Rank Structure of the CF

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

Army & Airforce

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

General Officers

• General
• Lieutenant General
• Major General
• Brigadier General

Officers

• Colonel
• Lieutenant Colonel
• Major
• Captain
• Lieutenant
• Second Lieutenant

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)

Officer Cadets

• Officer Cadet

(*)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.

Some regiments/branches use special rank titles 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:

Admirals

• Admiral
• Vice Admiral
• Read Admiral
• Commodore

Officers

• Captain (Naval)
• Lieutenant Commander
• Commander
• Lieutenant (Naval)
• Sub Lieutenant
• Acting Sub Lieutenant

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

Officer Cadets

• Naval Cadet

(*)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