Rank Structure of the CF

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The Canadian Forces, like all militaries, operates with a strict hierarchy of ranks:

See also: Canadian Army Rank Insignia

Army & Airforce

Air Force ranks are the same as Army ranks. The ranks of The Canadian Army are, in order from highest to lowest:

Officers

General Officers

  • General
  • Lieutenant General
  • Major General
  • Brigadier General

Senior Officers

  • Colonel
  • Lieutenant Colonel
  • Major

Junior Officers

  • Captain
  • Lieutenant
  • Second Lieutenant

Subordinate Officers

  • Officer Cadet


Non Commissioned Members

Warrant Officers

  • Chief Warrant Officer
  • Master Warrant Officer
  • Warrant Officer

Senior Non Commissioned Officers

  • Sergeant

Junior Non Commissioned Officers

  • Master Corporal (*)(**)
  • Corporal(**)

Private Soldiers

  • Private (Trained)(**)
  • Private (Basic)
  • Private (Recruit)

(*)Master Corporal is technically an appointment rather than a rank but in practice is part of the normal career rank progression for a junior NCO.

Unofficial Variations

Some regiments/branches use special rank titles. These are not authorised under the QR&Os, but are widely used. They are as follows:

Rank Artillery Armour Cbt Engr Fusilier Regiment Rifle Regiment EME
Trained Private Gunner Trooper Sapper Fusilier Rifleman Craftsman
Corporal Bombardier (-) (-) (-) (-) (-)
Master Corporal Master Bombardier (-) (-) (-) (-) (-)

The Navy

The Navy has ranks directly equivalent but with historical titles:

Officers

Flag Officers

  • Admiral
  • Vice Admiral
  • Read Admiral
  • Commodore

Senior Officers

  • Captain (Naval)
  • Lieutenant Commander
  • Commander

Junior Officers

  • Lieutenant (Naval)
  • Sub Lieutenant
  • Acting Sub Lieutenant

Subordinate Officers

  • Naval Cadet


Non Commissioned Members

Petty Officers

  • Chief Petty Officer 1st Class
  • Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class
  • Petty Officer 1st Class
  • Petty Officer 2nd Class

Junior Non Commissioned Members

  • Master Seaman (*)
  • Leading Seaman

Private Soldiers

  • Able Seaman
  • Ordinary Seaman


(*)Master Seaman is technically an appointment rather than a rank but in practice is part of the normal career rank progression for a junior NCO.


NATO Comparison

NATO Rank Comparison

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