Ranks in the French Air and Space Force

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

- general officers NATOrank Rank insignia Name Description Shoulder Sleeve French English translation OF-9 Air army general In command of an air force. OF-8 Air corps general In command of an air force corps. OF-7 Air division general In command of a division. OF-6 Air brigade general In command of a brigade, or of a in the Gendarmerie.

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

- junior officers NATOrank Rank insignia Name Notes Shoulder Camouflage French English translation OF-2 Captain OF-1 Lieutenant Sub-lieutenant 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 (Officer Cadet). They can afterwards be commissioned as a . Officer cadet A rank held during the first years at the officer academies.

- sub-officers, i.e. non-commissioned officers NATOrank Rank insignia Name Notes Shoulder French English translation OR-9 Major The senior sub-officer rank, since 1 January 2009 this grade is attached to the . Prior to this date it was an independent between the and the . There are relatively few in the army, about one per regiment or brigade. As they could hold equivalent administrative tasks as they are more common in the . 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. OR-9 Chief Adjutant Chief Warrant Officer; often same responsibilities as the lieutenant. OR-8 Adjutant Warrant Officer; often same responsibilities as an adjudant-chef. OR-6 Chief sergeant Addressed as "chef". Typically a platoon second-in-command (equivalent to a Commonwealth sergeant or a US sergeant first class). OR-5 Sergeant Typically in command of a "group" (i.e. squad; equivalent to a commonwealth corporal or US staff sergeant) NCO student NCO candidates at the EOPN.

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

are cadet officers still in training. are junior officers and are often aided by or , who are experienced NCOs/warrant officers.

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

A four chevron 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.

- Troop ranks NATOrank Rank insignia Name Notes Shoulder French English translation OR-4 Chief corporal Often same responsibilities as a sergent. OR-3 Corporal In command of an - literally a team (fireteam). Presently this size unit is a in the army. OR-2 Aviator first class OR-1 Aviator second class

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 Rank Insignia Christian Jewish MuslimChief Military ChaplainDeputy Chief Military ChaplainRegional military chaplainMilitary chaplain

Ranks in the French Air and Space Force

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