South African military ranks
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[edit] Army
The SA Army was formed in 1912 as the Union Defence Force. It was given its present name in 1951. The rank system is derived from that of the British Army.
[edit] Officers
General officers
- Field Marshal (1923-c1950)
- General (1914- ) (called "commandant-general" 1956-68)
- Lieutenant-General (1914- )
- Major-General (1914- ) (called "combat general" 1960-68)
- Brigadier-General (1912-40, 1998- )
Senior officers
- Brigadier (1937-98) (called "colonel-commandant" 1937-40)
- Colonel (1912- )
- Chief Commandant (1968-70)
- Lieutenant-Colonel (1912- ) (called "commandant" 1950-94)
- Major (1912- )
Junior officers
- Captain (1912- )
- Lieutenant (1912- ) (called "field cornet" 1960-68)
- Second Lieutenant (1918- ) (called "assistant field cornet" 1960-68)
[edit] Other ranks
Warrant officers
- Warrant Officer 1st Class (1921- )
- Warrant Officer 2nd Class (1921- )
- Warrant Officer (1912-21)
Non-commissioned officers
- Staff sergeant (1912- )
- Sergeant (1912- )
- Corporal (1912- )
- Lance-Corporal (1912- )
Rank and file
- Private (1912- )
Note: in the artillery and anti-aircraft corps, the corporal and lance-corporal are called "bombardier" and "lance-bombardier". The private is called a "gunner" in the artillery and anti-aircraft, a "rifleman" in the infantry, a "trooper" in the armoured corps, a "sapper" in the engineers, a "signalman" in the signals corps, and a "scout" in the intelligence corps.
[edit] Air Force
The SA Air Force was formed in 1920. It formed part of the army until 1951, when it became a service in its own right. It has retained the army rank system (though it discontinued army rank insignia in 2002).
[edit] Officers
General officers
- General (1945- ) (called "commandant-general" 1956-68)
- Lieutenant-General (1940- )
- Major-General (1937- ) (called "combat general" 1960-68)
- Brigadier-General (1933-40, 1998- )
Senior officers
- Brigadier (1937-98) (called "colonel-commandant" 1937-40)
- Colonel (1920- )
- Chief Commandant (1968-70)
- Lieutenant-Colonel (1920- ) (called "commandant" 1950-94)
- Major (1920- )
Junior officers
- Captain (1920- )
- Lieutenant (1920- )
- Second Lieutenant (1920- )
[edit] Other ranks
Warrant officers
- Warrant Officer 1st Class (1921- )
- Warrant Officer 2nd Class (1921- )
- Warrant Officer (1920-21)
Non-commissioned officers
- Flight sergeant (1920- )
- Sergeant (1920- ) (called "air sergeant" until 1970)
- Corporal (1920- ) (called "air corporal" until 1970)
- Lance-Corporal (1926- ) (called "leading air mechanic" until 1970)
Rank and file
- Airman (1920- ) (called "air mechanic" 1920-70 and "private" 1970-82)
[edit] Navy
The SA Navy was originally two separate organisations, namely the South African Division of the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve (formed in 1913) and the SA Naval Service (formed in 1922 and renamed the "Seaward Defence Force" in 1939). They amalgamated in 1942 to form the SA Naval Forces, which were renamed "SA Navy" in 1951. The rank system is based on that of the (British) Royal Navy.
[edit] Officers
Flag officers
- Admiral (1972- )
- Vice-Admiral (1965- )
- Rear-Admiral (1940- )
- Rear-Admiral Junior Grade (1998- )
Senior officers
- Commodore (1946-98)
- Captain (1941- )
- Commander (1913- )
- Lieutenant-Commander (1913- )
Junior officers
- Lieutenant (1913- )
- Sub-Lieutenant (1913- )
- Ensign (1913- ) (called "acting sub-lieutenant" until 1965)
[edit] Other ranks
Warrant officers
- Warrant Officer 1st Class (1955- )
- Warrant Officer 2nd Class (1955- )
- Warrant Officer (1913-55)
Petty officers
- Chief Petty Officer (1913- )
- Petty Officer (1913- )
- Leading Seaman (1913- )
- Able Seaman (1913- )
Ratings* Seaman (1913- )
[edit] Military Health Service
The SA Military Health Service uses the Army rank system. There is a differentiation in that the rank insignia is displayed on a red background as opposed to the army, which is displayed on a brown background.
