# Canadian Armed Forces ranks and insignia

This is a table of the ranks and insignia of the Canadian Armed Forces. As the Canadian Armed Forces is officially bilingual, the French language ranks are presented following the English (in italics).

## Commander-in-Chief insignia

According to Canadian Forces Dress Instructions, the king's representative (the governor general) may wear the uniform and corresponding cap/hat badge of a flag/general officer, with a special flag/general officer sleeve braid embellished with the governor general's badge, and a large embroidered governor general's badge on the shoulder straps or boards, facing forward.
* Service
* Royal Canadian Navy
* Canadian Army
* Royal Canadian Air Force

## Officer rank insignia

The rank insignia of commissioned officers.
Officers in the CAF hold positions of authority and respect. They are responsible for the safety, well-being and morale of a group of soldiers, sailors, air men or air women. Analyzing, planning, making decisions and providing advice are a few aspects of an Officer’s role.
| NATO code | OF-10 | OF-10 | OF-9 | OF-9 | OF-8 | OF-8 | OF-7 | OF-7 | OF-6 | OF-6 | OF-5 | OF-5 | OF-4 | OF-4 | OF-3 | OF-3 | OF-2 | OF-2 | OF-1 | OF-1 | OF-1 | OF-1 | OF-1 | OF-1 |
| Royal Canadian Navy vte | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Royal Canadian Navy vte | | | Admiral | Admiral | Vice-admiral | Vice-admiral | Rear-admiral | Rear-admiral | Commodore | Commodore | Captain (N) | Captain (N) | Commander | Commander | Lieutenant-commander | Lieutenant-commander | Lieutenant (N) | Lieutenant (N) | Sub-lieutenant | Sub-lieutenant | Sub-lieutenant | Acting sub-lieutenant | Acting sub-lieutenant | Acting sub-lieutenant |
| Royal Canadian Navy vte | | | Amiral(e) | Amiral(e) | Vice-amiral(e) | Vice-amiral(e) | Contre-amiral(e) | Contre-amiral(e) | Commodore | Commodore | Capitaine de vaisseau | Capitaine de vaisseau | Capitaine de frégate | Capitaine de frégate | Capitaine de corvette | Capitaine de corvette | Lieutenant(e) de vaisseau | Lieutenant(e) de vaisseau | Enseigne de vaisseau de 1$^{re}$ classe | Enseigne de vaisseau de 1$^{re}$ classe | Enseigne de vaisseau de 1$^{re}$ classe | Enseigne de vaisseau de 2$^e$ classe | Enseigne de vaisseau de 2$^e$ classe | Enseigne de vaisseau de 2$^e$ classe |
| Canadian Army vte | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Canadian 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 |
| Canadian Army vte | | | Général(e) | Général(e) | Lieutenant(e)-général(e) | Lieutenant(e)-général(e) | Major(e)-général(e) | Major(e)-général(e) | Brigadier(ère)-général(e) | Brigadier(ère)-général(e) | Colonel(le) | Colonel(le) | Lieutenant(e)-colonel(le) | Lieutenant(e)-colonel(le) | Major(e) | Major(e) | Capitaine | Capitaine | Lieutenant(e) | Lieutenant(e) | Lieutenant(e) | Sous-lieutenant(e) | Sous-lieutenant(e) | Sous-lieutenant(e) |
| Royal Canadian Air Force vte | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Royal Canadian 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 |
| Royal Canadian Air Force vte | | | Général(e) | Général(e) | Lieutenant(e)-général(e) | Lieutenant(e)-général(e) | Major(e)-général(e) | Major(e)-général(e) | Brigadier(ère)-général(e) | Brigadier(ère)-général(e) | Colonel(le) | Colonel(le) | Lieutenant(e)-colonel(le) | Lieutenant(e)-colonel(le) | Major(e) | Major(e) | Capitaine | Capitaine | Lieutenant(e) | Lieutenant(e) | Lieutenant(e) | Sous-lieutenant(e) | Sous-lieutenant(e) | Sous-lieutenant(e) |
| NATO code | OF-10 | OF-10 | OF-9 | OF-9 | OF-8 | OF-8 | OF-7 | OF-7 | OF-6 | OF-6 | OF-5 | OF-5 | OF-4 | OF-4 | OF-3 | OF-3 | OF-2 | OF-2 | OF-1 | OF-1 | OF-1 | OF-1 | OF-1 | OF-1 |

### Student officer ranks

| Branch | Navy | Army | Air force |
| Insignia | | | |
| English | Naval cadet | Officer cadet | Officer cadet |
| French | Aspirant(e) de marine | Élève-officier(ère) | Élève-officier(ère) |

## Non-commissioned member (NCM) rank insignia

The following are the rank insignia for non-commissioned members for the navy, army and air force respectively.
Non-Commissioned Members are skilled personnel who provide operational and support services in the CAF. Non-Commissioned Members start out as recruits and are trained to do specific jobs.
NCM rank insignia for the rank of petty officer 1st class/warrant officer and above are worn on the lower sleeve, while those for the rank of petty officer 2nd class/sergeant and below are worn on the upper sleeve. The Royal Canadian Navy has directed its personnel to use the English rank titles for OR-1 through OR-5, but they are not yet legally in force pursuant to the National Defence Act, as they are not yet updated in the King's Regulations and Orders issued by the governor-in-council.
| NATO code | OR-9 | OR-9 | OR-9 | OR-9 | OR-9 | OR-9 | OR-8 | OR-8 | OR-7 | OR-7 | OR-6 | OR-6 | OR-6 | OR-6 | OR-6 | OR-6 | OR-5 | OR-5 | OR-5 | OR-5 | OR-5 | OR-5 | OR-4 | OR-4 | OR-4 | OR-4 | OR-3 | OR-3 | OR-2 | OR-2 | OR-2 | OR-2 | OR-2 | OR-2 | OR-1 | OR-1 |
| Royal Canadian Navy vte | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Royal Canadian Navy vte | Chief petty officer 1st class | Chief petty officer 1st class | Chief petty officer 1st class | Chief petty officer 1st class | Chief petty officer 1st class | Chief petty officer 1st class | Chief petty officer 2nd class | Chief petty officer 2nd class | Petty officer 1st class | Petty officer 1st class | Petty officer 2nd class | Petty officer 2nd class | Petty officer 2nd class | Petty officer 2nd class | Petty officer 2nd class | Petty officer 2nd class | Petty officer 2nd class | Petty officer 2nd class | Petty officer 2nd class | Petty officer 2nd class | Petty officer 2nd class | Petty officer 2nd class | Master sailor | Master sailor | Master sailor | Master sailor | Sailor 1st class | Sailor 1st class | Sailor 2nd class | Sailor 2nd class | Sailor 2nd class | Sailor 2nd class | Sailor 2nd class | Sailor 2nd class | Sailor 3rd class | Sailor 3rd class |
| Royal Canadian Navy vte | Premier(ère) maître de 1$^{re}$ classe | Premier(ère) maître de 1$^{re}$ classe | Premier(ère) maître de 1$^{re}$ classe | Premier(ère) maître de 1$^{re}$ classe | Premier(ère) maître de 1$^{re}$ classe | Premier(ère) maître de 1$^{re}$ classe | Premier(ère) maître de 2$^e$ classe | Premier(ère) maître de 2$^e$ classe | Maître de 1$^{re}$ classe | Maître de 1$^{re}$ classe | Maître de 2$^e$ classe | Maître de 2$^e$ classe | Maître de 2$^e$ classe | Maître de 2$^e$ classe | Maître de 2$^e$ classe | Maître de 2$^e$ classe | Maître de 2$^e$ classe | Maître de 2$^e$ classe | Maître de 2$^e$ classe | Maître de 2$^e$ classe | Maître de 2$^e$ classe | Maître de 2$^e$ classe | Matelot-chef | Matelot-chef | Matelot-chef | Matelot-chef | Matelot de 1$^{re}$ classe | Matelot de 1$^{re}$ classe | Matelot de 2$^e$ classe | Matelot de 2$^e$ classe | Matelot de 2$^e$ classe | Matelot de 2$^e$ classe | Matelot de 2$^e$ classe | Matelot de 2$^e$ classe | Matelot de 3$^e$ classe | Matelot de 3$^e$ classe |
| Canadian Army vte | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Canadian Army vte | Chief warrant officer | Chief warrant officer | Chief warrant officer | Chief warrant officer | Chief warrant officer | Chief warrant officer | Master warrant officer | Master warrant officer | Warrant officer | Warrant officer | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Master corporal | Master corporal | Master corporal | Master corporal | Corporal | Corporal | Private (trained) | Private (trained) | Private (trained) | Private (trained) | Private (trained) | Private (trained) | Private (basic) | Private (basic) |
| Canadian Army vte | Adjudant(e)-chef | Adjudant(e)-chef | Adjudant(e)-chef | Adjudant(e)-chef | Adjudant(e)-chef | Adjudant(e)-chef | Adjudant(e)-maître | Adjudant(e)-maître | Adjudant(e) | Adjudant(e) | Sergent(e) | Sergent(e) | Sergent(e) | Sergent(e) | Sergent(e) | Sergent(e) | Sergent(e) | Sergent(e) | Sergent(e) | Sergent(e) | Sergent(e) | Sergent(e) | Caporal(e)-chef | Caporal(e)-chef | Caporal(e)-chef | Caporal(e)-chef | Caporal(e) | Caporal(e) | Soldat(e) (formé(e)) | Soldat(e) (formé(e)) | Soldat(e) (formé(e)) | Soldat(e) (formé(e)) | Soldat(e) (formé(e)) | Soldat(e) (formé(e)) | Soldat(e) (confirmé(e)) | Soldat(e) (confirmé(e)) |
| Royal Canadian Air Force vte | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Royal Canadian Air Force vte | Chief warrant officer | Chief warrant officer | Chief warrant officer | Chief warrant officer | Chief warrant officer | Chief warrant officer | Master warrant officer | Master warrant officer | Warrant officer | Warrant officer | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Master corporal | Master corporal | Master corporal | Master corporal | Corporal | Corporal | Aviator (trained) | Aviator (trained) | Aviator (trained) | Aviator (trained) | Aviator (trained) | Aviator (trained) | Aviator (basic) | Aviator (basic) |
| Royal Canadian Air Force vte | Adjudant(e)-chef | Adjudant(e)-chef | Adjudant(e)-chef | Adjudant(e)-chef | Adjudant(e)-chef | Adjudant(e)-chef | Adjudant(e)-maître | Adjudant(e)-maître | Adjudant(e) | Adjudant(e) | Sergent(e) | Sergent(e) | Sergent(e) | Sergent(e) | Sergent(e) | Sergent(e) | Sergent(e) | Sergent(e) | Sergent(e) | Sergent(e) | Sergent(e) | Sergent(e) | Caporal(e)-chef | Caporal(e)-chef | Caporal(e)-chef | Caporal(e)-chef | Caporal(e) | Caporal(e) | Aviateur (formé)/ Aviatrice (formée) | Aviateur (formé)/ Aviatrice (formée) | Aviateur (formé)/ Aviatrice (formée) | Aviateur (formé)/ Aviatrice (formée) | Aviateur (formé)/ Aviatrice (formée) | Aviateur (formé)/ Aviatrice (formée) | Aviateur (confirmé)/ Aviatrice (confirmée) | Aviateur (confirmé)/ Aviatrice (confirmée) |
| NATO code | OR-9 | OR-9 | OR-9 | OR-9 | OR-9 | OR-9 | OR-8 | OR-8 | OR-7 | OR-7 | OR-6 | OR-6 | OR-6 | OR-6 | OR-6 | OR-6 | OR-5 | OR-5 | OR-5 | OR-5 | OR-5 | OR-5 | OR-4 | OR-4 | OR-4 | OR-4 | OR-3 | OR-3 | OR-2 | OR-2 | OR-2 | OR-2 | OR-2 | OR-2 | OR-1 | OR-1 |

### Appointments

The rank insignia for NCM appointments.
| Rank group | Senior appointments | Senior appointments | Senior appointments | Appointments | Appointments | Appointments |
| Royal Canadian Navy | | | | | | |
| Royal Canadian Navy | Canadian forces chief warrant officer | Command chief petty officer | Senior appointment Chief petty officer, 1st class | Drum major | Pipe major | Trumpet / Bugle major |
| Royal Canadian Navy | Adjudant(e)-chef des Forces canadiennes | Premier(ère) maître de 1$^{re}$ classe du commandement | Premier(ère) maître de 1$^{re}$ classe | Tambour-major | Cornemuseur-major | Trompette / Clairon-major |
| Canadian Army | | | | | | |
| Canadian Army | Canadian forces chief warrant officer | Command chief warrant officer | Senior appointment chief warrant officer | Drum major | Pipe major | Trumpet / Bugle major |
| Canadian Army | Adjudant(e)-chef des Forces canadiennes | Adjudant(e)-chef du commandement | Adjudant(e)-chef nomination supérieure | Tambour-major | Cornemuseur-major | Trompette / Clairon-major |
| Royal Canadian Air Force | | | | | | |
| Royal Canadian Air Force | Canadian forces chief warrant officer | Command chief warrant officer | Senior Appointment Chief warrant officer | Drum major | Pipe major | Trumpet / Bugle major |
| Royal Canadian Air Force | Adjudant(e)-chef des Forces canadiennes | Adjudant(e)-chef du commandement | Adjudant(e)-chef nomination supérieure | Tambour-major | Cornemuseur-major | Trompette / Clairon-major |
| Rank group | Senior appointments | Senior appointments | Senior appointments | Appointments | Appointments | Appointments |

## Rank slip-ons

The tables above describe the rank insignia worn on the service dress jacket. On DEU shirts, sweaters, and outerwear; and operational dress shirts and jackets, rank insignia are worn on slip-ons with the word "Canada" or a regimental/branch title embroidered underneath. Flag/general officers' slip-ons include only the crown, crossed sabre and baton, and maple leaves worn on the shoulder straps; they do not include the braid worn on the sleeve. Army NCM slip-ons for DEU shirts, sweaters, and outerwear display only the word "Canada" or a regimental/branch title, rank insignia being worn instead as enamelled metal pins on collar points or lapels.

## Service stripes

From 1955 to 1968, Militia personnel were permitted to wear service insignia on the right jacket sleeve. There were one to five silver chevrons on drab backing for every two years of service or a maple leaf in silver thread on a drab cloth circle to represent 10 years of service. Chevron points were worn either up or down; even official documents and photos were confused on the matter. Further awards after 10 years were believed covered by the Canadian Forces' Decoration, which was awarded after 12 years and a clasp added for every 10 years afterwards.
Qualifying service could include prior active service in the active reserves of the Royal Canadian Navy and Royal Canadian Air Force or the regular or territorial forces of a fellow Commonwealth member nation. Service in Canadian Army reserve forces units (like the regular reserve, supplementary reserve and reserve militia) did not count. The awarding of Service Stripes ceased in 1968 after the unification of the Canadian Armed Forces.

## Canadian Army distinctive corps insignia

Every branch or corps of the Canadian Army uses a distinctive colour. Applicable only to officers, they are indicated by coloured borders of rank insignia on DEU shirt and sweater slip-ons and on mess dress.
| Branch | Colour |
| Royal Canadian Armoured Corps | Yellow |
| Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery Canadian Forces Military Police Public Affairs Royal Canadian Logistics Service | Red |
| Corps of Royal Canadian Engineers Royal Canadian Corps of Signals Corps of Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers | Blue |
| Royal Canadian Infantry Corps (RCIC) (except rifle regiments) Officers of the General List Cadet Instructors Cadre | Scarlet |
| Royal Canadian Medical Service | Dull cherry |
| Canadian Intelligence Corps | Forest green (silver rank) |
| Royal Canadian Dental Corps | Emerald green |
| Royal Canadian Chaplain Service | Purple |
| RCIC members of Les Voltigeurs de Québec | Black |

### Distinctive rank names

Some branches and regiments use distinctive job titles for privates (trained) in those regiments:
| Branch | Distinct title |
| Royal Canadian Armoured Corps | Trooper (cavalier or cavalière) |
| Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery | Gunner (artilleur or artilleuse) |
| Corps of Royal Canadian Engineers | Sapper (sapeur or sapeuse) |
| Royal Canadian Corps of Signals | Signaller (signaleur or signaleuse) |
| Corps of Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers | Craftsman (artisan or artisane) |
| Royal Canadian Infantry Corps (RCIC) members of guards regiments | Guardsman (garde) |
| RCIC members of rifle regiments | Rifleman (carabinier or carabinière) |
| RCIC members of fusilier regiments | Fusilier (fusilier or fusilière) |
| RCIC members of voltigeur regiment | Voltigeur (voltigeur or voltigeuse) |
| Musicians of the Music Branch | Musician (musicien or musicienne) |
| Pipers of the Music Branch | Piper (cornemuseur or cornemuseuse) |
| Drummers of the Music Branch | Drummer (batteur or batteuse) |
| Canadian Rangers | Ranger (ranger) |
Additionally, the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery uses "bombardier" (bombardier or bombardière) for corporal and "master bombardier" (bombardier-chef or bombardière-chef) for master corporal. In the guards regiments, warrant officers are known as "colour sergeants" (sergents fourriers) and second-lieutenants are known as "ensigns" (enseignes).

## Evolution of Royal Canadian Navy rank and insignia

When the Royal Canadian Navy was established in 1910, it kept with Royal Navy traditions and adopted sleeve braid with an executive curl for rank insignia. "Wavy" sleeve braid was adopted for the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve (RCNVR) and rings of narrow interwoven gold lace for the Royal Canadian Navy Reserve (RCNR). Other variations in rank insignia included sky blue lace with a diamond shaped loop for officers of the Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service, and warranted Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps officers, who had a small anchor in place of the executive curl.
Following the Second World War, the Royal Canadian Navy was reorganized with a single reserve component. In 1946, the distinctive wavy gold braid of the reserves gave way to the straight braided executive curl of the regular force until 1968. With the integration of the Canadian Forces the sea element was designated as Canadian Forces Maritime Command. Unembellished straight braid became the common rank insignia for officers of both the regular and reserve forces. The executive curl appeared only on navy mess dress.
On 5 March 2010, the Canadian House of Commons passed a motion (moved by Guy Lauzon) recommending the executive curl be reinstated on the Canadian navy uniform. Subsequently, in recognition of the Canadian Naval centennial, Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, authorized the use of the executive curl for the Canadian Navy on 2 May 2010. The insignia became effective on 11 June 2010, on the occasion of the Pacific Canadian Naval International Fleet Review parade of nations in Victoria, B.C.
More than 54 countries, including Canada and 18 other of the 22 Commonwealth navies, use the insignia. Most navies that do not use the executive curl insignia, such as the United States Navy and the French Navy, substitute a star or other national device above the top row of lace.

### Timeline of changes (sleeves only)

| 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 |
| Royal Canadian Navy (1910–1968) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Maritime Command (1968–1985) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Maritime Command (1985–2010) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Royal Canadian Navy (2011–Present) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Rank titles | | | Admiral | Admiral | Vice-admiral | Vice-admiral | Rear-admiral | Rear-admiral | Commodore | Commodore | Captain(N) | Captain(N) | Commander | Commander | Lieutenant-commander | Lieutenant-commander | Lieutenant(N) | Lieutenant(N) | Sub-lieutenant | Sub-lieutenant | Sub-lieutenant | Acting sub-lieutenant | Acting sub-lieutenant | Acting sub-lieutenant | Naval cadet | Naval cadet | Naval cadet | Naval cadet | Naval cadet | Naval cadet | Naval cadet | Naval cadet | Naval cadet | Naval cadet | Naval cadet | Naval cadet |
| Rank titles | | | Amiral or Amirale | Amiral or Amirale | Vice-amiral or Vice-amirale | Vice-amiral or Vice-amirale | Contre-amiral or Contre-amirale | Contre-amiral or Contre-amirale | Commodore | Commodore | Capitaine de vaisseau | Capitaine de vaisseau | Capitaine de frégate | Capitaine de frégate | Capitaine de corvette | Capitaine de corvette | Lieutenant de vaisseau or Lieutenante de vaisseau | Lieutenant de vaisseau or Lieutenante de vaisseau | Enseigne de vaisseau de première classe | Enseigne de vaisseau de première classe | Enseigne de vaisseau de première classe | Enseigne de vaisseau de deuxième classe | Enseigne de vaisseau de deuxième classe | Enseigne de vaisseau de deuxième classe | Aspirant de marine or Aspirante de marine | Aspirant de marine or Aspirante de marine | Aspirant de marine or Aspirante de marine | Aspirant de marine or Aspirante de marine | Aspirant de marine or Aspirante de marine | Aspirant de marine or Aspirante de marine | Aspirant de marine or Aspirante de marine | Aspirant de marine or Aspirante de marine | Aspirant de marine or Aspirante de marine | Aspirant de marine or Aspirante de marine | Aspirant de marine or Aspirante de marine | Aspirant de marine or Aspirante de marine |
| NATO code | OF-10 | OF-10 | OF-9 | OF-9 | OF-8 | OF-8 | OF-7 | OF-7 | OF-6 | OF-6 | OF-5 | OF-5 | OF-4 | OF-4 | OF-3 | OF-3 | OF-2 | OF-2 | OF-1 | OF-1 | OF-1 | OF-1 | OF-1 | OF-1 |
| 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 |
| Royal Canadian Navy (1953–1968) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Trade badge | Trade badge | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia |
| Royal Canadian Navy (1953–1968) | Chief petty officer 1st class Premier maître de 1$^{re}$ classe | Chief petty officer 1st class Premier maître de 1$^{re}$ classe | Chief petty officer 1st class Premier maître de 1$^{re}$ classe | Chief petty officer 1st class Premier maître de 1$^{re}$ classe | Chief petty officer 1st class Premier maître de 1$^{re}$ classe | Chief petty officer 1st class Premier maître de 1$^{re}$ classe | Chief petty officer 2nd class Premier maître de 2$^e$ classe | Chief petty officer 2nd class Premier maître de 2$^e$ classe | Petty officer 1st class Maître de 1$^{re}$ classe | Petty officer 1st class Maître de 1$^{re}$ classe | Petty officer 2nd class Maître de 2$^e$ classe | Petty officer 2nd class Maître de 2$^e$ classe | Petty officer 2nd class Maître de 2$^e$ classe | Petty officer 2nd class Maître de 2$^e$ classe | Petty officer 2nd class Maître de 2$^e$ classe | Petty officer 2nd class Maître de 2$^e$ classe | Petty officer 2nd class Maître de 2$^e$ classe | Petty officer 2nd class Maître de 2$^e$ classe | Petty officer 2nd class Maître de 2$^e$ classe | Petty officer 2nd class Maître de 2$^e$ classe | Petty officer 2nd class Maître de 2$^e$ classe | Petty officer 2nd class Maître de 2$^e$ classe | Leading seaman Matelot de 1$^{re}$ classe | Leading seaman Matelot de 1$^{re}$ classe | Leading seaman Matelot de 1$^{re}$ classe | Leading seaman Matelot de 1$^{re}$ classe | Able seaman Matelot de 2$^e$ classe | Able seaman Matelot de 2$^e$ classe | Ordinary seaman Matelot de 3$^e$ classe | Ordinary seaman Matelot de 3$^e$ classe | Ordinary seaman Matelot de 3$^e$ classe | Ordinary seaman Matelot de 3$^e$ classe | Ordinary seaman Matelot de 3$^e$ classe | Ordinary seaman Matelot de 3$^e$ classe | Recruit Recrue | Recruit Recrue |
| Maritime Command (1968–1973) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Maritime Command (1973–1985) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Rank titles (1968–1985) | Chief petty officer 1st class Premier maître de 1$^{re}$ classe | Chief petty officer 1st class Premier maître de 1$^{re}$ classe | Chief petty officer 1st class Premier maître de 1$^{re}$ classe | Chief petty officer 1st class Premier maître de 1$^{re}$ classe | Chief petty officer 1st class Premier maître de 1$^{re}$ classe | Chief petty officer 1st class Premier maître de 1$^{re}$ classe | Chief petty officer 2nd class Premier maître de 2$^e$ classe | Chief petty officer 2nd class Premier maître de 2$^e$ classe | Petty officer 1st class Maître de 1$^{re}$ classe | Petty officer 1st class Maître de 1$^{re}$ classe | Petty officer 2nd class Maître de 2$^e$ classe | Petty officer 2nd class Maître de 2$^e$ classe | Petty officer 2nd class Maître de 2$^e$ classe | Petty officer 2nd class Maître de 2$^e$ classe | Petty officer 2nd class Maître de 2$^e$ classe | Petty officer 2nd class Maître de 2$^e$ classe | Master seaman Matelot-chef | Master seaman Matelot-chef | Master seaman Matelot-chef | Master seaman Matelot-chef | Master seaman Matelot-chef | Master seaman Matelot-chef | Leading seaman Matelot de 1$^{re}$ classe | Leading seaman Matelot de 1$^{re}$ classe | Leading seaman Matelot de 1$^{re}$ classe | Leading seaman Matelot de 1$^{re}$ classe | Able seaman Matelot de 2$^e$ classe | Able seaman Matelot de 2$^e$ classe | Ordinary seaman Matelot de 3$^e$ classe | Ordinary seaman Matelot de 3$^e$ classe | Ordinary seaman Matelot de 3$^e$ classe | Ordinary seaman Matelot de 3$^e$ classe | Ordinary seaman Matelot de 3$^e$ classe | Ordinary seaman Matelot de 3$^e$ classe | Seaman recruit Matelot recrue | Seaman recruit Matelot recrue |
| Maritime Command (1985–2010) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Maritime Command (1985–2010) | Chief petty officer 1st class Premier maître de 1$^{re}$ classe | Chief petty officer 1st class Premier maître de 1$^{re}$ classe | Chief petty officer 1st class Premier maître de 1$^{re}$ classe | Chief petty officer 1st class Premier maître de 1$^{re}$ classe | Chief petty officer 1st class Premier maître de 1$^{re}$ classe | Chief petty officer 1st class Premier maître de 1$^{re}$ classe | Chief petty officer 2nd class Premier maître de 2$^e$ classe | Chief petty officer 2nd class Premier maître de 2$^e$ classe | Petty officer 1st class Maître de 1$^{re}$ classe | Petty officer 1st class Maître de 1$^{re}$ classe | Petty officer 2nd class Maître de 2$^e$ classe | Petty officer 2nd class Maître de 2$^e$ classe | Petty officer 2nd class Maître de 2$^e$ classe | Petty officer 2nd class Maître de 2$^e$ classe | Petty officer 2nd class Maître de 2$^e$ classe | Petty officer 2nd class Maître de 2$^e$ classe | Master seaman Matelot-chef | Master seaman Matelot-chef | Master seaman Matelot-chef | Master seaman Matelot-chef | Master seaman Matelot-chef | Master seaman Matelot-chef | Leading seaman Matelot de 1$^{re}$ classe | Leading seaman Matelot de 1$^{re}$ classe | Leading seaman Matelot de 1$^{re}$ classe | Leading seaman Matelot de 1$^{re}$ classe | Able seaman Matelot de 2$^e$ classe | Able seaman Matelot de 2$^e$ classe | Ordinary seaman Matelot de 3$^e$ classe | Ordinary seaman Matelot de 3$^e$ classe | Ordinary seaman Matelot de 3$^e$ classe | Ordinary seaman Matelot de 3$^e$ classe | Ordinary seaman Matelot de 3$^e$ classe | Ordinary seaman Matelot de 3$^e$ classe | Seaman recruit Matelot recrue | Seaman recruit Matelot recrue |
| Royal Canadian Navy (2011–present) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Rank titles (2011–2020) | Chief petty officer 1st class Premier maître de 1$^{re}$ classe | Chief petty officer 1st class Premier maître de 1$^{re}$ classe | Chief petty officer 1st class Premier maître de 1$^{re}$ classe | Chief petty officer 1st class Premier maître de 1$^{re}$ classe | Chief petty officer 1st class Premier maître de 1$^{re}$ classe | Chief petty officer 1st class Premier maître de 1$^{re}$ classe | Chief petty officer 2nd class Premier maître de 2$^e$ classe | Chief petty officer 2nd class Premier maître de 2$^e$ classe | Petty officer 1st class Maître de 1$^{re}$ classe | Petty officer 1st class Maître de 1$^{re}$ classe | Petty officer 2nd class Maître de 2$^e$ classe | Petty officer 2nd class Maître de 2$^e$ classe | Petty officer 2nd class Maître de 2$^e$ classe | Petty officer 2nd class Maître de 2$^e$ classe | Petty officer 2nd class Maître de 2$^e$ classe | Petty officer 2nd class Maître de 2$^e$ classe | Petty officer 2nd class Maître de 2$^e$ classe | Petty officer 2nd class Maître de 2$^e$ classe | Petty officer 2nd class Maître de 2$^e$ classe | Petty officer 2nd class Maître de 2$^e$ classe | Petty officer 2nd class Maître de 2$^e$ classe | Petty officer 2nd class Maître de 2$^e$ classe | Master seaman Matelot-chef | Master seaman Matelot-chef | Master seaman Matelot-chef | Master seaman Matelot-chef | Leading seaman Matelot de 1$^{re}$ classe | Leading seaman Matelot de 1$^{re}$ classe | Able seaman Matelot de 2$^e$ classe | Able seaman Matelot de 2$^e$ classe | Able seaman Matelot de 2$^e$ classe | Able seaman Matelot de 2$^e$ classe | Able seaman Matelot de 2$^e$ classe | Able seaman Matelot de 2$^e$ classe | Ordinary seaman Matelot de 3$^e$ classe | Ordinary seaman Matelot de 3$^e$ classe |
| Rank titles (2020–present) | Chief petty officer 1st class Premier maître de 1$^{re}$ classe or Première maître de 1$^{re}$ classe | Chief petty officer 1st class Premier maître de 1$^{re}$ classe or Première maître de 1$^{re}$ classe | Chief petty officer 1st class Premier maître de 1$^{re}$ classe or Première maître de 1$^{re}$ classe | Chief petty officer 1st class Premier maître de 1$^{re}$ classe or Première maître de 1$^{re}$ classe | Chief petty officer 1st class Premier maître de 1$^{re}$ classe or Première maître de 1$^{re}$ classe | Chief petty officer 1st class Premier maître de 1$^{re}$ classe or Première maître de 1$^{re}$ classe | Chief petty officer 2nd class Premier maître de 2$^e$ classe or Première maître de 2$^e$ classe | Chief petty officer 2nd class Premier maître de 2$^e$ classe or Première maître de 2$^e$ classe | Petty officer 1st class Maître de 1$^{re}$ classe | Petty officer 1st class Maître de 1$^{re}$ classe | Petty officer 2nd class Maître de 2$^e$ classe | Petty officer 2nd class Maître de 2$^e$ classe | Petty officer 2nd class Maître de 2$^e$ classe | Petty officer 2nd class Maître de 2$^e$ classe | Petty officer 2nd class Maître de 2$^e$ classe | Petty officer 2nd class Maître de 2$^e$ classe | Petty officer 2nd class Maître de 2$^e$ classe | Petty officer 2nd class Maître de 2$^e$ classe | Petty officer 2nd class Maître de 2$^e$ classe | Petty officer 2nd class Maître de 2$^e$ classe | Petty officer 2nd class Maître de 2$^e$ classe | Petty officer 2nd class Maître de 2$^e$ classe | Master sailor Matelot-chef | Master sailor Matelot-chef | Master sailor Matelot-chef | Master sailor Matelot-chef | Sailor 1st class Matelot de 1$^{re}$ classe | Sailor 1st class Matelot de 1$^{re}$ classe | Sailor 2nd class Matelot de 2$^e$ classe | Sailor 2nd class Matelot de 2$^e$ classe | Sailor 2nd class Matelot de 2$^e$ classe | Sailor 2nd class Matelot de 2$^e$ classe | Sailor 2nd class Matelot de 2$^e$ classe | Sailor 2nd class Matelot de 2$^e$ classe | Sailor 3rd class Matelot de 3$^e$ classe | Sailor 3rd class Matelot de 3$^e$ classe |
| NATO code | OR-9 | OR-9 | OR-9 | OR-9 | OR-9 | OR-9 | OR-8 | OR-8 | OR-7 | OR-7 | OR-6 | OR-6 | OR-6 | OR-6 | OR-6 | OR-6 | OR-5 | OR-5 | OR-5 | OR-5 | OR-5 | OR-5 | OR-4 | OR-4 | OR-4 | OR-4 | OR-3 | OR-3 | OR-2 | OR-2 | OR-2 | OR-2 | OR-2 | OR-2 | OR-1 | OR-1 |

## Evolution of Canadian Army ranks and insignia

Prior to unification in 1968, the Canadian Army used rank insignia identical to the British Army. When the universal CF green uniform was adopted at unification, Mobile Command, like the other services, used gold braid sleeve stripes as rank insignia. When distinctive environmental uniforms were adopted in the mid-1980s, the army retained the green uniform with gold stripes.
On 8 July 2013, Minister of National Defence Peter MacKay announced the intention to reintroduce a more traditional style Canadian Army officers' rank insignia. Instead of the sleeve stripe rank insignia used since unification, officers would use the older St Edward's Crown and Star of the Order of the Bath insignia, commonly called "pips and crowns". Gorget patches were also restored for officers of the rank of colonel or higher. The new insignia for officers, instead of using the current British rank insignia for brigadier (used in the Canadian Army until 1968), had the pre-1920 brigadier-general insignia (crossed sabre and baton) instead.
On 2 April 2016, the Commander of the Canadian Army announced that general officers would revert to the unification-era rank insignia worn between 1968 and 2013. This rank insignia is based on the shoulder board rank insignia of Royal Canadian Navy flag officers. The rank insignia of general officers now consists of a crown, crossed sabre and baton, and a series of maple leaves on shoulder straps. Additionally, general officers wear one broad gold band on each of the lower sleeves of the service dress tunic.
On the centenary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, 9 April 2017, the Bath Star pip with motto tria juncta in uno (Latin for 'three joined in one') was replaced by the "Vimy Star". It depicts a maple leaf and is surrounded by the motto vigilamus pro te (Latin for 'we stand on guard for thee'). Commissioned officers of the household guard regiments (Governor General's Foot Guards, Canadian Grenadier Guards, and Governor General's Horse Guards), plus army personnel stationed to the seasonal Ceremonial Guard, use the Guards Star in place of the Vimy Star on their shoulder boards.

### Timeline of changes

| 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 |
| Canadian Militia (1902–1920) Canadian Expeditionary Force (1914–1920) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Canadian Militia (1902–1920) Canadian Expeditionary Force (1914–1920) | 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 | Officer cadet | Officer cadet | Officer cadet | Officer cadet | Officer cadet | Officer cadet | Officer cadet | Officer cadet | Officer cadet | Officer cadet | Officer cadet | Officer cadet |
| Canadian Militia (1921–1940) Canadian Army (1940–1953) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Canadian Militia (1921–1940) Canadian Army (1940–1953) | General | General | Lieutenant-general | Lieutenant-general | Major-general | Major-general | Colonel commandant | Colonel commandant | Colonel | Colonel | Lieutenant-colonel | Lieutenant-colonel | Major | Major | Captain | Captain | Lieutenant | Lieutenant | Lieutenant | Second lieutenant | Second lieutenant | Second lieutenant | Officer cadet | Officer cadet | Officer cadet | Officer cadet | Officer cadet | Officer cadet | Officer cadet | Officer cadet | Officer cadet | Officer cadet | Officer cadet | Officer cadet |
| Canadian Army (1953–1968) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Canadian Army (1953–1968) | 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 | Officer cadet | Officer cadet | Officer cadet | Officer cadet | Officer cadet | Officer cadet | Officer cadet | Officer cadet | Officer cadet | Officer cadet | Officer cadet | Officer cadet |
| Mobile Command & Land Force Command (1968–2013) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Canadian Army (2013–2016) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Canadian Army (2016–2017) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Canadian Army (Present) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Rank titles | General Général or Générale | General Général or Générale | Lieutenant-general Lieutenant-général or Lieutenante-générale | Lieutenant-general Lieutenant-général or Lieutenante-générale | Major-general Major-général or Majore-générale | Major-general Major-général or Majore-générale | Brigadier-general Brigadier-général or Brigadière-générale | Brigadier-general Brigadier-général or Brigadière-générale | Colonel Colonel or Colonelle | Colonel Colonel or Colonelle | Lieutenant-colonel Lieutenant-colonel or Lieutenante-colonelle | Lieutenant-colonel Lieutenant-colonel or Lieutenante-colonelle | Major Major or Majore | Major Major or Majore | Captain Capitaine | Captain Capitaine | Lieutenant Lieutenant or Lieutenante | Lieutenant Lieutenant or Lieutenante | Lieutenant Lieutenant or Lieutenante | Second lieutenant Sous-lieutenant or Sous-lieutenante | Second lieutenant Sous-lieutenant or Sous-lieutenante | Second lieutenant Sous-lieutenant or Sous-lieutenante | Officer cadet Élève-officier or Élève-officière | Officer cadet Élève-officier or Élève-officière | Officer cadet Élève-officier or Élève-officière | Officer cadet Élève-officier or Élève-officière | Officer cadet Élève-officier or Élève-officière | Officer cadet Élève-officier or Élève-officière | Officer cadet Élève-officier or Élève-officière | Officer cadet Élève-officier or Élève-officière | Officer cadet Élève-officier or Élève-officière | Officer cadet Élève-officier or Élève-officière | Officer cadet Élève-officier or Élève-officière | Officer cadet Élève-officier or Élève-officière |
| Rank titles | NATO code | OF-10 | OF-10 | OF-9 | OF-9 | OF-8 | OF-8 | OF-7 | OF-7 | OF-6 | OF-6 | OF-5 | OF-5 | OF-4 | OF-4 | OF-3 | OF-3 | OF-2 | OF-2 | OF-1 | OF-1 | OF-1 | OF-1 | OF-1 | OF-1 |
| 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 |
| (1920–1953) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia |
| (1920–1953) | Warrant officer class I | Warrant officer class I | Warrant officer class I | Warrant officer class I | Warrant officer class I | Warrant officer class I | Warrant officer class II | Warrant officer class II | Staff/Colour sergeant | Staff/Colour 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) |
| Canadian Army (1953–1966) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia |
| Canadian Army (1953–1966) | Warrant officer class I/1 | Warrant officer class I/1 | Warrant officer class I/1 | Warrant officer class I/1 | Warrant officer class I/1 | Warrant officer class I/1 | Warrant officer class II/2 | Warrant officer class II/2 | Staff/Colour sergeant | Staff/Colour 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) |
| Canadian Army (1966–1968) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia |
| Canadian Army (1966–1968) | Warrant officer class I/1 | Warrant officer class I/1 | Warrant officer class I/1 | Warrant officer class I/1 | Warrant officer class I/1 | Warrant officer class I/1 | Warrant officer class II/2 | Warrant officer class II/2 | Staff/Colour sergeant | Staff/Colour sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Master corporal | Master corporal | Master corporal | Master corporal | Master corporal | Master corporal | 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) |
| Land Force Command (1968–1973) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Land Force Command (1973–2010) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Rank titles (1968–2010) | Chief warrant officer Adjudant-chef | Chief warrant officer Adjudant-chef | Chief warrant officer Adjudant-chef | Chief warrant officer Adjudant-chef | Chief warrant officer Adjudant-chef | Chief warrant officer Adjudant-chef | Master warrant officer Adjudant-maître | Master warrant officer Adjudant-maître | Warrant officer Adjudant | Warrant officer Adjudant | Sergeant Sergent | Sergeant Sergent | Sergeant Sergent | Sergeant Sergent | Sergeant Sergent | Sergeant Sergent | Master corporal Caporal-chef | Master corporal Caporal-chef | Master corporal Caporal-chef | Master corporal Caporal-chef | Master corporal Caporal-chef | Master corporal Caporal-chef | Corporal Caporal | Corporal Caporal | Corporal Caporal | Corporal Caporal | Private Soldat | Private Soldat | Private (basic) Soldat (Confirmé) | Private (basic) Soldat (Confirmé) | Private (basic) Soldat (Confirmé) | Private (basic) Soldat (Confirmé) | Private (basic) Soldat (Confirmé) | Private (basic) Soldat (Confirmé) | Private (recruit) Soldat (Recrue) | Private (recruit) Soldat (Recrue) |
| Land Force Command (2011–Present) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Rank titles (2011–present) | Chief warrant officer Adjudant-chef or Adjudante-chef | Chief warrant officer Adjudant-chef or Adjudante-chef | Chief warrant officer Adjudant-chef or Adjudante-chef | Chief warrant officer Adjudant-chef or Adjudante-chef | Chief warrant officer Adjudant-chef or Adjudante-chef | Chief warrant officer Adjudant-chef or Adjudante-chef | Master warrant officer Adjudant-maître or Adjudante-maître | Master warrant officer Adjudant-maître or Adjudante-maître | Warrant officer Adjudant or Adjudante | Warrant officer Adjudant or Adjudante | Sergeant Sergent or Sergente | Sergeant Sergent or Sergente | Sergeant Sergent or Sergente | Sergeant Sergent or Sergente | Sergeant Sergent or Sergente | Sergeant Sergent or Sergente | Sergeant Sergent or Sergente | Sergeant Sergent or Sergente | Sergeant Sergent or Sergente | Sergeant Sergent or Sergente | Sergeant Sergent or Sergente | Sergeant Sergent or Sergente | Master corporal Caporal-chef or Caporale-chef | Master corporal Caporal-chef or Caporale-chef | Master corporal Caporal-chef or Caporale-chef | Master corporal Caporal-chef or Caporale-chef | Corporal Caporal or Caporale | Corporal Caporal or Caporale | Private Soldat or Soldate | Private Soldat or Soldate | Private Soldat or Soldate | Private Soldat or Soldate | Private Soldat or Soldate | Private Soldat or Soldate | Private (basic) Soldat (Confirmé) or Soldate (Confirmée) | Private (basic) Soldat (Confirmé) or Soldate (Confirmée) |
| NATO code | OR-9 | OR-9 | OR-9 | OR-9 | OR-9 | OR-9 | OR-8 | OR-8 | OR-7 | OR-7 | OR-6 | OR-6 | OR-6 | OR-6 | OR-6 | OR-6 | OR-5 | OR-5 | OR-5 | OR-5 | OR-5 | OR-5 | OR-4 | OR-4 | OR-4 | OR-4 | OR-3 | OR-3 | OR-2 | OR-2 | OR-2 | OR-2 | OR-2 | OR-2 | OR-1 | OR-1 |

## Evolution of Royal Canadian Air Force rank and insignia

Canadian Air Force ranks and insignia originally were taken from the Royal Air Force practice. Upon unification, the Air Command used identical ranks and insignia as the Land Command. When Air-specific blue DEUs were introduced, the gold rank insignia were retained.
In April 2015, the Royal Canadian Air Force adopted new rank insignia reminiscent of the pre-unification RCAF system. The new officer rank insignia uses pearl-grey-on-black rank stripes instead of gold. Non-commissioned members (NCMs) rank insignia is pearl grey instead of gold. The colour gold found elsewhere on the uniform was also changed to pearl-grey. The air force rank of private, formerly indicated by one chevron, became aviator (Fr: aviateur), and is indicated by a horizontally-aligned two-bladed propeller. All other ranks titles remain as they were.

### Timeline of changes

| 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 |
| Royal Canadian Air Force (1924–1968) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Rank titles (1924–1968) | Marshal of the Royal Canadian Air Force | Marshal of the Royal Canadian Air Force | Air chief marshal Maréchal en chef de l’Air | Air chief marshal Maréchal en chef de l’Air | Air marshal Maréchal de l’Air | Air marshal Maréchal de l’Air | Air vice-marshal Vice-maréchal de l’Air | Air vice-marshal Vice-maréchal de l’Air | Air commodore Commodore de l’Air | Air commodore Commodore de l’Air | Group captain Colonel d’aviation | Group captain Colonel d’aviation | Wing commander Lieutenant-colonel d’aviation | Wing commander Lieutenant-colonel d’aviation | Squadron leader Commandant d’aviation | Squadron leader Commandant d’aviation | Flight lieutenant Capitaine d’aviation | Flight lieutenant Capitaine d’aviation | Flying officer Lieutenant d’aviation | Flying officer Lieutenant d’aviation | Flying officer Lieutenant d’aviation | Pilot officer Sous-lieutenant d’aviation | Pilot officer Sous-lieutenant d’aviation | Pilot officer Sous-lieutenant d’aviation | Flight cadet/ officer cadet (post-1962) Élève-officier | Flight cadet/ officer cadet (post-1962) Élève-officier | Flight cadet/ officer cadet (post-1962) Élève-officier | Flight cadet/ officer cadet (post-1962) Élève-officier | Flight cadet/ officer cadet (post-1962) Élève-officier | Flight cadet/ officer cadet (post-1962) Élève-officier | Flight cadet/ officer cadet (post-1962) Élève-officier | Flight cadet/ officer cadet (post-1962) Élève-officier | Flight cadet/ officer cadet (post-1962) Élève-officier | Flight cadet/ officer cadet (post-1962) Élève-officier | Flight cadet/ officer cadet (post-1962) Élève-officier | Flight cadet/ officer cadet (post-1962) Élève-officier |
| Air Command (1968–1984) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Air Command (1984–2014) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Royal Canadian Air Force (2014–present) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Rank titles (1968–present) | | | General Général or Générale | General Général or Générale | Lieutenant-general Lieutenant-général or Lieutenante-générale | Lieutenant-general Lieutenant-général or Lieutenante-générale | Major-general Major-général or Majore-générale | Major-general Major-général or Majore-générale | Brigadier-general Brigadier-général or Brigadière-générale | Brigadier-general Brigadier-général or Brigadière-générale | Colonel Colonel or Colonelle | Colonel Colonel or Colonelle | Lieutenant-colonel Lieutenant-colonel or Lieutenante-colonelle | Lieutenant-colonel Lieutenant-colonel or Lieutenante-colonelle | Major Major or Majore | Major Major or Majore | Captain Capitaine | Captain Capitaine | Lieutenant Lieutenant or Lieutenante | Lieutenant Lieutenant or Lieutenante | Lieutenant Lieutenant or Lieutenante | Second lieutenant Sous-lieutenant or Sous-lieutenante | Second lieutenant Sous-lieutenant or Sous-lieutenante | Second lieutenant Sous-lieutenant or Sous-lieutenante | Officer cadet Élève-officier or Élève-officière | Officer cadet Élève-officier or Élève-officière | Officer cadet Élève-officier or Élève-officière | Officer cadet Élève-officier or Élève-officière | Officer cadet Élève-officier or Élève-officière | Officer cadet Élève-officier or Élève-officière | Officer cadet Élève-officier or Élève-officière | Officer cadet Élève-officier or Élève-officière | Officer cadet Élève-officier or Élève-officière | Officer cadet Élève-officier or Élève-officière | Officer cadet Élève-officier or Élève-officière | Officer cadet Élève-officier or Élève-officière |
| NATO code | OF-10 | OF-10 | OF-9 | OF-9 | OF-8 | OF-8 | OF-7 | OF-7 | OF-6 | OF-6 | OF-5 | OF-5 | OF-4 | OF-4 | OF-3 | OF-3 | OF-2 | OF-2 | OF-1 | OF-1 | OF-1 | OF-1 | OF-1 | OF-1 |
| 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 |
| Air Force (1948–1953) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | No insignia | No insignia |
| Air Force (1953–1968) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | No insignia | No insignia |
| Rank titles (1948–1968) | Warrant officer first class Adjudant de 1$^{re}$ classe | Warrant officer first class Adjudant de 1$^{re}$ classe | Warrant officer first class Adjudant de 1$^{re}$ classe | Warrant officer first class Adjudant de 1$^{re}$ classe | Warrant officer first class Adjudant de 1$^{re}$ classe | Warrant officer first class Adjudant de 1$^{re}$ classe | Warrant officer second class Adjudant de 2$^e$ classe | Warrant officer second class Adjudant de 2$^e$ classe | Flight sergeant Sergent de section | Flight sergeant Sergent de section | Sergeant Sergent | Sergeant Sergent | Sergeant Sergent | Sergeant Sergent | Sergeant Sergent | Sergeant Sergent | Sergeant Sergent | Sergeant Sergent | Sergeant Sergent | Sergeant Sergent | Sergeant Sergent | Sergeant Sergent | Corporal Caporal | Corporal Caporal | Corporal Caporal | Corporal Caporal | | | Leading aircraftman/aircraftwoman Aviateur-chef | Leading aircraftman/aircraftwoman Aviateur-chef | Leading aircraftman/aircraftwoman Aviateur-chef | Leading aircraftman/aircraftwoman Aviateur-chef | Leading aircraftman/aircraftwoman Aviateur-chef | Leading aircraftman/aircraftwoman Aviateur-chef | Aircraftman/Aircraftwoman first class Aviateur 1$^{re}$ classe | Aircraftman/Aircraftwoman second class Aviateur 2$^e$ classe |
| Air Command (1968–1973) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Air Command (1973–1984) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Air Command (1984–2010) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Rank titles (1968–2010) | Chief warrant officer Adjudant-chef | Chief warrant officer Adjudant-chef | Chief warrant officer Adjudant-chef | Chief warrant officer Adjudant-chef | Chief warrant officer Adjudant-chef | Chief warrant officer Adjudant-chef | Master warrant officer Adjudant-maître | Master warrant officer Adjudant-maître | Warrant officer Adjudant | Warrant officer Adjudant | Sergeant Sergent | Sergeant Sergent | Sergeant Sergent | Sergeant Sergent | Sergeant Sergent | Sergeant Sergent | Master corporal Caporal-chef | Master corporal Caporal-chef | Master corporal Caporal-chef | Master corporal Caporal-chef | Master corporal Caporal-chef | Master corporal Caporal-chef | Corporal Caporal | Corporal Caporal | Corporal Caporal | Corporal Caporal | Private Soldat | Private Soldat | Private (basic) Soldat (confirmé) | Private (basic) Soldat (confirmé) | Private (basic) Soldat (confirmé) | Private (basic) Soldat (confirmé) | Private (basic) Soldat (confirmé) | Private (basic) Soldat (confirmé) | Private (recruit) Soldat (recrue) | Private (recruit) Soldat (recrue) |
| Air Command (2010–2014) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Rank titles (2010–2014) | Chief warrant officer Adjudant-chef | Chief warrant officer Adjudant-chef | Chief warrant officer Adjudant-chef | Chief warrant officer Adjudant-chef | Chief warrant officer Adjudant-chef | Chief warrant officer Adjudant-chef | Master warrant officer Adjudant-maître | Master warrant officer Adjudant-maître | Warrant officer Adjudant | Warrant officer Adjudant | Sergeant Sergent | Sergeant Sergent | Sergeant Sergent | Sergeant Sergent | Sergeant Sergent | Sergeant Sergent | Sergeant Sergent | Sergeant Sergent | Sergeant Sergent | Sergeant Sergent | Sergeant Sergent | Sergeant Sergent | Master corporal Caporal-chef | Master corporal Caporal-chef | Master corporal Caporal-chef | Master corporal Caporal-chef | Corporal Caporal | Corporal Caporal | Private Soldat | Private Soldat | Private Soldat | Private Soldat | Private Soldat | Private Soldat | Private (basic) Soldat (confirmé) | Private (basic) Soldat (confirmé) |
| Royal Canadian Air Force (2014–present) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Rank titles (2014–present) | Chief warrant officer Adjudant-chef or Adjudante-chef | Chief warrant officer Adjudant-chef or Adjudante-chef | Chief warrant officer Adjudant-chef or Adjudante-chef | Chief warrant officer Adjudant-chef or Adjudante-chef | Chief warrant officer Adjudant-chef or Adjudante-chef | Chief warrant officer Adjudant-chef or Adjudante-chef | Master warrant officer Adjudant-maître or Adjudante-maître | Master warrant officer Adjudant-maître or Adjudante-maître | Warrant officer Adjudant or Adjudante | Warrant officer Adjudant or Adjudante | Sergeant Sergent or Sergente | Sergeant Sergent or Sergente | Sergeant Sergent or Sergente | Sergeant Sergent or Sergente | Sergeant Sergent or Sergente | Sergeant Sergent or Sergente | Sergeant Sergent or Sergente | Sergeant Sergent or Sergente | Sergeant Sergent or Sergente | Sergeant Sergent or Sergente | Sergeant Sergent or Sergente | Sergeant Sergent or Sergente | Master corporal Caporal-chef or Caporale-chef | Master corporal Caporal-chef or Caporale-chef | Master corporal Caporal-chef or Caporale-chef | Master corporal Caporal-chef or Caporale-chef | Corporal Caporal or Caporale | Corporal Caporal or Caporale | Aviator Aviateur or Aviatrice | Aviator Aviateur or Aviatrice | Aviator Aviateur or Aviatrice | Aviator Aviateur or Aviatrice | Aviator Aviateur or Aviatrice | Aviator Aviateur or Aviatrice | Aviator (basic) Aviateur (confirmé) or Aviatrice (confirmée) | Aviator (basic) Aviateur (confirmé) or Aviatrice (confirmée) |
| NATO code | OR-9 | OR-9 | OR-9 | OR-9 | OR-9 | OR-9 | OR-8 | OR-8 | OR-7 | OR-7 | OR-6 | OR-6 | OR-6 | OR-6 | OR-6 | OR-6 | OR-5 | OR-5 | OR-5 | OR-5 | OR-5 | OR-5 | OR-4 | OR-4 | OR-4 | OR-4 | OR-3 | OR-3 | OR-2 | OR-2 | OR-2 | OR-2 | OR-2 | OR-2 | OR-1 | OR-1 |

### Mess dress

Contrary to the Royal Canadian Navy and the Canadian Army, mess dress uniform ranks for officers of the Royal Canadian Air Force follow the naval pattern, without the executive curl. General officers do not wear shoulder straps with this order of dress.
* NATO Code
* Royal Canadian Air Force Mess dress and full dress ranks 1925-1968
* Air Command Mess ranks 1968-2014
* Royal Canadian Air Force Mess ranks since 2015