Rank Structure of the CF

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

Army

The ranks of the 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.

Air Force ranks are the same as Army ranks. The Navy has ranks directly equivalent but with historical titles:

General Officers

• 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 Cadet

• 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.