French army ranks One of the most famous and reputed Marshal in the French military history is Marshal de Mac Mohan, from 1875 to 1879. S. Info WorldWarNext. Officers. Pre-war artillery collar patches. The nation holds a PwrIndx* score of 0. It is also used in the Air and Space Force , where it is called Général d'armée aérienne . png 160 × 394; 14 KB. However, there are some minor variations that make the Legion’s ranking system unique. Georgian military ranks; Germany. This system of identification dated back to December 1914, when the standard horizon blue uniform succeeded a whole variety of older patterns and Feb 27, 2006 · In the French army ranking system the NCO rank starts at Sergeant, therefore the Caporal-chef is the top rank of the “soldiers†group. Find out how the French military ranks among the world powers and what are the rarest and most prestigious ranks in the army. It must also be noted that Army corps general and Army general are not really ranks, but styles and positions (Rang et appellation in french) bestowed upon a Divisional general, which is the highest substantive rank in Listing of current French Army service ranks. It must also be noted that Army corps general and Army general are not really ranks, but styles and positions (Rang et appellation in french) bestowed upon a Divisional general, which is the highest substantive rank in Nov 29, 2018 · French Army • US Army: Designation: Abbrev. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. Jan 9, 2025 · The GFP index denotes France as a Top 10 global military power. Rank insignia in the French army are worn on the sleeve or on shoulder marks of uniforms, and range up to the highest rank of Marshal of France, a state honour denoted with a seven-star insignia that was last conferred posthumously on Marie Pierre Koenig in 1984. The French Army Insignia is a simple yet powerful symbol of the French Army. Army ranks; History; Military history of France: The following images are provided here for general reference on other French army insignia of 1914-18. The Provost Gendarmerie (Gendarmerie prévôtale), created in 2013, is the military police of the French Army deployed outside metropolitan France. The rank of Général de corps d'armée wasn't officially adopted until 1939, along with five other French Armed Forces ranks. Rank marks became more complex. Ordinary soldiers ranks, non-commissioned officers ranks, commissioned officers ranks. Infantry NCO's or officer's insignia in stamped brass (left) and smooth brass (right). ), aspirant (cadet), adjudant-chef, or adjudant. Mar 3, 2015 · Military insignia of French infantry (29 C, 245 F) Insignes des czakos françaises (14 F) Military insignia of French Army medical units (2 C, 14 F) M. Rank group General / flag officers Senior officers Junior officers Royal Montenegrin Army [26] Vrhovni komandant: Glavni komandant: Divizjar: Brigadir: Komandir: Kapetan: Poručnik: Potporučnik: Rank group General / flag officers Senior officers Junior officers Ottoman Army [35] مشير Müşîr: فريق اول Ferik-i evvel: فريق Ferik Rank group General / flag officers Senior officers Junior officers French Army [17] Maréchal de France: Général d'armée: Général de corps d'armée: Général de division: Général de brigade: Colonel: Lieutenant-colonel: Commandant: Capitaine: Lieutenant: Sous-lieutenant: French Air Force [17] Général d'armée aérienne: Général de The French system, in contrast, not only allowed officers to join the army both through St Cyr military academy and the École polytechnique - both open for entry for adult candidates and the latter in particular open to civilians - but also practiced commissioning from the ranks for deserving NCOs through the St Maixent school. DoD Dictionary Conversion Calculators Military Alphabet Code WW2 Weapons American War Deaths MilitaryRibbons. ), sous-lieutenant (2 nd lt. Ranks in the French Army; Ranks in the French Navy; Ranks of the French Imperial Army (1804–1815) This page was last edited on 18 February 2022, at 02:03 (UTC). He held the following ranks, culminating in ultimate authority: Second Lieutenant, First Lieutenant, Captain, Chef de Bataillon (Major), Chef de Brigade (Colonel), Brigadier General, General of Division, and finally, as . Gold (yellow) or silver (white) stripes and epaulettes were used in accordance with the metal of the uniform Ranks of the Grande Armée describes the military ranks and the rank insignia used in Napoleon's Grande Armée. The Foreign Legion’s ranking system is based, unsurprisingly, on the common French Army ranking system. Various officer's insignia in gold or silver cannetille and gold or silver-plated metal. Although fighting occurred worldwide, the bulk of the French Army's operations occurred in Belgium, Luxembourg, France and Alsace-Lorraine along what came to be known as the Western Front, which consisted mainly of trench warfare. Rank insignia in the French army depend on whether the soldier belongs to an infantry or cavalry unit. Sergeants, corporals and privates were issued good conduct and long service badges, galons d'ancienneté in the form of chevron on the upper left arm of the uniform coat; one chevron for ten years' service, two for 15 years' service, three for 20 years' service. The insignia consists of seven stars and the Marshals carry a baton. When a legionnaire is deciding to do a career in the Legion it can be an option to not become an NCO and remain at the “soldiers†level. Parade Dress Summer Uniform Good conduct badges. It is a unique uniform that bears several traditional characteristic symbols of the Foreign Legion to distinguish itself from other French military units. Rank insignia of the Bundeswehr; Ranks of the German Bundeswehr; Greece. During World War I, France was one of the Triple Entente powers allied against the Central Powers. Sergent (Infanterie) ou Maréchal-des-logis (Cavalerie) - Commande un groupe, grades destinés aux Sergents et Maréchaux-des-logis admis dans le corps des sous-officiers de carrière Jul 30, 2005 · French Army Ranks WW2. As such, he can hold the rank of lieutenant (1 st lt. Infantry arms and cavalry arms Dec 20, 2023 · The ranks within the French Foreign Legion. French Army [13. [4] To give an estimate of how much of the population this was, modern estimates range from 7 to 8% of the population of France proper, while the First World War used around 20 to 21%. The rank of Général de corps d'armée wasn't officially adopted until 1939, along with five other French Armed Forces ranks. It plays a key role in national defense and Mar 5, 2023 · Learn about the ranks, history and elite units of the French Army, from the lowest private to the highest marshal of France. Marshal of France denoted with a "seven-star" insignia was last conferred to Generals Leclerc (1902-1947) in 1952, Alphonse Juin (1888-1967) in 1952, and Marie Pierre Koenig (1898-1970) in 1984. master sergeant and sergeant major respectively. Officers and the most senior non-commissioned rank had rank insignia in the form of epaulettes, sergeants and corporals in the form of stripes or chevrons on the sleeves. Sep 6, 2024 · Explore the hierarchy of French Army ranks, from enlisted soldiers to general officers, and uncover how these ranks shape military discipline and operations. Understanding the French Army ranks is essential for both military personnel and those interested in the inner workings of the armed forces. 1878 (a score of 0. French infantry pushing through enemy barbed wire, 1915. 1CL Légion. The latter two ranks are somewhat harder to translate, but are NCO ranks, roughly equivalent to a U. Designation: Abbrev. It must also be noted that Army corps general and Army general are not really ranks, but styles and positions (Rang et appellation in french) bestowed upon a Divisional general, which is the highest substantive rank in The rank of Général de corps d'armée wasn't officially adopted until 1939, along with five other French Armed Forces ranks. Greek military ranks; Hellenic Army: officer, other The French "Levée en masse" method of conscription brought around 2,300,000 French men into the Army between the period of 1804 and 1813. The rank next to Marshal Rank is of Officers in During the French Revolution and the French Empire, the ranks inherited from the Old Regime (Ancien Régime) evolved. L’organisation des armées est fondée sur la hiérarchie militaire qui définit la place de chacun et son niveau de responsabilité par l’ordre des grades et, dans chaque grade, par l’ordre d’ancienneté. Dec 20, 2023 · The ranks within the French Foreign Legion. Mar 8, 2023 · The French Army is a professional force with a long history. com The French Armed Forces, known as "Forces armées françaises," encompass several branches, each with specific roles and responsibilities: French Army (Armée de Terre): The French Army is responsible for land-based military operations, including infantry, armored units, artillery, and support units. 2025 Military Pay Scale Military Ranks U. French vocabulary for military ranks. The platoon leader is an officer or quite possibly a cadet or NCO. ; 2 Mestre de camp, chef de brigade and colonel are equivalent, with mestre de camp being used before the Revolution, chef de brigade being used during the Revolutionary Wars and early Consulate, and colonel being used in the late During the French Revolution and the French Empire, the ranks inherited from the Old Regime (Ancien Régime) evolved. The French Army Insignia is a reminder of the proud history of the French Army and its dedication to duty and country. Dec 2, 2024 · The French Army ranks encompass a hierarchical structure that defines the roles and responsibilities within the military. Sep 10, 2019 · French Navy: May 1940 France [1] [1] Linked to external site "France 1940" by Nowfel Leulliot: 15 April 1941 Vichy Army in Metropolitan France Vichy Air Force in Metropolitan France Vichy French Navy: 8 November 1942 Vichy French Army Vichy French Air Force Vichy French Navy: Free French Forces Government and High Command Army Air Forces Naval The French Revolutionary Army (French: Armée révolutionnaire française) was the French land force that fought the French Revolutionary Wars from 1792 to 1802. In the French Armed Forces, the official rank and referral of major Major) [e] included the same rank designation across the board, this time, however, as of 2009, attached to the non-commissioned ranks (sub-officer corps) of the French Army, the ranks of the French Navy, the ranks of the French Air Force and ranks of the National Gendarmerie Rank comparison chart of Non-commissioned officer and enlisted ranks for armies/land forces of Francophone states. Oct 10, 2024 · Napoleon Bonaparte’s Military Ranks: A Meteoric Rise Napoleon Bonaparte ascended through the ranks of the French military with incredible speed and strategic brilliance. for NCOs and enlisted ranks: NATO, then US equivalent Learn with flashcards, games, and more — for free. Nov 20, 2017 · See Ranks in the French Navy for more details about the naval ranks. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4. There are no comments to display. Good conduct badges. It must also be noted that Army corps general and Army general are not really ranks, but styles and positions (Rang et appellation in french) bestowed upon a Divisional general, which is the highest substantive rank in Rank group General / flag officers Senior officers Junior officers French Army [17] Maréchal de France: Général d'armée: Général de corps d'armée: Général de division: Général de brigade: Colonel: Lieutenant-colonel: Commandant: Capitaine: Lieutenant: Sous-lieutenant: French Air Force [17] Général d'armée aérienne: Général de The French system, in contrast, not only allowed officers to join the army both through St Cyr military academy and the École polytechnique - both open for entry for adult candidates and the latter in particular open to civilians - but also practiced commissioning from the ranks for deserving NCOs through the St Maixent school. Sep 15, 2018 · The principal insignia of the French Army were the collar patches worn on vareuse, capote, manteau and all specialist protective clothing which clearly identified the arm-of-service of the wearer. Media information. [19] Sep 9, 2021 · The full dress parade uniform of the Foreign Legion (called Tenue de parade) is based on the French Army’s Parade Uniform TDF (Terre de France, Land of France). This article lists the military ranks and the rank insignia used in the French Imperial Army. Commanded by Napoleon, from 1804 to 1808 it won a series of military victories that allowed the First French Empire to exercise unprecedented control over most of Europe. During the French Revolution and the French Empire, the ranks inherited from the Old Regime (Ancien Régime) evolved. Matzos; Jul 30, 2005; Tags french-army military ranks Reactions: Bombardier. French Army ranks; French Navy ranks; French Air Force ranks; French Gendarmerie ranks; Gabon. General of Group of Armies (General de Groupe d'Armees) was a former rank (notably for the Paris Military District - Général d 1 Chef de bataillon and chef d'escadron are equivalent, with the distinction being which branch the officer served with, infantry/artillery/engineers or cavalry. Finnish military ranks; France. The functions of military police for the French Army on French soil are fulfilled by units of the Departmental Gendarmerie. Sep 16, 2024 · This item describes the military ranks of the French army. Meréchal de France [1] Mar: G5: General of the Army: GA: Général d'Armee: GdA: G4: General: GEN: Général de Corps d'Armee: GCA: G3: Lieutenant General: LTG: Général de Division – Médecin Général Inspecteur – Indendent Général 1ére Class: GdD: G2: Major General This is basically more of an award or a distinction than just a military rank for the French people. Category Aug 16, 2022 · Media in category "Military rank insignia of the French Army" The following 195 files are in this category, out of 195 total. Rank insignia in the French Army are worn on the sleeve or on shoulder marks of uniforms, and range up to the highest rank of Marshal of France, a state honour denoted with a seven-star insignia that was last conferred posthumously on Marie Pierre Koenig in 1984. military, but surprisingly, the rank system with the French military allows for 1:1 correspondence. Insignia, embroidery, and epaulettes became more sophisticated. com logo are registered ® U. 0 License Ranks of the Grande Armée describes the military ranks and the rank insignia used in Napoleon's Grande Armée. These ranks are crucial in maintaining discipline and organization among the troops. Major: Adjudant-chef: Adjudant: for NCOs and enlisted ranks: NATO, then US equivalent Learn with flashcards, games, and more — for free. The infantry arms (French: armes à pied ) include normal infantry, naval troops, the Foreign Legion and engineers; cavalry arms (French: armes à cheval ) include armoured cavalry, artillery, maintenance and logistics. In this context, it is shortened form of the previous rank capitaine-commandant: i. WW1 French Army Ranks. Sep 10, 2019 · French Navy: May 1940 France [1] [1] Linked to external site "France 1940" by Nowfel Leulliot: 15 April 1941 Vichy Army in Metropolitan France Vichy Air Force in Metropolitan France Vichy French Navy: 8 November 1942 Vichy French Army Vichy French Air Force Vichy French Navy: Free French Forces Government and High Command Army Air Forces Naval Feb 24, 2024 · The French Armed Forces maintain a structured hierarchy of ranks that reflects both tradition and modern operational needs. The rank insignia of the French Navy (French: Marine Nationale) are worn on shoulder straps of shirts and white jackets, and on sleeves for navy jackets and mantels. The French Army, officially known as the Land Army (French: Armée de terre, pronounced [aʁme d(ə) tɛʁ], lit. Understanding this system offers insight into the organization, leadership, and command dynamics within France’s military institutions. See Ranks in the French Navy for more details about the Navy Ranks. Army general (French: Général d'armée) is the highest active military rank of the French Army and the National Gendarmerie. 0000 is considered 'perfect'). Oct 7, 2020 · Military rank insignia of the French justice system (2 C, 1 F) Military rank insignia of the French military school (1 C, 18 F) Military rank insignia of the Service d'infrastructure de la Défense (22 F) Dec 3, 2024 · The French Army ranks encompass a hierarchical structure that defines the roles and responsibilities within the military. Jul 15, 2022 · French Army ranks, such as General of the Army, Colonel, Lieutenant Colonel, and Captain, have equivalences with ranks in other branches of the French armed forces, like the National Gendarmerie and the Air and Space Force. The Korean military has been greatly influenced by the U. The table below contains essential French vocabulary for military ranks. com The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory. In the beginning, the French armies were characterised by their revolutionary fervour, their poor equipment and their great numbers. military, but due to changes in the rank structure of soldiers and non-commissioned officers, it currently does not correspond 1:1 with the U. Military ranks of the Armed Forces of Gabon; Georgia. Ranks in the French Army explained. To use these ranks correctly, remember to use the feminine or masculine article that matches the gender of the French noun and the article l’ when the article precedes a vowel. a "captain commanding (a battalion)". The Grande Armée (pronounced [ɡʁɑ̃d aʁme]; French for 'Great Army') was the primary field army of the French Imperial Army during the Napoleonic Wars. Commandant is an officer-grade rank of the Military of France, [3] specifically the French Army and the French Air and Space Force, in both of which it has NATO level OF-3: equivalent to major or lieutenant-commander. French Army rank insignia This page was last edited on 8 June 2025, at 10:18 (UTC). Until 2005, only commissioned officers had an anchor on their insignia, but enlisted personnel are now receiving them as well. Gold (yellow) or silver (white) stripes and epaulettes were used in accordance with the metal of the uniform Ranks of the French Imperial Army (1804–1815) explained. For 2025, France is ranked 7 of 145 out of the countries considered for the annual GFP review. Mar 16, 2024 · The rank of Général de corps d'armée wasn't officially adopted until 1939, along with five other French Armed Forces ranks. e. euogff kmmq mubdy ttascld llp ugtge qjbxuux xvsi bovx xdnxip