Military units vary in thier ranks structure as much as anything else. For instance a Corporal in the US Marines usually commands a fireteam, but in the British Royal Marines a Corporal commands a squad (which they call a section). This makes it impossible to properly compare different ranks between different militaries.
A Captain in the Marines is not the same as a Captain in the Navy. This makes tradition interesting, since there is only one Captain on a ship what do you call a Marine Captain who commands a company of troops? Major, the next rank up (c’mon ya can’t demote the fella, he gets a brevet!).
Below is an attempt compare the rank structures of different militaries with the US. It should be noted that some militaries have different classes that have no comparison with the US. For instance, in India, there is a class of ‘junior’ commisioned officers, and the Cubans also have a sub class of officers. This list is by no means perfect! (although I would appreciate comments on how to make it so!) This list is designed to give you some idea of how things work. You should consider doing some in depth research on the country in question if you are going to write about it in any kind of detail.
Until recently, the Chinese did not recognize different ranks because of their communist view. Soldiers were recognized by their position, like Company Commander, Squad Leader, ect. The Soviet Army did this once also, but quickly abandoned the method because it lowered morale and just didn’t work. The reason this was done was to stay in line with the communist theory that everyone is equal but responsibilities are different. Assigning rank was a very definate way of saying who is better than who.
The Soviet Military has many similar ranks but there is a great deal of distinction between an Engineer Captain and a combat arms Captain and the two are not interchangeable like in many other militaries.
In a combat environment a person may be given a ‘brevet’ rank, like brevet Captain. Basically this is a temporary promotion (or demotion) and lasts only for the duration of the assignment or duty.
The Cuban Military is called Cuba’s Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR). World War 2 ranks are listed as WW2. In the WW2 listings G- stands for Germany (or as the Natives call it Deutschland). Kreigsmarines were the Deutsch Navy, Wehrmacht was the regular army and Luftwaffe was the airforce. The SS was of course the elite. The Geheimstatspolizei (Gestapo) and Sicherheitsdienst (SD) ranks are the same as, or similar to, the Waffen SS.
PRIVATES (E-1)
Private
| Spanish Marines: Soldado |
| Japanese Military: Nitto Hei |
| US Airforce: Airman Basic |
| US Army: Private (E-1) |
| US Marines: Private |
| US Navy: Seaman Recruit |
| WW2 British Army: Private or Sapper |
| WW2 G-Kreigsmarine: Matrosengefrieter |
| WW2 G-Luftwaffe: Flieger or Gefrieter |
| WW2 G-Waffen-SS: SS-Schutze |
| WW2 G-Wehrmacht: Schutze (after Nov. 1942: Grenadier) |
| WW2 Red Army AirForce: Krasnoarmeyets |
| WW2 Royal Air Force: Aircraftsman 2nd Class |
| WW2 Royal Navy: Ordinary Seaman |
| WW2 US Army AirForce: Private |
| WW2 US Army: Private |
| WW2 US Navy: Seaman Recruit |
PRIVATES (E-2)
Private First Class
| Cuban Army: Soldado |
| Cuban Navy: Marinero |
| Japanese Military: Itto Hei |
| Iraq: Jundi |
| Spanish Marines: Soldado de la |
| US AirForce: Airman |
| US Army: Private (E-2) |
| US Marines: Private First Class |
| US Navy: Seaman Apprentice |
| WW2 G-Kriegsmarine: Matrosenobergefrieter |
| WW2 G-Luftwaffe: Obergefrieter |
| WW2 G-Waffen-SS: SS-Obershutze |
| WW2 G-Wehrmacht: Obershutze |
| WW2 Red Army Air Force: Yefreyto |
| WW2 Royal Air Force: Aircraftsman First Class |
| WW2 Royal Navy: Able Seaman |
| WW2 US Army AirForce: Private First Class |
| WW2 US Army: Private |
| WW2 US Navy: Seaman Apprentice |
| In the Japanese Military an additional rank exists between E-2 and E-3 called Joto hei. |
PRIVATES (E-3)
Lance Corporal
| Cuban Army: Soldado de Primera |
| Cuban Navy: Marinero-de-Primera |
| Japanese Military: Heicho |
| India: Sepoy |
| Iraq: Jundi Awwal |
| Spanish Marines: Cabo |
| US AirForce: Airman First Class |
| US Army: Private First Class |
| US Marines: Lance Corporal |
| US Navy: Seaman |
| WW2 British Army: Lance Corporal or Lance Bombardier |
| WW2 G-Kriegsmarine: Matrosenhauptgefrieter, Matrosenstabsgefrieter, Matrosenoberstabsgefreiter |
| WW2 G-Luftwaffe: Hauptgefrieter |
| WW2 G-Waffen SS: Rottenfuhrer |
| WW2 G-Wehrmacht: Gefreiter |
| WW2 Royal Air Force: Leading Aircraftsman |
| WW2 US Army Air Force: Private First Class |
| WW2 US Army: Private First Class |
| WW2 US Navy: Seaman |
JUNIOR NON-COMMISIONED OFFICERS (E-4)
Corporal
| India: Lance Naik |
| Iraq: Naib Arif |
| Japanese Military: Gocho |
| Spanish Marines: Cabo lo |
| US AirForce: Sergeant or Senior Airman |
| US Army: Corporal (or Specialist-4) |
| US Marines: Corporal |
| US Navy: Petty Officer 3rd Class |
| WW2 British Army: Corporal or Bombardier |
| WW2 G-Kriegsmarine: Steurmann, Obermaat, Maat |
| WW2 G-Luftwaffe: Unteroffizier |
| WW2 G-Waffen SS: SS-Sturmmann |
| WW2 G-Wehrmacht: Obergefreiter |
| WW2 Red Army Air Force: Mladshiy Serzhant (Junior Sergeant) |
| WW2 Royal AirForce: Corporal |
| WW2 Royal Navy: Leading Seaman |
| WW2 US Army Air Force: Corporal |
| WW2 US Army: Corporal |
| WW2 US Navy: Petty Officer 3rd Class |
| (The WW2 G-Wehrmacht has two ranks without an equivelent between E-4 and E-5; Stabsgefreiter (Senior Corporal) and Unteroffizier (Lance Sergeant) |
JUNIOR NON-COMMISIONED OFFICERS (E-5)
Sergeant
| Cuban Army: Sargento de Tercera |
| Cuban Navy: Sargento de Tercera |
| Japanese Military: Gunso |
| India: NaikIraq: Arif |
| Spanish Marines: Sargento |
| US AirForce: Staff SergeantUS Army: Sergeant (or Specialist-5) |
| US Marines: Sergeant |
| US Navy: Petty Officer 2nd Class |
| WW2 British Army: Sergeant |
| WW2 G-Kriegsmarine: Stabssteurmann |
| WW2 G-Luftwaffe: Unterfeldwebel |
| WW2 G-Waffen SS: SS-Hauptscharfuhrer |
| WW2 G-Wehrmacht: Unterfeldwebel |
| WW2 Red Army Air Force: |
| WW2 Royal Air Force: Sergeant |
| WW2 Royal Navy: Petty Officer |
| WW2 US Army AirForce: Sergeant |
| WW2 US Army: Sergeant |
| WW2 US Navy: Petty Officer 2nd Class |
SENIOR NON-COMMISIONED OFFICERS (E-6)
Staff Sergeant
| Cuban Army: Sargento de Segunda |
| Cuban Navy: Sargento de Segunda |
| India: Havildar |
| Iraq: Rais Urafa |
| Spanish Marines: Sargento Primero |
| US AirForce: Technical Sergeant |
| US Army: Staff Sergeant (or Specialist-6) |
| US Marines: Staff Sergeant |
| US Navy: Petty Officer First Class |
| WW2 British Army: Sergeant Major;Warrant Officer Class 2 |
| WW2 G-Kriegsmarine: Obersteurmann |
| WW2 G-Luftwaffe: Feldwebel |
| WW2 G-Waffen SS: SS-Sturmscharfuhrer |
| WW2 G-Wehrmacht: Feldwebel, Oberfeldwebel, Stabsfeldwebel, Stabswachtsmeister |
| WW2 Red Army Air Force: Starshiy Serzhant (Senior Sergeant); Starshina also roughly corresponds to this rank. |
| WW2 Royal Air Force: Flight Sergeant |
| WW2 US Army Air Force: Staff Sergeant |
| WW2 US Army: Staff Sergeant |
| WW2 US Navy: Petty Officer First Class |
SENIOR NON-COMMISIONED OFFICERS (E-7)
Sergeant First Class
| Cuban Army: Sargento de Primera |
| Cuban Navy: Sargento de Primara |
| India: Company Havildar Major |
| Iraq: Rais Urafa |
| Spanish Marines: Brigada |
| US AirForce: Master Sergeant |
| US Army: Sergeant First Class or Platoon Sergeant (or Specialist-7) |
| US Marines: Gunnery Sergeant |
| US Navy: Chief Petty Officer |
| WW2 G-Kriegsmarine: Stabsobersteurmann |
| WW2 G-Luftwaffe: Oberfeldwebel |
| WW2 Red Army Air Force: Mladshiy Leytenant (Junior Lieutenant) also corresponds with Midshipman. |
| WW2 Royal Navy: Chief Petty Officer |
| WW2 US Army Air Force: Sergeant First |
| WW2 US Army: Sergeant First Class |
| WW2 US Navy: Chief Petty Officer |
SENIOR NON-COMMISIONED OFFICERS (E-8)
First Sergeant
| Spanish Marines: Brigada |
| US AirForce: Senior Master Sergeant |
| US Army: First Sergeant (Master Sergeant) |
| US Marines: First Sergeant (Master Sergeant) |
| US Navy: Senior Chief Petty Officer |
SENIOR NON-COMMISIONED OFFICERS (E-9)
Sergeant Major
| Spanish Marines: Subteniente |
| Japanese Military: Socho |
| US AirForce: Chief Master Sergeant |
| US Army: Sergeant Major or Command Sergeant Major (also Sergeant Major of the Army) |
| US Marines: Sergeant Major (also Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps) and Master Gunnery Sergeant |
| US Navy: Master Chief Petty Officer (also Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy) |
WARRANT OFFICERS (WO-1)
| Iraq: Naib Zabet |
| Japanese Military: Jun-i |
| US All forces: Warrant Officer |
WARRANT OFFICERS (WO-2)
| US All Forces: Chief Warrant Officer (WO-2) |
WARRANT OFFICERS (WO-3)
| US ALL Forces: Chief Warrant Officer (WO-3) |
WARRANT OFFICERS (WO-4)
| US All Forces: Chief Warrant Officer (WO-4) |
WARRANT OFFICERS (WO-5)
| US All Forces: Chief Warrant Officer (WO-5) |
JUNIOR OFFICERS (JCO-1)
| Cuban Army: Sub Oficial |
| Cuban Navy: Sub-Oficial |
| Japanese Military: Seito (Cadet) |
| India: Naib Subedar |
JUNIOR OFFICERS (JCO-2)
| Cuban Army: Primer Sub Oficial |
| Cuban Navy: Primer-Sub-Oficial |
| India: Subedar |
JUNIOR OFFICERS (JCO-3)
| Cuban Army: Sub Teniente |
| Cuban Navy: Alferez |
| India: Subedar Major |
COMPANY GRADE OFFICERS (0-1)
2nd Lieutenant
| Cuban Army: Teniente |
| Cuban Navy: Teniente de Corbeta |
| Japanese Military: Sho-i |
| India: 2nd Lieutenant |
| Iraq: Mulazim |
| Spanish Marines: Alferez |
| Spanish Navy: Alferez de Fragata |
| US AirForce: 2nd Lieutenant |
| US Army: 2nd Lieutenant |
| US Marines: 2nd Lieutenant |
| US Navy: Ensign |
| WW2 British Army: 2nd Lieutenant |
| WW2 G-Kriegmsarine: Leutnant zur See |
| WW2 G-Luftwaffe: Leutnant |
| WW2 G-Waffen SS: SS-Untersturmfuhrer |
| WW2 G-Wehrmacht: Leutnant |
| WW2 Red Army Air Force: Leytenant |
| WW2 Royal AirForce: Pilot Officer |
| WW2 Royal Navy: Sub-Lieutenant |
| WW2 US Army Air Force: 2nd Lieutenant |
| WW2 US Army: 2nd Lieutenant |
| WW2 US Navy: Ensign |
COMPANY GRADE OFFICERS (0-2)
1st Lieutenant
| Cuban Army: Primer Teniente |
| Cuban Navy: Teniente-de-Fragata |
| Japanese Military: Chu-i |
| India: Lieutenant |
| Iraq: Mulazim Awwal |
| Spanish Marines: Teniente |
| Spanish Navy: Alferez de Navio |
| US AirForce: 2nd Lieutenant |
| US Army: 1st Lieutenant |
| US Marines: 1st Lieutenant |
| US Navy: Lieutenant JG (Junior Grade) |
| WW2 British Army: Lieutenant |
| WW2 G-Kriegmarine: Oberleutnant zur See |
| WW2 G-Luftwaffe: Oberleutnant |
| WW2 G-Waffen SS: Ss-Obersturmfuhrer |
| WW2 G-Wehrmacht: Oberleutnant |
| WW2 Red Army Air Force: Starshiyi Leytenant (Senior Lieutenant) |
| WW2 Royal Air Force: Flying Officer |
| WW2 Royal Navy: Sub-Lieutenant |
| WW2 US Army Air Force: 1st Lieutenant |
| WW2 US Army: 1st Lieutenant |
| WW2 US Navy: Lieutenant JG (Junior Grade) |
COMPANY GRADE OFFICERS (0-3)
Captain
| Cuban Army: Capitan |
| Cuban Navy: Teniente de Navio |
| India: Captain |
| Japanese Military: Tai-i |
| Iraq: Naqib |
| Spanish Marines: Capitan |
| Spanish Navy: Teniente de Navio |
| US AirForce: Captain |
| US Army: Captain |
| US Marines: Captain |
| US Navy: Lieutenant |
| WW2 British Army: Captain |
| WW2 G-Kriegsmarine: Kapitanleutnant |
| WW2 G-Luftwaffe: Hauptmann |
| WW2 G-Waffen SS: SS-Hauptsturmfuhrer |
| WW2 G-Wehrmacht: Hauptmann, Rittmeister |
| WW2 Red Army Air Force: Kapitan |
| WW2 Royal Air Force: Flight Lieutenant |
| WW2 Royal Navy: Lieutenant |
| WW2 US Army Air Force: Captain |
| WW2 US Army: Captain |
| WW2 US Navy: Lieutenant |
FIELD GRADE OFFICERS (0-4)
Major
| Cuban Army: Mayor |
| Cuban Navy: Capitan de Corbeta |
| Japanese Military: Shosa |
| India: Major |
| Iraq: Raid |
| Spanish Marines: Comandante |
| Spanish Navy: Capitan de Corbeta |
| US Airforce: Major |
| US Army: Major |
| US Marines: Major |
| US Navy: Lieutenant Commander |
| WW2 British Army: Major |
| WW2 G-Kriegsmarine: Korvettenkapitan |
| WW2 G-Luftwaffe: Major |
| WW2 G-Waffen SS: SS-Sturmbannfuhrer |
| WW2 G-Wehrmacht: Major |
| WW2 Red Army Air Force: Major |
| WW2 Royal Air Force: Squadron Leader |
| WW2 Royal Navy: Lieutenant-Commander |
| WW2 US Army Air Force: Major |
| WW2 US Army: Major |
| WW2 US Navy: Lieutenant Commander |
FIELD GRADE OFFICERS (0-5)
Lieutenant Colonel
| Cuban Army/Airforce: Teniente Coronel |
| Cuban Navy: Capitan de Fragata |
| Japanese Military: Chusa |
| India: Lieutenant Colonel |
| Iraq: Muqaddam |
| Spanish Marines: Teniente Coronel |
| Spanish Navy: Capitan de Corbeta |
| US AirForce: Lieutenant Colonel |
| US Army: Lieutenant Colonel |
| US Marines: Lieutenant Colonel |
| US Navy: Commander |
| WW2 British Army: Lieutenant Colonel |
| WW2 G-Lufwaffe: Oberstleutnant |
| WW2 G-Waffen SS: SS-Obersturmbannfuhrer |
| WW2 G-Wehrmacht: Oberstleutnant |
| WW2 Red Army Air Force: Podpolkovnik |
| WW2 Royal Air Force: Wing Commander |
| WW2 Royal Navy: Commander |
| WW2 US Army Air Force: Lieutenant Colonel |
| WW2 US Army: Lieutenant Colonel |
| WW2 US Navy: Commander |
STAFF OFFICERS (0-6)
Colonel
| Cuban Army/AirForce: Coronel |
| Cuban Navy: Capitan de Navio |
| Japanese Military: TaisaIndia: Colonel |
| Iraq: Aqid |
| Spanish Marines: Coronel |
| Spanish Navy: Capitan de Navio |
| US AirForce: Colonel |
| US Army: Colonel |
| US Marines: Colonel |
| US Navy: Captain |
| WW2 British Army: Colonel |
| WW2 G-Kriegsmarine: Fregattenkapitan |
| WW2 G-Luftwaffe: Oberst |
| WW2 G-Waffen SS: SS-Standartenfuhrer |
| WW2 G-Wehrmacht: Oberst |
| WW2 Royal Air Force: Group Captain |
| WW2 Royal Navy: Captain |
| WW2 US ARmy Air Force: Colonel |
| WW2 US Army: Colonel |
| WW2 US Navy: Captain |
STAFF OFFICERS (0-7)
Brigadier General
| Cuban Army/AirForce: General de Brigada |
| Cuban Navy: Contra-Almirante |
| India: Brigadier |
| Iraq: Amid |
| Spanish Marines: General de Brigada |
| Spanish Navy: Contralmirante |
| US AirForce: Brigadeir General |
| US Army: Brigadier General |
| US Marines: Brigadier General |
| US Navy: Commodore |
| WW2 British Army: Brigadier |
| WW2 G-Kriegsmarine: Kapitan zur See |
| WW2 G-Luftwaffe: General Major |
| WW2 G-Waffen SS: SS-Brigadefuhrer |
| WW2 G-Wehrmacht: General Major |
| WW2 Red Army Air Force: General Major |
| WW2 Royal Air Force: Air Commodore |
| WW2 Royal Navy: Commodore 2nd Class or Commodore First Class |
| WW2 US Army Air Force: Brigadier General |
| WW2 US Army: Brigadier General |
| WW2 US Navy: Rear Admiral (Lower Half) also sometimesreferred to as Commodore |
GENERAL OFFICER (0-8)
Major General
| Cuban Army/AirForce: General de Division |
| Cuban Navy: Vice Almirante |
| Japanese Military: Shosho |
| India: Major General |
| Iraq: Fariq |
| Spanish Marines: General de Division |
| Spanish Navy: Vicealmirante |
| US AirForce: Major General |
| US Army: Major General |
| US Marines: Major General |
| US Navy: Rear Admiral (Upper Half) |
| WW2 British Army: Major General |
| WW2 G-Kriegsmarine: Vizeadmiral or Konteradmiral |
| WW2 G-Luftwaffe: General Leutnant |
| WW2 G-Waffen-SS: SS-Gruppenfuhrer |
| WW2 G-Wehrmacht: General-Leutnant |
| WW2 Red Army Air Force: General Leytenant |
| WW2 Royal Air Force: Air Vice Marshal |
| WW2 Royal Navy: Rear Admiral |
| WW2 US ARmy Air Force: Major General |
| WW2 US Army: Major General |
| WW2 US Navy: Rear Admiral (Upper Half) |
GENERAL OFFICER (O-9)
Lieutenant General
| Cuban Army/AirForce: General de Cuerpo de Ejercito |
| Cuban Navy: Almirante |
| Japanese Military: Chujo |
| India: Lieutenant General |
| Iraq: Fariq Awwal |
| Spanish Navy: Almirante Capitan |
| US Airforce: Lieutenant General |
| US Army: Lieutenant General |
| US Marines: Lieutenant General |
| US Navy: Vice Admiral |
| WW2 British Army: Lieutenant General |
| WW2 G-Kriegsmarine: Admiral |
| WW2 G-Luftwaffe: Generaloberst |
| WW2 G-Waffen SS: SS-Obergruppenfuhrer |
| WW2 G-Wehrmacht: General |
| WW2 Red Army Air Force: General Polkovnik |
| WW2 Royal Air Force: Air Marshal |
| WW2 Royal Navy: Vice Admiral |
| WW2 US Army Air Force: Lieutenant-General |
| WW2 US Army: Lieutenant General |
| WW2 US Navy: Vice Adimiral |
GENERAL OFFICER (O-10)
General
Cuban Army/AirForce: General de Ejercito
| Japanese Military: Taisho |
| India: General (Field Marshal) |
| Iraq: Mushir |
| US AirForce: General |
| US Army: General |
| US Marines: General |
| US Navy: Admiral |
| WW2 British Army: General |
| WW2 G-Kriegsmarine: Generaladmiral |
| WW2 G-Luftwaffe: General |
| WW2 G-Waffen SS: SS-Oberstgruppenfuhrer |
| WW2 G-Wehrmacht: General Oberst |
| WW2 Red Army Air Force: Marshal Aviatsiyi (Air Marshal) |
| WW2 Royal Air Force: Air Chief Marshal |
| WW2 Royal Navy: Admiral |
| WW2 US Army Air Force: General |
| WW2 US Army: General |
| WW2 US Navy: Admiral |
GENERAL
Highest Ranking General
| Cuban: Comandante en Jefe |
| Japanese Military: Gensui |
| US Army: General (5 star only awarded in war time) |
| US Navy: Fleet Admiral |
| WW2 British Army: Field Marshal |
| WW2 G-Kriegsmarine: Grossadmiral |
| WW2 G-Luftwaffe: Generalfeldmarschall then Reichsmarschall |
| WW2 G-Waffen SS: Reichsfuhrer-SS |
| WW2 G-Wehrmacht: Generalfeldmarschal |
| WW2 Red Army Air Force: Glavnyy Marshal Aviatsiyi (Supreme Air Marshal) |
| WW2 Royal Air Force: Marshal of the Royal Air Force |
| WW2 Royal Navy: Admiral of the Fleet |
| WW2 US Army Air Force: General of the Army |
| WW2 US Army: General of the Army |
| WW2 US Navy: Fleet Admiral |
In the US Armed Forces, the ranks of General of the Air Force, General of the Army and Fleet Admirals are refered to by the US as Five Star ranks. These ranks were created during WW2 to give parity with the British Commonwealth rank of Field Marshal, Marshal of the RAF, and Admiral of the Fleet and are very rarely rewarded. General Schwartzkopf of the Gulf war was considered for the rank of Five Star General, but not given the rank. It is said that George Washinton was given a unique Six Star rank.
The rank of Specialist (notably in the US Army starting at Corporal) is a non-command designation. In effect a specialist is nothing more than a more higher paid, respected private first class who is not really trusted with a command billet. At one time the US Marine Corps used the specialist rank structure but it was phased out.
