As most units in the british army have long traditions some dating as far back as the 1600s some variation has developed in the terminology and insignia used for non commissioned ranks most notably in the foot guards and household cavalry. The chart below edited by dr duncan anderson head of war studies at the royal military academy sandhurst sets out the. The ranks of the uk armed services can be confusing.
Other ranks are the enlisted soldiers of the army. Their ranks indicate that they hold positions of authority granted through a commission a formal document of appointment signed by the monarch. Officers are at the top of the hierarchy.
There are two distinct tiers within the british army s rank structure officers and other ranks. Within the british armed services both sir fitzroy maclean and enoch powell are examples of rare rapid career progression with the british army both rising from the rank of private to brigadier during world war ii. In the uk the separation between other ranks and officer ranks can on occasion become permeable.
Wo1 are the senior advisors of their unit s commanding officer with leadership discipline and welfare responsibilities of up to 650 officers and soldiers and equipment. The most senior soldier rank in the british army typically reached after 18 years of outstanding service. In 1767 the british army issued an order to distinguish field marshals once the rank was established in 1813 and different graded general officers by the combination of chevron shaped ess pattern laces on the sleeve.
Before 1767 there were no definite badges for field marshals and general officers. History of rank insignia general officers.
