British Army, R.A.F. & Royal Navy military ranks

Men's ranks in the services

ArmyRoyal Air ForceRoyal Navy
  1. Field Marshal
  2. General
  3. Lieutenant-General
  4. Major-General
  5. Brigadier
  6. Colonel
  7. Lieutenant-Colonel
  8. Major
  9. Captain
  10. Lieutenant
  11. Second Lieutenant
  1. Marshal of the Royal Air Force
  2. Air Chief Marshal
  3. Air Marshal
  4. Air Vice-Marshal
  5. Air Commodore
  6. Group Captain
  7. Wing Commander
  8. Squadron Leader
  9. Flight-Lieutenant
  10. Flying Officer
  11. Pilot Officer
  1. Admiral of the Fleet
  2. Admiral
  3. Vice Admiral
  4. Rear Admiral
  5. Commodore
  6. Captain
  7. Commander
  8. Lieutenant-Commander
  9. Lieutenant
  10. Sublieutenant
  11. Acting Sublieutenant
Non-Commissioned Ranks
  1. Warrant Officer Class 1
  2. Warrant Officer Class 2
  3. Staff Sergeant
  4. Sergeant
  5. Corporal
  6. Lance Corporal
  7. Private
  1. Warrant Officer
  2. Flight-Sergeant
  3. Chief Technician
  4. Sergeant
  5. Corporal
  6. Junior Technician
  7. Senior Aircraftman
  8. Leading Aircraftman
  9. Aircraftman
  1. Warrant Officer
  2. Chief Petty Officer
  3. Petty Officer
  4. Leading Hand
  5. Rating

Common abbreviations in military records

  • (Rfn) - Rifleman
  • (Tpr) - Trooper
  • (Cpl) - Corporal
  • (Gnr) - Gunner
  • (Spr) - Sapper
  • (Sgt) - Sergeant
  • (Cfn) - Craftsman
  • (Pte) - Private