The rank insignia of the

French Navy The French Navy (, , ), informally (, ), is the Navy, maritime arm of the French Armed Forces and one of the four military service branches of History of France, France. It is among the largest and most powerful List of navies, naval forces i ...

() are worn on shoulder straps of shirts and white jackets, and on sleeves for navy jackets and mantels. Until 2005, only

commissioned officer An officer is a person who holds a position of authority as a member of an armed force or uniformed service. Broadly speaking, "officer" means a commissioned officer, a non-commissioned officer (NCO), or a warrant officer. However, absent ...

s had an anchor on their insignia, but enlisted personnel are now receiving them as well. Although the names of the ranks for superior officers contain the word "Capitaine" (, and ), the appropriate style to address them is "", "" referring to "lieutenant de vaisseau", which is translated as lieutenant. The two highest ranks, and (

Admiral Admiral is one of the highest ranks in many navies. In the Commonwealth nations and the United States, a "full" admiral is equivalent to a "full" general in the army or the air force. Admiral is ranked above vice admiral and below admiral of ...

), are functions, rather than ranks. They are assumed by officers ranking (

Vice-Admiral Vice admiral is a senior naval flag officer rank, usually equivalent to lieutenant general and air marshal. A vice admiral is typically senior to a rear admiral and junior to an admiral. Australia In the Royal Australian Navy, the rank of vic ...

). The rank of Vice-Admiral of

France France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...

() was formerly designated as Lieutenant-General of the Naval Armies until 1791, such as in the Levant Fleet and Flotte du Ponant of the Ancien Régime.

Major Major most commonly refers to: * Major (rank), a military rank * Academic major, an academic discipline to which an undergraduate student formally commits * People named Major, including given names, surnames, nicknames * Major and minor in musi ...

of the

has a similar history to that of the former Lieutenant-General of the Naval Armies. The only ( Admiral of the Fleet) was François Darlan after he was refused the dignity of

Admiral of France Admiral of France () is a French title of honour. It is the naval equivalent of Marshal of France and was one of the Great Officers of the Crown of France. History The title was created in 1270 by Louis IX of France, during the Eighth Crusad ...

. Equivalent to the dignity of

Marshal of France Marshal of France (, plural ') is a French military distinction, rather than a military rank, that is awarded to General officer, generals for exceptional achievements. The title has been awarded since 1185, though briefly abolished (1793–1804) ...

, the rank of Admiral of France remains theoretical in the Fifth Republic; it was last granted in 1869, during the Second Empire, but retained during the Third Republic until the death of its bearer in 1873. The title of was created so that Darlan would not have an inferior rank to that of his counterpart in the British

Royal Navy The Royal Navy (RN) is the naval warfare force of the United Kingdom. It is a component of His Majesty's Naval Service, and its officers hold their commissions from the King of the United Kingdom, King. Although warships were used by Kingdom ...

, who was an Admiral of the Fleet.

Insignia

The insignia below depict the configuration on shoulder boards. Shoulder straps are slightly different, notably without the golden frame for general officers.

Great officers

Officers

– flag officers

– senior officers

– junior officers

Warrant, petty officers and enlisted personnel

– warrant and petty officers

– sailors and quarter-masters

Attributions

Personnel with a particular attribution may wear distinctive features on their rank insignia. For instance, medical officers bear two red stripes on their insignia. Similarly, the wear pearl-grey stripes. , who are not employed by the navy but have a special status, wear a uniform and officer straps with rank insignia replaced with the words "". File:French Navy-Rama NG-OF5.svg,
''Captain of the Vessel
(

Captain Captain is a title, an appellative for the commanding officer of a military unit; the supreme leader or highest rank officer of a navy ship, merchant ship, aeroplane, spacecraft, or other vessel; or the commander of a port, fire or police depa ...

)'' File:French Navy-Rama NG-OF5-toubib.svg, Chief Surgeon First Class File:French Navy-Rama ing en chef 1.svg, Chief engineer first class File:French Navy-Peintre de la Marine.svg, File:French Navy-Rama NG-supply-OF5.svg, Chief War Commissar First Class

Military chaplains

Ranks formerly used in the Navy

* (''Vice Admiral of France'') * * * and * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

References

{{Military ranks by country * Military ranks of France French Navy Ranks French Navy lists