Private (rank)

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Common military ranks
Navies1 Armies2 Air Forces3
Admiral of
the Fleet		 Field Marshal Marshal of
the Air Force
Admiral General Air Chief Marshal
Vice Admiral Lt. General Air Marshal
Rear Admiral Major General Air Vice-Marshal
Commodore Brigadier Air Commodore
Captain Colonel Group Captain
Commander Lt. Colonel Wing Commander
Lt. Commander Major Squadron Leader
Lieutenant Captain Flight Lieutenant
Sub-Lieutenant Lieutenant Flying Officer
Warrant Officer Sergeant Major Warrant Officer
Petty Officer Sergeant Sergeant
Leading Rate Corporal Corporal
Seaman Private Aircraftman
1 in the English-speaking world          2 also some Air Forces
3 In many Commonwealth countries

A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank (equivalent to NATO Rank Grades OR-1 to OR-3 depending on the force served in). The term dates from the Middle Ages, where privates were known as "private soldiers" (a term used well into the 20th century) who were either hired, conscripted, or feudalized into service by a nobleman forming an army. The usage of Private as a military rank dates from the 18th century, when the army of Napoleon Bonaparte first established the permanent rank of Soldat. They are sometimes known as 'Recruits'.

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[edit] Australia

In the Australian Army, a soldier of Private rank wears no insignia [1]. Like its British Army counterpart, the Australian Army rank of Private (PTE) has other titles, depending on the corps and specification of that service member.

The following alternative ranks are available for Privates in the Australian Army;

Digger is the Australian military slang term for soldiers from Australia. The name originated during World War I.

[edit] Canada

Private (Trained) shoulder board Canadian Forces.

In the Canadian Forces there are three levels of Private: Private (Recruit), Private (Basic), and Private (Trained). All persons holding the rank of Private are referred to as such and the qualifier shown in brackets is used on employment records only. A Private is considered an "apprentice" in their trade, and there are no pay raises between the various levels of private except for time in rank raise. The Canadian Army and Air Force have an identical rank structure.

Private (Trained) arm patch Canadian Forces.
  • Private (Recruit) (Pte(R)) - Fresh recruit, untrained. Holds this rank through recruit training.
  • Private (Basic) (Pte(B)) - After finishing recruit training, a member becomes a Private (Basic). This rank is held through trades training and beyond.
  • Private (Trained) (Pte(T)) - A Private (Basic) becomes a Private (Trained) a year after completion of their DP 1 training depending on their Regiment, some Regiments may promote them right away. A Private (Trained) is the only Private to wear rank insignia, a single chevron.

An Army Private may also be known by other titles, depending on unit and/or branch:

In terms of authority and responsibilities, the rank of Corporal is often seen as more or less equivalent to a Private in the post-Unification armed forces, and the term "Corporal/Private" is often used. Corporals no longer require leadership training for promotion to that rank, and the grade now represents a Private with additional trades training and time in rank but no leadership responsibilities (though he may in practice be given minor leadership tasks).

The Canadian Navy's equivalents are:

Before Unification of the Armed Forces, a private wore no insignia regardless of level of training, but could be appointed Lance Corporal, wearing one chevron. A Corporal at that time was the equivalent of today's Master Corporal in that he required leadership training for promotion and was considered sufficiently trained and experienced to command a section of infantry (or equivalent in other branches).

[edit] Germany

Private (Schütze) Shoulder Board German Army

The German equivalent of Private (OR-1) is Schütze, until 1918 it was Gemeiner ("common man"). The rank of Schütze has existed as a military rank since at least the 18th century and the term has been used since the Middle Ages.

As in the British Army, different names for this lowest rank are in use in the German Army, for example Pionier (engineer), Kanonier (gunner) or Fallschirmjäger (paratrooper), or Funker (wireless operator). Soldat (meaning simply "soldier") may also be used as a general term.

The Naval equivalent is known as Matrose, and the Luftwaffe (air force) equivalent is Flieger.

According to the NATO rank code, the rank of Gefreiter is equivalent to Private (OR-2), and Obergefreiter is equivalent to Private (OR-3).

[edit] Ireland

2* Private
2* Private
3* Private
3* Private

Private (Pte) (Saighdiúr Singil in Irish), is the lowest enlisted rank in the Irish Army. Soldiers enlist as recruits then undergo a basic course of instruction. There are three grades of Private in the Army. After basic training the soldier is upgraded (rather than promoted) from Recruit to Private 2 Star (Pte 2*) (Saighdiúr Singil, 2 Réalta). After more Corps Specific Training (usually lasting eight weeks) the Soldier is upgraded to Private 3 Star (Pte 3*) (Saighdiúr Singil, 3 Réalta). All are usually just addressed as "Private", although before being upgraded, Recruits may be addressed as "Recruit". While On the Potential Non-commissioned officers course (POTs) to be promoted to the rank of Corporal or in command of another group of Privates that private is then referred to as Orderly Sergent.

In corps units the rank designation changes. In the Artillery the rank is known as Gunner (Gnr), but usually only after the completion of a Gunners Course, and in the Cavalry it is known as Trooper (Tpr). Communications and Information Services Privates are known as Signalman or Signalwoman. Medics are sometimes referred to as Medic, although this can apply to Privates and Corporals.

[edit] Korea

The equivalent ranks to Privates within the North and South Korean armies are E-byong and Il-byong. The symbol for this rank is 1 line( _ ) or 2 lines( = ). Private second class is known by 1 line, while Private first class is 2 lines.

[edit] Mexico

The equivalent rank to private in the Mexican army is the "soldado raso" meaning rankless soldier.

[edit] Netherlands

In the Royal Netherlands Army, the Landmacht, the equivalent ranks are 'Soldaat' (soldier), with different classes:

'Soldaat der derde klasse', for soldiers in training, without insignia

'Soldaat der tweede klasse', the basic infantry rank, an insignia single striped red band

'Soldaat der eerste klasse', comparable to Private First Class, with an insignia with 2 striped red bands.

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[edit] Republic of Singapore

Once Recruits complete their Basic Military Training (BMT), they attain the rank of Private (PTE). Privates do not wear ranks on their sleeves.

[edit] United Kingdom

In the British Army, a Private (Pte) equates to both OR-1 and OR-2 on the NATO scale, although there is no difference in rank. Privates wear no insignia. Many regiments and corps use other distinctive (and descriptive) names instead of Private:

In the Royal Marines, the equivalent rank is Marine or Bandsman, as appropriate.

Ratings and Other Ranks of the Flag of the United Kingdom British Armed Forces
OR-1 OR-2 OR-3 OR-4 OR-5/OR-6 OR-7 OR-8 OR-9
Royal Navy: AB LH PO CPO WO2 WO1
Royal Marines: Mne LCpl Cpl Sgt CSgt WO2 WO1
Army: Pte Pte LCpl Cpl Sgt SSgt / CSgt WO2 WO1
Royal Air Force: AC LAC - SAC - Jnr Tech Cpl Sgt Chf Tech - Flt Sgt WO / MAcr


[edit] United States

U.S. Army Private E-2's Arm Patch

In the U.S. Army, Private (PVT) is used for the two lowest enlisted ranks, just below Private First Class. The lowest rank (officially known as Private E-1 (PV1) and sometimes referred to as recruit but also held by some prisoners after conviction until they are dishonorably discharged) wears no uniform insignia, while the second, Private E-2 (PV2), wears a single chevron. Advancement to the higher rank is currently automatic after six months time in service, but may get shortened to four months if given a waiver (a pay raise may take effect after four months of service, even without advancement to Private E-2 if local commanders decide the private's performance has warranted it).

In the U.S. Marine Corps, Private (Pvt) only refers to the lowest enlisted rank, just below Private First Class. A Marine Corps Private wears no uniform insignia. Most new, non-officer marines begin their military career as a Private.

v • d • e
U.S. military enlisted ranks Flag of the United States
  E-1 E-2 E-3 E-4 E-5 E-6 E-7 E-8 E-9 Senior Enlisted Advisor
Air Force: AB Amn A1C SrA SSgt TSgt MSgt SMSgt CMSgt - CCM CMSAF
Army: PV1 PV2 PFC SPC - CPL SGT SSG SFC MSG - 1SG SGM - CSM SMA
Marine Corps: Pvt PFC LCpl Cpl Sgt SSgt GySgt MSgt - 1stSgt MGySgt - SgtMaj SgtMajMarCor
Navy: SR SA SN PO3 PO2 PO1 CPO SCPO MCPO - CMDCM - FORCM - FLTCM MCPON
Coast Guard: SR SA SN PO3 PO2 PO1 CPO SCPO MCPO - CMCPO MCPOCG

[edit] Pakistan

In the Pakistan Army the lowest enlisted rank is Sipahi, literally meaning Soldier in Urdu. A Sipahi does not wear any rank insignia on his uniform. Sipahis are sometimes also referred to as Jawan, literally meaning "young" in Urdu.

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