Ranks and appointment
Ranks in the Canadian Forces mark a person's position in its hierarchical structure. As people gain more responsibility and authority, they earn promotions in rank.
The formal rank structure within the Forces is essential for:
- passing orders in operations
- ensuring clarity of command
- maintaining order and discipline
Insignia, the badges worn on uniforms, show the person's rank. You can see the insignia for each rank at:
- Royal Canadian Navy ranks and badges
- The RCN has instituted a gender neutral nomenclature change in the Junior Rank designations: This rank change will be reflected upon amendment of QR&O 3.01
- Master Seaman to Master Sailor (MS)
- Leading Seaman to Sailor 1st Class (S1)
- Able Seaman to Sailor 2nd Class (S2)
- Ordinary Seaman to Sailor 3rd Class (S3)
- Canadian Army ranks and badges
- Royal Canadian Air Force ranks and badges
- Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM) ranks and badges
Here are the Navy, Army, Air Force and Special Forces ranks with classifications and acronyms:
| Ranks | Royal Canadian Navy | Canadian Army / Royal Canadian Air Force / CANSOFCOM |
|---|---|---|
| General/Flag Officers | Admiral (Adm) | General (Gen) |
| Vice-Admiral (VAdm) | Lieutenant-General (LGen) | |
| Rear-Admiral (RAdm) | Major-General (MGen) | |
| Commodore (Cmdre) | Brigadier-General (BGen) | |
| Senior Officers | Captain(N) (Capt(N)) | Colonel (Col) |
| Commander (Cdr) | Lieutenant-Colonel (LCol) | |
| Lieutenant-Commander (LCdr) | Major (Maj) | |
| Junior Officers | Lieutenant(N) (Lt(N)) | Captain (Capt) |
| Sub-Lieutenant (SLt) | Lieutenant (Lt) | |
| Acting Sub-Lieutenant (A/SLt) | Second Lieutenant (2Lt) | |
| Subordinate Officer | Naval Cadet (NCdt) | Officer Cadet (OCdt) |
|
Warrant Officers, Petty Officers and Senior Non-Commissioned Officers |
Chief Petty Officer 1st class (CPO 1) | Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) |
| Chief Petty Officer 2nd class(CPO 2) | Master Warrant Officer (MWO) | |
| Petty Officer 1st class(PO 1) | Warrant Officer (WO) | |
| Petty Officer 2nd class(PO 2) | Sergeant (Sgt) | |
| Junior Non-Commissioned Members | Master Seaman (MS) | Master Corporal (MCpl) |
| Leading Seaman (LS) | Corporal (Cpl) | |
| Able Seaman (AB) | Private (Trained) (Pte (T)) / Aviator (Trained) (Avr (T)) | |
| Ordinary Seaman (OS) |
Private (Basic) (Pte (B)) / Aviator (Basic) (Avr (B)) |