Alférez (rank)
Alférez is a junior officer rank in the militaries of Spain, Argentina, Chile and Uruguay. The Portuguese variant alferes is used in Portugal, Mozambique, São Tomé and Príncipe and East Timor and was also formerly used in Brazil. The naval rank of "alférez de fragata" is used in Spain, Dominican Republic and Peru. "Alférez" and "alferes" are often translated as ensign, but are also sometimes translated as sub-lieutenant or second lieutenant. These translations are approximate. As a military rank, it corresponds usually to NATO rank code is OF-1. The Spanish word "alférez" and the Portuguese word "alferes  were both derived from the Arabic (al-fāris"), meaning "the knight", "the horseman" or "the cavalryman". The rank of "alférez" / "alferes" was first used by Iberian armies during the "reconquista" in the middle ages, being associated to the officer responsible for the carrying of a unit flag. During that time "alférez" was the leader of the retinue of a king or high-ranking nobleman. The famous warrior El Cid was the "alférez" of King Alfonso VI of Castile and Alfonso Núñez was the "alférez" of Duke Raymond of Galicia. Argentina. In Argentina, the rank of "alférez" is used by both  the air force and the gendarmerie. It is, however, used differently in the two services. The air force uses the rank for newly qualified officers, while the gendarmerie uses "alférez" ranks as an equivalent for the army's "lieutenant" ranks. The other armed forces of Argentina do not use the rank of ensign. Chile. In Chile, an officer cadet is known as a "sub-alférez". On graduating from officer training, he becomes an "alférez" for a year while carrying out training specific to his branch. After this, the "alférez" is promoted to sub-lieutenant. Peru. Frigate "alférez" is the lowest  naval officer rank. Philippines. The rank of "Alférez", locally spelled as "Alpéres", was also used by the Philippine Revolutionary Army during the Philippine Revolution and Philippine-American War. It is the lowest commissioned officer rank and is interchangeable with second lieutenant (Spanish: "Segundo Teniente") (Tagalog: "Ikalawang Tenyente") on the service. Spain. "Alférez" is the lowest officer rank in Spain, immediately below lieutenant. Frigate "alférez" is the lowest naval officer rank. Dominican Republic. "Alférez" is used in the Dominican Navy, with frigate "alférez" (second lieutenant) and ship "alférez" (first lieutenant) being the lowest naval officer ranks. Venezuela. "Alférez" in Venezuela's  Armed Forces is the last rank of a cadet in the three land academies of officers: Army, Air Force and National Guard. The naval academy uses for its last rank "midshipman" or "guardiamarina".