# South African military ranks

"none" is preferred when the title is already sufficiently detailed; see [[WP:SDNONE]]
The South African National Defence Force's rank system is largely based on the British system, with the Air Force (and later the Military Health Service) sharing the Army rank titles.

## Current ranks
### Commissioned officer ranks

The rank insignia of commissioned officers.
| Rank group | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers |
| South African Army vte | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| South African Army vte | | | General | General | Lieutenant general | Lieutenant general | Major general | Major general | Brigadier general | Brigadier general | Colonel | Colonel | Lieutenant colonel | Lieutenant colonel | Major | Major | Captain | Captain | Lieutenant | Lieutenant | Lieutenant | Second lieutenant | Second lieutenant | Second lieutenant |
| South African Navy vte | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| South African Navy vte | | | Admiral | Admiral | Vice admiral | Vice admiral | Rear admiral | Rear admiral | Rear admiral (junior grade) | Rear admiral (junior grade) | Captain | Captain | Commander | Commander | Lieutenant commander | Lieutenant commander | Lieutenant | Lieutenant | Sub lieutenant | Sub lieutenant | Sub lieutenant | Ensign | Ensign | Ensign |
| South African Air Force vte | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| South African Air Force vte | | | General | General | Lieutenant general | Lieutenant general | Major general | Major general | Brigadier general | Brigadier general | Colonel | Colonel | Lieutenant colonel | Lieutenant colonel | Major | Major | Captain | Captain | Lieutenant | Lieutenant | Lieutenant | Second lieutenant | Second lieutenant | Second lieutenant |
| South African Military Health Service vte | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| South African Military Health Service vte | | | General | General | Lieutenant general | Lieutenant general | Major general | Major general | Brigadier general | Brigadier general | Colonel | Colonel | Lieutenant colonel | Lieutenant colonel | Major | Major | Captain | Captain | Lieutenant | Lieutenant | Lieutenant | Second lieutenant | Second lieutenant | Second lieutenant |
| Rank group | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers |

#### Student officer ranks

| Rank group | Student officer |
| South African Army | |
| South African Army | Officer candidate |
| South African Navy | |
| South African Navy | Midshipman |
| South African Air Force | |
| South African Air Force | Officer candidate |

### Warrant officers

| Rank group | Warrant officers | Warrant officers | Warrant officers | Warrant officers | Warrant officers |
| South African National Defence Force | | | | | |
| South African National Defence Force | Master chief warrant officer | Senior chief warrant officer | Chief warrant officer | Master warrant officer | Senior warrant officer |

#### Master Chief and Senior Chief Warrant Officers

The highest ranking South African non-commissioned officer is the Warrant Officer of the South African National Defence Force. They are the sole holder of the rank of Master Chief Warrant Officer. As of October 2012 the incumbent MCWO is Mothusi Kgaladi
The rank of Senior Chief Warrant Officer is only held by the Master at Arms of the Navy, the Sergeant Major of the Army, the Sergeant Major of the Air Force, and the Sergeant Major of the Military Health Service.

### Other ranks

The rank insignia of non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel.
| Rank group | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Enlisted | Enlisted | Enlisted | Enlisted | Enlisted | Enlisted | Enlisted | Enlisted |
| South African Army vte | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia |
| South African Army vte | Warrant officer class 1 | Warrant officer class 1 | Warrant officer class 1 | Warrant officer class 1 | Warrant officer class 1 | Warrant officer class 1 | Warrant officer class 2 | Warrant officer class 2 | Staff sergeant | Staff sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Corporal | Corporal | Corporal | Corporal | Lance corporal | Lance corporal | Private (or equivalent) | Private (or equivalent) | Private (or equivalent) | Private (or equivalent) | Private (or equivalent) | Private (or equivalent) | Private (or equivalent) | Private (or equivalent) |
| South African Navy vte | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| South African Navy vte | Warrant officer class 1 | Warrant officer class 1 | Warrant officer class 1 | Warrant officer class 1 | Warrant officer class 1 | Warrant officer class 1 | Warrant officer class 2 | Warrant officer class 2 | Chief petty officer | Chief petty officer | Petty officer | Petty officer | Petty officer | Petty officer | Petty officer | Petty officer | Petty officer | Petty officer | Petty officer | Petty officer | Petty officer | Petty officer | Leading seaman | Leading seaman | Leading seaman | Leading seaman | | | Able seaman | Able seaman | Able seaman | Able seaman | Able seaman | Able seaman | Seaman | Seaman |
| South African Air Force vte | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | No insignia | No insignia |
| South African Air Force vte | Warrant officer class 1 | Warrant officer class 1 | Warrant officer class 1 | Warrant officer class 1 | Warrant officer class 1 | Warrant officer class 1 | Warrant officer class 2 | Warrant officer class 2 | Flight sergeant | Flight sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Corporal | Corporal | Corporal | Corporal | Lance corporal | Lance corporal | | | | | | | Aircraftman | Aircraftman |
| South African Military Health Service vte | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia |
| South African Military Health Service vte | Warrant officer class 1 | Warrant officer class 1 | Warrant officer class 1 | Warrant officer class 1 | Warrant officer class 1 | Warrant officer class 1 | Warrant officer class 2 | Warrant officer class 2 | Staff sergeant | Staff sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Corporal | Corporal | Corporal | Corporal | Lance corporal | Lance corporal | Private (or equivalent) | Private (or equivalent) | Private (or equivalent) | Private (or equivalent) | Private (or equivalent) | Private (or equivalent) | Private (or equivalent) | Private (or equivalent) |
| Rank group | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Enlisted | Enlisted | Enlisted | Enlisted | Enlisted | Enlisted | Enlisted | Enlisted |

## Evolution of rank titles
### Army and Air Force ranks
#### General officers

* Field marshal (1923–c. 1950)
* General (1914– ) (called "commandant-general" 1956–68)
* Lieutenant-general (1914– )
* Major-general (1914– ) (called "combat general" 1960–68)
* Brigadier-general (1912–40, 1998– )

#### Field officers

* Brigadier (1937–98) (called "colonel-commandant" 1937–40)
* Colonel (1912– )
* Chief commandant (Used in the Commandos 1968–70)
* Lieutenant-colonel (1912– ) (called "commandant" 1950–1988)

#### Company / junior officers

* Major (1912– )
* Captain (1912– )
* Lieutenant (1912– ) (called "field cornet" 1960–68)
* Second lieutenant (1918– ) (called "assistant field cornet" 1960–68)

#### Warrant officers

In June 2008 a new series of warrant officer ranks were introduced.
* Warrant officer 1st class (1921– )
* Warrant officer 2nd class (1921– )
* Warrant officer (1912–21)

#### Non-commissioned officers

* Staff sergeant (1912– ) (Air Force equivalent "flight sergeant")
* Sergeant (1912– ) (Air Force equivalent called "air sergeant" until 1970)
* Corporal (1912– ) (Air Force equivalent called "air corporal" until 1970)
* Lance-corporal (1912– ) (Air Force equivalent called "leading air mechanic" until 1970)

#### Rank and file

* Private (1912– ) (Air Force equivalent called "air mechanic" 1920–70, "private" 1970–82 and "airman" 1982–)

### Naval ranks
#### 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)
* 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– )

## 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.
The ranks of General Officers changed in September 2003 when the rank previously called Brigadier became known as Brigadier General.

### Officers

| Rank group | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers |
| Union of South Africa Army (1928–1953) vte | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Union of South Africa Army (1928–1953) vte | Field marshal | Field marshal | General | General | Lieutenant general | Lieutenant general | Major general | Major general | Brigadier | Brigadier | Colonel | Colonel | Lieutenant colonel | Lieutenant colonel | Major | Major | Captain | Captain | Lieutenant | Lieutenant | Lieutenant | Second lieutenant | Second lieutenant | Second lieutenant |
| Union of South Africa Army (1928–1953) vte | Veldmaarskalk | Veldmaarskalk | Generaal | Generaal | Luitenant-generaal | Luitenant-generaal | Generaal-majoor | Generaal-majoor | Brigadier | Brigadier | Kolonel | Kolonel | Luitenant-kolonel | Luitenant-kolonel | Majoor | Majoor | Kaptein | Kaptein | Luitenant | Luitenant | Luitenant | Tweede luitenant | Tweede luitenant | Tweede luitenant |
| South African Army (1961–1994) vte | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| South African Army (1961–1994) vte | | | General | General | Lieutenant general | Lieutenant general | Major general | Major general | Brigadier | Brigadier | Colonel | Colonel | Chief commandant | Commandant | Major | Major | Captain | Captain | Lieutenant | Lieutenant | Lieutenant | Second lieutenant | Second lieutenant | Second lieutenant |
| South African Army (1961–1994) vte | | | Generaal | Generaal | Luitenant-generaal | Luitenant-generaal | Generaal-majoor | Generaal-majoor | Brigadier | Brigadier | Kolonel | Kolonel | Hoofkommandant | Kommandant | Majoor | Majoor | Kaptein | Kaptein | Luitenant | Luitenant | Luitenant | Tweede luitenant | Tweede luitenant | Tweede luitenant |
| South African Army (1994-2002) vte | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| South African Army (1994-2002) vte | | | General Generaal | General Generaal | Lieutenant General Luitenant-Generaal | Lieutenant General Luitenant-Generaal | Major General Generaal-Majoor | Major General Generaal-Majoor | Brigadier Brigadier | Brigadier Brigadier | Colonel Kolonel | Colonel Kolonel | Commandant Kommandant | Commandant Kommandant | Major Majoor | Major Majoor | Captain Kaptein | Captain Kaptein | Lieutenant Luitenant | Lieutenant Luitenant | Lieutenant Luitenant | Second Lieutenant Tweede Luitenant | Second Lieutenant Tweede Luitenant | Second Lieutenant Tweede Luitenant |

### Other ranks

| Rank group | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Enlisted | Enlisted | Enlisted | Enlisted | Enlisted | Enlisted | Enlisted | Enlisted |
| Union of South Africa Army (1928–1953) vte | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia |
| Union of South Africa Army (1928–1953) vte | Warrant Officer Class 1 Adjudant-Offisier Klas I | Warrant Officer Class 1 Adjudant-Offisier Klas I | Warrant Officer Class 1 Adjudant-Offisier Klas I | Warrant Officer Class 1 Adjudant-Offisier Klas I | Warrant Officer Class 1 Adjudant-Offisier Klas I | Warrant Officer Class 1 Adjudant-Offisier Klas I | Warrant Officer Class 2 Adjudant-Offisier Klas II | Warrant Officer Class 2 Adjudant-Offisier Klas II | Staff Sergeant Stafsersant | Staff Sergeant Stafsersant | Sergeant Sersant | Sergeant Sersant | Sergeant Sersant | Sergeant Sersant | Sergeant Sersant | Sergeant Sersant | Sergeant Sersant | Sergeant Sersant | Sergeant Sersant | Sergeant Sersant | Sergeant Sersant | Sergeant Sersant | Corporal Korporaal | Corporal Korporaal | Corporal Korporaal | Corporal Korporaal | Lance Corporal Onderkorporaal | Lance Corporal Onderkorporaal | Private Soldaat | Private Soldaat | Private Soldaat | Private Soldaat | Private Soldaat | Private Soldaat | Private Soldaat | Private Soldaat |
| South African Army (1961–1994) vte | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia |
| South African Army (1961–1994) vte | Sergeant Major of the Army Sersant-Majoor van die Leër | Sergeant Major of the Army Sersant-Majoor van die Leër | Sergeant Major of the Army Sersant-Majoor van die Leër | Warrant officer class 1 Adjudant-Offisier Klas I | Warrant officer class 1 Adjudant-Offisier Klas I | Warrant officer class 1 Adjudant-Offisier Klas I | Warrant officer class 2 Adjudant-Offisier Klas II | Warrant officer class 2 Adjudant-Offisier Klas II | Staff sergeant Stafsersant | Staff sergeant Stafsersant | Sergeant Sersant | Sergeant Sersant | Sergeant Sersant | Sergeant Sersant | Sergeant Sersant | Sergeant Sersant | Sergeant Sersant | Sergeant Sersant | Sergeant Sersant | Sergeant Sersant | Sergeant Sersant | Sergeant Sersant | Corporal Korporaal | Corporal Korporaal | Corporal Korporaal | Corporal Korporaal | Lance corporal Onderkorporaal | Lance corporal Onderkorporaal | Private Soldaat | Private Soldaat | Private Soldaat | Private Soldaat | Private Soldaat | Private Soldaat | Private Soldaat | Private Soldaat |
| South African Army (1994-2002) vte | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia |
| South African Army (1994-2002) vte | Warrant officer class 1 Adjudant-Offisier Klas I | Warrant officer class 1 Adjudant-Offisier Klas I | Warrant officer class 1 Adjudant-Offisier Klas I | Warrant officer class 1 Adjudant-Offisier Klas I | Warrant officer class 1 Adjudant-Offisier Klas I | Warrant officer class 1 Adjudant-Offisier Klas I | Warrant officer class 2 Adjudant-Offisier Klas II | Warrant officer class 2 Adjudant-Offisier Klas II | Staff sergeant Stafsersant | Staff sergeant Stafsersant | Sergeant Sersant | Sergeant Sersant | Sergeant Sersant | Sergeant Sersant | Sergeant Sersant | Sergeant Sersant | Sergeant Sersant | Sergeant Sersant | Sergeant Sersant | Sergeant Sersant | Sergeant Sersant | Sergeant Sersant | Corporal Korporaal | Corporal Korporaal | Corporal Korporaal | Corporal Korporaal | Lance corporal Onderkorporaal | Lance corporal Onderkorporaal | Private (or equivalent) | Private (or equivalent) | Private (or equivalent) | Private (or equivalent) | Private (or equivalent) | Private (or equivalent) | Private (or equivalent) | Private (or equivalent) |
Note: in the artillery and anti-aircraft corps, the corporal and lance-corporal are called "bombardier" (bombardeer) and "lance-bombardier" (onderbombardeer). 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.

#### Substantive warrant officer posts

Any warrant officer class 1 could be posted to substantive posts, including
* Regimental sergeant major
* Command sergeant major
* Brigade sergeant major
* Sergeant Major of the Army
* Sergeant Major of the Air Force
However they would retain the rank of WO1, while wearing unique rank insignia. To distinguish the posting different colour backgrounds were used; for example, red for regimental sergeant major and black for command sergeant major. The sergeant major of each arm of service wore insignia topped by the arms of their respective arm of service.
In 2008 the warrant officer ranks were expanded to make each substantive rank a formal rank.

## Air Force

The SA Air Force was formed in 1920. Unlike many other Commonwealth air forces, it had an army style rank system. In 2002 the Air Force officer rank insignia structure was changed from one which was shared with the Army to a new pattern based on stripes. The Air Force stated that this was "in order to bring it more in line with international forms of rank". The army-style rank titles were retained. Note: The rank of General is only used when the Chief of the Air Force is also the Chief of the Defence Force which has occurred on occasion in the past. In 2005 the South African Air Force redesigned its insignia completely, while keeping the Army titles.

### Officers

| Rank group | General/Flag/Air officers | General/Flag/Air officers | General/Flag/Air officers | General/Flag/Air officers | General/Flag/Air officers | General/Flag/Air officers | General/Flag/Air officers | General/Flag/Air officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers |
| South African Air Force (1961–1994) vte | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| South African Air Force (1961–1994) vte | General | General | Lieutenant general | Lieutenant general | Major general | Major general | Brigadier | Brigadier | Colonel | Colonel | Commandant | Commandant | Major | Major | Captain | Captain | Lieutenant | Lieutenant | Lieutenant | Second lieutenant | Second lieutenant | Second lieutenant |
| South African Air Force (1961–1994) vte | Generaal | Generaal | Luitenant-generaal | Luitenant-generaal | Generaal-majoor | Generaal-majoor | Brigadier | Brigadier | Kolonel | Kolonel | Kommandant | Kommandant | Majoor | Majoor | Kaptein | Kaptein | Luitenant | Luitenant | Luitenant | Tweede luitenant | Tweede luitenant | Tweede luitenant |
| South African Air Force (1994-2002) vte | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| South African Air Force (1994-2002) vte | General | General | Lieutenant general | Lieutenant general | Major general | Major general | Brigadier | Brigadier | Colonel | Colonel | Commandant | Commandant | Major | Major | Captain | Captain | Lieutenant | Lieutenant | Lieutenant | Second lieutenant | Second lieutenant | Second lieutenant |
| South African Air Force (1994-2002) vte | Generaal | Generaal | Luitenant-generaal | Luitenant-generaal | Generaal-majoor | Generaal-majoor | Brigadier | Brigadier | Kolonel | Kolonel | Kommandant | Kommandant | Majoor | Majoor | Kaptein | Kaptein | Luitenant | Luitenant | Luitenant | Tweede luitenant | Tweede luitenant | Tweede luitenant |

### Other ranks

| Rank group | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Enlisted | Enlisted |
| South African Air Force (1961–1994) vte | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | No insignia | No insignia |
| South African Air Force (1961–1994) vte | Sergeant Major of the Air Force | Sergeant Major of the Air Force | Sergeant Major of the Air Force | Warrant officer class 1 | Warrant officer class 1 | Warrant officer class 1 | Warrant officer class 2 | Warrant officer class 2 | Flight sergeant | Flight sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Corporal | Corporal | Corporal | Corporal | Lance corporal | Lance corporal | Aircraftman | Aircraftman |
| South African Air Force (1961–1994) vte | Sersant-Majoor van die SA Lugmag | Sersant-Majoor van die SA Lugmag | Sersant-Majoor van die SA Lugmag | Adjudant-offisier klas I | Adjudant-offisier klas I | Adjudant-offisier klas I | Adjudant-offisier klas II | Adjudant-offisier klas II | Vlugsersant | Vlugsersant | Sersant | Sersant | Sersant | Sersant | Sersant | Sersant | Sersant | Sersant | Sersant | Sersant | Sersant | Sersant | Korporaal | Korporaal | Korporaal | Korporaal | Onderkorporaal | Onderkorporaal | Vliegtuigman | Vliegtuigman |
| South African Air Force (1994-2002) vte | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | No insignia | No insignia |
| South African Air Force (1994-2002) vte | Warrant officer class 1 | Warrant officer class 1 | Warrant officer class 1 | Warrant officer class 1 | Warrant officer class 1 | Warrant officer class 1 | Warrant officer class 2 | Warrant officer class 2 | Flight sergeant | Flight sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Corporal | Corporal | Corporal | Corporal | Lance corporal | Lance corporal | Aircraftman | Aircraftman |
| South African Air Force (1994-2002) vte | Adjudant-offisier klas I | Adjudant-offisier klas I | Adjudant-offisier klas I | Adjudant-offisier klas I | Adjudant-offisier klas I | Adjudant-offisier klas I | Adjudant-offisier klas II | Adjudant-offisier klas II | Vlugsersant | Vlugsersant | Sersant | Sersant | Sersant | Sersant | Sersant | Sersant | Sersant | Sersant | Sersant | Sersant | Sersant | Sersant | Korporaal | Korporaal | Korporaal | Korporaal | Onderkorporaal | Onderkorporaal | Vliegtuigman | Vliegtuigman |

## 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 South African 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.
The ranks of flag officers changed in 1997 when the rank previously called Commodore became known as Rear Admiral (Junior Grade).

### Officers

| Rank group | General/flag officers | General/flag officers | General/flag officers | General/flag officers | General/flag officers | General/flag officers | General/flag officers | General/flag officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers |
| South African Navy (1961–1994) vte | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| South African Navy (1961–1994) vte | Admiral | Admiral | Vice admiral | Vice admiral | Rear admiral | Rear admiral | Commodore | Commodore | Captain | Captain | Commander | Commander | Lieutenant commander | Lieutenant commander | Lieutenant | Lieutenant | Sub-lieutenant | Sub-lieutenant | Sub-lieutenant | Ensign | Ensign | Ensign |
| South African Navy (1961–1994) vte | Admiraal | Admiraal | Vise-admiraal | Vise-admiraal | Skoutadmiraal | Skoutadmiraal | Kommodoor | Kommodoor | Kaptein | Kaptein | Kommandeur | Kommandeur | Luitenant-kommandeur | Luitenant-kommandeur | Luitenant | Luitenant | Onderluitenant | Onderluitenant | Onderluitenant | Vaandrig | Vaandrig | Vaandrig |
| South African Navy (1994-2002) vte | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| South African Navy (1994-2002) vte | Admiral | Admiral | Vice admiral | Vice admiral | Rear admiral | Rear admiral | Commodore | Commodore | Captain | Captain | Commander | Commander | Lieutenant commander | Lieutenant commander | Lieutenant | Lieutenant | Sub-lieutenant | Sub-lieutenant | Sub-lieutenant | Ensign | Ensign | Ensign |
| South African Navy (1994-2002) vte | Admiraal | Admiraal | Vise-admiraal | Vise-admiraal | Skoutadmiraal | Skoutadmiraal | Kommodoor | Kommodoor | Kaptein | Kaptein | Kommandeur | Kommandeur | Luitenant-kommandeur | Luitenant-kommandeur | Luitenant | Luitenant | Onderluitenant | Onderluitenant | Onderluitenant | Vaandrig | Vaandrig | Vaandrig |

### Enlisted

| Rank group | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Enlisted | Enlisted | Enlisted | Enlisted | Enlisted | Enlisted |
| South African Navy (1961–1994) vte | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| South African Navy (1961–1994) vte | Master at Arms of the Navy | Master at Arms of the Navy | Master at Arms of the Navy | Warrant officer class 1 | Warrant officer class 1 | Warrant officer class 1 | Warrant officer class 2 | Warrant officer class 2 | Chief petty officer | Chief petty officer | Petty officer | Petty officer | Petty officer | Petty officer | Petty officer | Petty officer | Petty officer | Petty officer | Petty officer | Petty officer | Petty officer | Petty officer | Leading seaman | Leading seaman | Leading seaman | Leading seaman | Able seaman | Able seaman | Able seaman | Able seaman | Able seaman | Able seaman |
| South African Navy (1961–1994) vte | Sersant-majoor van die SA Vloot | Sersant-majoor van die SA Vloot | Sersant-majoor van die SA Vloot | Adjudant-offisier klas I | Adjudant-offisier klas I | Adjudant-offisier klas I | Adjudant-offisier klas II | Adjudant-offisier klas II | Eerste bootsman | Eerste bootsman | Bootsman | Bootsman | Bootsman | Bootsman | Bootsman | Bootsman | Bootsman | Bootsman | Bootsman | Bootsman | Bootsman | Bootsman | Baasseeman | Baasseeman | Baasseeman | Baasseeman | Bevare seeman | Bevare seeman | Bevare seeman | Bevare seeman | Bevare seeman | Bevare seeman |
| South African Navy (1994-2002) vte | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| South African Navy (1994-2002) vte | Warrant officer class 1 | Warrant officer class 1 | Warrant officer class 1 | Warrant officer class 1 | Warrant officer class 1 | Warrant officer class 1 | Warrant officer class 2 | Warrant officer class 2 | Chief petty officer | Chief petty officer | Petty officer | Petty officer | Petty officer | Petty officer | Petty officer | Petty officer | Petty officer | Petty officer | Petty officer | Petty officer | Petty officer | Petty officer | Leading seaman | Leading seaman | Leading seaman | Leading seaman | Able seaman | Able seaman | Able seaman | Able seaman | Able seaman | Able seaman |
| South African Navy (1994-2002) vte | Adjudant-offisier klas I | Adjudant-offisier klas I | Adjudant-offisier klas I | Adjudant-offisier klas I | Adjudant-offisier klas I | Adjudant-offisier klas I | Adjudant-offisier klas II | Adjudant-offisier klas II | Eerste bootsman | Eerste bootsman | Bootsman | Bootsman | Bootsman | Bootsman | Bootsman | Bootsman | Bootsman | Bootsman | Bootsman | Bootsman | Bootsman | Bootsman | Baasseeman | Baasseeman | Baasseeman | Baasseeman | Bevare seeman | Bevare seeman | Bevare seeman | Bevare seeman | Bevare seeman | Bevare seeman |

## Health Service
### Officers

| Rank group | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers |
| South African Medical Service (1961–1994) vte | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| South African Medical Service (1961–1994) vte | | | General Generaal | General Generaal | Lieutenant General Luitenant-Generaal | Lieutenant General Luitenant-Generaal | Major General Generaal-Majoor | Major General Generaal-Majoor | Brigadier Brigadier | Brigadier Brigadier | Colonel Kolonel | Colonel Kolonel | Commandant Kommandant | Commandant Kommandant | Major Majoor | Major Majoor | Captain Kaptein | Captain Kaptein | Lieutenant Luitenant | Lieutenant Luitenant | Lieutenant Luitenant | Second Lieutenant Tweede Luitenant | Second Lieutenant Tweede Luitenant | Second Lieutenant Tweede Luitenant |