Ranks and insignia of the other ranks of the RAF
 | This article needs more citations. (June 2026) |
The term used in the Royal Air Force (RAF) to refer to all ranks below commissioned officer level is other ranks (ORs). It includes warrant officers (WOs), non-commissioned officers (NCOs) and airmen.
Ranks
[edit]| Rank group | Warrant officers | Senior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Aviators | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NATO code | OR-9 | OR-7 | OR-6 | OR-5 | OR-4 | OR-3 | OR-2 | OR-1 | ||||
| Insignia | .svg) |
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No insignia | |
| Typical appointment | Warrant officer of the Royal Air Force | |||||||||||
| Rank | Warrant officer | Flight sergeant | Chief technician | Sergeant | Corporal | Lance corporal (RAF Regiment) |
Air specialist (class 1) technician | Air specialist (class 1) | Air specialist (class 2) | Air recruit | ||
| Abbreviation | WO | FS | Chf Tech | Sgt | Cpl | LCpl | AS1(T) | AS1 | AS2 | AR | ||
| Aircrew insignia | _OR-9_(2023).svg) |
_OR-7_(1950%E2%80%931953).svg) |
_OR-6.svg) |
No equivalent | ||||||||
| Rank | Master aircrew | Flight sergeant aircrew | Sergeant aircrew | |||||||||
| Abbreviation | MAcr | FSAcr | SAcr | |||||||||
Origins
[edit] |
| Royal Air Force of the British Armed Forces |
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| Components |
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| History and future |
| Aircraft |
| Personnel |
| Organisation |
| Auxiliary services |
Upon the formation of the Royal Air Force on 1 April 1918, rank titles and badges for ORs were adopted from the British Army, specifically the Royal Flying Corps (RFC).[3] The RFC ranks of Flight sergeant (equivalent to Staff sergeant), Sergeant, Corporal and Air Mechanic were directly adopted. The RFC's four-bladed propeller trade classification badge above the Sergeants' and Flight Sergeants' chevrons was dropped.[citation needed]
To distinguish them from Army personnel, RAF personnel wore the RAF eagle on a rectangular patch below the shoulder seam on the sleeve.[citation needed] The RAF Eagle is depicted with its beak turned to the rear rather than the front. RAF NCOs were fond of saying that represented that their eyes were everywhere.[citation needed]
The trade classification of Leading Aircraftman was created on 5 April 1918 to fill a void in the Service ranks.[citation needed] It was granted the double-bladed propeller rank insignia of the RFC Air Mechanic 1st Class and was equivalent in rank and authority to the Army appointment of Lance-corporal. On 1 January 1919 the rank of Aircraftman replaced the ranks of Private, Air mechanic, and Clerk. Aircraftmen were nicknamed "Erks" (a corruption of the word 'Aircraft') by the senior ranks, which was preferred to 'other ranks' or 'troops'.[citation needed]
The rank of Master clerk was originally equivalent to Sergeant major 1st class. On 28 November 1918, the new rank of Chief master clerk was made equivalent to the rank of Sergeant major 1st class, and the old rank of Master clerk was made equivalent to the rank of Sergeant major 2nd class.[citation needed]
The original RAF ranks are vertically listed by seniority; the Technical ranks had precedence over the Administrative ranks, which in turn had precedence over the Service ranks.[citation needed] This was meant to keep non-technical NCOs from interfering with the efforts of technical and administrative NCOs. This was abolished in January 1919 and a streamlined single-column rank system was devised.[citation needed]
| Rank group | RAF other ranks (1 April 1918)[4][5][6] | RAF other ranks (1 January 1919)[7][6] | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Technical | Administrative | Service | |||||
| Senior NCOs | .svg) |
Chief master mechanic | Chief master clerk[a] |  |
Sergeant major 1st class | .svg) |
Sergeant major 1st class |
.svg) |
Master mechanic | Master clerk[b] | |
Sergeant major 2nd class | .svg) |
Sergeant major 2nd class | |
 |
Chief mechanic | Flight clerk | .svg) |
Flight sergeant | |
Flight sergeant | |
 |
Sergeant mechanic | Sergeant clerk | .svg) |
Sergeant | |
Sergeant | |
| Junior NCOs | .svg) |
Corporal mechanic | Corporal clerk | |
Corporal | |
Corporal |
| Enlisted men |  |
Air mechanic 1st class | Clerk 1st class | Leading aircraftman[c] | |
Leading aircraftman[d] | |
| Air mechanic 2nd class | Clerk 2nd class | Private 1st class | Aircraftman 1st class | ||||
| Air mechanic 3rd class | Clerk 3rd class | Private 2nd class | Aircraftman 2nd class | ||||
1930–1949
[edit]Warrant officers
[edit]In 1933, the ranks of Sergeant major 1st class and Sergeant major 2nd class were renamed Warrant officer class I and Warrant officer class II to put them in line with the Army.[6] In 1939, the rank of Warrant officer class II was abolished and the rank of Warrant officer class I was renamed Warrant officer.[6] RAF warrant officers were given equivalent status to the continuing army rank of Warrant officer class I.[citation needed]
Aircrew
[edit]On 1 July 1946, NCOs serving as aircrew were assigned different rank badges which distinguished them from ORs in ground trades.[8] The new ranks were:
| Aircrew rank | Equivalent rank | Insignia description[e] | Rank insignia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master aircrew | Warrant officer | Wreath closed by Royal Arms and inset with an RAF Eagle within. | .svg){kind=icon} |
| Aircrew I | Flight sergeant | Crown over Wreath closed by an RAF Eagle and inset with three 6-pointed stars within. |  |
| Aircrew II | Sergeant | Wreath closed by an RAF Eagle and inset with three 6-pointed stars within. |  |
| Aircrew III | Corporal | Wreath closed by an RAF Eagle and inset with two 6-pointed stars within. |  |
| Aircrew IV | Leading aircraftman | Wreath closed by an RAF Eagle and inset with one 6-pointed star within. |  |
| Aircrew cadet | Trainee | Wreath closed by an RAF Eagle and a blank field within. |  |
1950s
[edit].svg) |
.svg) |
| In 1953, the crown was changed from the Tudor Crown to the Crown of St Edward, when Queen Elizabeth II adopted a stylised image of the crown for use in coats of arms, badges, logos and various other insignia.[9][6] |
Technicians and aircrew
[edit]In 1950, a new grading system for technicians was introduced.[10] This involved the creation of the following ranks:
| Technician rank | Equivalent rank | Rank insignia |
|---|---|---|
| Master technician | Warrant officer | |
| Chief technician | Flight sergeant | .svg) |
| Senior technician | Sergeant | .svg) |
| Corporal technician | Corporal | .svg) |
| Junior technician | Leading aircraftman | .svg) |
Also in 1950, the unpopular NCO aircrew ranks were abolished, although Master Aircrew was retained as a rank.[8] Aircrew I became Flight Sergeant Aircrew and Aircrew II, III and IV became Sergeant Aircrew.[citation needed] Both new ranks adopted a gold RAF Eagle between the chevrons to permit continuing distinction from ground trades. Aircrew cadets wore the RAF Eagle on its own as a trade classification badge.[citation needed]
| Aircrew rank | Rank insignia |
|---|---|
| Master aircrew | |
| Flight sergeant aircrew | |
| Sergeant aircrew | |
Junior ranks
[edit]On 1 January 1951, two junior ranks were introduced:[citation needed]
- Senior Aircraftman/Senior Aircraftwoman with a triple-bladed propeller.
- Leading Aircraftman/Leading Aircraftwoman with a double-bladed propeller (this had previously been only a trade classification and not a rank)
1960s
[edit]Technicians
[edit]In 1964, the technician ranks were abolished, with the exception of Junior technician and Chief technician, the latter becoming an intermediate rank between Sergeant and Flight sergeant for technical trades.[10] Junior technicians adopted the four-bladed propeller as their badge of rank and Chief technicians adopted a treble chevron surmounted by a four-bladed propeller as their rank insignia.[11] Master Technicians, Senior Technicians and Corporal Technicians became Warrant Officer, Sergeant and Corporal respectively. The ORs structure became:
- Warrant officer (WO) / Master aircrew (MAcr)
- Flight sergeant (Flt Sgt, F/Sgt, or FS) / Flight sergeant aircrew (FSAcr)
- Chief technician (Chf Tech, C/T, or CT)
- Sergeant (Sgt) / Sergeant Aircrew (SAcr)
- Corporal (Cpl)
- Junior technician (Jnr Tech, J/T, or JT)
- Senior aircraftman (SAC) / Senior aircraftwoman (SACW)
- Leading aircraftman (LAC) / Leading aircraftwoman (LACW)
- Aircraftman (AC) / Aircraftwoman (ACW)[12]
Changes in the 2000s
[edit]Phasing out of Junior Technician
[edit]From 2005 onwards, no more airmen have been promoted to Junior technician. Although there are currently personnel in the rank of Junior technician, once they have all been promoted or discharged from the RAF, the rank will cease to be used. From March 2005, SACs in technical trades who had attained the Operational Performance Standard were promoted to Senior aircraftman/aircraftwoman (technician) SAC(T) and given a new badge of rank, consisting of the three-bladed propeller inside a circle.[11] This new rank was introduced to distinguish airmen trained to work unsupervised from those who were not, and is equivalent to the old Junior technician rank.[citation needed]
Introduction of Lance Corporal
[edit]On 1 April 2010, the RAF Regiment introduced the rank of lance corporal for SACs at the time who undertook the role of section second-in-command/fire team commander. This gave them more authority on the ground, as well as a better pay band. The rank has not moved to other trades, and is solely in the RAF Regiment.[13]
Aviator replaces Airman/Airwoman
[edit]In November 2021 the official RAF magazine AirClues promulgated: "the term 'aviator' has now replaced the generic term of ‘airman’ to bring right up to date the way we should describe all of our personnel," since women now numbered a fifth of candidates applying to enlist in the RAF.[14]
Air Specialist replaces Airman/Airwoman
[edit]In July 2022, the RAF officially introduced the ranks Air recruit, Air specialist class 2, Air specialist class 1 and Air specialist (class 1) technician to replace the ranks Aircraftman/woman, Leading Aircraftman/woman, Senior Aircraftman/woman and Senior Aircraftman/woman (Technician). This was an attempt to further promote gender neutrality and inclusion with the RAF.[15]
Timeline of changes
[edit]| Rank group | Senior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Enlisted | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 Royal Flying Corps(1912–April 1918)[3] |
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No insignia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Warrant officer class I | Warrant officer class II | Quartermaster sergeant | Flight sergeant | Sergeant | Corporal | Air mechanic 1st class | Air mechanic 2nd class | Air mechanic 3rd class | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Royal Naval Air Service(1914–April 1918)[16][17] |
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| Petty officer mechanic | Leading mechanic | Air mechanic, 1st class | Air mechanic, 1st class (acting) | Air mechanic, 2nd class | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1918–1919)[6] | |
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No insignia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sergeant major 1st class | Sergeant major 2nd class | Flight sergeant | Sergeant | Corporal | Private 1st class | Private 2nd class | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1919–1933)[6] | |
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No insignia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sergeant major 1st class | Sergeant major 2nd class | Flight sergeant | Sergeant | Corporal | Leading aircraftman[d] | Aircraftman 1st class | Aircraftman 2nd class | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1933–1939)[6] | |
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No insignia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Warrant officer class I | Warrant officer class II | Flight sergeant | Sergeant | Corporal | Leading aircraftman[d] | Aircraftman 1st class | Aircraftman 2nd class | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1939–1950) | |
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No insignia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Warrant officer | Flight sergeant | Sergeant | Corporal | Leading aircraftman[d] | Aircraftman 1st class | Aircraftman 2nd class | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1950–1951)[10] | |
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No insignia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Warrant officer | Master technician | Flight sergeant | Chief technician | Sergeant | Senior technician | Corporal | Corporal technician | Junior technician | Leading aircraftman[d] | Aircraftman 1st class | Aircraftman 2nd class | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1951–1953) | |
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No insignia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Warrant officer | Master technician | Flight sergeant | Chief technician | Sergeant | Senior technician | Corporal | Corporal technician | Junior technician | Senior aircraftman | Leading aircraftman | Aircraftman | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1953–1964) |  |
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No insignia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Warrant officer | Master technician | Flight sergeant | Chief technician | Sergeant | Senior technician | Corporal | Corporal technician | Junior technician | Senior aircraftman | Leading aircraftman | Aircraftman | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1964–2005)[11] | |
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No insignia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Warrant officer | Flight sergeant | Chief technician | Sergeant | Corporal | Junior technician | Senior aircraftman/woman | Leading aircraftman/woman | Aircraftman/woman | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (2005–2010)[11] | |
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No insignia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Warrant officer | Flight sergeant | Chief technician | Sergeant | Corporal | Senior aircraftman/ woman technician |
Senior aircraftman/woman | Leading aircraftman/woman | Aircraftman/woman | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (2010–2023) |  |
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No insignia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Warrant officer | Flight sergeant | Chief technician | Sergeant | Corporal | Lance corporal (RAF Regiment only) |
Senior aircraftman/ woman technician |
Senior aircraftman/woman | Leading aircraftman/woman | Aircraftman/woman | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (2023–present) | |
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No insignia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Warrant officer]] | Flight sergeant | Chief technician | Sergeant | Corporal | Lance corporal (RAF Regiment only) |
Air specialist (class 1) technician | Air specialist (class 1) | Air specialist (class 2) | Air recruit | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NATO code | OR-9 | OR-8 | OR-7 | OR-6 | OR-5 | OR-4 | OR-3 | OR-2 | OR-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
- Aircrew
| Rank group | Senior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Enlisted | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (1946–1950)[8] | |
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| Master aircrew | Aircrew I | Aircrew II | Aircrew III | Aircrew IV | Aircrew Cadet | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1950–1953) | |
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| Master aircrew | Flight sergeant aircrew | Sergeant aircrew | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1953–2023) | _OR-9.svg) |
_OR-7.svg) |
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| Master aircrew | Flight sergeant aircrew | Sergeant aircrew | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (2023–present) | |
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| Master aircrew | Flight sergeant aircrew | Sergeant aircrew | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NATO code | OR-9 | OR-8 | OR-7 | OR-6 | OR-5 | OR-4 | OR-3 | OR-2 | OR-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
See also
[edit]- Aircrew brevet
- British Army Other Ranks rank insignia
- Comparative military ranks of World War I
- Comparative military ranks of World War II
- Comparative military ranks
- List of Royal Air Force ground trades
- List of Royal Air Force members
- Military rank
- RAF officer ranks
- Ranks and insignia of NATO Air Forces Enlisted
- Ranks of the cadet forces of the United Kingdom
- Royal Navy ratings rank insignia
- Royal Observer Corps ranks
- Women's Auxiliary Air Force ranks
Notes
[edit]- ↑ Renamed from Master clerk on 28 November 1918
- ↑ Introduced from 28 November 1918
- ↑ Introduced on 5 April 1918 for Privates 1st Class in receipt of 2 shillings or more per day
- 1 2 3 4 5 Used a two bladed propeller badge as a trade classification but not made a rank until 1951
- ↑ The RAF Eagle in the insignia is properly displayed with its beak turned to the rear.
References
[edit]- ↑ "RAF ranks". Royal Air Force. Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
- ↑ "Defence Clothing Catalogue - Section 3-5: DMC CB - Badges and Insignia of Royal Air Force" (PDF). GOV.UK. Ministry of Defence. July 2020. Retrieved 14 December 2025.
- 1 2 Barrass, M. B. "Royal Flying Corps Non Commissioned Officers 1912 - 1918". Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation. Archived from the original on 1 July 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
- ↑ Air Memorandum No. 1 (March 1918)
- ↑ Air Memorandum No. 2 (April 1918)
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Barrass, M. B. "RAF Non-Commissioned Ranks/Trade Classifications". Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation. Archived from the original on 27 June 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
- ↑ Air Ministry Weekly Order 109 (1921, reprint of 1923)
- 1 2 3 Barrass, M. B. "Aircrew from 1946". Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation. Archived from the original on 27 June 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
- ↑ "Victorian Coat of Arms". Victoria State Government. Archived from the original on 15 July 2019. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
- 1 2 3 Barrass, M. B. "Technician Trades 1950 - 1964". Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation. Archived from the original on 1 July 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
- 1 2 3 4 Barrass, M. B. "Technician Trades 1964 - present". Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation. Archived from the original on 1 July 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
- ↑ Jefford, C.G. (2010). Observers and Navigators: And Other Non-Pilot Aircrew in the RFC, RNAS and RAF. London: Grub Street. p. 285. ISBN 978-1-909808-02-7.
Air Ministry Order A.80/1963 of 6 March 1963 replaced the AC1 and AC2 with just 'Aircraftman' with effect from 1 April 1964
- ↑ Woods, Lesley, ed. (12 April 2010). "New Rank for the RAF Regiment". Royal Air Force website. www.RAF.mod.uk. Archived from the original on 23 March 2016. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
- ↑ White, Debbie (21 November 2021). "RAF goes gender-neutral as aviators replace airmen". The Times. Archived from the original on 2 June 2023.
- ↑ "RAF Ranks". RAF. Archived from the original on 24 July 2022.
- ↑ "No. 28852". The London Gazette. 24 July 1914. pp. 5751–5753.
- ↑ "RAF ORs and equivalents in RNAS and RFC, reproduced from Air Ministry Weekly Order 109 of 1921". Archived from the original on 2 May 2017. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
