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Military Ranks and Civilian Equivalent

A guide to service ranks and their civilian equivalents

ROYAL NAVY ARMY inc Royal Marines ROYAL AIR FORCE SUGGESTED CIVILIAN EQUIVALENT
These equivalents are necessarily very general and do not apply to all Service leavers.
OFFICERS
Admiral Vice Admiral Rear Admiral General Lieutenant General Major General Air Chief Marshal Air Marshal Air Vice-Marshal Senior manager up to chairman or chief executive - depending on size of organisation. Extensive top level management and strategic planning experience including international and geo-political aspects. Also has considerable experience of interface with Government policy making and administrative machinery.
Commodore Brigadier Air Commodore Managing director of company up to 10,000 staff - extensive management and operational experience which could include strategic planning, policy formulation, programme or project management at a senior level.
Captain Commander Colonel Lieutenant Colonel Group Captain Wing Commander Middle up to senior manager - general manager/operations director/managing director - experience could include administration, operations, policy and resource management on a large scale.
Lieutenant Commander Major Squadron Leader Branch or functional manager/department head - total responsibility for workforce of around 100 to 200. Experience could include project/programme management, procurement, contract management.
Lieutenant Sub Lieutenant Captain Lieutenant Flight Lieutenant Flying Officer Deputy/assistant manager, operations manager. Qualified in a trade or profession and will be trained and experienced in general management and team leadership techniques.
Midshipman Second Lieutenant Pilot Officer Likely to be still under training in general management and team leadership techniques, as well as specialist skills.
NON COMMISSIONED RANKS

Warrant Officer Warrant Officer Class II

Warrant Officer Class I Warrant Officer Class II Warrant Officer Middle manager/senior supervisor/purchasing manager/personnel officer/training manager etc, with responsibility for up to 600 staff. Frequently very highly qualified in a trade or profession and very experienced in training and instructing others.
Chief Petty Officer Petty Officer Colour Sergeant Sergeant Flight Sergeant Chief Technician Sergeant Foreman/supervisor/junior manager. Frequently qualified in a trade or profession and experienced in training and instructing others. Could also have experience in health & safety, resource management and operations, with responsibility for 30 to 200 staff.
Leading Rate Corporal Corporal Team leader. Usually skilled in a trade and will have undertaken management and leadership training.
Able Rate Lance Corporal Junior Technician Senior Aircraftman Senior operative or shift leader. Usually skilled in a trade and will have undertaken some management and leadership training.
Ordinary Rate Private Leading Aircraftman Skilled operative in a trade e.g. administration, engineering, communications, stores, driving, catering, weaponry, etc. Experienced team worker who will have completed a minimum of six months training in wide variety of disciplines, plus specialist training.