Comparative military ranks of World War I
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The following table shows comparative officer ranks of the principle Allied and Central powers during World War I. For modern ranks refer to Comparative military ranks.
See also: Comparative military ranks of World War II
Major participants not shown:
Belgium (entered war on side of allies after the German invasion in 1914)
Bulgaria (entered war on side of Central Powers 1914)
Italy (entered war on side of Allies 1915)
Serbia (entered war on side of Allies)
USA (entered war on side of Allies 1917)
KEY:
- Navy
- Army
- Air Force
| modern NATO equivalent | | | |  | | |
| British Empire | France | Russian Empire1 | German Empire | Austro-Hungarian Empire² | Ottoman Empire3 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OF-10 | Admiral of the Fleet Field Marshal | Amiral de France4 Maréchal de France4 | Генера́л-адмира́л (General-Admiral) Генера́л-фельдма́ршал (General-Feldmarshal) | Großadmiral Generalfeldmarschall | Großadmiral / Vezértengernagy Feldmarschall | Müşir |
| OF-9 | Admiral General | Amiral Général d’Armée
| Адмира́л (Admiral) Генерал от инфанте́рии / кавале́рии / артилле́рии (General ot Infanteryy / Kavaleryy / Artilleryy) | Generaladmiral Generaloberst | Admiral / Tengernagy Generaloberst / Vezérezredes | Birinci Ferik |
| OF-8 | Vice-Admiral Lieutenant-General | Vice-Amiral d’Escadre Général de Corps d’Armée | Ви́це-адмира́л (Vice-Admiral) Генера́л-лейтена́нт (General-Leytenant) | Admiral General | Vizeadmiral / Altengernagy General,Feldzeugmeister (artillery) / Gyalogsági,lovassági,tüzérségi tábornok | Ferik |
| OF-7 | Rear-Admiral Major-General Major-General | Vice-Amiral Général de Division | Ко́нтр-адмира́л (Kontr-Admiral) Генера́л-майо́р (General-Mayor) | Vizeadmiral Generalleutnant | Kontreadmiral / Ellentengernagy Feldmarschalleutnant / Altábornagy | Mirliva |
| OF-6 | Commodore 1st Class | Contre-Amiral Général de Brigade | | Konteradmiral Generalmajor | Generalmajor / Vezérőrnagy | |
| Commodore 2nd Class Brigadier-General Brigadier-General | ||||||
| OF-5 | Captain Colonel Colonel | Capitaine de Vaisseau Colonel | Капита́н 1-го ра́нга (Kapitan 1-go ranga) Полко́вник (Polkovnik) | Kapitän zur See Oberst | Linienschiffskapitän / Sorhajókapitány Oberst / Ezredes | Miralay |
| OF-4 | Commander Lieutenant-Colonel Lieutenant-Colonel | Capitaine de Frégate Lieutenant-Colonel | Капита́н 2-го ра́нга (Kapitan 2-go ranga) Подполко́вник (Podpolkovnik) | Fregattenkapitän Oberstleutnant | Fregattenkapitän / Fregattkapitány Oberstleutnant / Alezredes | Yarbay |
| OF-3 | Lieutenant-Commander Major Major | Capitaine de Corvette Commandant | Капита́н-лейтена́нт (Kapitan-Leytenant) Майо́р (Mayor) | Korvettenkapitän Major | Korvettenkapitän / Korvettkapitány Major / Őrnagy | Binbaşı |
| OF-2 | Lieutenant Captain Captain | Lieutenant de Vaisseau Capitaine | Ста́рший лейтена́нт (Starshiyi Leytenant) Капита́н / ро́тмистр (Kapitan / Rotmistr)5 | Kapitänleutnant Hauptmann / Rittmeister 6 | Linienschiffsleutnant / Sorhajóhadnagy Hauptmann, Rittmeister / Százados, Kapitány6 | Yüzbaşı |
| Лейтена́нт (Leytenant) (Шта́бс-капита́н / Шта́бс-ро́тмистр (Stabs-Kapitan / Stabs-Rotmistr)5 | ||||||
| OF-1 | Sub-Lieutenant Lieutenant Lieutenant | Enseigne de Vaisseau de 1re classe Lieutenant | Ми́чман (Michman) Пору́чик (Poruchik) | Oberleutnant zur See Oberleutnant | Fregattenleutnant / Fregatthadnagy Oberleutnant / Főhadnagy | Mülazım-ı evvel |
| Second Officer / Mate Second Lieutenant Second Lieutenant | Enseigne de Vaisseau de 2e Classe Sous-Lieutenant | Подпору́чик / корне́т (Podporuchik / Kornet)5 | Leutnant zur See Leutnant | Korvettenleutnant / Korvetthadnagy Leutnant / Hadnagy | Mülazım | |
| Commissioned Warrant Officer/ Midshipman/ Boatswain | Aspirant Aspirant | Пра́порщик (Praporshchik) (army reserve) |
Notes
- For transliterations, refer to Russian military ranks.
- Austro-Hungarian ranks are shown in both German and Hungarian, as would have been contemporary practise.
- Military personnel in the Ottoman Empire were assigned different duties according to their capabilities in order to administer the Armed Forces and particularly to be successful in battle. They were given various ranks so that they could conduct relations with each other and be fully aware of their duties. The issue of what sort of duties should be allocated to which unit or to which military institution used to be determined by the ranking within the Armed Forces. In Islamic countries, certain 'degrees', instead of ranks, were given in accordance with the categorization of government duties. In the course of time, these 'degrees' had taken on certain characteristics. In the Ottoman Empire, besides the ranks that were awarded after passing through certain stages of promotion, there was also the rank of "Pasha" that was given directly by the Ottoman Sultan. This rank, which continued until the establishment of the Republic of Turkey, was also given to civilian administrators who were approved of and found suitable. After the establishment of the Republic, the Sultanate was abolished, and the title became synonymous with the General rank, restricted to the Armed Forces only. Paymaster of a regiment - Captain of the Right Wing (Alay Emini - Sağ Kolağası): The rank of the Captain of the Right Wing was very high. The rank of the Adjutant and Paymaster of a regiment was also high but such individuals were not from the military class and they dealt with clerical duties and equipment needed by the regiment. Captain of the Wing - The Captain of the Left Wing- (Kolağası - Sol Kolağası): Captain of the Wing or the Captain of the Left Wing was the senior Captain. If he was educated in the regiment, he was called "Ağa" but if he was the son of a pasha, he was called "Bey".
- Maréchal de France and Amiral de France were as much a dignity of state as a military title. Thus British Field Marshals consulted with French Generals in 1914. The elevation of Joffre to Maréchal in 1916 actually marked a diminuition of his powers of command. There was no Amiral de France alive during WWI.
- The second rank is that used in the cavalry. Cossack cavalry had distinct ranks: Подполко́вник (Podpolkovnik), войсково́й старшина́ (Voiskovoy Starshina), есау́л (Yesaul), подъесау́л (Podyesaul), со́тник (Sotnik), хору́нжий (Khorunzhiy)
- Captains in the cavalry and mounted transport corps were called Rittmeister.
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