
The Other Ranks ("OR" in NATO codes) include both non-commissioned officers ([=NCOs=]) and enlisted ranks (sometimes marked as "E-#"). [=NCOs=], better known as sergeants, do not have formal officer education but can be put in charge of TheSquad thanks to their field experience. The enlisted servicemen receive only basic training and hold the least authority, mostly following others' orders. In the countries with {{conscription}}, most conscripted men begin as Privates (lowest enlisted rank).
Commissioned officers ''always'' outrank Other-Rank / Enlisted men. However, smart officers always pay attention to what the [=NCO=] has to say: he probably has way more field experience, whereas the officer's shiny new 2LT bars may indicate little more than a college graduation without ever hearing a shot fired in anger. So, while an OF-1 could give orders to an OR-8, in practice he or she would not do so without a very good reason.[[note]]Perhaps more to the point, he or she should only give those orders the OR-8 more or less subtly indicates ought to be given in the situation.[[/note]] For the same reasons, platoons (the smallest units normally commanded by commissioned officers) usually have a special position of "platoon sergeant" for a senior [=NonCom=] who acts as the commander's NumberTwo.
Note: In Britain and some Commonwealth nations "sergeant major" no longer exists as a distinct rank but still exists as a title, with [=RCMs=] (Regimental Sergeant Majors) being Warrant Officers First Class who have earned the extra title though long and distinguished service, and who maintain standards in drill and discipline for their unit. In USSR and Russia the sergeant major equivalent (starshina) exists both as a rank and as a position[[note]]Basically of a unit's Quartermaster.[[/note]] that can be filled by either a sergeant major or a warrant officer. Also note in the UK only commissioned officers and warrant officers are called "Sir". Calling a Sergeant "sir" if you are a private soldier is SeriousBusiness and will earn you the traditional reply "Don't call me Sir: I work for a living."
Although British officer cadets are to be treated as officers by Other Ranks, they are not saluted, but are either referred to by their name in the manner of officers ("Mr Trope”, “Miss Example”) or called "Sir" "ma'am,” etc. However, as they do not hold a commission they must refer to Warrant Officers as "Sir," leading to the line that pretty much everyone to pass though RMA Sandhurst (picture West Point, but nastier) hears on their first day from their Warrant officer drill instructors: "You will call me sir. I will call you Sir. The difference being, one of us means it!"
In the US Army, there are several senior enlisted ranks with two different titles, which reflect if they have a leadership or staff position. A Master Sergeant or Sergeant Major hold the rank, but normally don't lead men, while a First Sergeant or Command Sergeant Major do. Either way, both hold the same authority if push comes to shove.
In the Soviet Union and early New Russia, the lower half of sergeant ranks was usually filled by promoted conscripts rather than career sergeants (which were and still are a relatively minor part of the Soviet/Russian enlisted army). The rank of Starshina (Sgt. Major) was the only sergeant rank exclusive to career [=NCOs=].
* '''OR-9'''
** US: [[color:green:Sergeant Major]], [[color:navy:Master Chief Petty Officer]], [[color:blue:Sergeant Major/Master Gunnery Sergeant]], [[color:gray:Chief Master Sergeant]] [[note]]Each branch has a single E-9 that is given the title of Sergeant Major of the Army, CPO of the Navy and such. Additionally, the National Guard, consisting of Army and Air Force reservists with a core of active-duty soldiers in leadership roles, has an E-9 with the title of Senior Enlisted Advisor for the National Guard Bureau, and one E-9 (who may be from any branch) has the title of Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman [of the Joint Chiefs of Staff]. These are considered to be the voice of the enlisted ranks to the high brass.[[/note]]
** UK: [[color:green:Warrant Officer Class 1]], [[color:navy:Warrant Officer Class 1]], [[color:gray:Warrant Officer Master Aircrew]]
** USSR: [[color:green:Sergeant Major (Starshina)]], [[color:navy:Chief Ship Petty Officer (Glavniy korabel'niy starshina)]]
** IJ: [[color:maroon:Sergeant Major (Souchou)]]
** Third Reich: Storm Squad Leader (Sturmscharführer), [[color:green:Staff Sergeant (Stabsfeldwebel)]], [[color:navy:Master Chief Petty Officer (Stabsoberfeldwebel)]]
** Canada: [[color:green: Chief Warrant Officer (Adjudant-chef)]] [[note]]Note here that Warrant Officer is a strictly NCO rank[[/note]], [[color:black: Chief Petty Officer 1st Class (Premier maître de 1re classe)]]
* '''OR-8'''
** US: [[color:green:First/Master Sergeant]], [[color:navy:Senior Chief Petty Officer]], [[color:blue:First/Master Sergeant]], [[color:gray:Senior Master Sergeant]]
** UK: [[color:green:Warrant Officer Class 2]], [[color:navy:Warrant Officer Class 2]], [[color:gray:''none'']]
** USSR: [[color:green:Senior Sergeant (Starshiy serzhant)]], [[color:navy:Chief Petty Officer (Glavniy starshina)]]
** Third Reich: Head Squad Leader (Hauptscharführer), [[color:green:Sergeant Major (Oberfeldwebel)]], [[color:navy:Senior Chief Petty Officer (Oberfeldwebel)]]
** Canada: [[color:green: Master Warrant Officer (Adjudant-maître)]], [[color:black: Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class (Premier maître de 2e classe)]]
* '''OR-7'''
** US: [[color:green:Sergeant First Class]], [[color:navy:Chief Petty Officer]], [[color:blue:Gunnery Sergeant]], [[color:gray:Master Sergeant]]
** UK: [[color:green:Staff/Colour Sergeant]], [[color:navy:Chief Petty Officer]], [[color:blue:Colour Sergeant]], [[color:gray:Flight Sergeant]]
** USSR: [[color:green:Sergeant (Serzhant)]], [[color:navy:Petty Officer, 1st class (Starshina pervoy stat'i)]]
** IJ: [[color:maroon:Sergeant (Gunsou)]]
** Third Reich: Senior Squad Leader (Oberscharführer), [[color:green:Sergeant First Class (Feldwebel)]], [[color:navy:Chief Petty Officer (Stabsfeldwebel)]]
** Canada: [[color:green: Warrant Officer (Adjudant)]], [[color:black: Petty Officer 1st Class (Maître de 1re classe)]]
* '''OR-6'''
** US: [[color:green:Staff Sergeant]], [[color:navy:Petty Officer First Class]], [[color:blue:Staff Sergeant]], [[color:gray:Technical Sergeant]]
** UK: [[color:green:Sergeant]], [[color:navy:Petty Officer]], [[color:blue:Sergeant, Chief Technician]]
** USSR: [[color:green:Junior Sergeant (Mladshiy serzhant)]], [[color:navy:Petty Officer, 2nd class (Starshina vtoroy stat'i)]]
** Third Reich: Squad Leader (Scharführer), [[color:green:Sergeant (Unterfeldwebel)]], [[color:navy:Petty Officer, 1st Class (Feldwebel/Bootsmann)]]
** Canada: [[color:green: Sergeant (Sergent)]], [[color:black: Petty Officer 2nd Class (Maître de 2e classe)]]
* '''OR-5''' a.k.a. SergeantRock or DrillSergeantNasty
** US: [[color:green:Sergeant]], [[color:navy:Petty Officer Second Class]], [[color:blue:Sergeant]], [[color:gray:Staff Sergeant]]
** UK: [[color:gray:Sergeant]]
** Third Reich: Junior Squad Leader (Unterscharführer), [[color:green:Unteroffizier]], [[color:navy:Petty Officer, 2st Class (Obermaat)]]
** Canada: [[color:green: Master Corporal (Caporal-chef)]], [[color:black: Master Seaman (Matelot-chef)]]
* '''OR-4'''
** US: [[color:green:Corporal/Specialist]],[[note]]Unlike examples like First/Master Sergeant, in this case there is a distinction in authority. A corporal is considered an NCO, and has completed the required training, while a specialist is effectively a highly paid private. There had existed higher specialist ranks, but those were dropped in the 70s.[[/note]] [[color:navy:Petty Officer Third Class]], [[color:blue:Corporal]], [[color:gray:Senior Airman]]
*** There used to be a rank of [[color:gray:Sergeant]] in the US Air Force, with a similar dual arrangement to the Army's Specialist and Corporal, but it was eliminated in TheNineties[[note]]Though a Senior Airman who has attended Airman Leadership School is treated as a ''de facto'' Sergeant.[[/note]]
** UK: [[color:green:Corporal/Specialist/Bombardier]], [[color:navy:Leading Rate]], [[color:blue:Corporal]], [[color:gray:Corporal, Junior Technician]]
** USSR: [[color:green:Gefreiter (Yefreytor)]], [[color:navy:Senior Matrose (Starshiy matros)]]
** IJ: [[color:maroon:Corporal (Gochou)]]
** Third Reich: Section Leader (Rottenführer), [[color:green:Corporal (Obergefreiter)]], [[color:navy:Petty Officer, 3st Class (Maat)]]
** Canada: [[color:green: Corporal (Caporal)]], [[color:black: Leading Seaman (Matelot de 1re classe)]]
* '''OR-3'''
** US: [[color:green:Private First Class]], [[color:navy:Seaman]], [[color:blue:Lance Corporal]], [[color:gray:Airman First Class]]
** UK: [[color:green:Lance-Corporal/Lance-Bombardier]], [[color:navy:''none'']], [[color:blue:Lance Corporal]], [[color:gray:''none'']]
** IJ: [[color:maroon:Lance Corporal (Heichou)]]
** Third Reich: Storm Trooper (Sturmmann), [[color:green:Acting Corporal (Gefreiter)]], [[color:navy:Leading Seaman (Matrosenhaupgefreiter)]]
** Canada: [[color:green: Private (Trained) (Soldat Formé)]], [[color:black: Able Seaman (Matelot de 2e classe)]], [[color:blue: Aviator (Trained) (Aviateur Formé)]]
* '''OR-2'''
** US: [[color:green:Private]], [[color:navy:Seaman Apprentice]], [[color:blue:Private First Class]], [[color:gray:Airman]]
** UK: [[color:navy:Able Rate]], [[color:blue:Private]], [[color:gray:Senior Aircraftman]]
** IJ: [[color:maroon:Private 1st Class (Ittouhei)]]
** Third Reich: Senior Trooper (Obermann), [[color:green:Senior Rifleman (Oberschütze)]], [[color:navy:Able Seaman (Matrosenobergefreiter)]]
** Canada: [[color:green: Private (Basic) (Soldat Confirmé)]], [[color:black: Ordinary Seaman (Basic) (Matelot de 3e classe)]], [[color:blue: Aviator (Basic) (Aviateur Confirmé)]]
* '''OR-1''' a.k.a. NewMeat, CannonFodder (sad but often true), or SouthernFriedPrivate
** US: [[color:green:Private]],[[note]]The US Army has two ranks called Private, with the higher one abbreviated as "[=PV2=]" instead of "PVT"[[/note]] [[color:navy:Seaman Recruit]],[[note]]Or Fireman Recruit, Airman Recruit, Constructionman Recruit & Hospitalman Recruit. This depends mainly on the Recruit's rate. They carry over until they become a PO3.[[/note]] [[color:blue:Private]], [[color:gray:Airman Basic]]
** UK: [[color:green:Private/Trooper]] (other titles may occur in some regiments), [[color:blue:Marine]], [[color:gray:Leading Aircraftman, Aircraftman]]
** USSR: [[color:green:Private (Ryadovoy)]], [[color:navy:Matrose (Matros)]]
** IJ: [[color:maroon:Private 2nd Class (Nitouhei)]]
** Third Reich: Trooper (Mann), [[color:green:Rifleman (Schütze)]], [[color:navy:Seaman (Matrosengefreiter)]]
** Canada: [[color:green: Private (Recruit) (Soldat Recrue)]], [[color:black: Ordinary Seaman (Recruit) (Matelot de 3e classe Recrue)]], [[color:blue: Aviator (Recruit) (Aviateur Recrue)]]
----
This list is largely a wiki-friendly adaptation of this [[http://legacy.koveras.org/ranks/ranks.html external table]]. Refer to it for the original spelling of foreign rank titles.
----
See also UsefulNotes/CommonMilitaryUnits.
For when someone is promoted on show, see RankUp.
For the sake of easier comparison, the UsefulNotes/{{NATO}} rank scale is used, so several disclaimers should be made:
* Note that US, UK [[MyFriendsAndZoidberg and Canada]] are the only members of NATO on the list. Moreover, NATO was formed in 1949, whereas Imperial Japanese and [[ThoseWackyNazis the Third Reich's]] armies were disbanded in 1945 (though the modern [[UsefulNotes/WeAreNotTheWehrmacht Bundeswehr]] did inherit all Wehrmacht's ranks up to OF-9, save for those of the disbanded Waffen-SS). Additionally, the Schutzstaffel rank ladder was shuffled multiple times before 1934, and this list refers to its final version.
* Both UsefulNotes/TsaristRussia and the [[UsefulNotes/SovietRussiaUkraineAndSoOn Soviet Union]] also had the rank of Generalissimus, which is largely off the NATO scale and was awarded just six times in history. Russian Federation has inherited its complete rank ladder from the Soviet Union (except the Marshal of the Soviet Union, which was obviously renamed).
* Also note that the ranks for UsefulNotes/RedsWithRockets as listed here were estabilished in 1940s (non-general officer ranks were in late 1930s). Before that, the Red Army used position names (e.g. brigade commander, regiment commander) instead of ranks. Rudiments of this system existed during WWII in ranks such as "regiment commissar" or "division military lawyer".
* Ranks above OF-9 (four star general) have never been awarded in peacetime in the USA.
* The list also doesn't contain the Commander-in-Chief of the entire national military. The CIC may not hold any military rank at all (e.g. a democratically elected president) but still be on top of the entire chain of military command.
* Due to reductions in numbers of squadrons, in the UK a Squadron is usually commanded by a Wing Commander today.
* Warships of destroyer size or smaller tend to be commanded by officers of OF-4 rank (i.e. Commanders), but the ship's commanding officer (aka the skipper) is always addressed as "Captain" while aboard ship, regardless of their actual rank. Likewise, if any member of the Army/Marine Corps/etc. is on board who's actually ''holding'' the rank of Captain, he is addressed as "Major" to avoid confusion. Those of cruiser size or greater have OF-5s in charge, so you have a Captain for a ''Ticonderoga''-class cruiser and a Commander for an ''Arleigh Burke''-class destroyer.
* Even the NATO rank scale isn't perfect. For example although a Lance Corporal is only a single promotion up from a Private in the British Army, they are often considered equivalent to a US Sergeant in terms of responsibility [They both command a fire-team], even sometimes wearing the American 3 Chevrons when working with American units. It doesn't help that Lance Corporals are considered [=NCOs=] in the British Army, while a US PFC, or even a Specialist is just a higher paid Private, or that before 1961, Lance Corporal was an appointment, given to a private acting as NCO, not a substantive rank and could be rescinded by the CO rather than court martial. Long story short, rank's a [[CurseCutShort complicated]]
!Officer ranks
Officers play the commanding role in the military. If enlisted ranks are its hands, the officers are its brains. Usually, an officer has [[MilitaryAcademy formal education in warfare]] in addition to the usual training, so that he can assume the responsibility for others and [[OfficerAndAGentleman uphold the officer honor]]. In fiction (and often in RealLife), they are usually also [[AuthorityEqualsAsskicking way more badass]] than their non-commissioned and enlisted subordinates.
The "''n'' star" designation refers to the American custom of placing stars on the generals' shoulder boards. Note that other military forces who also use stars to denote ranks (e.g. USSR) may not necessarily have exactly the same numbers of them.
* '''Supreme (six star general)''' (off the NATO scale but still within range)
** US: [[color:green:General of the Armies]], [[color:navy:Admiral of the Navy]], [[color:gray:''none'']]
*** Only three individuals have ever held this rank in the entire history of the United States Armed Forces, though none of them were technically six-star commanders while alive. UsefulNotes/GeorgeWashington (who died as a lieutenant general) was posthumously promoted to this rank (his rank is officially "General of the Armies of the United States"), as he must by law be the most senior officer on the rolls of the United States Army. John J. Pershing was promoted to the rank of General of the Armies (at the time equivalent to a five-star rank) as a one-time affair so that he would not be outranked by the field marshals then commanding the other major Allied armies on the Western Front;[[note]]The rank of (four-star) General was new to the US Army. European armies, even those smaller than America's, had five-star ranks much earlier[[/note]] he is traditionally seen as senior to the current five-star rank, but this has never been officially confirmed (in part because this would mean promoting Washington to a new [[RankInflation seven-star rank]]). George Dewey was promoted to Admiral of the Navy (also held as equivalent to a five-star rank at the time, though he actually wore three) during the Spanish-American War. Unlike Pershing's case, however, the Department of the Navy explicitly made the newly-created Fleet Admiral rank junior to Dewey's.
*** The United States did consider creating an explicit 6-star rank for both the Army and the Navy during UsefulNotes/WorldWarII in anticipation of the invasion of Japan, to be held by Douglas [=MacArthur=] and Chester Nimitz respectively. Like the rest of the invasion plans, these were discarded after the atomic bombs fell and Japan surrendered.
** USSR: [[color:maroon:Generalissimus of the Soviet Union (Generalissimus Sovétskogo Soyuza)]]. Intended as a rank specifically for Joseph Stalin to distinguish him from other high-ranked Marshals of the Soviet Union but was refused several times.
** Italy: The rank of Marshal of Italian Empire (superior to a regular old marshal of Italy) was created in 1938, just for the king and the Duce.
** IJ: [[color:maroon:Grand Marshal (Dai-Gensui)]], reserved exclusively for the Emperors of Japan.
** Third Reich: [[color:maroon:Imperial Marshal of the Greater German Reich (Reichsmarschall des Großdeutschen Reiches)]], created solely for Hermann Göring to differentiate him from the other generals promoted to Field Marshal after the Battle of France and to firmly establish him as Hitler's successor.
* '''OF-10 (five star general)'''
** US: [[color:green:General of the Army]], [[color:navy:Fleet Admiral]], [[color:gray:General of the Air Force]]. A total of nine 5-star Army and Navy officers were appointed in 1944-45, with two more appointments immediately after WWII. [[note]]When the Air Force was split from the Army in 1949, 5-star Army General Henry Arnold was made head of the Air Force and allowed to keep his 5-star status by the one-off creation of the General of the Air Force rank. When 4-star General Omar Bradley was made Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in 1950, he was promoted to 5-star to ensure he would not be outranked by his subordinate, 5-star General Douglas [=MacArthur=].[[/note]] By 1953, all 5-star generals had retired from active duty. Omar Bradley, the last surviving 5-star officer, passed away in 1981.
*** Only one man has attained the rank of General of the Air Force, Henry "Hap" Arnold. One of the first military pilots in history, trained by the Wright Brothers, and afraid of heights.[[note]]Though he evidently was not afraid of heights until ''after'' he was first taken up in the Wright Flyer, which was still only one or two steps removed from being a kite[[/note]]
*** The five-star rank is reserved in the US for wartime only. As the US has not had a declared war since [[UsefulNotes/WorldWarTwo WWII]], and the rank was only created during that war, no one has been awarded the rank since then and there are none still alive. Still, it remains on the books in case it is ever needed again.
** UK: [[color:green:Field Marshal]], [[color:navy:Admiral of the Fleet]], [[color:gray:Marshal of the Royal Air Force]]
** USSR: [[color:maroon:Marshal of the Soviet Union (Marshal Sovetskogo Soyuza)]], [[color:navy:Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union (Admiral Flota Sovetskogo Soyuza)]], [[color:gray:Chief Marshal of Aviation (Glavny Marshal Aviatsii)]]; note that these ranks technically have only ''ONE'' large star.
*** The five-star admiral rank has been only held by three individuals during the UsefulNotes/ColdWar, partly because one of them, Sergey Gorshkov, spent 27 years (1958-1985) in the post. The rest of the time, the Marshal commanded all Soviet armed forces including the Navy. This rank was not passed down to the modern Russian military.
*** The five-star general in some branches of the Soviet military, such as artillery and tank forces, was called "Chief Marshal of [insert branch here]". Discontinued in 1984, fully removed from the rank structure in 1993.
** IJ: [[color:green:Field Marshal (Rikugun Gensui)]], [[color:navy:Marshal-Admiral (Kaigun Gensui)]]
** Third Reich: Reich Leader SS (Reichsführer-SS), [[color:green:General Field Marshal (Generalfeldmarschall)]], [[color:navy:Grand Admiral (Großadmiral)]]
** Canada: ''No equivalent''.
* '''OF-9 (four star general)''' a.k.a. FourStarBadass, cf. GeneralRipper and GeneralFailure
** US: [[color:green:General]], [[color:navy:Admiral]]. There are approximately 40 4-star ranks in the US military, all of them at either the highest or second-highest level of command.[[note]]As in, they either answer directly to the civilian leadership of the President and Secretary of Defense, or to another 4-star who does so.[[/note]]
** UK: [[color:green:General]], [[color:navy:Admiral]], [[color:gray:Air Chief Marshal]]
** USSR: [[color:green:General of the Army (General armii)]], [[color:navy:Admiral of the Fleet (Admiral flota)]], [[color:gray:Marshal of Aviation (Marshal aviatsii)]]; note that due to the absence of TheBrigadier rank in the Soviet Union, General of the Army and Admiral of the Fleet only carry ''four'' stars, while being generally equivalent to their five-star Western counterparts.
*** In artillery and some other branches, this rank was called "Marshal of [insert branch here]". Discontinued in 1984, fully removed in 1993.
** IJ: [[color:green:General (Rikugun Taishou)]], [[color:navy:Admiral (Kaigun Taishou)]]
** Third Reich: Supreme Group Leader (Oberstgruppenführer), [[color:green:General Colonel (Generaloberst)]], [[color:navy:General Admiral (Generaladmiral)]]
** Canada: [[color:green:General (Général)]], [[color:black:Admiral (Amiral)]]
* '''OF-8 (three star general)'''
** US: [[color:green:Lieutenant General]], [[color:navy:Vice Admiral]]
** UK: [[color:green:Lieutenant General]] (pronounced ''Leff''tenant [[note]]Presumably so we can spot American spies[[/note]]), [[color:navy:Vice Admiral]], [[color:gray:Air Marshal]]
** USSR: [[color:green:General-Colonel (General-polkovnik)]], [[color:navy:Admiral]]
*** Until late 1930s, the equivalent rank was Army Commander Second Rank (Komandarm vtorogo ranga).
** IJ: [[color:green:Lieutenant General (Rikugun Chuujou)]], [[color:navy:Vice Admiral (Kaigun Chuujou)]]
** Third Reich: Senior Group Leader (Obergruppenführer), [[color:green:General]],[[note]]Properly, it's General der (arm). These included Kavallerie (calvary), Artillerie (artillery), Infanterie (infantry), Panzertruppen (armoured troops), Gebirgstruppen (mountain troops), Pioniere (engineers), Fallschirmtruppen (parachute troops), Flieger (aviators), Flakartillerie (anti-aircraft artillery), and Nachrichtentruppen (communications troops).[[/note]] [[color:navy:Admiral]]
** Canada: [[color:green:Lieutenant-General (Lieutenant-Général)]] [[note]]''Also'' pronounced ''Leff''tenant, just like the UK, [[BrickJoke presumably for the same reasons]][[/note]] , [[color:black:Vice-Admiral (Vice-Amiral)]].
* '''OF-7 (two star general)''', cf. ModernMajorGeneral
** US: [[color:green:Major General]], [[color:navy:Rear Admiral (upper half)]]
*** This is the highest ''permanent'' peacetime rank possible in the US armed forces. All higher ranks are tied to specific positions whose holders are required by law to have 3 or more stars. Under current policy, an officer is expected to retire upon leaving a 3- or 4-star position, unless he or she is moved to another position of equal or higher rank. Virtually all officers who retire at this point are approved to retire at their highest rank.
** UK: [[color:green:Major General]], [[color:navy:Rear Admiral]], [[color:gray:Air Vice-Marshal]]
** USSR: [[color:green:General-Lieutenant (General-leytenant)]], [[color:navy:Vice Admiral (Vicee-Amiral)]]
*** Until late 1930s, the equivalent rank was Corps Commander (Komkor).
** IJ: [[color:green:Major General (Rikugun Shoushou)]], [[color:navy:Rear Admiral (Kaigun Shoushou)]]
** Third Reich: Group Leader (Gruppenführer), [[color:green:General Lieutenant (Generalleutnant)]], [[color:navy:Vice Admiral (Vizeadmiral)]]
** Canada: [[color:green: Major-General (Major-Général)]], [[color:black: Rear-Admiral (Contre-Amiral)]]
* '''OF-6 (one star general)''' a.k.a. TheBrigadier
** US: [[color:green:Brigadier General]], [[color:navy:Rear Admiral (lower half)]]
** UK: [[color:green:Brigadier, formerly Brigadier-General]], [[color:navy:Commodore]], [[color:gray:Air Commodore]]
** Imperial Russia: [[color:green:Brigadier]], [[color:navy:Captain-Commander (Kapitan-komandor)]]; both of these were abolished back in the Tsarist times, so neither USSR nor modern Russia ever used them, except for the late 1930s, when the rank of Brigade Commander (Kombrig) existed (the corresponding naval rank of Flagman, 3rd rank is not attested). On the other hand, there are talks about reinstating them, due to ongoing reorganization of the command structure.
*** Captain-Commander was briefly named "Captain, Brigadier-rank" in late 18th century.
** USSR: [[color:green:General-Major (General-mayor)]], [[color:navy:Counter Admiral (Kontr-admiral)]]
*** Until late 1930s, the equivalent rank was Division Commander (Komdiv).
*** For some time after introduction the Rear/Counter Admiral rank was called schout-bij-nacht[[note]]Night Watchman[[/note]] in Russia, after the corresponding Dutch rank (UsefulNotes/PeterTheGreat was a [[ForeignCultureFetish great fan of everything Dutch]]), before being renamed the more common Counter Admiral after his death.
** Third Reich: Brigade Leader (Brigadeführer), [[color:green:General Major (Generalmajor)]], [[color:navy:Counter Admiral (Konteradmiral)]]
** Canada: [[color:green: Brigadier-General (Brigadier-Général)]], [[color:black: Commodore]]
* '''OF-5''' a.k.a. ColonelBadass and TheCaptain (four-striper)
** US: [[color:green:Colonel]], [[color:navy:Captain]]
** UK: [[color:green:Colonel]], [[color:navy:Captain]], [[color:gray:Group Captain]]
** USSR: [[color:green:Colonel (Polkovnik - literally "regimentary")]], [[color:navy:Captain, 1st Rank (Kapitan pervogo ranga)]]
*** Contrary to the Western practice, Russian Captains have one wide sleeve stripe, like NATO OF-6'ers.
** IJ: [[color:green:Colonel (Rikugun Taisa)]], [[color:navy:Captain (Kaigun Taisa)]]; note that it is also customary to refer to the ship's captain as "Kanchou" (on warships) and "Senchou", regardless of the actual rank he holds
** Third Reich: Regiment Leader (Standartenführer), [[color:green:Colonel (Oberst - literally "uppermost")]], [[color:navy:Captain (Kapitän zur See)]]
** Canada: [[color:green: Colonel]], [[color:black: Captain (Capitaine de vaisseau)]]
* '''OF-4''' a.k.a. CommandingCoolness and TheCaptain (three-striper)
** US: [[color:green:Lieutenant Colonel]], [[color:navy:Commander]]
** UK: [[color:green:Lieutenant Colonel]], [[color:navy:Commander]], [[color:gray:Wing Commander]]
** USSR: [[color:green:Lieutenant Colonel (Podpolkovnik)]], [[color:navy:Captain, 2nd Rank (Kapitan vtorogo ranga)]]
** IJ: [[color:green:Lieutenant Colonel (Rikugun Chuusa)]], [[color:navy:Commander (Kaigun Chuusa)]]
** Third Reich: Senior Storm Unit Leader (Obersturmbannführer), [[color:green:Lieutenant Colonel (Oberstleutnant)]], [[color:navy:Frigate Captain (Fregattenkapitän)]]
** Canada: [[color:green: Lieutenant-Colonel]], [[color:black: Commander (Capitaine de frégate)]]
* '''OF-3''' a.k.a. MajorlyAwesome
** US: [[color:green:Major]], [[color:navy:Lieutenant Commander]]
** UK: [[color:green:Major]], [[color:navy:Lieutenant Commander]], [[color:gray:Squadron Leader]]
** USSR: [[color:green:Major (Mayor)]], [[color:navy:Captain, 3rd Rank (Kapitan tret'ego ranga)]]
** IJ: [[color:green:Major (Rikugun Shousa)]], [[color:navy:Lieutenant Commander (Kaigun Shousa)]]
** Third Reich: Storm Unit Leader (Sturmbannführer), [[color:green:Major]], [[color:navy:Corvette Captain (Korvettenkapitän)]]
** Canada: [[color:green: Major]], [[color:black: Lieutenant-Commander (Capitaine de corvette)]]
* '''OF-2'''
** US: [[color:green:Captain]], [[color:navy:Lieutenant]]
** UK: [[color:green:Captain]], [[color:navy:Lieutenant]], [[color:gray:Flight Lieutenant]]
** USSR: [[color:green:Captain (Kapitan)]], [[color:navy:Captain Lieutenant (Kapitan-leytenant)]]
** IJ: [[color:green:Captain (Rikugun Taii)]], [[color:navy:Lieutenant (Kaigun Taii)]]
** Third Reich: Head Storm Leader (Hauptsturmführer), [[color:green:Captain (Hauptmann)]], [[color:navy:Captain Lieutenant (Kapitänleutnant)]]
** Canada: [[color:green: Captain (Capitaine)]], [[color:black: Lieutenant (Lieutenant de vaisseau)]]
* '''OF-1 (senior)'''
** US: [[color:green:First Lieutenant]], [[color:navy:Lieutenant, Junior Grade]]
** UK: [[color:green:Lieutenant]], [[color:navy:Sub-Lieutenant]], [[color:gray:Flying Officer]]
** USSR: [[color:maroon:Senior Lieutenant (Starshiy leytenant)]]
** IJ: [[color:green:Lieutenant (Rikugun Chuui)]], [[color:navy:Sub-Lieutenant (Kaigun Chuui)]]
** Third Reich: Senior Storm Leader (Obersturmführer), [[color:green:Senior Lieutenant (Oberleutnant)]], [[color:navy:Senior Navy Lieutenant (Oberleutnant zur See)]]
** Canada: [[color:green: Lieutenant]], [[color:black: Sub-Lieutenant (Enseigne de vaisseau de 1re classe)]]
* '''OF-1 (junior)''' a.k.a. EnsignNewbie
** US: [[color:green:Second Lieutenant]], [[color:navy:Ensign]]
** UK: [[color:green:Second Lieutenant]],[[note]]Ensign in some regiments until 1871.[[/note]] [[color:navy:Midshipman]], [[color:gray:Pilot Officer]]
** USSR: [[color:maroon:Lieutenant (Leytenant)]]
*** The lowest officer rank the Soviets had was [[color:maroon:Junior Lieutenant (Mladshiy leytenant)]], which was reserved for demoting normal lieutenants or bestowing to half-year officer training course graduates during wartime. It is therefore usually lumped with full Lieutenant.
** IJ: [[color:green:Second Lieutenant (Rikugun Shoui)]], [[color:navy:Ensign (Kaigun Shoui)]]
** Third Reich: Junior Storm Leader (Untersturmführer), [[color:green:Lieutenant (Leutnant)]], [[color:navy:Navy Lieutenant (Leutnant zur See)]]
** Canada: [[color:green: Second Lieutenant (Sous-Lieutenant)]], [[color:black: Acting Sub-Lieutenant (Enseigne de vaisseau de 2e classe)]]
!Warrant officers
The technical difference between an "actual" officer and a warrant officer is that the former has been ''commissioned'' (''[[TheChainsOfCommanding charged]]'' with performing their duties of office) - they likely graduated from officer school and were sworn in as such. A warrant officer, by comparison, received a ''warrant'' - a writ issued by a lawful authority ''authorizing'' them to perform their duties. The first warrant officers served on [[WoodenShipsAndIronMen sailing ships]]; they were the sailing masters, gunners, carpenters, and other skilled experts that actually operated the ship while under the command of commissioned officers (many of whom were landlubber noblemen [[ScrewTheRulesIHaveMoney who paid for their commission]] and [[ModernMajorGeneral didn't know an anchor from a yardarm]]).[[note]]Although this was a practice that was far more common in army regiments than on warships - even a frigate cost more to build than recruiting a battalion from scratch. Strongly averted in the British Royal Navy, which demanded professional competence through years of seagoing experience in its naval officers and did ''not'' sell commissions[[/note]] Later on, specialists who weren't directly involved in operating the ship (such as pursers, cooks, and even schoolmasters for the younger midshipmen on board) were considered warrant officers as well.
Their authority is greater than that of [=NCOs=] and sometimes can outrank even junior [=COs=]. The reason the military, usually pedantic about a clear chain of command, introduced this was technical expertise. [=WOs=] tend to be really good at what they do and it is usually technical, like keeping a nuclear reactor running or (in the case of the US Army) piloting a helicopter. You don't want any pasty-faced Ensign, fresh from the academy, to order your senior reactor technicians around. You also don't want to make the man an officer as he's not expected to fill a command position and hasn't been trained for the task. That's why you give him a warrant, so he can kindly tell the pasty faced ensign to bugger off, this is grownup stuff.
Note that the definition of a warrant officer varies greatly across different countries: e.g. in the US, they are an extra ranks category, whereas in UK [[note]][[OverlyLongGag and]] [[UsefulNotes/CanucksWithChinooks Canada]][[/note]] they are part of the non-commissioned ranks. US warrant officers, unlike commissioned officers, are not required to have a college degree.
* '''WO-5''' through '''WO-2'''
** US: [[color:maroon:Chief Warrant Officer 5, 4, 3, or 2]], respectively.[[labelnote:Note]] Chief Warrant Officers in the US Armed Forces are commissioned officers, due to the fact that authority of Chief Warrant Officers is by commission from the President of the United States. They're still lower than Officers, but can be placed in command as needed. [[/labelnote]]
** USSR: [[color:green:Senior Warrant Officer (Starshiy praporschik)]], [[color:navy:Senior Midshipman (Starshiy michman)]]
*** Russian military inherited this rank from USSR but abolished it in 2008. Reinstated back in 2013 as a part of a complex political and bureaucratic game around switching of the Defence Ministers (and partly because the original reasoning didn't play out).
** Third Reich: [[color:green:Senior Warrant Officer (Oberfähnrich)]], [[color:navy:Senior Midshipman (Oberfähnrich zur See)]]
* '''WO-1'''
** US: [[color:maroon:Warrant Officer 1]]
** USSR: [[color:green:Warrant Officer (Praporschik)]], [[color:navy:Midshipman (Michman)]]
*** Likewise, inherited by Russia, abolished in 2008, reinstated in 2013.
** IJ: [[color:maroon:Warrant Officer (Jun-i)]]
** Third Reich: [[color:green:Warrant Officer (Fähnrich)]], [[color:navy:Midshipman (Fähnrich zur See)]]
!Other ranks
The Other Ranks ("OR" in NATO codes) include both non-commissioned officers ([=NCOs=]) and enlisted ranks (sometimes marked as "E-#"). [=NCOs=], better known as sergeants, do not have formal officer education but can be put in charge of TheSquad thanks to their field experience. The enlisted servicemen receive only basic training and hold the least authority, mostly following others' orders. In the countries with {{conscription}}, most conscripted men begin as Privates (lowest enlisted rank).
Commissioned officers ''always'' outrank Other-Rank / Enlisted men. However, smart officers always pay attention to what the [=NCO=] has to say: he probably has way more field experience, whereas the officer's shiny new 2LT bars may indicate little more than a college graduation without ever hearing a shot fired in anger. So, while an OF-1 could give orders to an OR-8, in practice he or she would not do so without a very good reason.[[note]]Perhaps more to the point, he or she should only give those orders the OR-8 more or less subtly indicates ought to be given in the situation.[[/note]] For the same reasons, platoons (the smallest units normally commanded by commissioned officers) usually have a special position of "platoon sergeant" for a senior [=NonCom=] who acts as the commander's NumberTwo.
Note: In Britain and some Commonwealth nations "sergeant major" no longer exists as a distinct rank but still exists as a title, with [=RCMs=] (Regimental Sergeant Majors) being Warrant Officers First Class who have earned the extra title though long and distinguished service, and who maintain standards in drill and discipline for their unit. In USSR and Russia the sergeant major equivalent (starshina) exists both as a rank and as a position[[note]]Basically of a unit's Quartermaster.[[/note]] that can be filled by either a sergeant major or a warrant officer. Also note in the UK only commissioned officers and warrant officers are called "Sir". Calling a Sergeant "sir" if you are a private soldier is SeriousBusiness and will earn you the traditional reply "Don't call me Sir: I work for a living."
Although British officer cadets are to be treated as officers by Other Ranks, they are not saluted, but are either referred to by their name in the manner of officers ("Mr Trope”, “Miss Example”) or called "Sir" "ma'am,” etc. However, as they do not hold a commission they must refer to Warrant Officers as "Sir," leading to the line that pretty much everyone to pass though RMA Sandhurst (picture West Point, but nastier) hears on their first day from their Warrant officer drill instructors: "You will call me sir. I will call you Sir. The difference being, one of us means it!"
In the US Army, there are several senior enlisted ranks with two different titles, which reflect if they have a leadership or staff position. A Master Sergeant or Sergeant Major hold the rank, but normally don't lead men, while a First Sergeant or Command Sergeant Major do. Either way, both hold the same authority if push comes to shove.
In the Soviet Union and early New Russia, the lower half of sergeant ranks was usually filled by promoted conscripts rather than career sergeants (which were and still are a relatively minor part of the Soviet/Russian enlisted army). The rank of Starshina (Sgt. Major) was the only sergeant rank exclusive to career [=NCOs=].
* '''OR-9'''
** US: [[color:green:Sergeant Major]], [[color:navy:Master Chief Petty Officer]], [[color:blue:Sergeant Major/Master Gunnery Sergeant]], [[color:gray:Chief Master Sergeant]] [[note]]Each branch has a single E-9 that is given the title of Sergeant Major of the Army, CPO of the Navy and such. Additionally, the National Guard, consisting of Army and Air Force reservists with a core of active-duty soldiers in leadership roles, has an E-9 with the title of Senior Enlisted Advisor for the National Guard Bureau, and one E-9 (who may be from any branch) has the title of Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman [of the Joint Chiefs of Staff]. These are considered to be the voice of the enlisted ranks to the high brass.[[/note]]
** UK: [[color:green:Warrant Officer Class 1]], [[color:navy:Warrant Officer Class 1]], [[color:gray:Warrant Officer Master Aircrew]]
** USSR: [[color:green:Sergeant Major (Starshina)]], [[color:navy:Chief Ship Petty Officer (Glavniy korabel'niy starshina)]]
** IJ: [[color:maroon:Sergeant Major (Souchou)]]
** Third Reich: Storm Squad Leader (Sturmscharführer), [[color:green:Staff Sergeant (Stabsfeldwebel)]], [[color:navy:Master Chief Petty Officer (Stabsoberfeldwebel)]]
** Canada: [[color:green: Chief Warrant Officer (Adjudant-chef)]] [[note]]Note here that Warrant Officer is a strictly NCO rank[[/note]], [[color:black: Chief Petty Officer 1st Class (Premier maître de 1re classe)]]
* '''OR-8'''
** US: [[color:green:First/Master Sergeant]], [[color:navy:Senior Chief Petty Officer]], [[color:blue:First/Master Sergeant]], [[color:gray:Senior Master Sergeant]]
** UK: [[color:green:Warrant Officer Class 2]], [[color:navy:Warrant Officer Class 2]], [[color:gray:''none'']]
** USSR: [[color:green:Senior Sergeant (Starshiy serzhant)]], [[color:navy:Chief Petty Officer (Glavniy starshina)]]
** Third Reich: Head Squad Leader (Hauptscharführer), [[color:green:Sergeant Major (Oberfeldwebel)]], [[color:navy:Senior Chief Petty Officer (Oberfeldwebel)]]
** Canada: [[color:green: Master Warrant Officer (Adjudant-maître)]], [[color:black: Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class (Premier maître de 2e classe)]]
* '''OR-7'''
** US: [[color:green:Sergeant First Class]], [[color:navy:Chief Petty Officer]], [[color:blue:Gunnery Sergeant]], [[color:gray:Master Sergeant]]
** UK: [[color:green:Staff/Colour Sergeant]], [[color:navy:Chief Petty Officer]], [[color:blue:Colour Sergeant]], [[color:gray:Flight Sergeant]]
** USSR: [[color:green:Sergeant (Serzhant)]], [[color:navy:Petty Officer, 1st class (Starshina pervoy stat'i)]]
** IJ: [[color:maroon:Sergeant (Gunsou)]]
** Third Reich: Senior Squad Leader (Oberscharführer), [[color:green:Sergeant First Class (Feldwebel)]], [[color:navy:Chief Petty Officer (Stabsfeldwebel)]]
** Canada: [[color:green: Warrant Officer (Adjudant)]], [[color:black: Petty Officer 1st Class (Maître de 1re classe)]]
* '''OR-6'''
** US: [[color:green:Staff Sergeant]], [[color:navy:Petty Officer First Class]], [[color:blue:Staff Sergeant]], [[color:gray:Technical Sergeant]]
** UK: [[color:green:Sergeant]], [[color:navy:Petty Officer]], [[color:blue:Sergeant, Chief Technician]]
** USSR: [[color:green:Junior Sergeant (Mladshiy serzhant)]], [[color:navy:Petty Officer, 2nd class (Starshina vtoroy stat'i)]]
** Third Reich: Squad Leader (Scharführer), [[color:green:Sergeant (Unterfeldwebel)]], [[color:navy:Petty Officer, 1st Class (Feldwebel/Bootsmann)]]
** Canada: [[color:green: Sergeant (Sergent)]], [[color:black: Petty Officer 2nd Class (Maître de 2e classe)]]
* '''OR-5''' a.k.a. SergeantRock or DrillSergeantNasty
** US: [[color:green:Sergeant]], [[color:navy:Petty Officer Second Class]], [[color:blue:Sergeant]], [[color:gray:Staff Sergeant]]
** UK: [[color:gray:Sergeant]]
** Third Reich: Junior Squad Leader (Unterscharführer), [[color:green:Unteroffizier]], [[color:navy:Petty Officer, 2st Class (Obermaat)]]
** Canada: [[color:green: Master Corporal (Caporal-chef)]], [[color:black: Master Seaman (Matelot-chef)]]
* '''OR-4'''
** US: [[color:green:Corporal/Specialist]],[[note]]Unlike examples like First/Master Sergeant, in this case there is a distinction in authority. A corporal is considered an NCO, and has completed the required training, while a specialist is effectively a highly paid private. There had existed higher specialist ranks, but those were dropped in the 70s.[[/note]] [[color:navy:Petty Officer Third Class]], [[color:blue:Corporal]], [[color:gray:Senior Airman]]
*** There used to be a rank of [[color:gray:Sergeant]] in the US Air Force, with a similar dual arrangement to the Army's Specialist and Corporal, but it was eliminated in TheNineties[[note]]Though a Senior Airman who has attended Airman Leadership School is treated as a ''de facto'' Sergeant.[[/note]]
** UK: [[color:green:Corporal/Specialist/Bombardier]], [[color:navy:Leading Rate]], [[color:blue:Corporal]], [[color:gray:Corporal, Junior Technician]]
** USSR: [[color:green:Gefreiter (Yefreytor)]], [[color:navy:Senior Matrose (Starshiy matros)]]
** IJ: [[color:maroon:Corporal (Gochou)]]
** Third Reich: Section Leader (Rottenführer), [[color:green:Corporal (Obergefreiter)]], [[color:navy:Petty Officer, 3st Class (Maat)]]
** Canada: [[color:green: Corporal (Caporal)]], [[color:black: Leading Seaman (Matelot de 1re classe)]]
* '''OR-3'''
** US: [[color:green:Private First Class]], [[color:navy:Seaman]], [[color:blue:Lance Corporal]], [[color:gray:Airman First Class]]
** UK: [[color:green:Lance-Corporal/Lance-Bombardier]], [[color:navy:''none'']], [[color:blue:Lance Corporal]], [[color:gray:''none'']]
** IJ: [[color:maroon:Lance Corporal (Heichou)]]
** Third Reich: Storm Trooper (Sturmmann), [[color:green:Acting Corporal (Gefreiter)]], [[color:navy:Leading Seaman (Matrosenhaupgefreiter)]]
** Canada: [[color:green: Private (Trained) (Soldat Formé)]], [[color:black: Able Seaman (Matelot de 2e classe)]], [[color:blue: Aviator (Trained) (Aviateur Formé)]]
* '''OR-2'''
** US: [[color:green:Private]], [[color:navy:Seaman Apprentice]], [[color:blue:Private First Class]], [[color:gray:Airman]]
** UK: [[color:navy:Able Rate]], [[color:blue:Private]], [[color:gray:Senior Aircraftman]]
** IJ: [[color:maroon:Private 1st Class (Ittouhei)]]
** Third Reich: Senior Trooper (Obermann), [[color:green:Senior Rifleman (Oberschütze)]], [[color:navy:Able Seaman (Matrosenobergefreiter)]]
** Canada: [[color:green: Private (Basic) (Soldat Confirmé)]], [[color:black: Ordinary Seaman (Basic) (Matelot de 3e classe)]], [[color:blue: Aviator (Basic) (Aviateur Confirmé)]]
* '''OR-1''' a.k.a. NewMeat, CannonFodder (sad but often true), or SouthernFriedPrivate
** US: [[color:green:Private]],[[note]]The US Army has two ranks called Private, with the higher one abbreviated as "[=PV2=]" instead of "PVT"[[/note]] [[color:navy:Seaman Recruit]],[[note]]Or Fireman Recruit, Airman Recruit, Constructionman Recruit & Hospitalman Recruit. This depends mainly on the Recruit's rate. They carry over until they become a PO3.[[/note]] [[color:blue:Private]], [[color:gray:Airman Basic]]
** UK: [[color:green:Private/Trooper]] (other titles may occur in some regiments), [[color:blue:Marine]], [[color:gray:Leading Aircraftman, Aircraftman]]
** USSR: [[color:green:Private (Ryadovoy)]], [[color:navy:Matrose (Matros)]]
** IJ: [[color:maroon:Private 2nd Class (Nitouhei)]]
** Third Reich: Trooper (Mann), [[color:green:Rifleman (Schütze)]], [[color:navy:Seaman (Matrosengefreiter)]]
** Canada: [[color:green: Private (Recruit) (Soldat Recrue)]], [[color:black: Ordinary Seaman (Recruit) (Matelot de 3e classe Recrue)]], [[color:blue: Aviator (Recruit) (Aviateur Recrue)]]
----
This list is largely a wiki-friendly adaptation of this [[http://legacy.koveras.org/ranks/ranks.html external table]]. Refer to it for the original spelling of foreign rank titles.
----
to:
See also UsefulNotes/CommonMilitaryUnits.
For when someone is promoted on show, see RankUp.
For the sake of easier comparison, the UsefulNotes/{{NATO}} rank scale is used, so several disclaimers should be made:
* Note that US, UK [[MyFriendsAndZoidberg and Canada]] are the only members of NATO on the list. Moreover, NATO was formed in 1949, whereas Imperial Japanese and [[ThoseWackyNazis the Third Reich's]] armies were disbanded in 1945 (though the modern [[UsefulNotes/WeAreNotTheWehrmacht Bundeswehr]] did inherit all Wehrmacht's ranks up to OF-9, save for those of the disbanded Waffen-SS). Additionally, the Schutzstaffel rank ladder was shuffled multiple times before 1934, and this list refers to its final version.
* Both UsefulNotes/TsaristRussia and the [[UsefulNotes/SovietRussiaUkraineAndSoOn Soviet Union]] also had the rank of Generalissimus, which is largely off the NATO scale and was awarded just six times in history. Russian Federation has inherited its complete rank ladder from the Soviet Union (except the Marshal of the Soviet Union, which was obviously renamed).
* Also note that the ranks for UsefulNotes/RedsWithRockets as listed here were estabilished in 1940s (non-general officer ranks were in late 1930s). Before that, the Red Army used position names (e.g. brigade commander, regiment commander) instead of ranks. Rudiments of this system existed during WWII in ranks such as "regiment commissar" or "division military lawyer".
* Ranks above OF-9 (four star general) have never been awarded in peacetime in the USA.
* The list also doesn't contain the Commander-in-Chief of the entire national military. The CIC may not hold any military rank at all (e.g. a democratically elected president) but still be on top of the entire chain of military command.
* Due to reductions in numbers of squadrons, in the UK a Squadron is usually commanded by a Wing Commander today.
* Warships of destroyer size or smaller tend to be commanded by officers of OF-4 rank (i.e. Commanders), but the ship's commanding officer (aka the skipper) is always addressed as "Captain" while aboard ship, regardless of their actual rank. Likewise, if any member of the Army/Marine Corps/etc. is on board who's actually ''holding'' the rank of Captain, he is addressed as "Major" to avoid confusion. Those of cruiser size or greater have OF-5s in charge, so you have a Captain for a ''Ticonderoga''-class cruiser and a Commander for an ''Arleigh Burke''-class destroyer.
* Even the NATO rank scale isn't perfect. For example although a Lance Corporal is only a single promotion up from a Private in the British Army, they are often considered equivalent to a US Sergeant in terms of responsibility [They both command a fire-team], even sometimes wearing the American 3 Chevrons when working with American units. It doesn't help that Lance Corporals are considered [=NCOs=] in the British Army, while a US PFC, or even a Specialist is just a higher paid Private, or that before 1961, Lance Corporal was an appointment, given to a private acting as NCO, not a substantive rank and could be rescinded by the CO rather than court martial. Long story short, rank's a [[CurseCutShort complicated]]
!Officer ranks
Officers play the commanding role in the military. If enlisted ranks are its hands, the officers are its brains. Usually, an officer has [[MilitaryAcademy formal education in warfare]] in addition to the usual training, so that he can assume the responsibility for others and [[OfficerAndAGentleman uphold the officer honor]]. In fiction (and often in RealLife), they are usually also [[AuthorityEqualsAsskicking way more badass]] than their non-commissioned and enlisted subordinates.
The "''n'' star" designation refers to the American custom of placing stars on the generals' shoulder boards. Note that other military forces who also use stars to denote ranks (e.g. USSR) may not necessarily have exactly the same numbers of them.
* '''Supreme (six star general)''' (off the NATO scale but still within range)
** US: [[color:green:General of the Armies]], [[color:navy:Admiral of the Navy]], [[color:gray:''none'']]
*** Only three individuals have ever held this rank in the entire history of the United States Armed Forces, though none of them were technically six-star commanders while alive. UsefulNotes/GeorgeWashington (who died as a lieutenant general) was posthumously promoted to this rank (his rank is officially "General of the Armies of the United States"), as he must by law be the most senior officer on the rolls of the United States Army. John J. Pershing was promoted to the rank of General of the Armies (at the time equivalent to a five-star rank) as a one-time affair so that he would not be outranked by the field marshals then commanding the other major Allied armies on the Western Front;[[note]]The rank of (four-star) General was new to the US Army. European armies, even those smaller than America's, had five-star ranks much earlier[[/note]] he is traditionally seen as senior to the current five-star rank, but this has never been officially confirmed (in part because this would mean promoting Washington to a new [[RankInflation seven-star rank]]). George Dewey was promoted to Admiral of the Navy (also held as equivalent to a five-star rank at the time, though he actually wore three) during the Spanish-American War. Unlike Pershing's case, however, the Department of the Navy explicitly made the newly-created Fleet Admiral rank junior to Dewey's.
*** The United States did consider creating an explicit 6-star rank for both the Army and the Navy during UsefulNotes/WorldWarII in anticipation of the invasion of Japan, to be held by Douglas [=MacArthur=] and Chester Nimitz respectively. Like the rest of the invasion plans, these were discarded after the atomic bombs fell and Japan surrendered.
** USSR: [[color:maroon:Generalissimus of the Soviet Union (Generalissimus Sovétskogo Soyuza)]]. Intended as a rank specifically for Joseph Stalin to distinguish him from other high-ranked Marshals of the Soviet Union but was refused several times.
** Italy: The rank of Marshal of Italian Empire (superior to a regular old marshal of Italy) was created in 1938, just for the king and the Duce.
** IJ: [[color:maroon:Grand Marshal (Dai-Gensui)]], reserved exclusively for the Emperors of Japan.
** Third Reich: [[color:maroon:Imperial Marshal of the Greater German Reich (Reichsmarschall des Großdeutschen Reiches)]], created solely for Hermann Göring to differentiate him from the other generals promoted to Field Marshal after the Battle of France and to firmly establish him as Hitler's successor.
* '''OF-10 (five star general)'''
** US: [[color:green:General of the Army]], [[color:navy:Fleet Admiral]], [[color:gray:General of the Air Force]]. A total of nine 5-star Army and Navy officers were appointed in 1944-45, with two more appointments immediately after WWII. [[note]]When the Air Force was split from the Army in 1949, 5-star Army General Henry Arnold was made head of the Air Force and allowed to keep his 5-star status by the one-off creation of the General of the Air Force rank. When 4-star General Omar Bradley was made Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in 1950, he was promoted to 5-star to ensure he would not be outranked by his subordinate, 5-star General Douglas [=MacArthur=].[[/note]] By 1953, all 5-star generals had retired from active duty. Omar Bradley, the last surviving 5-star officer, passed away in 1981.
*** Only one man has attained the rank of General of the Air Force, Henry "Hap" Arnold. One of the first military pilots in history, trained by the Wright Brothers, and afraid of heights.[[note]]Though he evidently was not afraid of heights until ''after'' he was first taken up in the Wright Flyer, which was still only one or two steps removed from being a kite[[/note]]
*** The five-star rank is reserved in the US for wartime only. As the US has not had a declared war since [[UsefulNotes/WorldWarTwo WWII]], and the rank was only created during that war, no one has been awarded the rank since then and there are none still alive. Still, it remains on the books in case it is ever needed again.
** UK: [[color:green:Field Marshal]], [[color:navy:Admiral of the Fleet]], [[color:gray:Marshal of the Royal Air Force]]
** USSR: [[color:maroon:Marshal of the Soviet Union (Marshal Sovetskogo Soyuza)]], [[color:navy:Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union (Admiral Flota Sovetskogo Soyuza)]], [[color:gray:Chief Marshal of Aviation (Glavny Marshal Aviatsii)]]; note that these ranks technically have only ''ONE'' large star.
*** The five-star admiral rank has been only held by three individuals during the UsefulNotes/ColdWar, partly because one of them, Sergey Gorshkov, spent 27 years (1958-1985) in the post. The rest of the time, the Marshal commanded all Soviet armed forces including the Navy. This rank was not passed down to the modern Russian military.
*** The five-star general in some branches of the Soviet military, such as artillery and tank forces, was called "Chief Marshal of [insert branch here]". Discontinued in 1984, fully removed from the rank structure in 1993.
** IJ: [[color:green:Field Marshal (Rikugun Gensui)]], [[color:navy:Marshal-Admiral (Kaigun Gensui)]]
** Third Reich: Reich Leader SS (Reichsführer-SS), [[color:green:General Field Marshal (Generalfeldmarschall)]], [[color:navy:Grand Admiral (Großadmiral)]]
** Canada: ''No equivalent''.
* '''OF-9 (four star general)''' a.k.a. FourStarBadass, cf. GeneralRipper and GeneralFailure
** US: [[color:green:General]], [[color:navy:Admiral]]. There are approximately 40 4-star ranks in the US military, all of them at either the highest or second-highest level of command.[[note]]As in, they either answer directly to the civilian leadership of the President and Secretary of Defense, or to another 4-star who does so.[[/note]]
** UK: [[color:green:General]], [[color:navy:Admiral]], [[color:gray:Air Chief Marshal]]
** USSR: [[color:green:General of the Army (General armii)]], [[color:navy:Admiral of the Fleet (Admiral flota)]], [[color:gray:Marshal of Aviation (Marshal aviatsii)]]; note that due to the absence of TheBrigadier rank in the Soviet Union, General of the Army and Admiral of the Fleet only carry ''four'' stars, while being generally equivalent to their five-star Western counterparts.
*** In artillery and some other branches, this rank was called "Marshal of [insert branch here]". Discontinued in 1984, fully removed in 1993.
** IJ: [[color:green:General (Rikugun Taishou)]], [[color:navy:Admiral (Kaigun Taishou)]]
** Third Reich: Supreme Group Leader (Oberstgruppenführer), [[color:green:General Colonel (Generaloberst)]], [[color:navy:General Admiral (Generaladmiral)]]
** Canada: [[color:green:General (Général)]], [[color:black:Admiral (Amiral)]]
* '''OF-8 (three star general)'''
** US: [[color:green:Lieutenant General]], [[color:navy:Vice Admiral]]
** UK: [[color:green:Lieutenant General]] (pronounced ''Leff''tenant [[note]]Presumably so we can spot American spies[[/note]]), [[color:navy:Vice Admiral]], [[color:gray:Air Marshal]]
** USSR: [[color:green:General-Colonel (General-polkovnik)]], [[color:navy:Admiral]]
*** Until late 1930s, the equivalent rank was Army Commander Second Rank (Komandarm vtorogo ranga).
** IJ: [[color:green:Lieutenant General (Rikugun Chuujou)]], [[color:navy:Vice Admiral (Kaigun Chuujou)]]
** Third Reich: Senior Group Leader (Obergruppenführer), [[color:green:General]],[[note]]Properly, it's General der (arm). These included Kavallerie (calvary), Artillerie (artillery), Infanterie (infantry), Panzertruppen (armoured troops), Gebirgstruppen (mountain troops), Pioniere (engineers), Fallschirmtruppen (parachute troops), Flieger (aviators), Flakartillerie (anti-aircraft artillery), and Nachrichtentruppen (communications troops).[[/note]] [[color:navy:Admiral]]
** Canada: [[color:green:Lieutenant-General (Lieutenant-Général)]] [[note]]''Also'' pronounced ''Leff''tenant, just like the UK, [[BrickJoke presumably for the same reasons]][[/note]] , [[color:black:Vice-Admiral (Vice-Amiral)]].
* '''OF-7 (two star general)''', cf. ModernMajorGeneral
** US: [[color:green:Major General]], [[color:navy:Rear Admiral (upper half)]]
*** This is the highest ''permanent'' peacetime rank possible in the US armed forces. All higher ranks are tied to specific positions whose holders are required by law to have 3 or more stars. Under current policy, an officer is expected to retire upon leaving a 3- or 4-star position, unless he or she is moved to another position of equal or higher rank. Virtually all officers who retire at this point are approved to retire at their highest rank.
** UK: [[color:green:Major General]], [[color:navy:Rear Admiral]], [[color:gray:Air Vice-Marshal]]
** USSR: [[color:green:General-Lieutenant (General-leytenant)]], [[color:navy:Vice Admiral (Vicee-Amiral)]]
*** Until late 1930s, the equivalent rank was Corps Commander (Komkor).
** IJ: [[color:green:Major General (Rikugun Shoushou)]], [[color:navy:Rear Admiral (Kaigun Shoushou)]]
** Third Reich: Group Leader (Gruppenführer), [[color:green:General Lieutenant (Generalleutnant)]], [[color:navy:Vice Admiral (Vizeadmiral)]]
** Canada: [[color:green: Major-General (Major-Général)]], [[color:black: Rear-Admiral (Contre-Amiral)]]
* '''OF-6 (one star general)''' a.k.a. TheBrigadier
** US: [[color:green:Brigadier General]], [[color:navy:Rear Admiral (lower half)]]
** UK: [[color:green:Brigadier, formerly Brigadier-General]], [[color:navy:Commodore]], [[color:gray:Air Commodore]]
** Imperial Russia: [[color:green:Brigadier]], [[color:navy:Captain-Commander (Kapitan-komandor)]]; both of these were abolished back in the Tsarist times, so neither USSR nor modern Russia ever used them, except for the late 1930s, when the rank of Brigade Commander (Kombrig) existed (the corresponding naval rank of Flagman, 3rd rank is not attested). On the other hand, there are talks about reinstating them, due to ongoing reorganization of the command structure.
*** Captain-Commander was briefly named "Captain, Brigadier-rank" in late 18th century.
** USSR: [[color:green:General-Major (General-mayor)]], [[color:navy:Counter Admiral (Kontr-admiral)]]
*** Until late 1930s, the equivalent rank was Division Commander (Komdiv).
*** For some time after introduction the Rear/Counter Admiral rank was called schout-bij-nacht[[note]]Night Watchman[[/note]] in Russia, after the corresponding Dutch rank (UsefulNotes/PeterTheGreat was a [[ForeignCultureFetish great fan of everything Dutch]]), before being renamed the more common Counter Admiral after his death.
** Third Reich: Brigade Leader (Brigadeführer), [[color:green:General Major (Generalmajor)]], [[color:navy:Counter Admiral (Konteradmiral)]]
** Canada: [[color:green: Brigadier-General (Brigadier-Général)]], [[color:black: Commodore]]
* '''OF-5''' a.k.a. ColonelBadass and TheCaptain (four-striper)
** US: [[color:green:Colonel]], [[color:navy:Captain]]
** UK: [[color:green:Colonel]], [[color:navy:Captain]], [[color:gray:Group Captain]]
** USSR: [[color:green:Colonel (Polkovnik - literally "regimentary")]], [[color:navy:Captain, 1st Rank (Kapitan pervogo ranga)]]
*** Contrary to the Western practice, Russian Captains have one wide sleeve stripe, like NATO OF-6'ers.
** IJ: [[color:green:Colonel (Rikugun Taisa)]], [[color:navy:Captain (Kaigun Taisa)]]; note that it is also customary to refer to the ship's captain as "Kanchou" (on warships) and "Senchou", regardless of the actual rank he holds
** Third Reich: Regiment Leader (Standartenführer), [[color:green:Colonel (Oberst - literally "uppermost")]], [[color:navy:Captain (Kapitän zur See)]]
** Canada: [[color:green: Colonel]], [[color:black: Captain (Capitaine de vaisseau)]]
* '''OF-4''' a.k.a. CommandingCoolness and TheCaptain (three-striper)
** US: [[color:green:Lieutenant Colonel]], [[color:navy:Commander]]
** UK: [[color:green:Lieutenant Colonel]], [[color:navy:Commander]], [[color:gray:Wing Commander]]
** USSR: [[color:green:Lieutenant Colonel (Podpolkovnik)]], [[color:navy:Captain, 2nd Rank (Kapitan vtorogo ranga)]]
** IJ: [[color:green:Lieutenant Colonel (Rikugun Chuusa)]], [[color:navy:Commander (Kaigun Chuusa)]]
** Third Reich: Senior Storm Unit Leader (Obersturmbannführer), [[color:green:Lieutenant Colonel (Oberstleutnant)]], [[color:navy:Frigate Captain (Fregattenkapitän)]]
** Canada: [[color:green: Lieutenant-Colonel]], [[color:black: Commander (Capitaine de frégate)]]
* '''OF-3''' a.k.a. MajorlyAwesome
** US: [[color:green:Major]], [[color:navy:Lieutenant Commander]]
** UK: [[color:green:Major]], [[color:navy:Lieutenant Commander]], [[color:gray:Squadron Leader]]
** USSR: [[color:green:Major (Mayor)]], [[color:navy:Captain, 3rd Rank (Kapitan tret'ego ranga)]]
** IJ: [[color:green:Major (Rikugun Shousa)]], [[color:navy:Lieutenant Commander (Kaigun Shousa)]]
** Third Reich: Storm Unit Leader (Sturmbannführer), [[color:green:Major]], [[color:navy:Corvette Captain (Korvettenkapitän)]]
** Canada: [[color:green: Major]], [[color:black: Lieutenant-Commander (Capitaine de corvette)]]
* '''OF-2'''
** US: [[color:green:Captain]], [[color:navy:Lieutenant]]
** UK: [[color:green:Captain]], [[color:navy:Lieutenant]], [[color:gray:Flight Lieutenant]]
** USSR: [[color:green:Captain (Kapitan)]], [[color:navy:Captain Lieutenant (Kapitan-leytenant)]]
** IJ: [[color:green:Captain (Rikugun Taii)]], [[color:navy:Lieutenant (Kaigun Taii)]]
** Third Reich: Head Storm Leader (Hauptsturmführer), [[color:green:Captain (Hauptmann)]], [[color:navy:Captain Lieutenant (Kapitänleutnant)]]
** Canada: [[color:green: Captain (Capitaine)]], [[color:black: Lieutenant (Lieutenant de vaisseau)]]
* '''OF-1 (senior)'''
** US: [[color:green:First Lieutenant]], [[color:navy:Lieutenant, Junior Grade]]
** UK: [[color:green:Lieutenant]], [[color:navy:Sub-Lieutenant]], [[color:gray:Flying Officer]]
** USSR: [[color:maroon:Senior Lieutenant (Starshiy leytenant)]]
** IJ: [[color:green:Lieutenant (Rikugun Chuui)]], [[color:navy:Sub-Lieutenant (Kaigun Chuui)]]
** Third Reich: Senior Storm Leader (Obersturmführer), [[color:green:Senior Lieutenant (Oberleutnant)]], [[color:navy:Senior Navy Lieutenant (Oberleutnant zur See)]]
** Canada: [[color:green: Lieutenant]], [[color:black: Sub-Lieutenant (Enseigne de vaisseau de 1re classe)]]
* '''OF-1 (junior)''' a.k.a. EnsignNewbie
** US: [[color:green:Second Lieutenant]], [[color:navy:Ensign]]
** UK: [[color:green:Second Lieutenant]],[[note]]Ensign in some regiments until 1871.[[/note]] [[color:navy:Midshipman]], [[color:gray:Pilot Officer]]
** USSR: [[color:maroon:Lieutenant (Leytenant)]]
*** The lowest officer rank the Soviets had was [[color:maroon:Junior Lieutenant (Mladshiy leytenant)]], which was reserved for demoting normal lieutenants or bestowing to half-year officer training course graduates during wartime. It is therefore usually lumped with full Lieutenant.
** IJ: [[color:green:Second Lieutenant (Rikugun Shoui)]], [[color:navy:Ensign (Kaigun Shoui)]]
** Third Reich: Junior Storm Leader (Untersturmführer), [[color:green:Lieutenant (Leutnant)]], [[color:navy:Navy Lieutenant (Leutnant zur See)]]
** Canada: [[color:green: Second Lieutenant (Sous-Lieutenant)]], [[color:black: Acting Sub-Lieutenant (Enseigne de vaisseau de 2e classe)]]
!Warrant officers
The technical difference between an "actual" officer and a warrant officer is that the former has been ''commissioned'' (''[[TheChainsOfCommanding charged]]'' with performing their duties of office) - they likely graduated from officer school and were sworn in as such. A warrant officer, by comparison, received a ''warrant'' - a writ issued by a lawful authority ''authorizing'' them to perform their duties. The first warrant officers served on [[WoodenShipsAndIronMen sailing ships]]; they were the sailing masters, gunners, carpenters, and other skilled experts that actually operated the ship while under the command of commissioned officers (many of whom were landlubber noblemen [[ScrewTheRulesIHaveMoney who paid for their commission]] and [[ModernMajorGeneral didn't know an anchor from a yardarm]]).[[note]]Although this was a practice that was far more common in army regiments than on warships - even a frigate cost more to build than recruiting a battalion from scratch. Strongly averted in the British Royal Navy, which demanded professional competence through years of seagoing experience in its naval officers and did ''not'' sell commissions[[/note]] Later on, specialists who weren't directly involved in operating the ship (such as pursers, cooks, and even schoolmasters for the younger midshipmen on board) were considered warrant officers as well.
Their authority is greater than that of [=NCOs=] and sometimes can outrank even junior [=COs=]. The reason the military, usually pedantic about a clear chain of command, introduced this was technical expertise. [=WOs=] tend to be really good at what they do and it is usually technical, like keeping a nuclear reactor running or (in the case of the US Army) piloting a helicopter. You don't want any pasty-faced Ensign, fresh from the academy, to order your senior reactor technicians around. You also don't want to make the man an officer as he's not expected to fill a command position and hasn't been trained for the task. That's why you give him a warrant, so he can kindly tell the pasty faced ensign to bugger off, this is grownup stuff.
Note that the definition of a warrant officer varies greatly across different countries: e.g. in the US, they are an extra ranks category, whereas in UK [[note]][[OverlyLongGag and]] [[UsefulNotes/CanucksWithChinooks Canada]][[/note]] they are part of the non-commissioned ranks. US warrant officers, unlike commissioned officers, are not required to have a college degree.
* '''WO-5''' through '''WO-2'''
** US: [[color:maroon:Chief Warrant Officer 5, 4, 3, or 2]], respectively.[[labelnote:Note]] Chief Warrant Officers in the US Armed Forces are commissioned officers, due to the fact that authority of Chief Warrant Officers is by commission from the President of the United States. They're still lower than Officers, but can be placed in command as needed. [[/labelnote]]
** USSR: [[color:green:Senior Warrant Officer (Starshiy praporschik)]], [[color:navy:Senior Midshipman (Starshiy michman)]]
*** Russian military inherited this rank from USSR but abolished it in 2008. Reinstated back in 2013 as a part of a complex political and bureaucratic game around switching of the Defence Ministers (and partly because the original reasoning didn't play out).
** Third Reich: [[color:green:Senior Warrant Officer (Oberfähnrich)]], [[color:navy:Senior Midshipman (Oberfähnrich zur See)]]
* '''WO-1'''
** US: [[color:maroon:Warrant Officer 1]]
** USSR: [[color:green:Warrant Officer (Praporschik)]], [[color:navy:Midshipman (Michman)]]
*** Likewise, inherited by Russia, abolished in 2008, reinstated in 2013.
** IJ: [[color:maroon:Warrant Officer (Jun-i)]]
** Third Reich: [[color:green:Warrant Officer (Fähnrich)]], [[color:navy:Midshipman (Fähnrich zur See)]]
!Other ranks
The Other Ranks ("OR" in NATO codes) include both non-commissioned officers ([=NCOs=]) and enlisted ranks (sometimes marked as "E-#"). [=NCOs=], better known as sergeants, do not have formal officer education but can be put in charge of TheSquad thanks to their field experience. The enlisted servicemen receive only basic training and hold the least authority, mostly following others' orders. In the countries with {{conscription}}, most conscripted men begin as Privates (lowest enlisted rank).
Commissioned officers ''always'' outrank Other-Rank / Enlisted men. However, smart officers always pay attention to what the [=NCO=] has to say: he probably has way more field experience, whereas the officer's shiny new 2LT bars may indicate little more than a college graduation without ever hearing a shot fired in anger. So, while an OF-1 could give orders to an OR-8, in practice he or she would not do so without a very good reason.[[note]]Perhaps more to the point, he or she should only give those orders the OR-8 more or less subtly indicates ought to be given in the situation.[[/note]] For the same reasons, platoons (the smallest units normally commanded by commissioned officers) usually have a special position of "platoon sergeant" for a senior [=NonCom=] who acts as the commander's NumberTwo.
Note: In Britain and some Commonwealth nations "sergeant major" no longer exists as a distinct rank but still exists as a title, with [=RCMs=] (Regimental Sergeant Majors) being Warrant Officers First Class who have earned the extra title though long and distinguished service, and who maintain standards in drill and discipline for their unit. In USSR and Russia the sergeant major equivalent (starshina) exists both as a rank and as a position[[note]]Basically of a unit's Quartermaster.[[/note]] that can be filled by either a sergeant major or a warrant officer. Also note in the UK only commissioned officers and warrant officers are called "Sir". Calling a Sergeant "sir" if you are a private soldier is SeriousBusiness and will earn you the traditional reply "Don't call me Sir: I work for a living."
Although British officer cadets are to be treated as officers by Other Ranks, they are not saluted, but are either referred to by their name in the manner of officers ("Mr Trope”, “Miss Example”) or called "Sir" "ma'am,” etc. However, as they do not hold a commission they must refer to Warrant Officers as "Sir," leading to the line that pretty much everyone to pass though RMA Sandhurst (picture West Point, but nastier) hears on their first day from their Warrant officer drill instructors: "You will call me sir. I will call you Sir. The difference being, one of us means it!"
In the US Army, there are several senior enlisted ranks with two different titles, which reflect if they have a leadership or staff position. A Master Sergeant or Sergeant Major hold the rank, but normally don't lead men, while a First Sergeant or Command Sergeant Major do. Either way, both hold the same authority if push comes to shove.
In the Soviet Union and early New Russia, the lower half of sergeant ranks was usually filled by promoted conscripts rather than career sergeants (which were and still are a relatively minor part of the Soviet/Russian enlisted army). The rank of Starshina (Sgt. Major) was the only sergeant rank exclusive to career [=NCOs=].
* '''OR-9'''
** US: [[color:green:Sergeant Major]], [[color:navy:Master Chief Petty Officer]], [[color:blue:Sergeant Major/Master Gunnery Sergeant]], [[color:gray:Chief Master Sergeant]] [[note]]Each branch has a single E-9 that is given the title of Sergeant Major of the Army, CPO of the Navy and such. Additionally, the National Guard, consisting of Army and Air Force reservists with a core of active-duty soldiers in leadership roles, has an E-9 with the title of Senior Enlisted Advisor for the National Guard Bureau, and one E-9 (who may be from any branch) has the title of Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman [of the Joint Chiefs of Staff]. These are considered to be the voice of the enlisted ranks to the high brass.[[/note]]
** UK: [[color:green:Warrant Officer Class 1]], [[color:navy:Warrant Officer Class 1]], [[color:gray:Warrant Officer Master Aircrew]]
** USSR: [[color:green:Sergeant Major (Starshina)]], [[color:navy:Chief Ship Petty Officer (Glavniy korabel'niy starshina)]]
** IJ: [[color:maroon:Sergeant Major (Souchou)]]
** Third Reich: Storm Squad Leader (Sturmscharführer), [[color:green:Staff Sergeant (Stabsfeldwebel)]], [[color:navy:Master Chief Petty Officer (Stabsoberfeldwebel)]]
** Canada: [[color:green: Chief Warrant Officer (Adjudant-chef)]] [[note]]Note here that Warrant Officer is a strictly NCO rank[[/note]], [[color:black: Chief Petty Officer 1st Class (Premier maître de 1re classe)]]
* '''OR-8'''
** US: [[color:green:First/Master Sergeant]], [[color:navy:Senior Chief Petty Officer]], [[color:blue:First/Master Sergeant]], [[color:gray:Senior Master Sergeant]]
** UK: [[color:green:Warrant Officer Class 2]], [[color:navy:Warrant Officer Class 2]], [[color:gray:''none'']]
** USSR: [[color:green:Senior Sergeant (Starshiy serzhant)]], [[color:navy:Chief Petty Officer (Glavniy starshina)]]
** Third Reich: Head Squad Leader (Hauptscharführer), [[color:green:Sergeant Major (Oberfeldwebel)]], [[color:navy:Senior Chief Petty Officer (Oberfeldwebel)]]
** Canada: [[color:green: Master Warrant Officer (Adjudant-maître)]], [[color:black: Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class (Premier maître de 2e classe)]]
* '''OR-7'''
** US: [[color:green:Sergeant First Class]], [[color:navy:Chief Petty Officer]], [[color:blue:Gunnery Sergeant]], [[color:gray:Master Sergeant]]
** UK: [[color:green:Staff/Colour Sergeant]], [[color:navy:Chief Petty Officer]], [[color:blue:Colour Sergeant]], [[color:gray:Flight Sergeant]]
** USSR: [[color:green:Sergeant (Serzhant)]], [[color:navy:Petty Officer, 1st class (Starshina pervoy stat'i)]]
** IJ: [[color:maroon:Sergeant (Gunsou)]]
** Third Reich: Senior Squad Leader (Oberscharführer), [[color:green:Sergeant First Class (Feldwebel)]], [[color:navy:Chief Petty Officer (Stabsfeldwebel)]]
** Canada: [[color:green: Warrant Officer (Adjudant)]], [[color:black: Petty Officer 1st Class (Maître de 1re classe)]]
* '''OR-6'''
** US: [[color:green:Staff Sergeant]], [[color:navy:Petty Officer First Class]], [[color:blue:Staff Sergeant]], [[color:gray:Technical Sergeant]]
** UK: [[color:green:Sergeant]], [[color:navy:Petty Officer]], [[color:blue:Sergeant, Chief Technician]]
** USSR: [[color:green:Junior Sergeant (Mladshiy serzhant)]], [[color:navy:Petty Officer, 2nd class (Starshina vtoroy stat'i)]]
** Third Reich: Squad Leader (Scharführer), [[color:green:Sergeant (Unterfeldwebel)]], [[color:navy:Petty Officer, 1st Class (Feldwebel/Bootsmann)]]
** Canada: [[color:green: Sergeant (Sergent)]], [[color:black: Petty Officer 2nd Class (Maître de 2e classe)]]
* '''OR-5''' a.k.a. SergeantRock or DrillSergeantNasty
** US: [[color:green:Sergeant]], [[color:navy:Petty Officer Second Class]], [[color:blue:Sergeant]], [[color:gray:Staff Sergeant]]
** UK: [[color:gray:Sergeant]]
** Third Reich: Junior Squad Leader (Unterscharführer), [[color:green:Unteroffizier]], [[color:navy:Petty Officer, 2st Class (Obermaat)]]
** Canada: [[color:green: Master Corporal (Caporal-chef)]], [[color:black: Master Seaman (Matelot-chef)]]
* '''OR-4'''
** US: [[color:green:Corporal/Specialist]],[[note]]Unlike examples like First/Master Sergeant, in this case there is a distinction in authority. A corporal is considered an NCO, and has completed the required training, while a specialist is effectively a highly paid private. There had existed higher specialist ranks, but those were dropped in the 70s.[[/note]] [[color:navy:Petty Officer Third Class]], [[color:blue:Corporal]], [[color:gray:Senior Airman]]
*** There used to be a rank of [[color:gray:Sergeant]] in the US Air Force, with a similar dual arrangement to the Army's Specialist and Corporal, but it was eliminated in TheNineties[[note]]Though a Senior Airman who has attended Airman Leadership School is treated as a ''de facto'' Sergeant.[[/note]]
** UK: [[color:green:Corporal/Specialist/Bombardier]], [[color:navy:Leading Rate]], [[color:blue:Corporal]], [[color:gray:Corporal, Junior Technician]]
** USSR: [[color:green:Gefreiter (Yefreytor)]], [[color:navy:Senior Matrose (Starshiy matros)]]
** IJ: [[color:maroon:Corporal (Gochou)]]
** Third Reich: Section Leader (Rottenführer), [[color:green:Corporal (Obergefreiter)]], [[color:navy:Petty Officer, 3st Class (Maat)]]
** Canada: [[color:green: Corporal (Caporal)]], [[color:black: Leading Seaman (Matelot de 1re classe)]]
* '''OR-3'''
** US: [[color:green:Private First Class]], [[color:navy:Seaman]], [[color:blue:Lance Corporal]], [[color:gray:Airman First Class]]
** UK: [[color:green:Lance-Corporal/Lance-Bombardier]], [[color:navy:''none'']], [[color:blue:Lance Corporal]], [[color:gray:''none'']]
** IJ: [[color:maroon:Lance Corporal (Heichou)]]
** Third Reich: Storm Trooper (Sturmmann), [[color:green:Acting Corporal (Gefreiter)]], [[color:navy:Leading Seaman (Matrosenhaupgefreiter)]]
** Canada: [[color:green: Private (Trained) (Soldat Formé)]], [[color:black: Able Seaman (Matelot de 2e classe)]], [[color:blue: Aviator (Trained) (Aviateur Formé)]]
* '''OR-2'''
** US: [[color:green:Private]], [[color:navy:Seaman Apprentice]], [[color:blue:Private First Class]], [[color:gray:Airman]]
** UK: [[color:navy:Able Rate]], [[color:blue:Private]], [[color:gray:Senior Aircraftman]]
** IJ: [[color:maroon:Private 1st Class (Ittouhei)]]
** Third Reich: Senior Trooper (Obermann), [[color:green:Senior Rifleman (Oberschütze)]], [[color:navy:Able Seaman (Matrosenobergefreiter)]]
** Canada: [[color:green: Private (Basic) (Soldat Confirmé)]], [[color:black: Ordinary Seaman (Basic) (Matelot de 3e classe)]], [[color:blue: Aviator (Basic) (Aviateur Confirmé)]]
* '''OR-1''' a.k.a. NewMeat, CannonFodder (sad but often true), or SouthernFriedPrivate
** US: [[color:green:Private]],[[note]]The US Army has two ranks called Private, with the higher one abbreviated as "[=PV2=]" instead of "PVT"[[/note]] [[color:navy:Seaman Recruit]],[[note]]Or Fireman Recruit, Airman Recruit, Constructionman Recruit & Hospitalman Recruit. This depends mainly on the Recruit's rate. They carry over until they become a PO3.[[/note]] [[color:blue:Private]], [[color:gray:Airman Basic]]
** UK: [[color:green:Private/Trooper]] (other titles may occur in some regiments), [[color:blue:Marine]], [[color:gray:Leading Aircraftman, Aircraftman]]
** USSR: [[color:green:Private (Ryadovoy)]], [[color:navy:Matrose (Matros)]]
** IJ: [[color:maroon:Private 2nd Class (Nitouhei)]]
** Third Reich: Trooper (Mann), [[color:green:Rifleman (Schütze)]], [[color:navy:Seaman (Matrosengefreiter)]]
** Canada: [[color:green: Private (Recruit) (Soldat Recrue)]], [[color:black: Ordinary Seaman (Recruit) (Matelot de 3e classe Recrue)]], [[color:blue: Aviator (Recruit) (Aviateur Recrue)]]
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This list is largely a wiki-friendly adaptation of this [[http://legacy.koveras.org/ranks/ranks.html external table]]. Refer to it for the original spelling of foreign rank titles.
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** IJ: [[color:green:Field Marshal (Rikugun Gensui)]], [[color:navy:Marshal-Admiral (Kaigun Gensui)]]
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** USSR: [[color:maroon:Generalissimus of the Soviet Union (Generalissimus Sovétskogo Soyuza)]].
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** USSR: [[color:maroon:Generalissimus of the Soviet Union (Generalissimus Sovétskogo Soyuza)]]. Intended as a rank specifically for Joseph Stalin to distinguish him from other high-ranked Marshals of the Soviet Union but was refused several times.
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*** This is the highest ''permanent'' rank possible in the US armed forces. All higher ranks are tied to specific positions whose holders are required by law to have 3 or more stars. Under current policy, an officer is expected to retire upon leaving a 3- or 4-star position, unless he or she is moved to another position of equal or higher rank. Virtually all officers who retire at this point are approved to retire at their highest rank.
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*** This is the highest ''permanent'' peacetime rank possible in the US armed forces. All higher ranks are tied to specific positions whose holders are required by law to have 3 or more stars. Under current policy, an officer is expected to retire upon leaving a 3- or 4-star position, unless he or she is moved to another position of equal or higher rank. Virtually all officers who retire at this point are approved to retire at their highest rank.
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** US: [[color:green:Sergeant Major]], [[color:navy:Master Chief Petty Officer]], [[color:blue:Sergeant Major/Master Gunnery Sergeant]], [[color:gray:Chief Master Sergeant]] [[note]]Each branch has a single E-9 that is given the title of Sergeant Major of the Army, CPO of the Navy and such. These are considered to be the voice of the enlisted ranks to the high brass.[[/note]]
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** US: [[color:green:Sergeant Major]], [[color:navy:Master Chief Petty Officer]], [[color:blue:Sergeant Major/Master Gunnery Sergeant]], [[color:gray:Chief Master Sergeant]] [[note]]Each branch has a single E-9 that is given the title of Sergeant Major of the Army, CPO of the Navy and such. Additionally, the National Guard, consisting of Army and Air Force reservists with a core of active-duty soldiers in leadership roles, has an E-9 with the title of Senior Enlisted Advisor for the National Guard Bureau, and one E-9 (who may be from any branch) has the title of Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman [of the Joint Chiefs of Staff]. These are considered to be the voice of the enlisted ranks to the high brass.[[/note]]
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Note: The highest PERMANENT peacetime rank in the US is 2-star.
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*** This is the highest ''permanent'' rank possible in the US armed forces. All higher ranks are tied to specific positions whose holders are required by law to have 3 or more stars. Under current policy, an officer is expected to retire upon leaving a 3- or 4-star position, unless he or she is moved to another position of equal or higher rank. Virtually all officers who retire at this point are approved to retire at their highest rank.
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* Note that US and UK are the only members of NATO on the list [[MyFriendsAndZoidberg and Canada]]. Moreover, NATO was formed in 1949, whereas Imperial Japanese and [[ThoseWackyNazis the Third Reich's]] armies were disbanded in 1945 (though the modern [[UsefulNotes/WeAreNotTheWehrmacht Bundeswehr]] did inherit all Wehrmacht's ranks up to OF-9, save for those of the disbanded Waffen-SS). Additionally, the Schutzstaffel rank ladder was shuffled multiple times before 1934, and this list refers to its final version.
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* Note that US US, UK [[MyFriendsAndZoidberg and UK Canada]] are the only members of NATO on the list [[MyFriendsAndZoidberg and Canada]].list. Moreover, NATO was formed in 1949, whereas Imperial Japanese and [[ThoseWackyNazis the Third Reich's]] armies were disbanded in 1945 (though the modern [[UsefulNotes/WeAreNotTheWehrmacht Bundeswehr]] did inherit all Wehrmacht's ranks up to OF-9, save for those of the disbanded Waffen-SS). Additionally, the Schutzstaffel rank ladder was shuffled multiple times before 1934, and this list refers to its final version.
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Following is a list of Common Ranks in some of the world's prominent existing and historical military forces: USA (UsefulNotes/YanksWithTanks), UK (UsefulNotes/BritsWithBattleships), USSR/Russia (UsefulNotes/RedsWithRockets and UsefulNotes/RussiansWithRustingRockets, respectively), UsefulNotes/ImperialJapan, and the Third Reich (UsefulNotes/NazisWithGnarlyWeapons) [[UsefulNotes/CanucksWithChinooks and Canada]]. The Imperial Japan military (UsefulNotes/KatanasOfTheRisingSun) is included instead of JSDF (UsefulNotes/KaijuDefenseForce) because the imperial ranks are far more common in {{Anime}} than JSDF ones, so that's [[SmallReferencePools what you are probably looking for, anyway]]. See also certain UsefulNotes pages for historical armies to find uncommon ranks that were used in them, such as UsefulNotes/RussiansWithRifles.
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Following is a list of Common Ranks in some of the world's prominent existing and historical military forces: USA (UsefulNotes/YanksWithTanks), UK (UsefulNotes/BritsWithBattleships), USSR/Russia (UsefulNotes/RedsWithRockets and UsefulNotes/RussiansWithRustingRockets, respectively), UsefulNotes/ImperialJapan, and the Third Reich (UsefulNotes/NazisWithGnarlyWeapons) [[UsefulNotes/CanucksWithChinooks and Canada]]. The Imperial Japan military (UsefulNotes/KatanasOfTheRisingSun) is included instead of JSDF (UsefulNotes/KaijuDefenseForce) because the imperial ranks are far more common in {{Anime}} than JSDF ones, so that's [[SmallReferencePools what you are probably looking for, anyway]]. See also certain UsefulNotes pages for historical armies to find uncommon ranks that were used in them, such as UsefulNotes/RussiansWithRifles.
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Following is a list of Common Ranks in some of the world's prominent existing and historical military forces: USA (UsefulNotes/YanksWithTanks), UK (UsefulNotes/BritsWithBattleships), USSR/Russia (UsefulNotes/RedsWithRockets and UsefulNotes/RussiansWithRustingRockets, respectively), UsefulNotes/ImperialJapan, and the Third Reich (UsefulNotes/NazisWithGnarlyWeapons) [[note]][[MyFriendsAndZoidberg and]] [[UsefulNotes/CanucksWithChinooks Canada]][[/note]]. The Imperial Japan military (UsefulNotes/KatanasOfTheRisingSun) is included instead of JSDF (UsefulNotes/KaijuDefenseForce) because the imperial ranks are far more common in {{Anime}} than JSDF ones, so that's [[SmallReferencePools what you are probably looking for, anyway]]. See also certain UsefulNotes pages for historical armies to find uncommon ranks that were used in them, such as UsefulNotes/RussiansWithRifles.
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Following is a list of Common Ranks in some of the world's prominent existing and historical military forces: USA (UsefulNotes/YanksWithTanks), UK (UsefulNotes/BritsWithBattleships), USSR/Russia (UsefulNotes/RedsWithRockets and UsefulNotes/RussiansWithRustingRockets, respectively), UsefulNotes/ImperialJapan, and the Third Reich (UsefulNotes/NazisWithGnarlyWeapons) [[note]][[MyFriendsAndZoidberg and]] [[UsefulNotes/CanucksWithChinooks Canada]][[/note]].and Canada]]. The Imperial Japan military (UsefulNotes/KatanasOfTheRisingSun) is included instead of JSDF (UsefulNotes/KaijuDefenseForce) because the imperial ranks are far more common in {{Anime}} than JSDF ones, so that's [[SmallReferencePools what you are probably looking for, anyway]]. See also certain UsefulNotes pages for historical armies to find uncommon ranks that were used in them, such as UsefulNotes/RussiansWithRifles.
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* Note that US and UK are the only members of NATO on the list [[note]][[MyFriendsAndZoidberg and]] [[UsefulNotes/CanucksWithChinooks Canada]][[/note]]. Moreover, NATO was formed in 1949, whereas Imperial Japanese and [[ThoseWackyNazis the Third Reich's]] armies were disbanded in 1945 (though the modern [[UsefulNotes/WeAreNotTheWehrmacht Bundeswehr]] did inherit all Wehrmacht's ranks up to OF-9, save for those of the disbanded Waffen-SS). Additionally, the Schutzstaffel rank ladder was shuffled multiple times before 1934, and this list refers to its final version.
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* Note that US and UK are the only members of NATO on the list [[note]][[MyFriendsAndZoidberg and]] [[UsefulNotes/CanucksWithChinooks Canada]][[/note]].[[MyFriendsAndZoidberg and Canada]]. Moreover, NATO was formed in 1949, whereas Imperial Japanese and [[ThoseWackyNazis the Third Reich's]] armies were disbanded in 1945 (though the modern [[UsefulNotes/WeAreNotTheWehrmacht Bundeswehr]] did inherit all Wehrmacht's ranks up to OF-9, save for those of the disbanded Waffen-SS). Additionally, the Schutzstaffel rank ladder was shuffled multiple times before 1934, and this list refers to its final version.
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** US: [[color:green:Corporal/Specialist]],[[note]]Unlike examples like First/Master Sergeant, in this case there is a distinction in authority. A corporal is considered an NCO, and has completed the required training, while a specialist is effectively a highly paid private. There had existed higher specialist ranks, but those were dropped in the 70's.[[/note]] [[color:navy:Petty Officer Third Class]], [[color:blue:Corporal]], [[color:gray:Senior Airman]]
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** US: [[color:green:Corporal/Specialist]],[[note]]Unlike examples like First/Master Sergeant, in this case there is a distinction in authority. A corporal is considered an NCO, and has completed the required training, while a specialist is effectively a highly paid private. There had existed higher specialist ranks, but those were dropped in the 70's.70s.[[/note]] [[color:navy:Petty Officer Third Class]], [[color:blue:Corporal]], [[color:gray:Senior Airman]]
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Added the Canadian ranks. There Is No Such Thing As Notability.
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Following is a list of Common Ranks in some of the world's prominent existing and historical military forces: USA (UsefulNotes/YanksWithTanks), UK (UsefulNotes/BritsWithBattleships), USSR/Russia (UsefulNotes/RedsWithRockets and UsefulNotes/RussiansWithRustingRockets, respectively), UsefulNotes/ImperialJapan, and the Third Reich (UsefulNotes/NazisWithGnarlyWeapons). The Imperial Japan military (UsefulNotes/KatanasOfTheRisingSun) is included instead of JSDF (UsefulNotes/KaijuDefenseForce) because the imperial ranks are far more common in {{Anime}} than JSDF ones, so that's [[SmallReferencePools what you are probably looking for, anyway]]. See also certain UsefulNotes pages for historical armies to find uncommon ranks that were used in them, such as UsefulNotes/RussiansWithRifles.
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Following is a list of Common Ranks in some of the world's prominent existing and historical military forces: USA (UsefulNotes/YanksWithTanks), UK (UsefulNotes/BritsWithBattleships), USSR/Russia (UsefulNotes/RedsWithRockets and UsefulNotes/RussiansWithRustingRockets, respectively), UsefulNotes/ImperialJapan, and the Third Reich (UsefulNotes/NazisWithGnarlyWeapons).(UsefulNotes/NazisWithGnarlyWeapons) [[note]][[MyFriendsAndZoidberg and]] [[UsefulNotes/CanucksWithChinooks Canada]][[/note]]. The Imperial Japan military (UsefulNotes/KatanasOfTheRisingSun) is included instead of JSDF (UsefulNotes/KaijuDefenseForce) because the imperial ranks are far more common in {{Anime}} than JSDF ones, so that's [[SmallReferencePools what you are probably looking for, anyway]]. See also certain UsefulNotes pages for historical armies to find uncommon ranks that were used in them, such as UsefulNotes/RussiansWithRifles.
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* Note that US and UK are the only members of NATO on the list. Moreover, NATO was formed in 1949, whereas Imperial Japanese and [[ThoseWackyNazis the Third Reich's]] armies were disbanded in 1945 (though the modern [[UsefulNotes/WeAreNotTheWehrmacht Bundeswehr]] did inherit all Wehrmacht's ranks up to OF-9, save for those of the disbanded Waffen-SS). Additionally, the Schutzstaffel rank ladder was shuffled multiple times before 1934, and this list refers to its final version.
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* Note that US and UK are the only members of NATO on the list.list [[note]][[MyFriendsAndZoidberg and]] [[UsefulNotes/CanucksWithChinooks Canada]][[/note]]. Moreover, NATO was formed in 1949, whereas Imperial Japanese and [[ThoseWackyNazis the Third Reich's]] armies were disbanded in 1945 (though the modern [[UsefulNotes/WeAreNotTheWehrmacht Bundeswehr]] did inherit all Wehrmacht's ranks up to OF-9, save for those of the disbanded Waffen-SS). Additionally, the Schutzstaffel rank ladder was shuffled multiple times before 1934, and this list refers to its final version.
** Canada: ''No equivalent''.
** Canada: [[color:green:General (Général)]], [[color:black:Admiral (Amiral)]]
** Canada: [[color:green:Lieutenant-General (Lieutenant-Général)]] [[note]]''Also'' pronounced ''Leff''tenant, just like the UK, [[BrickJoke presumably for the same reasons]][[/note]] , [[color:black:Vice-Admiral (Vice-Amiral)]].
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** USSR: [[color:green:General-Lieutenant (General-leytenant)]], [[color:navy:Vice Admiral (Vitse-admiral)]]
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** USSR: [[color:green:General-Lieutenant (General-leytenant)]], [[color:navy:Vice Admiral (Vitse-admiral)]](Vicee-Amiral)]]
** Canada: [[color:green: Major-General (Major-Général)]], [[color:black: Rear-Admiral (Contre-Amiral)]]
** Canada: [[color:green: Brigadier-General (Brigadier-Général)]], [[color:black: Commodore]]
** Canada: [[color:green: Colonel]], [[color:black: Captain (Capitaine de vaisseau)]]
** Canada: [[color:green: Lieutenant-Colonel]], [[color:black: Commander (Capitaine de frégate)]]
** Canada: [[color:green: Major]], [[color:black: Lieutenant-Commander (Capitaine de corvette)]]
** Canada: [[color:green: Captain (Capitaine)]], [[color:black: Lieutenant (Lieutenant de vaisseau)]]
** Canada: [[color:green: Lieutenant]], [[color:black: Sub-Lieutenant (Enseigne de vaisseau de 1re classe)]]
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** Canada: [[color:green: Second Lieutenant (Sous-Lieutenant)]], [[color:black: Acting Sub-Lieutenant (Enseigne de vaisseau de 2e classe)]]
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Note that the definition of a warrant officer varies greatly across different countries: e.g. in the US, they are an extra ranks category, whereas in UK they are part of the non-commissioned ranks. US warrant officers, unlike commissioned officers, are not required to have a college degree.
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Note that the definition of a warrant officer varies greatly across different countries: e.g. in the US, they are an extra ranks category, whereas in UK [[note]][[OverlyLongGag and]] [[UsefulNotes/CanucksWithChinooks Canada]][[/note]] they are part of the non-commissioned ranks. US warrant officers, unlike commissioned officers, are not required to have a college degree.
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** Canada: [[color:green: Chief Warrant Officer (Adjudant-chef)]] [[note]]Note here that Warrant Officer is a strictly NCO rank[[/note]], [[color:black: Chief Petty Officer 1st Class (Premier maître de 1re classe)]]
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** Canada: [[color:green: Master Warrant Officer (Adjudant-maître)]], [[color:black: Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class (Premier maître de 2e classe)]]
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** Canada: [[color:green: Warrant Officer (Adjudant)]], [[color:black: Petty Officer 1st Class (Maître de 1re classe)]]
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** Canada: [[color:green: Sergeant (Sergent)]], [[color:black: Petty Officer 2nd Class (Maître de 2e classe)]]
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** Canada: [[color:green: Master Corporal (Caporal-chef)]], [[color:black: Master Seaman (Matelot-chef)]]
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** Canada: [[color:green: Corporal (Caporal)]], [[color:black: Leading Seaman (Matelot de 1re classe)]]
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** Canada: [[color:green: Private (Trained) (Soldat Formé)]], [[color:black: Able Seaman (Matelot de 2e classe)]], [[color:blue: Aviator (Trained) (Aviateur Formé)]]
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** Canada: [[color:green: Private (Basic) (Soldat Confirmé)]], [[color:black: Ordinary Seaman (Basic) (Matelot de 3e classe)]], [[color:blue: Aviator (Basic) (Aviateur Confirmé)]]
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** Canada: [[color:green: Private (Recruit) (Soldat Recrue)]], [[color:black: Ordinary Seaman (Recruit) (Matelot de 3e classe Recrue)]], [[color:blue: Aviator (Recruit) (Aviateur Recrue)]]
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** IJ: [[color:maroon:Grand Marshal (Dai-Gensui)]], reserved exclusively for the Emperors of Japan
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** IJ: [[color:maroon:Grand Marshal (Dai-Gensui)]], reserved exclusively for the Emperors of JapanJapan.
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** USSR: [color:green:General-Lieutenant (General-leytenant)]], [[color:navy:Vice Admiral (Vitse-admiral)]]
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** USSR: [color:green:General-Lieutenant [[color:green:General-Lieutenant (General-leytenant)]], [[color:navy:Vice Admiral (Vitse-admiral)]]
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** USSR: [[color:maroon:Marshal of the Soviet Union (Marshal Sovetskogo Soyuza)]], [[color:navy:Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union (Admiral Flota Sovetskogo Soyuza)]], [[color:gray:Chief Marshal of Aviation (Glavny Marshal Aviatsii)]]; note that these ranks technically have only ''ONE'' large star.
*** The six-star admiral rank has been only held by three individuals during the UsefulNotes/ColdWar, partly because one of them, Sergey Gorshkov, spent 27 years (1958-1985) in the post. The rest of the time, the Marshal commanded all Soviet armed forces including the Navy. This rank was not passed down to the modern Russian military.
*** The six-star general in some branches of the Soviet military, such as artillery and tank forces, was called "Chief Marshal of [insert branch here]". Discontinued in 1984, fully removed from the rank structure in 1993.
** Russia: [[color:maroon:Marshal of the Russian Federation (Marshal Rossiyskoy Federatsii)]]
*** The six-star admiral rank has been only held by three individuals during the UsefulNotes/ColdWar, partly because one of them, Sergey Gorshkov, spent 27 years (1958-1985) in the post. The rest of the time, the Marshal commanded all Soviet armed forces including the Navy. This rank was not passed down to the modern Russian military.
*** The six-star general in some branches of the Soviet military, such as artillery and tank forces, was called "Chief Marshal of [insert branch here]". Discontinued in 1984, fully removed from the rank structure in 1993.
** Russia: [[color:maroon:Marshal of the Russian Federation (Marshal Rossiyskoy Federatsii)]]
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** USSR: [[color:maroon:Marshal [[color:maroon:Generalissimus of the Soviet Union (Marshal Sovetskogo Soyuza)]], [[color:navy:Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union (Admiral Flota Sovetskogo Soyuza)]], [[color:gray:Chief Marshal of Aviation (Glavny Marshal Aviatsii)]]; note that these ranks technically have only ''ONE'' large star.
*** The six-star admiral rank has been only held by three individuals during the UsefulNotes/ColdWar, partly because one of them, Sergey Gorshkov, spent 27 years (1958-1985) in the post. The rest of the time, the Marshal commanded all Soviet armed forces including the Navy. This rank was not passed down to the modern Russian military.
*** The six-star general in some branches of the Soviet military, such as artillery and tank forces, was called "Chief Marshal of [insert branch here]". Discontinued in 1984, fully removed from the rank structure in 1993.
** Russia: [[color:maroon:Marshal of the Russian Federation (Marshal Rossiyskoy Federatsii)]](Generalissimus Sovétskogo Soyuza)]].
*** The six-star admiral rank has been only held by three individuals during the UsefulNotes/ColdWar, partly because one of them, Sergey Gorshkov, spent 27 years (1958-1985) in the post. The rest of the time, the Marshal commanded all Soviet armed forces including the Navy. This rank was not passed down to the modern Russian military.
*** The six-star general in some branches of the Soviet military, such as artillery and tank forces, was called "Chief Marshal of [insert branch here]". Discontinued in 1984, fully removed from the rank structure in 1993.
** Russia: [[color:maroon:Marshal of the Russian Federation (Marshal Rossiyskoy Federatsii)]]
** USSR: [[color:maroon:Marshal of the Soviet Union (Marshal Sovetskogo Soyuza)]], [[color:navy:Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union (Admiral Flota Sovetskogo Soyuza)]], [[color:gray:Chief Marshal of Aviation (Glavny Marshal Aviatsii)]]; note that these ranks technically have only ''ONE'' large star.
*** The five-star admiral rank has been only held by three individuals during the UsefulNotes/ColdWar, partly because one of them, Sergey Gorshkov, spent 27 years (1958-1985) in the post. The rest of the time, the Marshal commanded all Soviet armed forces including the Navy. This rank was not passed down to the modern Russian military.
*** The five-star general in some branches of the Soviet military, such as artillery and tank forces, was called "Chief Marshal of [insert branch here]". Discontinued in 1984, fully removed from the rank structure in 1993.
** Third Reich: Reich Leader SS (Reichsführer-SS), [[color:green:General Field Marshal (Generalfeldmarschall)]], [[color:navy:Grand Admiral (Großadmiral)]]
* '''OF-9 (four star general)''' a.k.a. FourStarBadass, cf. GeneralRipper and GeneralFailure
** US: [[color:green:General]], [[color:navy:Admiral]]. There are approximately 40 4-star ranks in the US military, all of them at either the highest or second-highest level of command.[[note]]As in, they either answer directly to the civilian leadership of the President and Secretary of Defense, or to another 4-star who does so.[[/note]]
** UK: [[color:green:General]], [[color:navy:Admiral]], [[color:gray:Air Chief Marshal]]
*** The five-star admiral rank has been only held by three individuals during the UsefulNotes/ColdWar, partly because one of them, Sergey Gorshkov, spent 27 years (1958-1985) in the post. The rest of the time, the Marshal commanded all Soviet armed forces including the Navy. This rank was not passed down to the modern Russian military.
*** The five-star general in some branches of the Soviet military, such as artillery and tank forces, was called "Chief Marshal of [insert branch here]". Discontinued in 1984, fully removed from the rank structure in 1993.
** Third Reich: Reich Leader SS (Reichsführer-SS), [[color:green:General Field Marshal (Generalfeldmarschall)]], [[color:navy:Grand Admiral (Großadmiral)]]
* '''OF-9 (four star general)''' a.k.a. FourStarBadass, cf. GeneralRipper and GeneralFailure
** US: [[color:green:General]], [[color:navy:Admiral]]. There are approximately 40 4-star ranks in the US military, all of them at either the highest or second-highest level of command.[[note]]As in, they either answer directly to the civilian leadership of the President and Secretary of Defense, or to another 4-star who does so.[[/note]]
** UK: [[color:green:General]], [[color:navy:Admiral]], [[color:gray:Air Chief Marshal]]
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*** Until late 1930s, the equivalent rank was Army Commander First Rank (Komandarm pervogo ranga).
*** Also, in Russia the police has military-style ranks, so the heads of the Ministries of Internal Affairs and Emergency Situations are both Generals of the Army.
*** In 2013 the insignia reverted to the "small" Marshal's star as it was worn during the late Soviet times (1974-1991).
** IJ: [[color:maroon:Marshal (Gensui)]]
** Third Reich: Reich Leader SS (Reichsführer-SS), [[color:green:General Field Marshal (Generalfeldmarschall)]], [[color:navy:Grand Admiral (Großadmiral)]]
* '''OF-9 (four star general)''' a.k.a. FourStarBadass, cf. GeneralRipper and GeneralFailure
** US: [[color:green:General]], [[color:navy:Admiral]]. There are approximately 40 4-star ranks in the US military, all of them at either the highest or second-highest level of command.[[note]]As in, they either answer directly to the civilian leadership of the President and Secretary of Defense, or to another 4-star who does so.[[/note]]
** UK: [[color:green:General]], [[color:navy:Admiral]], [[color:gray:Air Chief Marshal]]
** USSR: [[color:green:General-Colonel (General-polkovnik)]], [[color:navy:Admiral]]
*** Until late 1930s, the equivalent rank was Army Commander Second Rank (Komandarm vtorogo ranga).
*** Also, in Russia the police has military-style ranks, so the heads of the Ministries of Internal Affairs and Emergency Situations are both Generals of the Army.
*** In 2013 the insignia reverted to the "small" Marshal's star as it was worn during the late Soviet times (1974-1991).
** IJ: [[color:maroon:Marshal (Gensui)]]
** Third Reich: Reich Leader SS (Reichsführer-SS), [[color:green:General Field Marshal (Generalfeldmarschall)]], [[color:navy:Grand Admiral (Großadmiral)]]
* '''OF-9 (four star general)''' a.k.a. FourStarBadass, cf. GeneralRipper and GeneralFailure
** US: [[color:green:General]], [[color:navy:Admiral]]. There are approximately 40 4-star ranks in the US military, all of them at either the highest or second-highest level of command.[[note]]As in, they either answer directly to the civilian leadership of the President and Secretary of Defense, or to another 4-star who does so.[[/note]]
** UK: [[color:green:General]], [[color:navy:Admiral]], [[color:gray:Air Chief Marshal]]
** USSR: [[color:green:General-Colonel (General-polkovnik)]], [[color:navy:Admiral]]
*** Until late 1930s, the equivalent rank was Army Commander Second Rank (Komandarm vtorogo ranga).
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** USSR: [[color:green:General-Lieutenant (General-leytenant)]], [[color:navy:Vice Admiral (Vitse-admiral)]]
*** Until late 1930s, the equivalent rank was Corps Commander (Komkor).
*** Until late 1930s, the equivalent rank was Corps Commander (Komkor).
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** USSR: [[color:green:General-Lieutenant (General-leytenant)]], [[color:navy:Vice Admiral (Vitse-admiral)]]
[[color:green:General-Colonel (General-polkovnik)]], [[color:navy:Admiral]]
*** Until late 1930s, the equivalent rank wasCorps Army Commander (Komkor).Second Rank (Komandarm vtorogo ranga).
*** Until late 1930s, the equivalent rank was
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** USSR: [[color:green:General-Major (General-mayor)]], [[color:navy:Counter Admiral (Kontr-admiral)]]
*** Until late 1930s, the equivalent rank was Division Commander (Komdiv).
*** For some time after introduction the Rear/Counter Admiral rank was called schout-bij-nacht[[note]]Night Watchman[[/note]] in Russia, after the corresponding Dutch rank (UsefulNotes/PeterTheGreat was a [[ForeignCultureFetish great fan of everything Dutch]]), before being renamed the more common Counter Admiral after his death.
*** Until late 1930s, the equivalent rank was Division Commander (Komdiv).
*** For some time after introduction the Rear/Counter Admiral rank was called schout-bij-nacht[[note]]Night Watchman[[/note]] in Russia, after the corresponding Dutch rank (UsefulNotes/PeterTheGreat was a [[ForeignCultureFetish great fan of everything Dutch]]), before being renamed the more common Counter Admiral after his death.
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** USSR: [[color:green:General-Major (General-mayor)]], [[color:navy:Counter [color:green:General-Lieutenant (General-leytenant)]], [[color:navy:Vice Admiral (Kontr-admiral)]]
(Vitse-admiral)]]
*** Until late 1930s, the equivalent rank wasDivision Corps Commander (Komdiv).
*** For some time after introduction the Rear/Counter Admiral rank was called schout-bij-nacht[[note]]Night Watchman[[/note]] in Russia, after the corresponding Dutch rank (UsefulNotes/PeterTheGreat was a [[ForeignCultureFetish great fan of everything Dutch]]), before being renamed the more common Counter Admiral after his death.(Komkor).
*** Until late 1930s, the equivalent rank was
*** For some time after introduction the Rear/Counter Admiral rank was called schout-bij-nacht[[note]]Night Watchman[[/note]] in Russia, after the corresponding Dutch rank (UsefulNotes/PeterTheGreat was a [[ForeignCultureFetish great fan of everything Dutch]]), before being renamed the more common Counter Admiral after his death.
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** USSR: [[color:green:General-Major (General-mayor)]], [[color:navy:Counter Admiral (Kontr-admiral)]]
*** Until late 1930s, the equivalent rank was Division Commander (Komdiv).
*** For some time after introduction the Rear/Counter Admiral rank was called schout-bij-nacht[[note]]Night Watchman[[/note]] in Russia, after the corresponding Dutch rank (UsefulNotes/PeterTheGreat was a [[ForeignCultureFetish great fan of everything Dutch]]), before being renamed the more common Counter Admiral after his death.
*** Until late 1930s, the equivalent rank was Division Commander (Komdiv).
*** For some time after introduction the Rear/Counter Admiral rank was called schout-bij-nacht[[note]]Night Watchman[[/note]] in Russia, after the corresponding Dutch rank (UsefulNotes/PeterTheGreat was a [[ForeignCultureFetish great fan of everything Dutch]]), before being renamed the more common Counter Admiral after his death.
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* Even the NATO rank scale isn't perfect. For example although a Lance Corporal is only a single promotion up from a Private in the British Army, they are often considered equivalent to a US Sergeant in terms of responsibility [They both command a fire-team], even sometimes wearing the American 3 Chevrons when working with American units. It doesn't help that Lance Corporals are considered NCO's in the British Army, while a US PFC, or even a Specialist is just a higher paid Private, or that before 1961, Lance Corporal was an appointment, given to a private acting as NCO, not a substantive rank and could be rescinded by the CO rather than court martial. Long story short, rank's a [[CurseCutShort complicated]]
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* Even the NATO rank scale isn't perfect. For example although a Lance Corporal is only a single promotion up from a Private in the British Army, they are often considered equivalent to a US Sergeant in terms of responsibility [They both command a fire-team], even sometimes wearing the American 3 Chevrons when working with American units. It doesn't help that Lance Corporals are considered NCO's [=NCOs=] in the British Army, while a US PFC, or even a Specialist is just a higher paid Private, or that before 1961, Lance Corporal was an appointment, given to a private acting as NCO, not a substantive rank and could be rescinded by the CO rather than court martial. Long story short, rank's a [[CurseCutShort complicated]]
