Ranks in the French Air and Space Force

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Rank insignia in the French Air and Space Force are worn on the sleeve or on shoulder marks of uniforms

Officers[]

Although they all wear the same insignia and titles, officers are divided into:

• Regular officers of the air force
• Officers of the Armed Forces Commisariat Corps
• Officers of the technical and administrative corps of the armed forces

Généraux - general officers[]

NATO rank	Rank insignia		Name		Description
	Shoulder	Sleeve	French	English translation
OF-9			Général d'armée aérienne	Army air general	In command of an air force.
OF-8			Général de corps aérienne	Air corps general	In command of an air force corps.
OF-7			Général de division aérienne	Divisional air general	In command of a division.
OF-6			Général de brigade aérienne	Air brigade general	In command of a brigade, or of a région in the Gendarmerie.

Officiers supérieurs - senior officers[]

NATO rank	Rank insignia		Name		Notes
	Shoulder	Sleeve	French	English translation
OF-5			Colonel	Colonel
OF-4			Lieutenant-colonel	Lieutenant colonel
OF-3			Commandant	Commandant	Is equivalent to a major in most English-speaking countries.

Officiers subalternes - junior officers[]

NATO rank	Rank insignia		Name		Notes
	Shoulder	Camouflage	French	English translation
OF-2			Capitaine	Captain
OF-1			Lieutenant	Lieutenant
			Sous-lieutenant	Sub-lieutenant
			Aspirant	Aspirant	An Officer Designate rank. Technically it is not a commissioned rank but it is still treated in all respects as one. Aspirants are either officers in training in military academies or voluntaries, serving as temporary officers. The aspirant must have been previously élève officier (Officer Cadet). S/He can afterwards be commissioned as a sous-lieutenant.
			Élève officier	Officer cadet	A rank held during the first years at the officer academies.

Sous-officiers - sub-officers, i.e. non-commissioned officers[]

• Major, the senior sub-officer rank, since 1 January 2009 this grade is attached to the sous-officiers. Prior to this date it was an independent corps between the sous-officiers and the officiers. There are relatively few majors in the army, about one per regiment or brigade. As they could hold equivalent administrative tasks as officiers they are more common in the Armée de l'Air.
  • 

Note the difference with many army rank systems of other countries where the term major is used for a rank above that of captain. For example, the rank of "major" in the US Army or British army is equivalent to the rank of "commandant" in the French army.

• Adjudant-chef: "Chief adjutant"; often same responsibilities as the lieutenant.
  • adjudant-chef (infantry arms)
• Adjudant: Adjutant; often same responsibilities as an adjutant-chef.
  • 
• Sergent-chef (infantry), addressed as "chef". Typically a platoon second-in-command (equivalent to a Commonwealth sergeant or a US sergeant first class).
  • Sergent-chef: Chief sergeant
• Sergent (infantry): Typically in command of a "group" (i.e. squad; equivalent to a commonwealth corporal or US staff sergeant)
  • Sergent: Sergeant
• Élève sous-officier NCO candidates at the .
  • 

Etymologically the adjudant is the adjoint ("joint (assistant)") of an officer, and the sergeant "serves" (Latin: serviens = English: servant).

Aspirants are cadet officers still in training. Sous-lieutenants are junior officers and are often aided by adjudants or adjudants-chefs, who are experienced NCOs/warrant officers.

Full lieutenants are experienced junior officers, served by sergeants when commanding their unit.

A four chevron sergent-chef-major rank existed until 1947. It was a ceremonial rank usually given to the most senior or experienced NCO in a unit, similar to a colour sergeant in the British Army. It was discontinued in the post-war army due to its redundancy.

Militaires du rang - Troop ranks[]

• Caporal-chef: in command of an équipe (literally a team).
• Caporal: in command of an équipe.
• Aviateur de première classe.
• Aviateur de deuxième classe.

There are also distinctions to distinguish volunteers and conscripts, and bars for experience (one for five years, up to four can be obtained).

Military chaplains[]

Chief Military Chaplain
Deputy Chief Military Chaplain
Regional military chaplain
Military chaplain

Other Francophone ranks[]

show

Francophone officer ranks

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
French Air and Space Force[1] v t
			Général d´armée aérienne		Général de corps aérien		Général de division aérienne		Général de brigade aérienne		Colonel		Lieutenant-colonel		Commandant		Capitaine		Lieutenant			Sous-lieutenant			Aspirant						Élève-officier
Rank group	General/flag officers										Field/senior officers						Junior officers								Officer cadet
Algerian Air Force[2] v t
			فريق أول Fariq 'awal		فريق Fariq		لواء Liwa		عميد Amid		عقيد Aqid		مقدم Muqaddam		رائد Ra'id		نقيب Naqib		ملازم أول Mulazim awwal			ملازم Mulazim			مرشح Murashah
			Général d'armée		Général de corps d'armée		Général major		Général		Colonel		Lieutenant colonel		Commandant		Capitaine		Lieutenant			Sous lieutenant			Aspirant
Burkina Faso Air Force[3] v t
			Général d'armée		Général de corps d'armée		Général de division		Général de brigade		Colonel major	Colonel	Lieutenant-colonel		Commandant		Capitaine		Lieutenant			Sous-lieutenant			Aspirant
Royal Cambodian Air Force v t
			General		Lieutenant general		Major general		Brigadier general		Colonel		Lieutenant colonel		Major		Captain		1st lieutenant			2nd lieutenant			Officer cadet
Cameroon Air Force v t
			Général d'armée aérienne		Général de corps aérien		Général de division aérienne		Général de brigade aérienne		Colonel		Lieutenant-Colonel		Commandant		Capitaine		Lieutenant			Sous-Lieutenant
Central African Air Force v t
							Général de division		Général de brigade		Colonel		Lieutenant-Colonel		Commandant		Capitaine		Lieutenant			Sous-Lieutenant
Chadian Air Force v t
							Général de division aérienne		Général de brigade aérienne		Colonel		Lieutenant-Colonel		Commandant		Capitaine		Lieutenant			Sous-Lieutenant
Congolese Air Force[4] v t
			Général d'armée		Général de corps d'armée		Général de division		Général de brigade		Colonel		Lieutenant-colonel		Commandant		Capitaine		Lieutenant			Sous-lieutenant			Aspirant
Djibouti Air Force v t
									Général de brigade		Colonel		Lieutenant-Colonel		Commandant		Capitaine		Lieutenant			Sous-Lieutenant
Gabonese Air Force v t
			Général d'armée		Général de corps d'armée		Général de division		Général de brigade		Colonel		Lieutenant-colonel		Commandant		Capitaine		Lieutenant			Sous-Lieutenant
Guinea Air Force v t
			General		Lieutenant general		Major general		Brigadier general		Colonel		Lieutenant colonel		Major		Captain		First lieutenant			Second lieutenant
Ivory Coast Air Force[5] v t
			Général d'armée		Général de corps d'armée		Général de division		Général de brigade		Colonel-major	Colonel	Lieutenant-colonel		Commandant		Capitaine		Lieutenant			Sous-lieutenant			Aspirant
Lebanese Air Force[6] v t
					عماد Eimad		لواء Liwa		عميد Amid		عقيد Aqid		مقدّم Muqaddam		رائد Ra'id		نقيب Naqib		ملازم أوّل Mulazim awwal			ملازم Mulazim			تلميذ ضابط سنة ثالثة Tilmidh dabit sanat 3				تلميذ ضابط سنة ثانية Tilmidh dabit sanat 2				تلميذ ضابط سنة أولى Tilmidh dabit sanat 1
Madagascar Air Force[7] v t
			Général d'armée		Général de corps d'armée		Général de division		Général de brigade		Colonel		Lieutenant-colonel		Commandant		Capitaine		Lieutenant			Sous-lieutenant
Malian Air Force[8] v t
			Général d'armée		Général de corps d'armée		Général de division		Général de brigade		Colonel-major	Colonel	Lieutenant-colonel		Commandant		Capitaine		Lieutenant			Sous-lieutenant			Aspirant						Élève officier d'active
Mauritania Islamic Air Force[9] v t
					فريق Fariq		لواء Liwa				عقيد Aqid		مقدم Muqaddam		رائد Ra'id		نقيب Naqib		ملازم أول Mulazim awwal			ملازم Mulazim
Royal Moroccan Air Force v t
			Général d'armée Aerienne		Général de corps Aerienne		Général de division Aerienne		Général de brigade Aerienne		Colonel Major	Colonel	Lieutenant-Colonel		Commandant		Capitaine		Lieutenant			Sous-Lieutenant
Niger Air Force v t
											Colonel		Lieutenant Colonel		Major		Captain		First Lieutenant			Second Lieutenant
Senegalese Air Force v t
							Général de division		Général de brigade		Colonel		Lieutenant-Colonel		Commandant		Capitaine		Lieutenant			Sous-Lieutenant
Togolese Air Force[10] v t
							Général de division aérienne		Général de brigade aérienne		Colonel		Lieutenant-colonel		Commandant		Capitaine		Lieutenant			Sous-lieutenant
Tunisian Air Force v t
					Général de corps d'armée فريق أول		Général de division فريق		Général de brigade أمير لواء		Colonel-major عميد	Colonel عقيد	Lieutenant-colonel مقدم		Commandant رائد		Capitaine نقيب		Lieutenant ملازم أول			Sous-lieutenant ملازم
Rank group	General/flag officers										Field/senior officers						Junior officers								Officer cadet

show

Francophone enlisted ranks

NATO code	OR-9						OR-8		OR-7		OR-6						OR-5						OR-4				OR-3		OR-2						OR-1
French Air and Space Force[1] v t
	Major			Adjudant-chef			Adjudant				Sergent-chef						Sergent						Caporal-chef				Caporal		Aviateur 1e classe						Aviateur 2e classe
Rank group	Senior NCOs																						Junior NCOs						Enlisted
Algerian Air Force[2] v t																																			No insignia
	مساعد أول Mosa'id awwal						مساعد Mosa'id				رقيب أول Raqib awwal						رقيب Raqib						عريف أول Earif 'awal				عريف Earif								جندي Jundiun
	Adjudant chef						Adjudant				Sergent chef						Sergent						Caporal chef				Caporal								Djoundi
Burkina Faso Air Force[3][11] v t																																			No insignia
	Adjudant-chef major			Adjudant-chef			Adjudant				Sergent-chef						Sergent						Caporal-chef				Caporal		Soldat de première classe						Soldat de deuxeme classe
Royal Cambodian Air Force v t
	Warrant Officer						Command Sergeant Major		Master Sergeant		Staff Sergeant						Chief Corporal						Corporal				Airman 1st Class		Airman 2nd Class						Airman
Cameroon Air Force v t																																			No insignia
	Warrant Officer Class 1 Adjudant-chef						Warrant Officer Class 2 Adjudant				Flight sergeant Sergent-chef						Sergeant Sergent						Corporal Caporal-chef				Lance Corporal Caporal		Leading aircraftman Soldat Première						Aircraftman Soldat
Central African Air Force v t																																			No insignia
	Chief Warrant Officer Adjudant-chef						Warrant Officer Adjudant		Sergeant Major Sergent-major		Staff Sergeant Sergent-chef						Career Sergeant Sergent			Sergeant Sergent			Corporal Caporal-chef				Lance Corporal Caporal		Private First Class Soldat Première						Private Soldat
Chadian Air Force v t																																			No insignia
									Sergent-major		Sergent-chef						Sergent										Caporal		Soldat Première						Soldat
Congolese Air Force[4] v t																																			No insignia
	Adjudant-chef						Adjudant				Sergent-chef						Sergent						Caporal-chef				Caporal		Soldat 1ère classe						Soldat 2e classe
Djibouti Air Force v t
	Adjudant-chef						Adjudant				Sergent-chef						Sergent						Caporal-chef				Caporal		Soldat Première						Soldat
Gabonese Air Force v t
	Adjudant-chef major			Adjudant-chef			Adjudant				Sergent-chef						Sergent						Caporal-chef				Caporal		Soldat première						Soldat
Ivory Coast Air Force[5] v t
	Adjudant-chef major			Adjudant-chef			Adjudant				Sergent-chef						Sergent						Caporal-chef				Caporal		Soldat de première classe						Soldat de seconde classe
Lebanese Air Force[6] v t																																			No insignia
	مؤهل أول Muahal 'awal		مؤهل Muahal		معاون أوّل Maawan 'awal		معاون Maawan				رقيب أوّل Raqib awwl						رقيب Raqib						عريف أول Earif 'awal				عريف Earif		جندي أول Jundiun 'awal						جندي Jundiun
Madagascar Air Force[7] v t																																			No insignia
	Adjudant-major			Adjudant-chef			Adjudant		Sergent-major		Sergent-chef						Sergent						Caporal-chef				Caporal								Soldat
Malian Air Force[8] v t
	Major			Adjudant-chef			Adjudant				Sergent-chef						Sergent						Caporal-chef				Caporal		Soldat de première classe						Soldat
Mauritania Islamic Air Force[12] v t
	مساعد أول Mosa'id awwal						مساعد Mosa'id				رقيب أول Raqib awwal						رقيب Raqib										عريف 'arif								جندي Jundiun
Royal Moroccan Air Force v t																																			No insignia
	Warrant Officer Class 1 Adjudant-chef						Warrant Officer Class 2 Adjudant		Sergeant Major Sergent-major		Staff Sergeant Sergent-chef						Sergeant Sergent						Corporal Caporal-chef				Lance Corporal Caporal		Private First Class Soldat Première						Private Soldat
Niger Air Force v t
	Warrant Officer Class 1 Adjudant-chef						Warrant Officer Class 2 Adjudant				Staff Sergeant Sergent-chef						Sergeant Sergent						Corporal Caporal-chef				Lance Corporal Caporal		Private First Class Soldat de première classe						Private Soldat
Senegalese Air Force v t																																			No insignia
	Adjudant-chef						Adjudant				Sergent-chef						Sergent						Caporal-chef				Caporal		Soldat de première classe						Soldat
Togolese Air Force[10] v t																																			No insignia
	Major			Adjudant-chef			Adjudant				Sergent-chef						Sergent						Caporal-chef				Caporal		Soldat de 1ère classe						Soldat de 2e classe
Tunisian Air Force v t
	Sergeant Major Adjudant-chef Major			Master Sergeant Adjudant-chef			Sergeant 1st class Adjudant				Staff Sergeant Sergent-chef						Sergeant Sergent						Corporal Caporal-chef				Lance Corporal Caporal		Private First Class Soldat Première						Private Soldat
Rank group	Senior NCOs																						Junior NCOs						Enlisted

See also[]

• French Air Force

References[]

• Official website
• Uniforminsignia.org (French Air Force)