Australian Defence Force ranks

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The Australian Defence Force's (ADF) ranks of officers and enlisted personnel in each of its three service branches of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), the Australian Army, and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) inherited their rank structures from their British counterparts. The insignia used to identify these ranks are also generally similar to those used in the British Armed Forces.

Contents

The following tables show the "equivalent rank and classifications" for the three services, as defined in the ADF Pay and Conditions Manual. [1] "Equivalent rank" means the corresponding rank set out under Regulation 8 of the Defence Force Regulations 1952. [2]

Commissioned officer ranks

NATO
code
Aus
code
NavyArmyRAAF
Flag/General/Air officers [1] [3]
OF-10 O-11 [lower-alpha 1] Admiral of the Fleet Field Marshal Marshal of the RAAF
OF-9 O-10 [lower-alpha 2] Admiral General Air Chief Marshal
OF-8 O-9 [lower-alpha 3] Vice Admiral Lieutenant general Air Marshal
OF-7 O-8 Rear Admiral Major General Air Vice Marshal
OF-6 O-7 [lower-alpha 4] Air Commodore
Senior officers
OF-6 O-7 [d] Commodore Brigadier
OF-5O-6 [d] Captain (RAN)ColonelGroup Captain
OF-4O-5 [d] CommanderLieutenant ColonelWing Commander
OF-3O-4 [d] Lieutenant CommanderMajorSquadron Leader
Junior officers
OF-2O-3 [d] LieutenantCaptain (Army)Flight Lieutenant
OF-1O-2Sub LieutenantLieutenantFlying Officer
OF-1O-1Acting Sub LieutenantSecond LieutenantPilot Officer
O-0MidshipmanOfficer Cadet
Cadets
Officer Cadet/Staff Cadet(RMC)-

Warrant Officer ranks

NATO
code
Aus/
code
NavyArmyRAAF
Warrant officers
OR-10E-10WO-NRSM-AWOFF-AF
OR-9E-9Warrant OfficerWarrant Officer Class 1Warrant officer
OR-8E-8Warrant Officer Class 2
Note that the most senior Warrant Officer in each of the three services is appointed and promoted to either Warrant Officer of the Navy WO-N, Regimental Sergeant Major of the Army RSM-A, or Warrant Officer of the Air Force WOFF-AF, as appropriate. Although these are positional appointments, these three members hold the rank of Warrant Officer in their respective services and each wear special insignia, different from the rank insignia worn by other warrant officers. The RAN and the RAAF have two warrant officer ranks, the army has three. The soldier appointed Regimental Sergeant Major of the Army (RSM-A) holds the unique Army rank of Warrant Officer (introduced in 1991 and senior to WO1). The Army rank of WO2 is the equivalent of the RAN and the RAAF's most senior NCOs, (i.e. Chief Petty Officer and Flight Sergeant). [1] As Army WO2s hold a Warrant, while the RAN CPO and RAAF FSGT do not, WO2s are addressed as "Sir" or "Ma'am" by junior ranks, which extends to OCDTs and SCDTs.

Non-Commissioned Officer ranks

NATO
code
Aus
code
NavyArmyRAAF
Senior non-commissioned officers
OR-8E-8Chief Petty OfficerFlight Sergeant
OR-7E-7Staff Sergeant [1] [lower-alpha 5]
OR-6E-6Petty OfficerSergeantSergeant
Junior non-commissioned officers
OR-5E-5Leading SeamanCorporal/BombardierCorporal
OR-4E-4Lance Corporal/Bombardier

Other ranks

NATO
Code
Aus
Code
NavyArmyRAAF
Enlisted
OR-3E-3Able SeamanPrivate proficient* (E-2)Leading Aircraftman/Leading Aircraftwoman
OR-2E-2SeamanPrivateAircraftman/Aircraftwoman
Private proficient is not an ADF rank or E-3 equivalent. It is a proficiency point for which a higher rate of salary is provided.

Insignia

Commissioned officers

The rank insignia for commissioned officers for the navy, army and air force respectively.

Rank groupGeneral / flag officersSenior officersJunior officersOfficer cadet
Naval Ensign of Australia.svg  Royal Australian Navy [5]
Royal Australian Navy OF-10.svg Generic-Navy-13.svg Royal Australian Navy OF-9.svg Generic-Navy-12.svg Royal Australian Navy OF-8.svg Generic-Navy-11.svg Royal Australian Navy OF-7.svg Generic-Navy-10.svg Royal Australian Navy OF-6.svg Generic-Navy-9b.svg Generic-Navy-8.svg Generic-Navy-6.svg Generic-Navy-5.svg Generic-Navy-4.svg Generic-Navy-2.svg Generic-Navy-2.svg UK-Navy-OFD.svg
Admiral of the fleet Admiral Vice admiral Rear admiral Commodore Captain Commander Lieutenant commander Lieutenant Sub lieutenant Acting sub lieutenant Midshipman
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australian Army [5]
Australian Army OF-10.svg Australian Army OF-9.svg Australian Army OF-8.svg Australian Army OF-7.svg Australian Army OF-6.svg Australian Army OF-5.svg Australian Army OF-4.svg Australian Army OF-3.svg Australian Army OF-2.svg Australian Army OF-1b.svg Australian Army OF-1a.svg Australian Army OF (D) (OCDT).svg Australian Army OF (D) (SCDT).svg
Field marshal General Lieutenant general Major general Brigadier Colonel Lieutenant colonel Major Captain Lieutenant Second lieutenant Officer cadet Staff cadet
Air Force Ensign of Australia.svg  Royal Australian Air Force [5]
RAAF O11(OF10) MRAAF rank ins.svg RAAF O10(OF9) ACM rank ins.svg RAAF O9 (OF8) AIRMSHL rank ins.svg RAAF O8(OF7) AVM rank ins.svg RAAF O7 (OF6) AIRCDRE rank ins.svg RAAF O6 (OF5) GPCAPT rank ins.svg RAAF O5 (OF4) WGCDR rank ins.svg RAAF O4 (OF3) SQNLDR rank ins.svg RAAF O3 (OF2) FLTLT rank ins.svg RAAF O2 (OF1) FLGOFF rank ins.svg RAAF O1 (OF1) PLTOFF rank ins.svg RAAF CADET (OF(D)) OFFCDT rank ins.svg
Marshal of the RAAF Air chief marshal Air marshal Air vice-marshal Air commodore Group captain Wing commander Squadron leader Flight lieutenant Flying officer Pilot officer Officer cadet
Rank groupGeneral / flag officersSenior officersJunior officersOfficer cadet

Enlisted

The rank insignia for enlisted personnel for the navy, army and air force respectively.

Rank groupSenior NCOsJunior NCOsEnlisted
Naval Ensign of Australia.svg  Royal Australian Navy [5]
Royal Australian Navy OR-9b.svg Royal Australian Navy OR-9a.svg Royal Australian Navy OR-8.svg Royal Australian Navy OR-6.svg Royal Australian Navy OR-5.svg Royal Australian Navy OR-3.svg Royal Australian Navy OR-2.svg
Warrant Officer of the Navy Warrant officer Chief petty officer Petty officer Leading seaman Able seaman Seaman
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australian Army [5]
Australian Army OR-9b.svg Australian Army OR-9a.svg Australian Army OR-8.svg Australian Army OR-6.svg Australian Army OR-5.svg Australian Army OR-4.svg No insignia
Regimental sergeant major of the army Warrant officer class 1 Warrant officer class 2 Sergeant Corporal Lance corporal Private
(or equivalent)
Air Force Ensign of Australia.svg  Royal Australian Air Force [6] [5]
RAAF E9 (OR9) WOFF-AF rank ins.svg RAAF E9 (OR9) WOFF rank ins 01.svg RAAF E 8(OR8) FSGT rank ins.svg RAAF E 6(OR6) SGT rank ins.svg RAAF E 5(OR5) CPL rank ins.svg RAAF E 3(OR3) LAC rank ins.svg RAAF E 2(OR2) AC rank ins.svg
Warrant Officer
of the Air Force
Warrant officer Flight sergeant Sergeant Corporal Leading aircraftman/
aircraftwoman
Aircraftman/
aircraftwoman
Rank groupSenior NCOsJunior NCOsEnlisted

History of Royal Australian Navy enlisted ranks

The historical changes to rank insignia for enlisted personnel of the navy. [7]

Rank groupSenior NCOsJunior NCOsEnlisted
Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy
(1827-1853)
UK Petty officer 2nd class 1853.svg British Royal Navy OR-4.svg No insignia
Petty officer 1st classPetty officer 2nd class Able seaman Ordinary seaman
Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy
(1853-1890)
UK Chief petty officer 1857.svg UK Petty officer 1st class 1853.svg UK Petty officer 2nd class 1853.svg British Royal Navy OR-4.svg No insignia
Chief petty officer Petty officer 1st classPetty officer 2nd class Leading seaman Able seaman Ordinary seaman
Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy
(1890-1901)
Arm badge replaced by lapel badges UK Petty officer 1st class 1853.svg UK Petty officer 2nd class 1853.svg British Royal Navy OR-4.svg No insignia
Chief petty officer Petty officer 1st classPetty officer 2nd class Leading seaman Able seaman Ordinary seaman
Rank groupSenior NCOsJunior NCOsEnlisted
Naval Ensign of Australia.svg  Royal Australian Navy
(1901-1907)
Arm badge replaced by lapel badges UK Petty officer 1st class 1901.svg UK Petty officer 2nd class 1901.svg British Royal Navy OR-4.svg No insignia
Chief petty officer Petty officer 1st classPetty officer 2nd class Leading seaman Able seaman Ordinary seaman
Naval Ensign of Australia.svg  Royal Australian Navy
(1907-1925)
Arm badge replaced by lapel badges UK Petty officer 1st class 1901.svg
British Royal Navy OR-4.svg No insignia
Chief petty officer Petty officer Leading seaman Able seaman Ordinary seaman
Naval Ensign of Australia.svg  Royal Australian Navy
(1925-1953)
Three cuff buttons UK Petty officer 1st class 1901.svg
British Royal Navy OR-4.svg No insignia
Chief petty officer Petty officer Leading seaman Able seaman Ordinary seaman
Rank groupSenior NCOsJunior NCOsEnlisted
Naval Ensign of Australia.svg  Royal Australian Navy
(1953-1966)
British Royal Navy OR-7.svg British Royal Navy OR-6.svg
British Royal Navy OR-4.svg No insignia
Chief petty officer Petty officer Leading seaman Able seaman Ordinary seaman
Naval Ensign of Australia.svg  Royal Australian Navy
(1966-1971)
Royal Australian Navy OR-8.svg Royal Australian Navy OR-6.svg
Royal Australian Navy OR-5.svg No insignia
Chief petty officer Petty officer Leading seaman Able seaman Ordinary seaman
Naval Ensign of Australia.svg  Royal Australian Navy
(1971-1974)
Royal Australian Navy OR-9a.svg Royal Australian Navy OR-8.svg Royal Australian Navy OR-6.svg
Royal Australian Navy OR-5.svg No insignia
Warrant officer Chief petty officer Petty officer Leading seaman Able seaman Ordinary seaman
Rank groupSenior NCOsJunior NCOsEnlisted
Naval Ensign of Australia.svg  Royal Australian Navy
(1974-1991)
Royal Australian Navy OR-9a.svg Royal Australian Navy OR-8.svg Royal Australian Navy OR-6.svg
Royal Australian Navy OR-5.svg No insignia
Warrant officer Chief petty officer Petty officer Leading seaman Able seaman Seaman
Naval Ensign of Australia.svg  Royal Australian Navy
(1991-1993)
Royal Australian Navy OR-9a.svg Royal Australian Navy OR-8.svg Royal Australian Navy OR-6.svg
Royal Australian Navy OR-5.svg Royal Australian Navy OR-3.svg Royal Australian Navy OR-2.svg
Warrant officer Chief petty officer Petty officer Leading seaman Able seaman Seaman
Naval Ensign of Australia.svg  Royal Australian Navy
(1993-present)
Royal Australian Navy OR-9b.svg Royal Australian Navy OR-9a.svg Royal Australian Navy OR-8.svg Royal Australian Navy OR-6.svg
Royal Australian Navy OR-5.svg Royal Australian Navy OR-3.svg Royal Australian Navy OR-2.svg
Warrant Officer of the Navy Warrant officer Chief petty officer Petty officer Leading seaman Able seaman Seaman
Rank groupSenior NCOsJunior NCOsEnlisted

History of Australian Army enlisted ranks

Rank groupSenior NCOsJunior NCOsEnlisted
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australian Army
(-2019)
Australian Army OR-9b.svg Australian Army OR-9a.svg Australian Army OR-8.svg Australian Army OR-7.svg Australian Army OR-6.svg Australian Army OR-5.svg Australian Army OR-4.svg No insignia
Regimental sergeant major of the army Warrant officer class 1 Warrant officer class 2 Staff sergeant Sergeant Corporal Lance corporal Private
(or equivalent)
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australian Army
(2019-Present)
Australian Army OR-9b.svg Australian Army OR-9a.svg Australian Army OR-8.svg Australian Army OR-6.svg Australian Army OR-5.svg Australian Army OR-4.svg No insignia
Regimental sergeant major of the army Warrant officer class 1 Warrant officer class 2 Sergeant Corporal Lance corporal Private
(or equivalent)

Note: Staff sergeants still exist, but no one is promoted into the role.

See also

Notes

  1. O-11 ranks - admiral of the fleet, field marshal and marshal of the RAAF - may only be used in wartime and for honorary appointments.
  2. O-10 ranks - The Chief of the Defence Force is the sole O-10 ranked appointment.
  3. O-9 ranks - The Vice chief of the Defence Force, chief of joint operations, chief of the capability development executive and chiefs of the Navy, Army and Air Force comprise the six O-9 ranked appointments.
  4. Chaplains:
    • O-3 ranks - Chaplains are commissioned officers without rank, however they are accorded the rank of captain (O-3) for reasons of protocol, ceremonial occasions and for saluting purposes.
    • O-4/5 ranks - The more senior division 2 and 3 chaplains are accorded the rank of major (O-4) and lieutenant colonel (O-5), respectively.
    • O-6 ranks - The three principal chaplains representing the three major Christian denominations: Catholic, Anglican, and nonconformist Protestant, are equivalent to a colonel (O-6).
    • O-7 ranks - The heads of the various churches and religions officially associated to the ADF's Religious Advisory Committee, such as the Anglican and Catholic bishops of the military, are equivalent to a brigadier (O-7).
  5. Without prejudice to existing holders of the rank, the Army has ceased to promote soldiers to the rank of staff sergeant. [4]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "ADF Pay and Conditions Manual (PACMAN)". People Strategies and Policy (AL13 ed.). Department of Defence, Australian Government. November 2009. p. 1.
  2. Defence Force Regulations 1952.
  3. Badges of Rank and Special Insignia. Commonwealth of Australia - Department of Defence. September 2003. pp. 2–3.
  4. "Australian Army Rank Structure, Other Ranks". army.gov.au. Australian Army. 25 October 2019. Archived from the original on 27 February 2020. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Badges of rank" (PDF). defence.gov.au. Department of Defence (Australia). Retrieved 31 May 2021.
  6. "Ranks | Air Force". airforce.gov.au. Royal Australian Air Force. Archived from the original on 25 Oct 2023. Retrieved 10 Nov 2023.
  7. "A History of Australian Navy Health Sailor Uniforms and Ranks (Part 3)" . Retrieved 23 February 2021.