Polish Armed Forces rank insignia

This article presents the military ranks of the entire Polish Armed Forces as well as the rank insignia used today. The system of rank insignia is a direct descendant of various systems used throughout history by the Polish Army. Some of the grades trace their name back to the Middle Ages, for instance the rank of literally means a ''flag bearer'' or an Ensign.

Names of Polish ranks are often of foreign origin, like the ones introduced by the 17th-century mercenaries serving for the Polish Crown. These include the rank of , which is a derivative of the Italian - much like the English equivalent of corporal.

As the structure of Polish rank names substantially differs from the English one, it seems more appropriate to give the U.S. or U.K. equivalent ranks, based on the common NATO codes, rather than to provide a literal translation which can lead to numerous misinterpretations.

Origins

Most rank titles are cognates to the ones in English, with some exceptions. Notably ''colonel's'' literal meaning is ''regimental-leader'', likewise means ''platoon-leader''. Also, the title equivalent to petty officer is identical to the word for boatswain, so a may or may not be a .

Until World War II, each of the branches of the Land Forces used a set of different names for the same grades. For instance a sergeant was called in the infantry, (literally ''master of fire'') in the artillery and (from German , or ''Master of the Guards'') in the cavalry. This is similar to the German army calling a cavalry officer which is equivalent to Hauptmann a Rittmeister

Modern Polish military practices were heavily influenced by Prussian/German and Russian traditions, as most founding officers after 1918 independence were veterans of those respective armies.

Marshal of Poland

Marshal of Poland () is the highest rank in the Polish Armed Forces. Note that unlike the remaining ranks, it does not belong to any particular service but to the armed forces as a whole. So far only six individuals have been promoted to this rank. With the death of the last surviving holder, Michał Rola-Żymierski in 1989 the rank of Marshal of Poland has been vacant.

Customs

The Polish language requires the use of a prior honorific before stating the addressee's rank e.g. '' (''Sir Captain...''). This is directly equivalent to French practice where the possessive is pre-pended to the addressee's rank. During the communist period use of the formal 'Pan' (''Sir'') was frowned upon and 'Obywatel' (''Citizen'') (as in: ) was used. This has reverted to prior style in the post-communist era.

It is customary to include other titles when referring to an officer in writing. This can lead to some interesting abbreviations. For example, a Lt. Col. in the airforce by the name Nowak who is a pilot and has an MSc in engineering would be written (LtCol plt MEng Nowak).

Uniquely, Polish forces use a two-fingered version of the salute, and the saluting custom does not allow saluting with the fingers to the head without having headgear on (cap/beret or helmet).

Land Forces, Territorial Defence Force and Special Forces

Commissioned Ranks

Non-Commissioned Ranks and Privates

Military Gendarmerie

;Officers

;Enlisted

Air Force

Commissioned Ranks

Non-Commissioned Ranks and Airmen

Navy

Commissioned Ranks

Petty Officers and Seamen

Obsolete Ranks

Ranks Discontinued on 1 July 2004

Other changes after July 1, 2004

Until 2004 the ranks of (OR-9 and OR-8) constituted a separate group, roughly corresponding to U.S. Warrant Officers. On July 1, 2004, the number of these ranks was reduced and they were included in the group of non-commissioned ranks.

Pay Grade changes on July 1, 2004

*: OR-8 to OR-9
*: OR-8 to OR-7
*: OR-3 to OR-4

On January 1, 2014, all reserve NCOs, holders of the rank of and were promoted to the rank of ; holders of the rank of and were promoted to the rank of ; and holders of the rank of were promoted to the rank of .

Thus the ranks discontinued on July 1, 2004, were officially abolished in the Polish Armed Forces.

Historical Ranks in the Polish Armed Forces

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See also

* Certified officer, a title in Polish Armed Forces
* Police ranks of Poland
* Ranks and insignia of NATO Armies
* Comparative military ranks
* Polish Scouts rank insignia

Notes

References

Polish Armed Forces Insignia in the International Encyclopedia of Uniform Insignia

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