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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. ...
An air marshals sleeve/shoulder insignia Air Marshal is the second 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 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 (Fg Off in the RAF; FLGOFF in the RAAF; FGOFF in the RNZAF; F/O in the former RCAF) 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 (Plt Off, PO or P/O in the RAF; PLTOFF in the RAAF) is the lowest substantive commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries, ranking only above Acting Pilot Officer and Officer...
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 Ensign_of_the_Royal_Air_Force. ...
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 capturing and defending airfields and associated installations. ...
See the History section on the Royal Air Force page. ...
// 1900-1918 1901 29 October - The Aero Club of Great Britain is established. ...
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. ...
The Royal Air Forces Strike Command is the military organization which controls the majority of the United Kingdoms combat aircraft. ...
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. ...
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. ...
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. David Henderson was born in 1862 and, following officer training at the Royal Military College Sandhurst, was commissioned into the British Army on 25 Aug 1882. ...
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. ...
Second Lieutenant is the lowest commissioned rank in many armed forces. ...
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 also received 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. ...
 RAF Mess Dress cuff insignia for a Flight Lieutenant 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. ...
Combatants Allies: Serbia, Russia, France, Romania, Belgium, British Empire, United States, Italy, and others Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, Ottoman Empire Casualties Military dead:5 million Civilian dead:3 million Total dead:8 million Military dead:4 million Civilian dead:3 million Total dead:7 million The First World...
George V (George Frederick Ernest Albert) (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 Armed Forces of India and has the prime responsibility of conducting air-based warfare and securing Indian airspace. ...
Military manpower Military age 16 years of age Availability 39,028,014 (2005) Males ages 16-49 Reaching military age males: 1,969,055 (2005) Active troops 620,000 (Ranked 7th) Military expenditures Dollar figure $3. ...
Official emblem of Bangladesh Air Force The Bangladesh Air Force (বাংলাদেশ বিমান বাহিনী Bangladesh Biman Bahini in Bangla), is the 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. ...
The Ghana Air Force (GAF) is the air force of the African nation 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 Air Corps provides the air defence function of the Irish Defence Forces (Óglaigh na hÉireann), in support of the Army and Naval Service, together with such other roles as may be assigned by the Government (e. ...
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; Malay Tentera Udara Singapura) 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 Officers (OF 1 - 10) No equivalent General Generalløjtnant Generalmajor Brigadegeneral Oberst Oberstløjtnant Major Kaptajn Premierløjtnant Iceland (Edit) No Air Force No Air Force No Air Force No Air Force No Air Force No Air Force No Air Force No Air Force No Air Force No Air Force...
The following table shows comparative officer 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 officer 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 | Capt | Maj | Lt Col | Col | Brig | Maj Gen | Lt Gen | Gen | | | Army: | OCdt | | 2Lt - Lt | Capt | Maj | Lt Col | Col | Brig | Maj Gen | Lt Gen | Gen | Field Marshal | | Royal Air Force: | OC / SO | | PO - FO | Flt Lt | Sqn Ldr | Wg Cdr | Gp Capt | ACdre | AVM | AM | ACM | MRAF | 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. ...
A midshipman is a subordinate officer, or alternatively a commissioned officer of the lowest rank, in the navies of several English-speaking countries. ...
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 rank in various uniformed organizations. ...
Commodore Insignia Rank Pennant Commodore is a rank of the Royal Navy above Captain and below Rear-Admiral. ...
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 senior rank of the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom, outranked only by the rank Admiral of the Fleet. ...
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. ...
Her Majestys Royal Marines, also known as Royal Marines Commandos usually just known as the Royal Marines (RM), are the United Kingdoms amphibious force 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. ...
Captain is both a nautical term and a rank in various uniformed organizations. ...
Please see Major for other countries which use this rank Major is a military rank of the British Army which is used by both the British Army and Royal Marines. ...
Insignia of a British Army Lieutenant Colonel Lieutenant-Colonel is a British rank used in several Commonwealth countries superior to Major and subordinate to Colonel. ...
Please see Colonel for other countries which use this rank Colonel is a rank of the British forces, ranking just below brigadiers. ...
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. ...
Please see Lieutenant General for other countries which use this rank Lieutenant-General (Lt Gen) is a senior rank in the British Army and Royal Marines. ...
UK insignia for a full General General is a rank in the British Army and Royal Marines. ...
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. ...
Captain is both a nautical term and a rank in various uniformed organizations. ...
Please see Major for other countries which use this rank Major is a military rank of the British Army which is used by both the British Army and Royal Marines. ...
Insignia of a British Army Lieutenant Colonel Lieutenant-Colonel is a British rank used in several Commonwealth countries superior to Major and subordinate to Colonel. ...
Please see Colonel for other countries which use this rank Colonel is a rank of the British forces, ranking just below brigadiers. ...
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. ...
Please see Lieutenant General for other countries which use this rank Lieutenant-General (Lt Gen) is a senior rank in the British Army and Royal Marines. ...
UK insignia for a full General General is a rank in the British Army and Royal Marines. ...
Field Marshal Viscount Slim in his Field Marshals uniform, holding a marshals baton. ...
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. ...
Officer Cadet is a rank held by military cadets during their training to become commissioned officers. ...
A Pilot Officers sleeve/shoulder insignia Pilot Officer (Plt Off, PO or P/O in the RAF; PLTOFF in the RAAF) is the lowest substantive commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries, ranking only above Acting Pilot Officer and Officer...
A Flying Officers sleeve/shoulder insignia Flying Officer (Fg Off in the RAF; FLGOFF in the RAAF; FGOFF in the RNZAF; F/O in the former RCAF) is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries. ...
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...
An air marshals sleeve/shoulder insignia Air Marshal is the second 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 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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