Home Discussion Topics Dictionary Almanac

Signup Login

Israel Defense Forces ranks

Discussion

Ask a question about 'Israel Defense Forces ranks'

Start a new discussion about 'Israel Defense Forces ranks'

Answer questions from other users

Full Discussion Forum

Encyclopedia

Israel Defense Forces

The Israel Defense Forces

Israel Defense Forces

The Israel Defense Forces , commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal , are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has no civilian jurisdiction within Israel...

(IDF) have a unique rank structure. Because the IDF is an integrated force, ranks are the same in all services (there is no differentiation between army, navy, air force, etc.) The ranks are derived from those of the paramilitary Haganah

Haganah

Haganah was a Jewish paramilitary organization in what was then the British Mandate of Palestine from 1920 to 1948, which later became the core of the Israel Defense Forces.- Origins :...

developed in the Mandate period to protect the Yishuv

Yishuv

The Yishuv or Ha-Yishuv is the term referring to the body of Jewish residents in Palestine before the establishment of the State of Israel...

. This origin is reflected in the slightly-compacted rank structure; for instance, the Chief of Staff (Ramatkal

Ramatkal

The Chief of the General Staff, also known as the Commander-in-Chief of the Israel Defense Forces is the supreme commander and Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces. At any given time, the Chief of Staff is the only active officer holding the IDF's highest rank, Rav Aluf , which is usually...

) is seemingly only equivalent to a Lieutenant General

Lieutenant General

Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General....

in other militaries.

Current ranks

Category	Rank name , rank equivalent and Nato code	Insignia
קצינים ראשים Supreme Officers or General Officers	(רב-אלוף (רא"ל Rav aluf Ramatkal The Chief of the General Staff, also known as the Commander-in-Chief of the Israel Defense Forces is the supreme commander and Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces. At any given time, the Chief of Staff is the only active officer holding the IDF's highest rank, Rav Aluf , which is usually... (Ra'al) (Chief of Staff, Command of the Army or Army Group) (Lieutenant General Lieutenant General Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General.... , NATO OF-9–OF-10) (Rav Aluf means 'Arch-General', which would be equal to a Field Marshal Field Marshal Field Marshal is a military rank. Traditionally, it is the highest military rank in an army.-Etymology:The origin of the rank of field marshal dates to the early Middle Ages, originally meaning the keeper of the king's horses , from the time of the early Frankish kings.-Usage and hierarchical... or Five Star General in other armies and equivalent to NATO OF-10.)
	אלוף Aluf Aluf Aluf is the term used for General and Admiral in the Israel Defense Forces . In addition to the Aluf rank itself, there are four other ranks which are derivatives of the word... (Commanding General, Command of the Branch of Arms, Corps) (Major General Major General Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general... , equivalent to NATO OF-8–OF-9) (Aluf, meaning "General", translates as "High Commander".)
	(תת-אלוף (תא"ל Tat aluf (Ta'al) (Commanding General, Command of the Service of Arms, Corps, Division, Brigade) (Brigadier General Brigadier General Brigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000... , equivalent to NATO OF-7–OF-8) (Tat aluf translates as "Subordinate-General")
קצינים בכירים Senior Officers or Field Grade Officers	(אלוף משנה (אל"מ Aluf mishne (Alam) (Regiment or Brigade Commander) (Colonel Colonel Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures... or Brigadier Brigadier Brigadier is a senior military rank, the meaning of which is somewhat different in different military services. The brigadier rank is generally superior to the rank of colonel, and subordinate to major general.... , equivalent to NATO OF-6) (Aluf mishne translates as "Junior General")
	(סגן-אלוף (סא"ל Sgan aluf (Sa'al) (Battalion Commander) (Lieutenant Colonel Lieutenant colonel Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence... , equivalent to NATO OF-5) (Sgan Aluf translates as "Deputy-General")
	(רב סרן (רס"ן Rav seren (Rasan) (Executive Officer of a Battalion; Company or Battery Commander) (Major Major Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ... , equivalent to NATO OF-4) (Rav Seren means "Arch-Captain")
קצינים זוטרים *Ktzinim* Junior Officers or Company Grade Officers	סרן Seren (Company Commander) (Captain, equivalent to NATO OF-3) (Seren, meaning "Captain", translates as "Captain" or "Commander")
	סגן Segen — since 1951 ((סגן ראשון (סג"ר Segen rishon (Sagar) — 1948–51 (Company Executive Officer; Platoon Commander) (Lieutenant Lieutenant A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank... , equivalent to NATO OF-2) (Segen rishon means "Lieutenant First Class"; Segen literally translates as "Assistant")
	(סגן-משנה (סג"מ Segen mishne (Sagam) — since 1951 (סגן Segen — 1948–51 (Platoon Commander) (Second Lieutenant Second Lieutenant Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal... , equivalent to NATO OF-1) (Segen mishne, means "Junior Lieutenant"; Segen literally translates as "Assistant")
קצינים אקדמאים *Ktzinim Akademaim* Academic Officers	(קצין אקדמאי בכיר (קא"ב Katsín akademai bakhír (Ka'ab) (Professional Officer of the First Class in the Reserve — equivalent to Captain.) (officer of medical service, officer of dental medical service, officer of veterinary service, officer of justice, officer of religion.) (Chief Academic Officer)
	(קצין מקצועי אקדמאי (קמ"א Katsín miktsoí akademai (Kama) (Professional Officer of the Second Class in the Reserve — equivalent to First Lieutenant First Lieutenant First lieutenant is a military rank and, in some forces, an appointment.The rank of lieutenant has different meanings in different military formations , but the majority of cases it is common for it to be sub-divided into a senior and junior rank... .) (officer of medical service, officer of dental medical service, officer of veterinary service, officer of justice, officer of religion.) (Professional Academic Officer)
נגדים *Nagadim* Non-Commissioned Officers	(רב-נגד (רנ"ג Rav nagad (Ranag) (Chief Warrant Officer Chief Warrant Officer Chief warrant officer is a military rank used by the Canadian Forces and the Israel Defence Forces.-Canada:In the Canadian Forces, a chief warrant officer or CWO is the most senior non-commissioned member rank in the Canadian Army and the Royal Canadian Air Force... , most senior specialist professional, equivalent to NATO WO Ranks and insignia of NATO armies officers Rank comparison chart of all armies of NATO member states.- Officers :- Warrant officers :Warrant officers rank below officers and above enlisted servicemen.... -3–WO-5) (it translates as "Warrant Officer" or "Arch-NCO")
	(רב-נגד משנה (רנ"מ Rav nagad mishne (Ranam) (Warrant Officer Warrant Officer A warrant officer is an officer in a military organization who is designated an officer by a warrant, as distinguished from a commissioned officer who is designated an officer by a commission, or from non-commissioned officer who is designated an officer by virtue of seniority.The rank was first... , senior specialist professional, equivalent to NATO WO-2) (it translates as "Junior Warrant Officer" or "Junior Arch-NCO") [Since 2011]
	(רב-סמל בכיר (רס"ב Rav samal bakhír (Rasab) (Command Sergeant Major, the most senior NCO rank, equivalent to NATO OR-9; it translates as "Chief Master-Sergeant")
	(רב-סמל מתקדם (רס"מ Rav samal mitkadem (Rasam) (Sergeant Major Sergeant Major Sergeants major is a senior non-commissioned rank or appointment in many militaries around the world. In Commonwealth countries, Sergeants Major are usually appointments held by senior non-commissioned officers or warrant officers... , NATO OR-9, senior soldier of a company, battery, battalion or regiment; it translates as "Advanced Master-Sergeant")
	(רב-סמל ראשון (רס"ר Rav samal rishon (Rasar) (Master Sergeant Master Sergeant A master sergeant is the military rank for a senior non-commissioned officer in some armed forces.-Israel Defense Forces:Rav samal rishoninsignia IDF... , senior non-commissioned officer, equivalent to NATO OR Ranks and insignia of NATO Armies Enlisted The following lists the enlisted ranks and insignia of NATO member armies:-Other/Enlisted ranks :-See also:* NATO* Ranks and insignia of NATO* Ranks and insignia of NATO Armies Officers* Ranks and insignia of NATO Armies Enlisted... -8–OR-9; it translates as "Master-Sergeant First Class")
	(רב-סמל (רס"ל Rav samal (Rasal) (Sergeant First Class Sergeant First Class Sergeant First Class is the seventh enlisted rank in the U.S. Army, above Staff Sergeant and below Master Sergeant and First Sergeant, and is the first senior non-commissioned officer rank... , equivalent to Nato OR-7; it translates as "Master-Sergeant")
חוגרים *Hogrim* Enlisted	( סמל ראשון (סמ"ר Samal rishon (Samar) (Staff Sergeant Staff Sergeant Staff sergeant is a rank of non-commissioned officer used in several countries.The origin of the name is that they were part of the staff of a British army regiment and paid at that level rather than as a member of a battalion or company.-Australia:... , a Squad Leader, Nato OR-6; it translates as "Sergeant First Class")
	סמל Samal (Sergeant Sergeant Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent.... , a Squad Leader, Nato OR-5; it translates as "Sergeant".)
	(רב טוראי (רב"ט Rav turai (Rabat) (Corporal Corporal Corporal is a rank in use in some form by most militaries and by some police forces or other uniformed organizations. It is usually equivalent to NATO Rank Code OR-4.... , Nato OR-3 - OR-4; it traslates as "Arch-Private")
	טוראי Turai (Private E-2 or Private Private (rank) A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank .In modern military parlance, 'Private' is shortened to 'Pte' in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries and to 'Pvt.' in the United States.Notably both Sir Fitzroy MacLean and Enoch Powell are examples of, rare, rapid career... , Nato OR-2; it translates as "Private")	(none)
*Tiron* Recruit (Not an actual rank)	טירון Tirón (Private E1 Private (rank) A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank .In modern military parlance, 'Private' is shortened to 'Pte' in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries and to 'Pvt.' in the United States.Notably both Sir Fitzroy MacLean and Enoch Powell are examples of, rare, rapid career... or Recruit Army recruit Recruit or army recruit is a term often colloquially used to refer to the lowest military rank in various armed services. It usually implies that the soldier so labeled has not yet completed basic training.... , NATO OR-1) [Formally not a rank. (See comments in notes in the bottom)]	(none)
No longer in use	(ממלא מקום קצין (ממ"ק Memale makom katsín (Mamak) (Lowest officer posts) (Acting Officer or Aspirant Officer Cadet Officer cadet is a rank held by military and merchant navy cadets during their training to become commissioned officers and merchant navy officers, respectively. The term officer trainee is used interchangeably in some countries... ; A brevet officer ranking below a Junior Lieutenant) (Memale makom translates as "successor" or "placeholder", and katsin means "officer") [Existed until 1994 and no longer in use]
	(רב טוראי ראשון (רט"ר Rav turái rishón (Ratár) (First Corporal Master Corporal Master Corporal , in the Canadian Forces and the Royal Canadian Army Cadets is an appointment of the rank of Corporal in the Canadian Army and Royal Canadian Airforce... ) [Existed from 1972 to 1982 and no longer in use. (See comments in notes in the bottom)]
	(טוראי ראשון (טר"ש Turai rishon (Tarash) (Private E-3 or Private First Class Private First Class Private First Class is a military rank held by junior enlisted persons.- Singapore :The rank of Private First Class in the Singapore Armed Forces lies between the ranks of Private and Lance-Corporal . It is usually held by conscript soldiers midway through their national service term... , Nato OR-3) [Existed until 1999 and no longer in use. (See comments in notes in the bottom)]

History

When the IDF were created in 1948, there were 7 enlisted and NCO ranks, and 8 officer ranks. The ranks were as follows:

Enlisted	Officer
	Rav-Aluf ("Chief Leader", Lieutenant General)
Rav Samal Rishon ("Chief Sergeant First Class", Master Sergeant)	Aluf Aluf Aluf is the term used for General and Admiral in the Israel Defense Forces . In addition to the Aluf rank itself, there are four other ranks which are derivatives of the word... ("Leader", Major General)
Rav Samal Yehidati ("Chief Sergeant Second Class", First Sergeant)	Aluf-Mishneh ("Second Leader", Colonel)
Samal Rishon ("Sergeant First Class", Staff Sergeant)	Sgan Aluf ("Vice-Leader", Lieutenant Colonel)
Samal (Sergeant)	Rav Seren ("Chief Captain", Major)
Rav Turai ("Chief Private", Corporal)	Seren (Captain)
Turai Rishon (Private First Class)	Segen (Lieutenant)
Turai (Private)	Segen Mishneh (Second Lieutenant)

Ranks and their insignia were influenced by the British / Commonwealth model. This was later reformed when the IDF started to adopt a rank system similar to the United States armed forces in the 1990s.

The Rav Samal Yehidati was equal to a Warrant Officer II (Company Sergeant Major

Company Sergeant Major

A company sergeant major is the senior non-commissioned soldier of a company in the armies of many Commonwealth countries, responsible for standards and discipline. In combat, his prime responsibility is the supply of ammunition to the company...

) and Rav Samal Rishon was equivalent to a Warrant Officer I (Regimental Sergeant Major

Regimental Sergeant Major

Regimental Sergeant Major is an appointment held by warrant officers class 1 in the British Army, the British Royal Marines and in the armies of many Commonwealth nations, including Australia and New Zealand; and by chief warrant officers in the Canadian Forces...

). They wore their insignia on the lower sleeve of their shirt or jacket or on a leather wrist strap when wearing short-sleeve order.

Israel Defense Forces ranks

Current ranks

History

See also

External links