Ranks in the French Air and Space Force
Rank insignia in the French Air and Space Force are worn on the sleeve or on shoulder marks of uniforms Officers. Although they all wear the same insignia and titles, officers are divided into: Section::::- sub-officers, i.e. non-commissioned officers. Etymologically the is the "adjoint" ("joint (assistant)") of an officer, and the sergeant "serves" ( = English: servant). Full are experienced junior officers, served by sergeants when commanding their unit. A four chevron rank existed until 1947. It was a ceremonial rank usually given to the most senior or experienced NCO in  a unit, similar to a colour sergeant in the British Army. It was discontinued in the post-war army due to its redundancy. Section::::- Troop ranks. There are also distinctions to distinguish volunteers and conscripts, and bars for experience (one for five years, up to four can be obtained).