The Military ranks of the Philippines are the military insignia used by the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Introduction
The current Philippine military ranks are inspired partially by the first military insignia used by the military forces during the Philippine Revolution of 1896 and the Philippine–American War, and the insignia used by the Philippine Constabulary raised in 1902 during the final days of the Philippine–American War, which was basically the same style of insignia used by the United States Army at that time. Elements of both the US army ranks and the old Philippine Army appear in the current ranks; this was reflected at the general officers insignia and enlisted ranks that resembled those of the US military (the silver stars used by generals and admirals were used by field grade officers in the First Republic), the field officers (like colonels), whose insignia are suns, use those insignia used by general officers of the Revolutionary Army. Company rank insignia (i.e. captain), consisting of a silver triangle, are a recent creation. Both company grade and field grade officer insignia have the baybayin letter ka (K) in the middle, another throwback to the days of the war for independence, and even in the medal used by second-level members of the Katipunan during meetings, in which the letter is in the center.
Current ranks The current AFP insignia used today are a modification of the system first used in 1954–55, as part of the Filipinization of the military forces by then President and former Secretary of National Defense Ramon Magsaysay, ending years of the US-styled rank system in place since 1935. Prior to that period, the Philippines used the same rank insignia of the United States Armed Forces with modifications for Philippine conditions.
Officer ranks The rank insignia of commissioned officers.
Enlisted personnel ranks The rank insignia of non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel.
Senior appointments Rank group Senior appointment First chief master sergeant First chief master sergeant First command master chief petty officer Command master chief petty officer First command sergeant major Command sergeant major Philippine Coast Guard First master chief petty officer
Historic ranks Revolutionary Army ranks
These rank insignia for the nascent army were created in late 1896, replacing the earlier rank insignia used by the Katipuneros containing the letter K (ka). Ranks were then worn on the sleeves of all uniforms.
Shoulder epaulette insignia was introduced in late 1898, some time after the declaration of Philippine independence. It is worthy of mention that the insignia for the rank of Second Lieutenant and Major has three silver and gold stars, respectively, and the number of stars are reduced when promoted.
Officers Shoulder insignia(1899–1901) Sleeve insignia English Generalissimo/Minister marshal Captain general Lieutenant general Divisional general Brigadier general Colonel Lieutenant colonel Commandant Captain First lieutenant Second lieutenant Tagalog Spanish
Enlisted Personnel Sleeve insignia English Sergeant Corporal Private Civil guardsman first class Civil guardsman Tagalog Spanish
Rank insignia during the Commonwealth and immediate independence period (until 1954) Army and Air Force The Philippine Army during the Commonwealth period as well as after independence - as well as the Air Force beginning 1947 - used essentially the same rank insignias as the United States Army. The main difference is the addition of a rank named third lieutenant and the five-star rank of Field Marshal.
Officer
10th Grade 9th Grade 8th Grade 7th Grade 6th Grade 5th Grade 4th Grade 3rd Grade 2nd Grade 1st Grade General Lieutenant General Major General Brigadier General Colonel Lieutenant Colonel Major Captain First Lieutenant Second Lieutenant GEN LTG MG BG COL LTC MAJ CPT 1LT 2LT
Enlisted
US DoD Pay GradeE-9E-8E-7E-6E-5E-4E-3E-2E-1From 1935No equivalentNo insigniaMaster sergeantFirst sergeantTechnical sergeantStaff sergeantSergeantCorporalPrivate first classPrivateSeptember 1942No equivalentNo insigniaFirst sergeantMaster sergeantTechnical sergeantStaff sergeantTechnician 3rd gradeSergeantTechnician 4th gradeCorporalTechnician 5th gradePrivate first classPrivateAugust 1948No equivalent No insigniaNo insigniaFirst sergeant Combat and noncombatMaster sergeant Combat and noncombatSergeant first class Combat and noncombatSergeant Combat and noncombatCorporal Combat and noncombatPrivate first class Combat and noncombatPrivateRecruitFebruary 1951No equivalentNo insigniaNo insigniaFirst sergeantMaster sergeantSergeant first classSergeantCorporalPrivate first classPrivateRecruit
See also Cadet rank in the Philippines Armed Forces of the Philippines
References