New Zealand military ranks
Encyclopedia
New Zealand military ranks are largely based on those of the United Kingdom
. The three forces (Army
, Navy
, and Air Force
) have their own rank structure, with a rank equivalency that allows seamless interoperability between the services. All three services form part of the New Zealand Defence Force
.
Note: Naval Enlisted personnel are referred to by both rank and trade. Thus a sailor employed as a chef would hold the rank of Ordinary chef (OCH) (with a few exceptions); A Warrant Officer in the trade of Weapons Technician would hold the rank of Warrant Officer Weapons Technician (WOWT).
. Salutes rendered to officers by junior officers and enlisted personnel are indirect salutes to the Sovereign, based on the officer holding the Monarch's authority.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. The three forces (Army
New Zealand Army
The New Zealand Army , is the land component of the New Zealand Defence Force and comprises around 4,500 Regular Force personnel, 2,000 Territorial Force personnel and 500 civilians. Formerly the New Zealand Military Forces, the current name was adopted around 1946...
, Navy
Royal New Zealand Navy
The Royal New Zealand Navy is the maritime arm of the New Zealand Defence Force...
, and Air Force
Royal New Zealand Air Force
The Royal New Zealand Air Force is the air arm of the New Zealand Defence Force...
) have their own rank structure, with a rank equivalency that allows seamless interoperability between the services. All three services form part of the New Zealand Defence Force
New Zealand Defence Force
The New Zealand Defence Force consists of three services: the Royal New Zealand Navy; the New Zealand Army; and the Royal New Zealand Air Force. The Commander-in-Chief of the NZDF is His Excellency Rt. Hon...
.
Commissioned officers
 Navy |
 Army |
 Air Force |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| (Admiral of the Fleet Admiral of the Fleet (Royal New Zealand Navy) HRH The Duke of Edinburgh was created Admiral of the Fleet in the Royal New Zealand Navy in 1954, following the coronation of his wife HM The Queen. He is not an Admiral merely in his capacity as Admiral of the Fleet in the Imperial Royal Navy – New Zealand, like Australia, maintains a separate rank.... ) |
(Field Marshal Field Marshal (New Zealand) In 1977 Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh was awarded the ceremonial rank of Field Marshal... ) |
(Marshal of the Royal New Zealand Air Force) | H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh is the only current Field Marshal, Admiral of the Fleet and Marshal of the RNZAF. |
| (Admiral Admiral Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"... ) |
(General General A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given.... ) |
(Air Chief Marshal Air Chief Marshal Air chief marshal is a senior 4-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force... ) |
The Governor-General Governor-General of New Zealand The Governor-General of New Zealand is the representative of the monarch of New Zealand . The Governor-General acts as the Queen's vice-regal representative in New Zealand and is often viewed as the de facto head of state.... holds the rank of Admiral which he holds as Commander-in-Chief.http://www.nzdf.mil.nz/news/media-releases/2011/20110119---ass8npop.htm |
| Vice Admiral Vice Admiral Vice admiral is a senior naval rank of a three-star flag officer, which is equivalent to lieutenant general in the other uniformed services. A vice admiral is typically senior to a rear admiral and junior to an admiral... (VADM) |
Lieutenant General Lieutenant General Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General.... (LTGEN) |
Air Marshal Air Marshal Air marshal is a three-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force... (AIRMSHL) |
Rank held by the currently serving Chief of Defence Force; therefore only one of the services will have this grade filled at any one time. Highest ordinary rank of New Zealand Defence Force New Zealand Defence Force The New Zealand Defence Force consists of three services: the Royal New Zealand Navy; the New Zealand Army; and the Royal New Zealand Air Force. The Commander-in-Chief of the NZDF is His Excellency Rt. Hon... personnel. |
| Rear Admiral Rear Admiral Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. It is generally regarded as the lowest of the "admiral" ranks, which are also sometimes referred to as "flag officers" or "flag ranks"... (RADM) |
Major General Major General Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general... (MAJGEN) |
Air Vice Marshal (AVM) | Held by the Vice Chief of Defence Force, Commander Joint Forces NZ, and the Chiefs of Army, Navy and Air Force. Others holding this rank would be in specialised (United Nations or other Coalition) postings. |
| Commodore Commodore (rank) Commodore is a military rank used in many navies that is superior to a navy captain, but below a rear admiral. Non-English-speaking nations often use the rank of flotilla admiral or counter admiral as an equivalent .It is often regarded as a one-star rank with a NATO code of OF-6, but is not always... (CDRE) |
Brigadier Brigadier Brigadier is a senior military rank, the meaning of which is somewhat different in different military services. The brigadier rank is generally superior to the rank of colonel, and subordinate to major general.... (BRIG) |
Air Commodore Air Commodore Air commodore is an air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force... (AIRCDRE) |
|
| Captain Captain (naval) Captain is the name most often given in English-speaking navies to the rank corresponding to command of the largest ships. The NATO rank code is OF-5, equivalent to an army full colonel.... (CAPT) |
Colonel Colonel Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures... (COL) |
Group Captain Group Captain Group captain is a senior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries. It ranks above wing commander and immediately below air commodore... (GPCAPT) |
|
| Commander (CDR) | Lieutenant Colonel Lieutenant colonel Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence... (LTCOL) |
Wing Commander Wing Commander (rank) Wing commander is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries... (WGCDR) |
|
| Lieutenant Commander Lieutenant Commander Lieutenant Commander is a commissioned officer rank in many navies. The rank is superior to a lieutenant and subordinate to a commander... (LT CDR) |
Major Major Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ... (MAJ) |
Squadron Leader Squadron Leader Squadron Leader is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence. It is also sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in countries which have a non-English air force-specific rank structure. In these... (SQNLDR) |
|
| Lieutenant Lieutenant A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank... (LT) |
Captain (CAPT) | Flight Lieutenant Flight Lieutenant Flight lieutenant is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many Commonwealth countries. It ranks above flying officer and immediately below squadron leader. The name of the rank is the complete phrase; it is never shortened to "lieutenant"... (FLTLT) |
|
| Sub Lieutenant (SLT) | Lieutenant (LT) | Flying Officer Flying Officer Flying officer is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence... (FGOFF) |
|
| Ensign Ensign An ensign is a national flag when used at sea, in vexillology, or a distinguishing token, emblem, or badge, such as a symbol of office in heraldry... (ENS) |
Second Lieutenant Second Lieutenant Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal... (2LT) |
Pilot Officer Pilot Officer Pilot officer is the lowest commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries. It ranks immediately below flying officer... (PLTOFF) |
|
| Midshipman Midshipman A midshipman is an officer cadet, or a commissioned officer of the lowest rank, in the Royal Navy, United States Navy, and many Commonwealth navies. Commonwealth countries which use the rank include Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Kenya... (MID) |
Officer Cadet Officer Cadet Officer cadet is a rank held by military and merchant navy cadets during their training to become commissioned officers and merchant navy officers, respectively. The term officer trainee is used interchangeably in some countries... (OCDT) |
Officer Cadet (OCDT) | The rank of Midshipman is recognised as a Commissioned rank, the rank of Officer Cadet in the Army and Air Force is not, and used only for the purposes of training. |
Non-Commissioned Personnel
Navy |
Army |
Air Force |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warrant Officer (WO) | Warrant Officer Class 1 (WO1) | Warrant Officer (W/O) | Air Force personnel who were aircrew used the rank Master Aircrewman (MACR) in place of Warrant Officer until June 2007 when the Master Aircrew rank reverted to Warrant Officer. Soldiers holding the rank of WO2 are generally known as 'Sergeant Major'. The top WO1 in the army holds the appointment of "Sergeant Major of the Army (SM of A). |
| Warrant Officer Class 2 (WO2) | |||
| Chief Petty Officer (CPO) | Staff Sergeant (SSGT) | Flight Sergeant (F/S) | |
| Petty Officer (PO) | Sergeant (SGT) | Sergeant (SGT) | |
| Leading Hand (L---) | Corporal (CPL) | Corporal (CPL) | Army personnel in artillery units use the rank Bombardier (BDR) in place of Corporal |
| Lance Corporal (LCPL) | Army personnel in artillery units use the rank Lance Bombardier (LBDR) in place of Lance Corporal. No Naval or Air Force equivalent due to delegation of duties and official responsibilities. |
||
| Able Rate (A---) | Private (PTE) | Leading Aircraftsman (LAC) | Trade-related terms are interchanged with the rank of Private for Army Soldiers. These are: Gunner (GNR), Trooper (TPR), Sapper (SPR), Signaller (SIG), Driver (DVR). |
| Ordinary Rate (O---) | Aircraftsman (AC) |
Note: Naval Enlisted personnel are referred to by both rank and trade. Thus a sailor employed as a chef would hold the rank of Ordinary chef (OCH) (with a few exceptions); A Warrant Officer in the trade of Weapons Technician would hold the rank of Warrant Officer Weapons Technician (WOWT).
Non-commissioned officers
A non-commissioned officer is defined as:- "(a) In relation to the NavyRoyal New Zealand NavyThe Royal New Zealand Navy is the maritime arm of the New Zealand Defence Force...
, a ratingNaval ratingA Naval Rating is an enlisted member of a country's Navy, subordinate to Warrant Officers and Officers hence not conferred by commission or warrant...
of warrant officerWarrant OfficerA warrant officer is an officer in a military organization who is designated an officer by a warrant, as distinguished from a commissioned officer who is designated an officer by a commission, or from non-commissioned officer who is designated an officer by virtue of seniority.The rank was first...
, chief petty officerChief Petty OfficerA chief petty officer is a senior non-commissioned officer in many navies and coast guards.-Canada:"Chief Petty Officer" refers to two ranks in the Canadian Navy...
, petty officerPetty OfficerA petty officer is a non-commissioned officer in many navies and is given the NATO rank denotion OR-6. They are equal in rank to sergeant, British Army and Royal Air Force. A Petty Officer is superior in rank to Leading Rate and subordinate to Chief Petty Officer, in the case of the British Armed...
, or leading rankLeading SeamanLeading seaman is a junior non-commissioned rank or rate in navies, particularly those of the Commonwealth. When it is used by NATO nations, leading seaman has the rank code of OR-4. It is often equivalent to the army and air force rank of corporal and some navies use corporal rather than...
; and includes—- (i) A non-commissioned officer of the ArmyNew Zealand ArmyThe New Zealand Army , is the land component of the New Zealand Defence Force and comprises around 4,500 Regular Force personnel, 2,000 Territorial Force personnel and 500 civilians. Formerly the New Zealand Military Forces, the current name was adopted around 1946...
or the Air ForceRoyal New Zealand Air ForceThe Royal New Zealand Air Force is the air arm of the New Zealand Defence Force...
attached to the Navy; and - (ii) A person duly attached or lent as a non-commissioned officer to or seconded for service or appointed for duty as a non-commissioned officer with the Navy:
- (i) A non-commissioned officer of the Army
- (b) In relation to the Army, a soldierSoldierA soldier is a member of the land component of national armed forces; whereas a soldier hired for service in a foreign army would be termed a mercenary...
above the rank of privatePrivate (rank)A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank .In modern military parlance, 'Private' is shortened to 'Pte' in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries and to 'Pvt.' in the United States.Notably both Sir Fitzroy MacLean and Enoch Powell are examples of, rare, rapid career...
but below the rank of officer cadetOfficer CadetOfficer cadet is a rank held by military and merchant navy cadets during their training to become commissioned officers and merchant navy officers, respectively. The term officer trainee is used interchangeably in some countries...
; and includes a warrant officer; and also includes—- (i) A non-commissioned officer of the Navy or the Air Force attached to the Army; and
- (ii) A person duly attached or lent as a non-commissioned officer to or seconded for service or appointed for duty as a non-commissioned officer with the Army: In relation to the Air Force, an airmanAirmanAn airman is a member of the air component of a nation's armed service. In the United States Air Force and the Royal Air Force , it can also refer to a specific enlisted rank...
above the rank of leading aircraftmanLeading AircraftmanLeading aircraftman Leading aircraftman (LAC) Leading aircraftman (LAC) (or leading aircraftwoman (LACW) is a rank in some air forces, between aircraftman and senior aircraftman and having a NATO rank code of OR-2. The rank badge is a horizontal two-bladed propeller....
but below the rank of officer cadet; and includes a warrant officer; and also includes— - (i) A non-commissioned officer of the Navy or the Army attached to the Air Force; and
- (ii) A person duly attached or lent as a non-commissioned officer to or seconded for service or appointed for duty as a non-commissioned officer with the Air Force:" — Defence Act 1990, Sect 2 (Interpretation)http://www.legislation.govt.nz/libraries/contents/om_isapi.dll?clientID=220590187&infobase=pal_statutes.nfo&jd=a1990-028%2fs.2-ss.1&record={1EF33}&softpage=DOC#JUMPDEST_a1990-028/s.2-ss.1
Commissioned Officers
Officers of the New Zealand Defence Force are commissioned by the Governor General on behalf of the New Zealand Sovereign, Queen Elizabeth II. See also Officer (armed forces)Officer (armed forces)
An officer is a member of an armed force or uniformed service who holds a position of authority. Commissioned officers derive authority directly from a sovereign power and, as such, hold a commission charging them with the duties and responsibilities of a specific office or position...
. Salutes rendered to officers by junior officers and enlisted personnel are indirect salutes to the Sovereign, based on the officer holding the Monarch's authority.