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Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom. ...
Image File history File links Marshal of the Royal Air Force insignia As a design, this is Crown copyright. ...
Image File history File links Air Chief Marshal insignia As a design, this is Crown copyright. ...
Image File history File links Air Marshal insignia As a design, this is Crown copyright. ...
Image File history File links Air Vice Marshal insignia As a design, this is Crown copyright. ...
Image File history File links Air Commodore insignia As a design, this is Crown copyright. ...
Image File history File links Group Captain insignia As a design, this is Crown copyright. ...
Image File history File links Wing Commander insignia As a design, this is Crown copyright. ...
Image File history File links SL_insignia. ...
Image File history File links Flight Lieutenant insignia As a design, this is Crown copyright. ...
Image File history File links Flying Officer insignia As a design, this is Crown copyright. ...
Image File history File links Pilot Officer insignia As a design, this is Crown copyright. ...
Image File history File links RAF_Off_Cdt. ...
Marshal of the RAF sleeve/shoulder insignia Marshal of the Royal Air Force was the highest rank in the Royal Air Force. ...
An Air Chief Marshals sleeve/shoulder insignia Air Chief Marshal is the most senior rank active in the Royal Air Force (RAF) today, after the inactivation of Marshal of the Royal Air Force as a substantive rank in peacetime during defence cuts of the 1990s. ...
This article is about the Air Force rank. ...
An Air Vice Marshals sleeve/shoulder insignia Air Vice Marshal is the third most senior rank active in the Royal Air Force today, after the inactivation of Marshal of the Royal Air Force as a substantive rank in peacetime during defence cuts of the 1990s. ...
An Air Commodoress sleeve/shoulder insignia Air Commodore is the fourth most senior rank active in the Royal Air Force today, after the deactivation of Marshal of the Royal Air Force as a substantive rank in peacetime during defence cuts of the 1990s. ...
A Group Captains sleeve/shoulder insignia A Group Captains command flag Group Captain is a senior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries. ...
A Wing Commanders sleeve/shoulder insignia A Wing Commanders command flag Wing Commander is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries. ...
A Squadron Leaders sleeve/shoulder insignia Squadron Leader is a commissioned rank in some air forces. ...
A Flight Lieutenants sleeve/shoulder insignia Flight Lieutenant (abbreviated as Flt Lt and pronounced as flight lef-tenant, see Lieutenant) is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many Commonwealth countries. ...
A Flying Officers sleeve/shoulder insignia Flying Officer is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries. ...
A Pilot Officers sleeve/shoulder insignia Pilot Officer is the lowest commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries, ranking only above Acting Pilot Officer (or APO) and Officer Cadet. ...
Officer Cadet is a rank held by military cadets during their training to become commissioned officers. ...
Officer Cadet is a rank held by military cadets during their training to become commissioned officers. ...
Image File history File links Royal-Air-Force-Ensign. ...
The Royal Air Force (often abbreviated to RAF) is the air force branch of the British Armed Forces. ...
The Royal Air Force Regiment is a specialist corps within the Royal Air Force, responsible for defending airfields and associated installations. ...
The Royal Air Force has its own dedicated intelligence branch. ...
The Royal Air Force Police (RAFP), also called the Provost Branch, is the military police branch of the British Royal Air Force. ...
University Air Squadrons are training units of the Royal Air Force which provide basic flying training to students at British universities. ...
See the History section on the Royal Air Force page. ...
1900-1918 1908 - Samuel Cody completes the first powered flight in the UK at Farnborough. ...
Many aircraft types have served in the Royal Air Force since it was formed in 1918 by the merger of the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Naval Air Service. ...
Strike Command is the successor organisation in the Royal Air Force to RAF Bomber Command, RAF Fighter Command and RAF Coastal Command of WWII fame. ...
Number 1 Group of the Royal Air Force is one of the three groups in RAF Strike Command. ...
Number 2 Group of the Royal Air Force is one of the three groups in RAF Strike Command. ...
Number 3 Group of the Royal Air Force is one of the three groups in RAF Strike Command. ...
The Joint Force Air Component Headquarters is the United Kindgdoms deployable air Command and Control Unit. ...
Personnel and Training Command is one of two operational commands of the Royal Air Force along with Strike Command. ...
The Training Group of the Royal Air Force is the group that controls the stations of Personnel and Training Command. ...
This is a list of Royal Air Force stations in the United Kingdom and elsewhere. ...
Enlisted ranks is not a term used in the Royal Air Force, and is only used in this articles title for the sake of consistency with rank listings in other countries, not least those of the United States. ...
Origins
Lieutenant-General David Henderson originally proposed that Royal Air Force officers use a combination of British Army and Royal Navy ranks. However, the War Office argued that the RAF should have its own ranks and the Admiralty opposed any use of their rank titles. The Royal Air Force (often abbreviated to RAF) is the air force branch of the British Armed Forces. ...
The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. ...
The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the senior service of the British armed services, being the oldest of its three branches. ...
Old War Office Building, Whitehall, London - the former location of the War Office The War Office was a former department of the British Government, responsible for the administration of the British Army between the 17th century and 1963, when its functions were transferred to the Ministry of Defence. ...
Old Admiralty House, Whitehall, London, Thomas Ripley, architect, 1723-26, was not admired by his contemporaries and earned him some scathing couplets from Alexander Pope The Admiralty was historically the authority in the United Kingdom responsible for the command of the Royal Navy. ...
Badges of Rank On 1 April 1918, Air Force Memorandum 2 specified rank insignia for the newly established independent force. Rank was to be worn on the jacket cuff and was derived from the Royal Navy's rings, each equivalent rank having the same number of rings. However, second lieutenants (now pilot officers) displayed a crowned eagle only and the Navy's loop was not used for any rank. Depending on the uniform, either gold or pale blue on grey braid was worn. April 1 is the 91st day of the year (92nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 274 days remaining. ...
1918 (MCMXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. ...
In August 1918, Air Ministry Weekly Order 617 added a single band of 1/4 inch braid below the second lieutenant's eagle and all other officer ranks recieved a crowned eagle above their braid. The Air Ministry was formerly a department of the United Kingdom Government, established in 1918 with the responsibility of managing the affairs of the (then newly formed) Royal Air Force. ...
 The sleeve of RAF Mess Dress showing flt lt rank in gold braid In 1919 the colour of the rank braid was changed to black with a central pale blue stripe. However, on RAF mess dress rank continued to be displayed in gold. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (646x644, 233 KB)This photograph was taken by the uploader and is released to the public domain. ...
Image File history File links Download high resolution version (646x644, 233 KB)This photograph was taken by the uploader and is released to the public domain. ...
Three Canadian officers in shawl or rolled collar jacket and waistcoat style mess dress or mess kit. ...
1919 (MCMXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ...
Three Canadian officers in shawl or rolled collar jacket and waistcoat style mess dress or mess kit. ...
Rank Titles On 1 August 1919, Air Ministry Weekly Order 973 introduced new rank titles for RAF officers. They were based on Royal Navy ranks and their titles were influenced by the usage in the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) during World War I. For example, the RAF rank of Flight Lieutenant was based on the RNAS rank of the same name. The rank of Squadron Leader derived its name from the RNAS rank of Squadron Commander. Initially the highest rank was titled Marshal of the Air. However, only a few days after it was promulgated and at the request of King George V, this rank title was changed to Marshal of the Royal Air Force. August 1 is the 213th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (214th in leap years), with 152 days remaining. ...
1919 (MCMXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ...
The Air Ministry was formerly a department of the United Kingdom Government, established in 1918 with the responsibility of managing the affairs of the (then newly formed) Royal Air Force. ...
The Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) was the air arm of the Royal Navy until near the end of World War I. When the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) was founded on April 13, 1912 it was intended to encompass all military flying. ...
World War I was primarily a European conflict with many facets: immense human sacrifice, stalemate trench warfare, and the use of new, devastating weapons - tanks, aircraft, machine guns, and poison gas. ...
George V (George Frederick Ernest Albert Windsor, formerly Wettin until 1917) (3 June 1865–20 January 1936) was the last British monarch of the House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, changing the name to the House of Windsor in 1917. ...
Distinction between ranks and appointments Many RAF ranks do not imply the appointment or duties of an officer. For example, a Pilot Officer may well not be trained to pilot an aircraft and a Squadron Leader does not necessarily command a squadron.
Composite Braid
 Composite braid as worn by a squadron leader RAF officers typically wear composite braid rank slides with their working and operational uniforms. Composite braid consists of a single piece of fabric, where the 'background' between the rank rings is made from blue-grey material. Composite braid rank slides are often referred to as 'bar-code' in RAF slang. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (974x1020, 662 KB)The uploader took this photograph which depicts composite rank braid of an RAF squadron leader. ...
Image File history File links Download high resolution version (974x1020, 662 KB)The uploader took this photograph which depicts composite rank braid of an RAF squadron leader. ...
Other air forces The following air forces use a similar or identical officer rank structure to the RAF: The following air forces use rank insignia for their officers which are similar to the RAF, but employ army rank titles: The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. ...
The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) is the air force arm of the New Zealand Defence Force. ...
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is the air force of Nigeria. ...
The Indian Air Force (à¤à¤¾à¤°à¤¤à¥€à¤¯ वायॠसेना : Bharatiya Vayu Sena) is the air-arm of the Military of India and has the prime responsibility of conducting air-based warfare and securing Indian airspace. ...
The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) (Pakistan Fizaya in Urdu) is the Aviation branch of the Pakistan armed forces. ...
Official emblem of Bangladesh Air Force The Bangladesh Air Force (Bangladesh Biman Bahini in Bangla) is the Aviation branch of the Bangladesh Armed Forces. ...
The Sri Lanka Air Force is the Airborne Wing of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces, and its key role is to provide tacical support to naval and land divisions. ...
External link Ghana Air Force official site Categories: Pages needing attention | Stub | Air forces | Military of Ghana ...
The Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ) is the air force of Zimbabwe. ...
The following air forces formerly used a similar or identical officer rank structure to the RAF: Logo of the Royal Netherlands Airforce First F-16 deliverd to the Dutch Royal Airforce The Royal Netherlands Air Force (Koninklijke Luchtmacht) is the aviation branch of the Netherlands defence forces. ...
History The Danish armed forces received 38 Supermarine Spitfire H. F. Mk. ...
The following air forces formerly used similar rank insigia to the RAF: The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) was the air force of Canada from 1924 until 1968 when the three branches of the Canadian military were merged into the Canadian Armed Forces. ...
Royal Malaysian Airforce The Royal Malaysian Air Force (Tentera Udara DiRaja Malaysia) was formed in 1958 as the Tentera Udara Diraja Persekutuan or Royal Malayan Air Force. ...
The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF, Chinese: æ–°åŠ å¡ç©ºå†›éƒ¨é˜Ÿ) was established in 1968 and was at that time called the Singapore Air Defence Command (SADC), it was later named the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) in 1975. ...
See also
 British officer ranks Here is a rough list United states Air force: O-10General O-9 Lieutenant general O-8 Major general O-7 Brigadier general O-6 Colonel O-5 Lieutenant colonel O-4 Major O-3 Captain O-2 First lieutenant O-1 Second lieutenant See also NATO Ranks and insignia...
The following table shows comparative ranks of the principle Allied and Central powers during World War I. For modern ranks refer to Comparative military ranks. ...
The following table shows comparative ranks of major Allied and Axis powers during World War II. For modern ranks refer to Comparative military ranks. ...
Comparative military ranks are a means of comparing military rank systems of different nations as a means of categorizing the hierarchy of an armed force compared to another. ...
Military rank, or simply rank, is a system of grading seniority and command within military organizations. ...
The Royal Air Force (often abbreviated to RAF) is the air force branch of the British Armed Forces. ...
Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom. ...
In military organizations, a commissioned officer is a member of the service who derives authority directly from a sovereign power, and as such holds a commission from that power. ...
| | | Student Officer | OF(D) | OF-1 | OF-2 | OF-3 | OF-4 | OF-5 | OF-6 | OF-7 | OF-8 | OF-9 | OF-10 | | Royal Navy: | OCdt | Mid | SLt | Lt | Lt Cdr | Cdr | Capt | Cdre | RAdm | VAdm | Adm | Admiral of the Fleet | | Royal Marines: | OCdt | | 2Lt - Lt The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the senior service of the British armed services, being the oldest of its three branches. ...
Officer Cadet is a rank held by military cadets during their training to become commissioned officers. ...
For the fishes called midshipman, see Midshipman fish In the navies of English-speaking countries, a midshipman is a subordinate officer, or a commissioned officer of the lowest rank. ...
A Lieutenant, Junior Grade, is a division officer in the United States Navy. ...
A Lieutenant is a military, paramilitary or police officer. ...
In the Royal Navy, United States Navy and United States Coast Guard, a lieutenant commander (lieutenant-commander or Lt Cdr in the RN) is a commissioned officer superior to a lieutenant and inferior to a commander. ...
Insignia of a United States Navy Commander Commander is a military rank used in many navies but not generally in armies or air forces. ...
Captain is both a nautical term and a military rank. ...
The military rank of Commodore is used in some navies for officers whose position exceeds that of a Captain, but is less than that of a flag officer. ...
The term Rear Admiral originated from the days of Naval Sailing Squadrons, and can trace its origins to the British Royal Navy. ...
Vice Admiral is a naval rank of three star level, equivalent to Lieutenant General in seniority. ...
Admiral is a word from the Arabic term Amir-al-bahr (Lord of the bay). ...
Royal Navy Insignia Admiral of the Fleet is a rank of the British Royal Navy and many other navies, the equivalent of Fleet Admiral in the United States Navy. ...
The Corps of Royal Marines, usually just known as the Royal Marines (RM), are the United Kingdoms amphibious forces and a core component of the countrys Rapid Deployment Force. ...
Officer Cadet is a rank held by military cadets during their training to become commissioned officers. ...
Second Lieutenant is the lowest commissioned rank in many armed forces. ...
A Lieutenant is a military, paramilitary or police officer. ...
| Capt | Maj | Lt Col | Col | Brig | Maj Gen | Lt Gen | Gen | | | Army: | OCdt | | 2Lt - Lt Captain is both a nautical term and a military rank. ...
Major is a military rank. ...
In the U.S. Army, Air Force and Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a commissioned officer superior to a major and inferior to a colonel. ...
It has been suggested that polkovnik be merged into this article or section. ...
Brigadier is a rank in the British Army, Royal Marines, Australian Army, New Zealand Army, and several other armies, ranking above Colonel and immediately below Major-General. ...
Insignia of a United States Air Force Major General German Generalmajor Insignia Major General is a military rank used in many countries. ...
Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. ...
General is a high military rank, used by nearly every country in the world. ...
The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. ...
Officer Cadet is a rank held by military cadets during their training to become commissioned officers. ...
Second Lieutenant is the lowest commissioned rank in many armed forces. ...
A Lieutenant is a military, paramilitary or police officer. ...
| Capt | Maj | Lt Col | Col | Brig | Maj Gen | Lt Gen | Gen | Field Marshal | | Royal Air Force: | OCdt | | PO - FO Captain is both a nautical term and a military rank. ...
Major is a military rank. ...
In the U.S. Army, Air Force and Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a commissioned officer superior to a major and inferior to a colonel. ...
It has been suggested that polkovnik be merged into this article or section. ...
Brigadier is a rank in the British Army, Royal Marines, Australian Army, New Zealand Army, and several other armies, ranking above Colonel and immediately below Major-General. ...
Insignia of a United States Air Force Major General German Generalmajor Insignia Major General is a military rank used in many countries. ...
Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. ...
General is a high military rank, used by nearly every country in the world. ...
Field Marshal is the highest military rank of the United Kingdom, equivalent to a General of the Army in other countries. ...
The Royal Air Force (often abbreviated to RAF) is the air force branch of the British Armed Forces. ...
Officer Cadet is a rank held by military cadets during their training to become commissioned officers. ...
A Pilot Officers sleeve/shoulder insignia Pilot Officer is the lowest commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries, ranking only above Acting Pilot Officer (or APO) and Officer Cadet. ...
A Flying Officers sleeve/shoulder insignia Flying Officer is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries. ...
| Flt Lt | Sqn Ldr | Wg Cdr | Gp Capt | ACdre | AVM | AM | ACM | MRAF | A Flight Lieutenants sleeve/shoulder insignia Flight Lieutenant (abbreviated as Flt Lt and pronounced as flight lef-tenant, see Lieutenant) is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many Commonwealth countries. ...
A Squadron Leaders sleeve/shoulder insignia Squadron Leader is a commissioned rank in some air forces. ...
A Wing Commanders sleeve/shoulder insignia A Wing Commanders command flag Wing Commander is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries. ...
A Group Captains sleeve/shoulder insignia A Group Captains command flag Group Captain is a senior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries. ...
An Air Commodoress sleeve/shoulder insignia Air Commodore is the fourth most senior rank active in the Royal Air Force today, after the deactivation of Marshal of the Royal Air Force as a substantive rank in peacetime during defence cuts of the 1990s. ...
An Air Vice Marshals sleeve/shoulder insignia An Air Vice Marshals command flag Air Vice Marshal is the third most senior rank active in the Royal Air Force today, after the inactivation of Marshal of the Royal Air Force as a substantive rank in peacetime during defence cuts...
This article is about the Air Force rank. ...
An Air Chief Marshals sleeve/shoulder insignia Air Chief Marshal is the most senior rank active in the Royal Air Force (RAF) today, after the inactivation of Marshal of the Royal Air Force as a substantive rank in peacetime during defence cuts of the 1990s. ...
Marshal of the RAF sleeve/shoulder insignia Marshal of the Royal Air Force was the highest rank in the Royal Air Force. ...
External links and references - Officer Ranks and Badges of the RAF
- Hobart, Malcolm "Badges and Uniforms of the Royal Air Force", ISBN 0850527392
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