RAF other ranks

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The term used in the Royal Air Force (RAF) to refer to all ranks below commissioned officer level is other ranks (ORs). It includes warrant officers (WOs), non-commissioned officers (NCOs) and airmen.

Ranks[]

NATO rank code OR-9 OR-7 OR-6 OR-5 OR-4 OR-3 OR-2 OR-1
United Kingdom Rank Insignia British Chief of the Air Staff's Warrant Officer.svg British RAF OR-9.svg British RAF OR-7b.svg British RAF OR-7a.svg British RAF OR-6.svg British RAF OR-4.svg British RAF OR-3.svg British RAF OR-2c.svg British RAF OR-2b.svg British RAF OR-2a.svg No insignia
Rank Title:[1] Warrant Officer Flight Sergeant Chief Technician Sergeant Corporal Lance Corporal
RAF
Regiment
Senior Aircraftman (Technician) Senior Aircraftman Leading Aircraftman Aircraftman
Abbreviation: WO FS Chf Tech Sgt Cpl L/Cpl SAC Tech SAC LAC AC
Aircrew Rank Insignia British RAF (Aircrew) OR-9.svg British RAF (Aircrew) OR-7.svg British RAF (Aircrew) OR-6.svg No equivalent
Rank Title: RAF Master Aircrew RAF Flight Sergeant Aircrew RAF Sergeant Aircrew

Origins[]

Upon the formation of the Royal Air Force on 1 April 1918, rank titles and badges for ORs were adopted from the British Army, specifically the Royal Flying Corps (RFC). The RFC ranks of Flight Sergeant (equivalent to Staff Sergeant), Sergeant, Corporal and Air Mechanic were directly adopted. The RFC's four-bladed propeller trade classification badge above the Sergeants' and Flight Sergeants' chevrons was dropped.

To distinguish them from Army personnel, RAF personnel wore the on a rectangular patch below the shoulder seam on the sleeve. The RAF Eagle is depicted with its beak turned to the rear rather than the front. RAF NCOs were fond of saying that represented that their eyes were everywhere.

The trade classification of Leading Aircraftman was created on 5 April 1918 to fill a void in the Service ranks. It was granted the double-bladed propeller rank insignia of the RFC Air Mechanic 1st Class and was equivalent in rank and authority to the Army appointment of Lance-Corporal. On 1 January 1919 the rank of Aircraftman replaced the ranks of Private, Air Mechanic, and Clerk. Aircraftmen were nicknamed "Erks" (a corruption of the word 'Aircraft') by the senior ranks, which was preferred to 'other ranks' or 'troops'.

The rank of Master Clerk was originally equivalent to Sergeant Major 1st Class. On 28 November 1918, the new rank of Chief Master Clerk was made equivalent to the rank of Sergeant Major 1st Class, and the old rank of Master Clerk was made equivalent to the rank of Sergeant Major 2nd Class.

RAF other ranks (1 April 1918)[2] RAF other ranks (1 January 1919)[3]
Technical Administrative Service other ranks
British Army (1920-1953) OR-9a.svg Chief Master Mechanic (Chief Master Clerk) Sergeant Major 1st Class 1951 RAF Warrant Officer.png Sergeant Major 1st Class
British Army (1920-1953) OR-7.svg Master Mechanic (Master Clerk) Sergeant Major 2nd Class RAF WO2 1919.svg Sergeant Major 2nd Class
RFC Flight Sergeant.svg Chief Mechanic Flight Clerk Flight Sergeant 1951 RAF Flight Sergeant.png Flight Sergeant
RFC Sergeant.svg Sergeant Mechanic Sergeant Clerk Sergeant OR5n6a RAF Sergeant.svg Sergeant
British Army (1920-1953) OR-3.svg Corporal Mechanic Corporal Clerk Corporal OR4 RAF Corporal.svg Corporal
RFC Air Mechanic 1st Class.svg Air Mechanic 1st Class Clerk 1st Class (Leading Aircraftman) OR1 RAF Leading Aircraftman.svg Leading Aircraftman
No insignia Air Mechanic 2nd Class Clerk 2nd Class Private 1st Class No insignia Aircraftman 1st Class
Air Mechanic 3rd Class Clerk 3rd Class Private 2nd Class Aircraftman 2nd Class

The original RAF ranks are vertically listed by seniority; the Technical ranks had precedence over the Administrative ranks, which in turn had precedence over the Service ranks. This was meant to keep non-technical NCOs from interfering with the efforts of technical and administrative NCOs. This was abolished in January 1919 and a streamlined single-column rank system was devised.

Changes in 1933 & 1939 — warrant officers[]

In 1933, the ranks of Sergeant Major 1st Class and Sergeant Major 2nd Class were renamed Warrant Officer Class I and Warrant Officer Class II to put them in line with the Army. In 1939, the rank of Warrant Officer II was abolished and the rank of Warrant Officer I was renamed Warrant Officer. RAF Warrant Officers were given equivalent status to the continuing Army rank of Warrant Officer Class I.

Changes in 1946 — aircrew[]

On 1 July 1946, NCOs serving as aircrew were assigned different rank badges which distinguished them from ORs in ground trades. The new ranks were:

RAF aircrew ranks (1946-1950)
RAF aircrew rank equivalent RAF rank insignia description insignia of rank
Master Aircrew Warrant Officer Wreath closed by Royal Arms and inset with an RAF Eagle within.
1946 RAF Master Aircrew.svg
Flight Sergeant Crown over Wreath closed by an RAF Eagle and inset with three 6-pointed stars within.
RAF Aircrew I rank.png
Sergeant Wreath closed by an RAF Eagle and inset with three 6-pointed stars within.
RAF Aircrew II rank.png
Corporal Wreath closed by an RAF Eagle and inset with two 6-pointed stars within.
RAF Aircrew III rank.png
Leading Aircraftman Wreath closed by an RAF Eagle and inset with one 6-pointed star within.
RAF Aircrew IV rank.png
Trainee Wreath closed by an RAF Eagle and a blank field within.
RAF Aircrew Cadet rank.png

The RAF Eagle in the insignia is properly displayed with its beak turned to the rear.

Changes in 1950 – technicians and aircrew[]

In 1950, a new grading system for technicians was introduced. This involved the creation of the following ranks:

RAF technician ranks (1950–1964)
RAF technician rank equivalent RAF rank insignia of rank
Warrant Officer 1951 RAF Warrant Officer.png
Chief Technician Flight Sergeant 1951 RAF Chief Technician.png
Senior Technician Sergeant 1953 RAF Senior Technician.png
Corporal Technician Corporal 1953 RAF Corporal Technician.png
Junior Technician Leading Aircraftman 1953 RAF Junior Technician.png

Also in 1950, the unpopular NCO aircrew ranks were abolished, although Master Aircrew was retained as a rank. Aircrew I became Flight Sergeant Aircrew and Aircrew II, III and IV became Sergeant Aircrew. Both new ranks adopted a gold RAF Eagle between the chevrons to permit continuing distinction from ground trades. Aircrew cadets wore the RAF Eagle on its own as a trade classification badge.

RAF-Master Aircrew-OR-9.png RAF-Flt Sgt AC-OR-7.png RAF-Sgt AC-OR-6.png
UK-Air-OR9A.svg OR7c RAF Flight Sergeant Acr.svg OR5n6b RAF Sergeant Acr.svg
Master Aircrew Flight Sergeant Aircrew Sergeant Aircrew

Changes in 1951 — junior ranks[]

On 1 January 1951, two junior ranks were introduced:

  • Senior Aircraftman/Senior Aircraftwoman with a triple-bladed propeller.
  • Leading Aircraftman/Leading Aircraftwoman with a double-bladed propeller (this had previously been only a trade classification and not a rank)

Changes in 1964 — technicians[]

In 1964, the technician ranks were abolished, with the exception of Junior Technician and Chief Technician, the latter becoming an intermediate rank between Sergeant and Flight Sergeant for Technical Trades. Junior Technicians adopted the four-bladed propeller as their badge of rank and Chief Technicians adopted a treble chevron surmounted by a four-bladed propeller as their rank insignia. Master Technicians, Senior Technicians and Corporal Technicians became Warrant Officer, Sergeant and Corporal respectively. The ORs structure became:

  • Warrant Officer (WO) / Master Aircrew (MAcr)
  • Flight Sergeant (Flt Sgt, F/Sgt, or FS) / Flight Sergeant Aircrew (FSAcr)
  • Chief Technician (Chf Tech, C/T, or CT)
  • Sergeant (Sgt) / Sergeant Aircrew (SAcr)
  • Corporal (Cpl)
  • Junior Technician (Jnr Tech, J/T, or JT)
  • Senior Aircraftman (SAC) / Senior Aircraftwoman (SACW)
  • Leading Aircraftman (LAC) / Leading Aircraftwoman (LACW)
  • Aircraftman (AC) / Aircraftwoman (ACW)[4]

Changes in 2005 — phasing out of Junior Technician[]

From 2005 onwards, no more airmen have been promoted to Junior Technician. Although there are currently personnel in the rank of Junior Technician, once they have all been promoted or discharged from the RAF, the rank will cease to be used. From March 2005, SACs in technical trades who had attained the Operational Performance Standard were promoted to Senior Aircraftman/Aircraftwoman (Technician) SAC(T) and given a new badge of rank, consisting of the three-bladed propeller inside a circle. This new rank was introduced to distinguish airmen trained to work unsupervised from those who were not, and is equivalent to the old Junior Technician rank.

Changes in 2010 — introduction of Lance Corporal[]

On 1 April 2010, the RAF Regiment introduced the rank of lance corporal for current SACs who undertake the role of section second-in-command/fire team commander. This gives them more authority on the ground, as well as a better pay band. It seems that the rank will not be moving to other trades, and will be solely in the RAF Regiment.[5]

Timeline of changes[]

Rank group Senior NCOs Junior NCOs Enlisted
Royal Flying Corps
(1912–April 1918)
British Army (1920-1953) OR-9a.svg British Army (1920-1953) OR-7.svg RFC Quartermaster Sergeant.svg RFC Flight Sergeant.svg RFC Sergeant.svg
British Army (1920-1953) OR-3.svg RFC Air Mechanic 1st Class.svg No insignia
Warrant Officer Class I Warrant Officer Class II Quartermaster sergeant Flight sergeant Sergeant Corporal Air Mechanic 1st Class Air Mechanic 2nd Class Air Mechanic 3rd Class
Royal Naval Air Service
(1914–April 1918)
2 golden cuff buttons, and a golden eagle pin on the collar
Chief Petty Officer Mechanic, 1st Grade Chief Petty Officer Mechanic, 2nd Grade Chief Petty Officer Mechanic, 3rd Grade
UK Petty officer 1st class 1901.svg British Royal Navy OR-4.svg Blank.svg Blank.svg
Petty Officer Mechanic Leading Mechanic Air Mechanic, 1st Class Air Mechanic, 1st Class (acting) Air Mechanic, 2nd Class
(1918 – 1919) British RAF 1918 OR-9.svg British Army (1920-1953) OR-7.svg British Army (1920-1953) OR-6.svg British Army (1920-1953) OR-4.svg
British Army (1920-1953) OR-3.svg RAF Air Mechanic 1st Class 1918-1919.svg No insignia
Sergeant Major 1st Class Sergeant Major 2nd Class Flight sergeant Sergeant Corporal Leading Aircraftman Private 1st Class Private 2nd Class
Rank group Senior NCOs Junior NCOs Enlisted
(1919 – 1933) 1951 RAF Warrant Officer.png RAF WO2 1919.svg 1951 RAF Flight Sergeant.png OR5n6a RAF Sergeant.svg
OR4 RAF Corporal.svg OR1 RAF Leading Aircraftman.svg No insignia
Sergeant Major 1st Class Sergeant Major 2nd Class Flight sergeant Sergeant Corporal Leading Aircraftman Aircraftman 1st Class Aircraftman 2nd Class
(1933 – 1939) 1951 RAF Warrant Officer.png RAF WO2 1919.svg 1951 RAF Flight Sergeant.png OR5n6a RAF Sergeant.svg
OR4 RAF Corporal.svg OR1 RAF Leading Aircraftman.svg No insignia
Warrant Officer Class I Warrant Officer Class II Flight sergeant Sergeant Corporal Leading Aircraftman Aircraftman 1st Class Aircraftman 2nd Class
(1939 – 1946) 1951 RAF Warrant Officer.png 1951 RAF Flight Sergeant.png OR5n6a RAF Sergeant.svg
OR4 RAF Corporal.svg OR1 RAF Leading Aircraftman.svg No insignia
Warrant officer Flight sergeant Sergeant Corporal Leading Aircraftman Aircraftman 1st Class Aircraftman 2nd Class
Rank group Senior NCOs Junior NCOs Enlisted
(1946 – 1950) 1951 RAF Warrant Officer.png 1951 RAF Flight Sergeant.png OR5n6a RAF Sergeant.svg
OR4 RAF Corporal.svg OR1 RAF Leading Aircraftman.svg No insignia
Warrant officer Flight sergeant Sergeant Corporal Leading Aircraftman Aircraftman 1st Class Aircraftman 2nd Class
(1950 – 1951) 1951 RAF Warrant Officer.png 1951 RAF Warrant Officer.png 1951 RAF Flight Sergeant.png 1951 RAF Chief Technician.png OR5n6a RAF Sergeant.svg 1953 RAF Senior Technician.png OR4 RAF Corporal.svg 1953 RAF Corporal Technician.png 1953 RAF Junior Technician.png OR1 RAF Leading Aircraftman.svg No insignia
Warrant officer Flight sergeant Chief technician Sergeant Senior Technician Corporal Corporal Technician Junior Technician Leading Aircraftman Aircraftman 1st Class Aircraftman 2nd Class
(1951 – 1953) 1951 RAF Warrant Officer.png 1951 RAF Warrant Officer.png 1951 RAF Flight Sergeant.png 1951 RAF Chief Technician.png OR5n6a RAF Sergeant.svg 1953 RAF Senior Technician.png OR4 RAF Corporal.svg 1953 RAF Corporal Technician.png 1953 RAF Junior Technician.png OR2 RAF Senior Aircraftman.svg OR1 RAF Leading Aircraftman.svg No insignia
Warrant officer Flight sergeant Chief technician Sergeant Senior Technician Corporal Corporal Technician Junior Technician Senior aircraftman Leading aircraftman Aircraftman
NATO code OR-9 OR-8 OR-7 OR-6 OR-5 OR-4 OR-3 OR-2 OR-1
(1953 – 1964) UK-Air-OR9B.svg UK-Air-OR9B.svg OR7b RAF Flight Sergeant.svg 1953 RAF Chief Technician.png OR5n6a RAF Sergeant.svg 1953 RAF Senior Technician.png OR4 RAF Corporal.svg 1953 RAF Corporal Technician.png 1953 RAF Junior Technician.png OR2 RAF Senior Aircraftman.svg OR1 RAF Leading Aircraftman.svg No insignia
Warrant officer Flight sergeant Chief technician Sergeant Senior Technician Corporal Corporal Technician Junior Technician Senior aircraftman Leading aircraftman Aircraftman
(1964 – 2005) RAF-Warrant Officer-OR-9.png OR7b RAF Flight Sergeant.svg OR7a RAF Chief Technician.svg OR5n6a RAF Sergeant.svg
OR4 RAF Corporal.svg OR3 RAF Junior Technician.svg OR2 RAF Senior Aircraftman.svg OR1 RAF Leading Aircraftman.svg No insignia
Warrant officer Flight sergeant Chief technician Sergeant Corporal Junior Technician Senior aircraftman/ woman Leading aircraftman/ woman Aircraftman/ woman
NATO code OR-9 OR-8 OR-7 OR-6 OR-5 OR-4 OR-3 OR-2 OR-1
(2005 – 2010) RAF-Warrant Officer-OR-9.png OR7b RAF Flight Sergeant.svg OR7a RAF Chief Technician.svg OR5n6a RAF Sergeant.svg
OR4 RAF Corporal.svg OR2 RAF Senior Aircraftman Technician.svg OR2 RAF Senior Aircraftman.svg OR1 RAF Leading Aircraftman.svg No insignia
Warrant officer Flight sergeant Chief technician Sergeant Corporal Senior aircraftman/
woman technician
Senior aircraftman/ woman Leading aircraftman/ woman Aircraftman/ woman
(2010 – present) British Chief of the Air Staff's Warrant Officer.svg British RAF OR-9.svg British RAF OR-7b.svg British RAF OR-7a.svg British RAF OR-6.svg
British RAF OR-4.svg British RAF OR-3.svg British RAF OR-2c.svg British RAF OR-2b.svg British RAF OR-2a.svg No insignia
Warrant officer Flight sergeant Chief technician Sergeant Corporal Lance corporal
RAF Regiment only
Senior aircraftman/
woman technician
Senior aircraftman/ woman Leading aircraftman/ woman Aircraftman/ woman
NATO code OR-9 OR-8 OR-7 OR-6 OR-5 OR-4 OR-3 OR-2 OR-1
Aircrew
Rank group Senior NCOs Junior NCOs Enlisted
(1946 – 1950) 1946 RAF Master Aircrew.svg RAF Aircrew I rank.png RAF Aircrew II rank.png
RAF Aircrew III rank.png RAF Aircrew IV rank.png RAF Aircrew Cadet rank.png
Master aircrew
(1950 – 1953) 1946 RAF Master Aircrew.svg 1951 RAF Flight Sergeant Aircrew.png OR5n6b RAF Sergeant Acr.svg
Master aircrew Flight sergeant aircrew Sergeant aircrew
(1953 – 1964) UK-Air-OR9A.svg OR7c RAF Flight Sergeant Acr.svg OR5n6b RAF Sergeant Acr.svg
Master aircrew Flight sergeant aircrew Sergeant aircrew
NATO code OR-9 OR-8 OR-7 OR-6 OR-5 OR-4 OR-3 OR-2 OR-1
(1964 – 2010) RAF-Master Aircrew-OR-9.png OR7c RAF Flight Sergeant Acr.svg OR5n6b RAF Sergeant Acr.svg
Master aircrew Flight sergeant aircrew Sergeant aircrew
(2010 – present) British RAF (Aircrew) OR-9.svg British RAF (Aircrew) OR-7.svg British RAF (Aircrew) OR-6.svg
Master aircrew Flight sergeant aircrew Sergeant aircrew
NATO code OR-9 OR-8 OR-7 OR-6 OR-5 OR-4 OR-3 OR-2 OR-1

See also[]

Tudor Crown (Heraldry).svg
Crown of Saint Edward (Heraldry).svg
In 1953, the crown was changed from the Tudor Crown to the Crown of St Edward, when Queen Elizabeth II adopted a stylised image of the crown for use in coats of arms, badges, logos and various other insignia.[6]

Footnotes[]

  1. ^ "RAF Ranks". Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  2. ^ Air Memorandum No. 1 (March 1918)
  3. ^ Air Ministry Weekly Order 109 (1921, reprint of 1923)
  4. ^ Jefford, C.G. (2010). Observers and Navigators: And Other Non-Pilot Aircrew in the RFC, RNAS and RAF. London: Grub Street. p. 285. ISBN 978-1-909808-02-7. Air Ministry Order A.80/1963 of 6 March 1963 replaced the AC1 and AC2 with just 'Aircraftman' with effect from 1 April 1964
  5. ^ Lesley Woods, ed. (12 April 2010). "New Rank for the RAF Regiment". Royal Air Force website. www.RAF.mod.uk. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
  6. ^ "Victorian Coat of Arms". Victoria State Government. Retrieved 15 December 2015.

External links[]

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