Military Ranks of Canada 🇨🇦

Overview

The armed forces of Canada, known as the "Canadian Armed Forces" (CAF), consist of three main branches, each with specific responsibilities:

  • Canadian Army: The Canadian Army is responsible for land-based military operations, including infantry, armored units, artillery, and support units. It plays a crucial role in national defense and international peacekeeping missions.
  • Royal Canadian Navy: The Royal Canadian Navy focuses on maritime defense and security, operating various vessels, including frigates, submarines, and coastal defense ships. It is tasked with safeguarding Canada's extensive coastline and maritime interests.
  • Royal Canadian Air Force: The Royal Canadian Air Force is responsible for aerial defense and operations, with fighter aircraft, transport planes, and helicopters ensuring air superiority and national defense.

Canadian Air Force

Rank name Insignia NATO code US Army equivalent
General / Général OF-9 General
Lieutenant-general / Lieutenant-général OF-8 Lieutenant General
Major-general / Major-général OF-7 Major General
Brigadier-general / Brigadier-général OF-6 Brigadier General
Colonel / Colonel OF-5 Colonel
Lieutenant-colonel / Lieutenant-colonel OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel
Major / Major OF-3 Major / Commandant
Captain / Capitaine OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant
Lieutenant / Lieutenant OF-1 Lieutenant
Second lieutenant / Sous-lieutenant OF-1 Lieutenant
Officer cadet / Élève-officier OF-D Student Officer
Chief warrant officer / Adjudant-chef OR-9 Sergeant Major
Master warrant officer / Adjudant-maître OR-8 1st Sergeant
Warrant officer / Adjudant OR-7 Sergeant 1st Class
Sergeant / Sergent OR-6 Staff Sergeant
Master corporal / Caporal-chef OR-4 Corporal
Corporal / Caporal OR-3 Private 1st Class
Aviator (trained) / Aviateur (formé) OR-2 Private
Aviator (basic) / Aviateur (confirmé) OR-1 Private

Canadian Army

Rank name Insignia NATO code US Army equivalent
General / Général OF-9 General
Lieutenant-general / Lieutenant-général OF-8 Lieutenant General
Major-general / Major-général OF-7 Major General
Brigadier-general / Brigadier-général OF-6 Brigadier General
Colonel / Colonel OF-5 Colonel
Lieutenant-colonel / Lieutenant-colonel OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel
Major / Major OF-3 Major / Commandant
Captain / Capitaine OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant
Lieutenant / Lieutenant OF-1 Lieutenant
Second lieutenant / Sous-lieutenant OF-1 Lieutenant
Officer cadet / Élève-officier OF-D Student Officer
Chief warrant officer / Adjudant-chef OR-9 Sergeant Major
Master warrant officer / Adjudant-maître OR-8 1st Sergeant
Warrant officer / Adjudant OR-7 Sergeant 1st Class
Sergeant / Sergent OR-6 Staff Sergeant
Master corporal / Caporal-chef OR-4 Corporal
Corporal / Caporal OR-3 Private 1st Class
Private / Soldat OR-2 Private
Private / Soldat OR-1 Private

Canadian Navy

Rank name Insignia NATO code US Army equivalent
Admiral / Amiral OF-9 General
Vice-admiral / Vice-amiral OF-8 Lieutenant General
Rear-admiral / Contre-amiral OF-7 Major General
Commodore / Commodore OF-6 Brigadier General
Captain (N) / Capitaine de vaisseau OF-5 Colonel
Commander / Capitaine de frégate OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant-commander / Capitaine de corvette OF-3 Major / Commandant
Lieutenant (N) / Lieutenant de vaisseau OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant
Sub-lieutenant / Enseigne de vaisseau de 1re classe OF-1 Lieutenant
Acting sub-lieutenant / Enseigne de vaisseau de 2e classe OF-1 Lieutenant
Naval cadet / Aspirant de marine OF-D Student Officer
Chief petty officer 1st class / Premier maître de 1re classe OR-9 Sergeant Major
Chief petty officer 2nd class / Premier maître de 2e classe OR-8 1st Sergeant
Petty officer 1st class / Maître de 1re classe OR-7 Sergeant 1st Class
Petty officer 2nd class / Maître de 2e classe OR-6 Staff Sergeant
Master sailor / Matelot-chef OR-4 Corporal
Sailor 1st class / Matelot de 1re classe OR-3 Private 1st Class
Sailor 2nd class / Matelot de 2e classe OR-2 Private
Sailor 3rd class / Matelot de 3e classe OR-1 Private