Field Marshal
The highest rank in the British Army since 1736.
The rank of Field Marshal has become an honorary rank, the last active officer to be promoted to the rank was in 1994.
General
Generals hold the most senior appointments - such as Chief of Defence Staff, Vice Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of the General Staff and Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe.
A General is sometimes referred to as a four-star. They are equivalent to an Admiral in the Royal Navy and Air Chief Marshal in the Royal Air Force.
Lieutenant General
A Lieutenant General commands a formation of corps size, for example the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps.
An officer of this rank can hold very senior command and staff appointments in the Ministry of Defence and other headquarters.
Major General
Major Generals command formations of division size and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. They also hold senior staff appointments in the Ministry of Defence and other headquarters.
Brigadier
Brigadiers can command a brigade or be a director of operational capability groups such as a director of staff.
Sometimes known as a one star, a Brigadier is not considered to be a general officer rank by the British Army but rather a Field officer rank.
Colonel
Colonel is the lowest rank in the general staff. They typically serve as staff officers and senior advisers to senior officers.
They occasionally serve as field commanders or task force commanders.
Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant Colonels typically command battalions or regiments of up to 650 soldiers. In this role they are known as the Commanding Officer.
They are responsible for the overall operational effectiveness of their unit in terms of military capability, welfare and general discipline.
Commanding Officer is typically in post for two and a half years.
Major
Typically a Major will command a sub-unit typically around 120 officers and soldiers. They are responsible for their training, welfare, and administration both in barracks and on operations, as well as the management of their equipment.
Captain
The rank of Captain is typically held for five to ten years.
Captains are normally made second-in-command of a company (or squadron) of up to 120 soldiers.
They are key players in the planning and decision-making process, with responsibility for operations on the ground as well as equipment maintenance, logistic support, and management of people.
Lieutenant
The rank of Lieutenant is typically held for two to three years.
They normally command a platoon or troop of around 30 soldiers, with increased responsibilities from being a Second Lieutenant.
They also have the opportunity to gain specialised skills outside their corps or regiment.
Second Lieutenant
This is the rank held on commissioning from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
It is normally held for one to two years.
During their time as a Second Lieutenant, officers complete training that is relevant to their corps or regiment.
After training is complete, they are responsible for leading up to 30 soldiers in a platoon or troop, both in training and on operations.
Officer Cadet
This is the rank held during initial officer training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst or in the University Officers' Training Corps.
Warrant Officer Class One
Warrant Officer Class One (WO1) is the most senior soldier rank in the British Army. A Regimental Sergeant Major, who is a WO1, is the senior advisor to the Commanding Officer. They are responsible for leadership, discipline and welfare in their regiment or battalion.
Warrant Officer Class Two
Often referred to as Sergeant Major, this is a senior management role focussing on the training, welfare and discipline of a company, squadron, or battery, a 'sub-unit' of around 120 soldiers.
Sergeant Majors are the senior advisor to the Major in command of a sub-unit and may also be selected for a commission as an officer.
Staff Sergeant
In the infantry this rank is known as Colour Sergeant. This is a senior role in a sub-unit, and is responsible for training, equipment, training and discipline. They often serve in technical or command roles.
Sergeant
A Sergeant is typically the second in command of a troop or platoon of around 30 soldiers. In this role they are responsible for administration and tactics. Their most important role is advising and assisting their platoon or troop commander, who is a junior officer.
Corporal
Corporals command sections of around eight to ten people. Often they are responsible for large pieces of equipment. In this rank, additional trade and instructor qualifications can be gained, for example as a recruit section commander.
Lance Corporal
A Lance Corporal commands and administers a team of around four people. They are often responsible for large weapons. In this rank, they will have opportunities to specialise and undertake specialist military training.
