Ranks and insignia of NATO navies' officers

Summary

Each officer rank in the navy of a NATO country may be compared with the ranks used by any military service in other NATO countries, under a standardized NATO rank scale. This is useful, for instance, in establishing seniority amongst officers serving alongside each other within multinational command structures.

The grades, prefixed OF- (commissioned officers) and WO- (warrant officers) were established in the document STANAG 2116, formally titled NATO Codes for Grades of Military Personnel.

In many navies, two separate ranks fall within the OF-1 grade. These particular ranks, known by various names in different navies, are commonly given the less formal grades of "OF-1a" (more senior) and "OF-1b" (less senior).

Officers (OF-1 – 10) edit

NATO code OF-10 OF-9 OF-8 OF-7 OF-6 OF-5 OF-4 OF-3 OF-2 OF-1 OF(D) Student officer
  Albanian Naval Force[1]
                 
Admiral Nënadmiral Kundëradmiral Kapiten rangut I Kapiten rangut II Kapiten rangut III Kapiten Toger Nëntoger


  Belgian Navy[2]
                     
Admiraal Vice-admiraal Divisieadmiraal Flottieljeadmiraal Kapitein-ter-zee Fregatkapitein Korvetkapitein Luitenant-ter-zee 1ste klasse Luitenant-ter-zee Vaandrig-ter-zee Vaandrig-ter-zee 2de klasse
Amiral Vice-amiral Amiral de division Amiral de flottille Capitaine de vaisseau Capitaine de frégate Capitaine de corvette Lieutenant de vaisseau de 1re classe Lieutenant de vaisseau Enseigne de vaisseau Enseigne de vaisseau de 2e classe
Admiral Vizeadmiral Divisionsadmiral Flotillenadmiral Kapitän zur See Fregattenkapitän Korvettenkapitän Linienschiffsleutnant 1. klasse Linienschiffsleutnant Seefahnrich Seefahnrich 2. klasse
  Bulgarian Navy[3]
                                 
Адмирал
Admiral
Вицеадмирал
Vitseadmiral
Контраадмирал
Kontraadmiral
Флотилен адмирал
Flotilen admiral
Капитан I ранг
Kapitan I rang
Капитан II ранг
Kapitan II rang
Капитан III ранг
Kapitan III rang
Капитан-лейтенант
Kapitan-leytenant
Старши лейтенант
Starshi leĭtenant
Лейтенант
Leytenant


  Royal Canadian Navy[4]
                             
Admiral Vice-admiral Rear-admiral Commodore Captain (N) Commander Lieutenant-commander Lieutenant (N) Sub-lieutenant Acting sub-lieutenant Naval cadet
Amiral Vice-amiral Contre-amiral Commodore Capitaine de vaisseau Capitaine de frégate Capitaine de corvette Lieutenant de vaisseau Enseigne de vaisseau de 1re classe Enseigne de vaisseau de 2e classe Aspirant de marine


  Croatian Navy[5]
                     
Admiral flote Admiral Viceadmiral Kontraadmiral Komodor Kapetan bojnog broda Kapetan fregate Kapetan korvete Poručnik bojnog broda Poručnik fregate Poručnik korvete


  Czech Republic No navy


  Royal Danish Navy[6]
                   
Admiral Viceadmiral Kontreadmiral Flotilleadmiral Kommandør Kommandørkaptajn Orlogskaptajn Kaptajnløjtnant Premierløjtnant Løjtnant
  Estonian Navy[7]
                     
Admiral Viitseadmiral Kontradmiral Kommodoor Mereväekapten Kaptenleitnant Kaptenmajor Vanemleitnant Leitnant Nooremleitnant Lipnik
NATO code OF-10 OF-9 OF-8 OF-7 OF-6 OF-5 OF-4 OF-3 OF-2 OF-1 OF(D) Student officer
  Finnish Navy[8]
                         
Amiraali Vara-amiraali Kontra-amiraali Lippueamiraali Kommodori Komentaja Komentajakapteeni Kapteeniluutnantti Yliluutnantti Luutnantti Aliluutnantti Upseerikokelas Upseerioppilas
Amiral Viceamiral Konteramiral Flottiljamiral Kommodor Kommendör Kommendörkapten Kaptenlöjtnant Premiärlöjtnant Löjtnant Underlöjtnant Officersaspirant Officerselev


  French Navy[9]
                         
Amiral de France Amiral Vice-amiral d'escadre Vice-amiral Contre-amiral Capitaine de vaisseau Capitaine de frégate Capitaine de corvette Lieutenant de vaisseau Enseigne de vaisseau de 1re classe Enseigne de vaisseau de 2e classe Aspirant Élève-officier


  German Navy[10]
                            Enlisted rank plus a star
indicating cadet's career
Admiral Vize­admiral Konter­admiral Flottillen­admiral Kapitän zur See Fregatten­kapitän Korvetten­kapitän Stabskapitän­leutnant Kapitän­leutnant Oberleutnant
zur See
Leutnant
zur See
Oberfähnrich
zur See
Fähnrich
zur See
Seekadett


  Hellenic Navy[11]
                         
Ναύαρχος
Navarchos
Αντιναύαρχος
Antinavarchos
Υποναύαρχος
Yponavarchos
Αρχιπλοίαρχος
Archiploiarchos
Πλοίαρχος
Ploiarchos
Αντιπλοίαρχος
Antiploiarchos
Πλωτάρχης
Plotarchis
Υποπλοίαρχος
Ypoploiarchos
Ανθυποπλοίαρχος
Anthypoploiarchos
Σημαιοφόρος
Simaioforos
Σημαιοφόρος Επίκουρος Αξιωματικός
Simaioforos epikouros axiomatikos


  Hungary No navy


  Icelandic Coast Guard[12]
                 
Forstjóri Landhelgisgæslunnar Framkvæmdastjóri aðgerðasviðs Framkvæmdastjóri siglingasviðs / Framkvæmdastjóri varnarmálasviðs Flugrekstrarstjóri / Flaggskipherra / Yfirflugstjóri / Tæknistjóri Skipherrar / Flugstjórar / Deildarstjórar Næstráðandi / Yfirstýrimaður / Flugmaður / Yfirvélstjóri Yfirmaður eftir 6 ár / Stýrimaður / Vélstjóri / Flugmaður Yfirmaður eftir 2 ár / Stýrimaður / Vélstjóri / Flugmaður Byrjandi í yfirmannastöðu


  Italian Navy[13][14][15]
                      
         
Ammiraglio Ammiraglio di squadra con incarichi speciali Ammiraglio di squadra Ammiraglio di divisione Contrammiraglio Capitano di vascello Capitano di fregata Capitano di corvetta Tenente di vascello Sottotenente di vascello Guardiamarina Aspirante guardiamarina
  Latvian Naval Forces[16]
                 
Viceadmirālis Kontradmirālis Flotiles admirālis Jūras kapteinis Komandkapteinis Komandleitnants Kapteiņleitnants Virsleitnants Leitnants
NATO code OF-10 OF-9 OF-8 OF-7 OF-6 OF-5 OF-4 OF-3 OF-2 OF-1 OF(D) Student officer
  Lithuanian Naval Force[17]
                     
Admirolas Viceadmirolas Kontradmirolas Flotilės admirolas Jūrų kapitonas Komandoras Komandoras leitenantas Kapitonas leitenantas Vyresnysis leitenantas Leitenantas Kariūnas


  Luxembourg No navy


  Montenegrin Navy[18]
                           
Admiral Vice admiral Kontra admiral Komodor Kapetan bojnog broda Kapetan fregate Kapetan korvete Poručnik bojnog broda Poručnik fregate Poručnik korvete


  North Macedonia No navy


  Royal Netherlands Navy[19]
                   
Luitenant-Admiraal Vice-Admiraal Schout-bij-Nacht Commandeur Kapitein ter zee Kapitein-luitenant ter zee Luitenant ter zee der 1ste klasse Luitenant ter zee der 2de klasse oudste categorie Luitenant ter zee der 2de klasse Luitenant ter zee der 3de klasse


  Royal Norwegian Navy[20]
                           
Admiral Viseadmiral Kontreadmiral Flaggkommandør Kommandør Kommandørkaptein Orlogskaptein Kapteinløytnant Løytnant Fenrik
  Polish Navy[21]
                      Various
Marszałek Polski Admirał Admirał floty Wiceadmirał Kontradmirał Komandor Komandor porucznik Komandor podporucznik Kapitan marynarki Porucznik marynarki Podporucznik marynarki Podchorąży


  Portuguese Navy[22]
                               
Almirante da Armada Almirante Vice-almirante Contra-almirante Comodoro Capitão de mar e guerra Capitão de fragata Capitão-tenente Primeiro-tenente Segundo-tenente Guarda-marinha/
Subtenente
NATO code OF-10 OF-9 OF-8 OF-7 OF-6 OF-5 OF-4 OF-3 OF-2 OF-1 OF(D) Student officer
  Romanian Naval Forces[23]
                             
Mareșal Amiral Viceamiral Contraamiral Contraamiral de flotilă Comandor Căpitan-comandor Locotenent-comandor Căpitan Locotenent Aspirant


  Slovakia No navy


  Slovenia Navy[24]
                   
Admiral Vice admiral Kontraadmiral Kapitan Kapitan bojne ladje Kapitan fregate Kapitan korvete Poročnik bojne ladje Poročnik fregate Poročnik korvete


  Spanish Navy[25]
                               
Capitán general Almirante general Almirante Vicealmirante Contralmirante Capitán de navío Capitán de fragata Capitán de corbeta Teniente de navío Alférez de navío Alférez de fragata


  Spanish Marine Infantry[25]
                 
Teniente general General de división General de brigada Coronel Teniente coronel Comandante Capitán Teniente Alférez


  Swedish Navy[26]
                           
Amiral Viceamiral Konteramiral Flottiljamiral Kommendör Kommendörkapten Örlogskapten Kapten Löjtnant Fänrik
  Swedish Amphibious Corps[26]
                           
General Generallöjtnant Generalmajor Brigadgeneral Överste Överstelöjtnant Major Kapten Löjtnant Fänrik
  Turkish Naval Forces[27]
                                    Various
[a]
Büyük amiral Genelkurmay başkanlığı Oramiral Koramiral Tümamiral Tuğamiral Albay Yarbay Binbaşı Yüzbaşı Üsteğmen Teğmen Asteğmen Bahriyeli


  Royal Navy[28]
                                 
Admiral of the Fleet Admiral Vice admiral Rear admiral Commodore Captain Commander Lieutenant commander Lieutenant Sub lieutenant Midshipman Officer Cadet


  Royal Marines[29]
                       
Captain General
Royal Marines
General Lieutenant-general Major-general Brigadier Colonel Lieutenant colonel Major Captain Lieutenant Second lieutenant Officer cadet


  United States Navy[30]
                       
(Various insignia)
Fleet admiral Admiral Vice admiral Rear admiral Rear admiral
(lower half)
Captain Commander Lieutenant commander Lieutenant Lieutenant
(junior grade)
Ensign Midshipman / officer candidate


  United States Marine Corps[31]
                     
(Various insignia)
General Lieutenant general Major general Brigadier general Colonel Lieutenant colonel Major Captain First lieutenant Second lieutenant Midshipman / officer candidate


  United States Coast Guard[30]
                    Various
Admiral Vice admiral Rear admiral Rear admiral
(lower half)
Captain Commander Lieutenant commander Lieutenant Lieutenant
(junior grade)
Ensign Cadet / officer candidate
NATO code OF-10 OF-9 OF-8 OF-7 OF-6 OF-5 OF-4 OF-3 OF-2 OF-1 OF(D) Student officer

Warrant officers (WO-1 – 5) edit

Warrant officers rank below officers and above enlisted servicemen. In the United States, Chief Warrant Officers are commissioned officers.

NATO rank WO-5 WO-4 WO-3 WO-2 WO-1
  United States Navy
         
Chief warrant officer 5 Chief warrant officer 4 Chief warrant officer 3 Chief warrant officer 2 Warrant officer 1


  U.S. Coast Guard
     
Chief warrant officer 4 Chief warrant officer 3 Chief warrant officer 2


  United States Marine Corps
         
Chief warrant officer 5 Chief warrant officer 4 Chief warrant officer 3 Chief warrant officer 2 Warrant Officer 1
NATO rank WO-5 WO-4 WO-3 WO-2 WO-1

WO are used for United States warrant officers only.[32] Countries not listed use only regular officer ranks, do not have warrant officers, or warrant officers are considered OR (Other/Enlisted Rank).

See also edit

Explanatory notes edit

  1. ^ Student officer insignia designates school grade rather than military seniority.

References edit

  1. ^ "GRADAT, FORCA DETARE" (PDF). aaf.mil.al (in Albanian). Archived from the original on 28 April 2021. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  2. ^ "Marinecomponent". mil.be (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 20 February 2005. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  3. ^ "ЗАКОН ЗА ОТБРАНАТА И ВЪОРЪЖЕНИТЕ СИЛИ НА РЕПУБЛИКА БЪЛГАРИЯ". lex.bg (in Bulgarian). Глава седма. ВОЕННА СЛУЖБА. 12 May 2009. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  4. ^ "Ranks and appointment". canada.ca. Government of Canada. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  5. ^ "Oznake činova". osrh.hr (in Croatian). Republic of Croatia Armed Forces. 1 April 2019. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  6. ^ "Søværnets Gradstegn" (PDF). forsvaret.dk (in Danish). Danish Defence. October 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  7. ^ "Sümboolika: Mereväe Auastmed". mil.ee (in Estonian). Estonian Defence Forces. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  8. ^ "Sotilasarvot Puolustusvoimissa" [Military ranks in the Defense Forces]. puolustusvoimat.fi (in Finnish). Finnish Defence Forces. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  9. ^ "Instruction n°1 DEF/EMM/RH/CPM relative aux uniformes et tenues dans la Marine du 15 juin 2004" (in French). 15 June 2004. pp. 3793–3867. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
  10. ^ "Dienstgradabzeichen Marine". bundeswehr.de (in German). Bundeswehr. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
  11. ^ "Διακριτικά Βαθμών Προσωπικού ΠΝ" [Insignia of Personnel Degrees]. hellenicnavy.gr (in Greek). Hellenic Navy. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  12. ^ "LANDHELGISGÆSLA ÍSLANDS STÖÐUEINKENNI" (in Icelandic). Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  13. ^ "Ufficiali Ammiragli". marina.difesa.it (in Italian). Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  14. ^ "Ufficiali Superiori". marina.difesa.it (in Italian). Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  15. ^ "Ufficiali Inferiori". marina.difesa.it (in Italian). Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  16. ^ "Pakāpju iedalījums". mil.lv/lv (in Latvian). Latvian National Armed Forces. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  17. ^ "Kariniai laipsniai" [Military Ranks]. Lithuanian Army (in Lithuanian). Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  18. ^ "IV. Izgled Činova u Vojsci". Official Gazette of Montenegro (in Montenegrin). 50/10: 22–28. 16 August 2010. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  19. ^ "De rangonderscheidingstekens van de krijgsmacht" (PDF) (in Dutch). Ministry of Defence (Netherlands). 19 December 2016. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  20. ^ "Militære grader" [Military ranks]. forsvaret.no (in Norwegian). Norwegian Armed Forces. 13 October 2023. Archived from the original on 26 November 2023. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  21. ^ "Sposób noszenia odznak stopni wojskowych na umundurowaniu Marynarki Wojennej" (PDF). wojsko-polskie.pl (in Polish). Armed Forces Support Inspectorate. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
  22. ^ "Os Postos". marinha.pt (in Portuguese). Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  23. ^ "Grade militare (Military ranks)". defense.ro (in Romanian). Romanian Defence Staff. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  24. ^ "Čini in razredi". slovenskavojska.si (in Slovenian). Slovenian Armed Forces. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  25. ^ a b "Army Ranks & Insignia". Ejército de Tierra. Ministry of Defence (Spain). Retrieved 30 May 2021.
  26. ^ a b "Försvarsmaktens Gradbeteckningar" (PDF). Försvarsmakten (in Swedish). Swedish Armed Forces. 2 January 2014. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
  27. ^ "RÜTBE VE SINIF İŞARETLERİ". Official navy (in Turkish). Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  28. ^ "Shaping your career". royalnavy.mod.uk. Royal Navy. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  29. ^ "RM Officers & Other Ranks Badges of Rank". Royal Navy website. Archived from the original on 2008-10-07. Retrieved 2008-10-05.
  30. ^ a b "U.S. Military Rank Insignia". defense.gov. Department of Defense. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
  31. ^ "Ranks". marines.mil. U.S. Marine Corps. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  32. ^ NATO STANAG 2116 Edition 6 Note 6
  • Davis, Brian L. (1988). NATO Forces: An Illustrated Reference to Their Organization and Insignia. Blandford Press. ISBN 0-7137-1737-8. Retrieved 11 April 2022.