The military ranks of the Colombian armed forces consist of the list and ordering of the different military ranks, for the Officers, Non-commissioned officers (NCOs) and soldiers, seamen and airmen ("other ranks") of the Military Forces of Colombia. The ranks are visually represented by insignias placed on the uniforms, usually at the shoulders, sleeves and shirt collars.
A literal translation from Spanish to English may be misleading as the rank names do not necessarily follow the customary order used in anglophone military ranks in all cases. Furthermore, Colombia is not a member of NATO, so there is not an official equivalence between the Colombian military ranks and those defined by NATO. The displayed parallel is approximate and for illustration purposes only.
Applicable law The ranks in the Military Forces of Colombia are regulated through the following applicable legislation: the Decree-Law 1790 of 2000, Law 1405 of 2010, and Law 1792 of 2016
In terms of protocol, the established order for the forces is Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, as established by the Military Rules of Protocol (Reglamento de Protocolo Militar FFMM)
Army
The Colombian Army is the largest of the three service branches of the Military Forces of Colombia, tasked with defending sovereignty and law and order across the national territory. The tables below display the rank structures and rank insignias for the Colombian Army personnel.
Officers Abbr. GR MG BG CR TC MY CT TE ST'"3B" Uniform sample Service branch Cavalry Infantry Engineers Communications Cavalry ArtilleryCamouflage Fatigues sample Service branch Cavalry Infantry Engineers Artillery Communications Logistics (Armory)
Enlisted '"3B" Uniform sample No Insignia
Soldier types : Conscripted soldier serving for a period of 22 months mandatory service . : Regular soldiers that stay in the army after completing their 22 months' mandatory conscription service, making it a permanent career. The number in their rank insignia indicating the number of years they have served.
Additional ranks are soldiers who have gained recognition through their achievements and have special training. They have a certain degree of authority over regular soldiers.
Rank group Dragoneante Alumno Insignia
Navy
The Colombian Navy () is the maritime service branch of the Military Forces of Colombia, responsible for security and defense in both the Atlantic (Caribbean) and Pacific seas of Colombia, the extensive network of rivers inside the country, and a few small land areas under its direct jurisdiction. The tables below display the rank structures and rank insignias for the Colombian Navy personnel.
Officers Abbr. ALM VALM CALM CN CF CC TN TF TK
Enlisted Abbr. SJTCC SJTC SJT SJ S1 S2 S3 MA1 MA2
Marine Infantry
In Colombia, the Marine Infantry is a Corps depending on the Colombian Navy and not a full service branch on its own. Being tasked with amphibious and riverine and littoral operations, the MI presents a combination of ranking names derived from the Army, combined with naval insignias. The tables below display the rank structures and rank insignias for the Colombian Marine Infantry personnel.
Officers Abbr. - GR - MG BG CR TC MY CT TE ST -
Enlisted Abbr. SMCCCIM SMCCIM SMCIM SPCIM SVCIM SSCIM CPCIM CSCIM C3CIM -
Aerospace Force
The Colombian Aerospace Force is the service branch of the Military Forces of Colombia tasked with the protection and defense of the Colombian sovereign airspace. The tables below display the rank structures and rank insignias for the Colombian Aerospace Force personnel.
Officers Abbr. GR MG BG CR TC MY CT TE ST"3B" Uniform sample
Enlisted Abbr. TJCC TJC TJ TS TP T2 T3 T4 AT -
2010-2016 ranks General de Ejercito Teniente General Mayor General Brigadier General Coronel Teniente Coronel Mayor Capitán Teniente Subteniente Almirante Almirante de Escuadra Vicealmirante Contralmirante Capitán de Navío Capitán de Fragata Capitán de Corbeta Teniente de Navío Teniente de Fragata Teniente de Corbeta General Teniente General Mayor General Brigadier Coronel Teniente Coronel Mayor Capitán Teniente Subteniente General del Aire Teniente General del Aire Mayor General del Aire Brigadier General del Aire Coronel Teniente Coronel Mayor Capitán Teniente Subteniente
Pre 2010 ranks No equivalent Técnico Jefe de Comando Conjunto Técnico Jefe de Comando Técnico Jefe Técnico Subjefe Técnico Primero Técnico Segundo Técnico Tercero Técnico Cuarto Aerotécnico
See also Ranks of the Colombian National Police
Notes
References
External links Colombian Army Ranks and distinctives - Official site Colombian Navy - Official site Colombian Air Force - Official site