Singapore Armed Forces ranks
Encyclopedia
The Singapore Armed Forces
(SAF) has two rank structures.
One rank structure is similar to that of other military in other country. One major difference is that the SAF uses a unified rank structure, with identical rank names and insignia throughout the Army
, Navy
, and Air Force
. For example, traditional Navy ranks such as Ensign
and Commander
have been replaced with Army-style ranks. Only two exceptions exist to the unified rank structure. Firstly, among the flag officer ranks, the Navy retains the Admiral
ranks. The second exception is for the rank insignia for Private
and Private First Class
among the Air Force, and the Army and Navy.
This structure is subdivided for Officer
, Warrant Officer
s, Specialist
s, and enlisted men.
The other structure is for the Military Domain Experts Scheme (MDES), which comprises eight ranks (ME1 – ME8). Personnel under this Scheme are collectively known as Military Experts (MEs).
, South Korea, and (in particular) Indonesia
for example. American influence is obvious in relation to the existence of two Rear Admiral ranks.
The SAF rank structure is largely similar to that of the Singapore Civil Defence Force
up to the rank of Colonel.
and Specialist Cadet School. They are sent to Officer Cadet School
to train, and are commissioned on graduation. Specialists may attend Officer Cadet School on recommendation as well. Even officers sent to train at friendly service academies complete the majority of the Officer Cadet Course and are commissioned prior. As a result, SAFTI Military Institute is considered the spiritual home of the Officer Corps.
Graduating from junior colleges or polytechnics is a prerequisite to be selected for OCS. Career officers with A level qualifications are expected to obtain further studies in university; many scholarships are given for university education at local or overseas universities.
The role of officers in the SAF mirrors that of most Western militaries. Officers are generalists who exercise leadership and command. They are assisted by the Specialists who provide technical expertise, train and discipline the enlistees, and serve as the institutional memory of the SAF. Several of the SAF's top officers have had operational military experience overseas
The Singapore Armed Forces Overseas Scholarship
(SAFOS) is given to outstanding officers with excellent academic results, co-curricular activities and Officer Cadet School performance. These scholars have a different tour of duty from the rest of the officers as they are exposed to a broader range of military tactics and various kinds of ministry in Singapore. SAFOS scholars are groomed for the highest levels of command and management in the SAF and beyond.
and are trained at Specialist Cadet School. As of 22 December 2008, all specialist trainees are given the rank of Specialist Cadet (SCT). This rank is worn until they pass out from SCS, after which the trainees are promoted to the rank of Third Sergeant (3SG).
The requirements for selection are similar to that of officers - graduation from junior college or polytechnic. The majority of soldiers who are selected to train to be Specialists by this route remain National Servicemen
and usually do not decide to sign-on as regulars. This is most likely due to the better career prospects available outside the military to people with such educational qualifications. The primary source of regular Specialists is from ITE
and polytechnics, through various schemes which provide study grants.
This scheme replaces the now-defunct SAF Education Centre whose role was to give boys aged 14–17 who were not academically inclined a career in the military.
(3WO) as soon as 6 years into their service. NSmen who have also exhibited excellent track records as well as excellent military performance can also be considered for conversion to be a Warrant Officer.
Third Warrant Officers (3WO) train at SAFWOS (Singapore Armed Forces Warrant Officer School) and attend the Joint Warrant Officer Course to be promoted to the rank of Second Warrant Officer
(2WO).
Warrant Officers serve as mentors as well as disciplinarians in many training institutes as well as active battalion units. They are usually referred to as "Encik" , which means "Mister" in malay, in deference to their seniority as well as experience and knowledge. Otherwise, they are referred to by juniors as "Sir".
The Warrant Officer's creed details the roles and responsibilities of the Specialist as a commander and as a leader of men under his charge.
Personnel from pre-MDES who made the switch to the MDES will be converted to the MDES ranks based on their previous, more traditional SAF ranks. The below shows the MDES ranks those who converted will hold:
ME1: Third Sergeant
(3SG), Second Sergeant
(2SG) and First Sergeant
(1SG)
ME2: Staff Sergeant
(SSG) and Master Sergeant
(MSG)
ME3: Third Warrant Officer
(3WO), Second Warrant Officer
(2WO) and First Warrant Officer
(1WO)
ME4: Master Warrant Officer
(MWO), Second Lieutenant
(2LT), Lieutenant
(LTA) and Captain (CPT)
ME5: Major
(MAJ), Senior Warrant Officer
(SWO)
ME6: Lieutenant Colonel
(LTC) and Senior Lieutenant Colonel
(SLTC)
ME7: Colonel
(COL)
ME8: Brigadier General
(BG)
These ranks are not meant to be exactly equivalent to any of the traditional SAF ranks.
rank system, with the exception of the MDES structure, uses the same rank name for all three services until the rank of Colonel (inclusive). Currently, the official table of ranks stops at three stars.
For the camouflage "Number 4" uniform, all rank insignia are worn on the chest straps. For other dress (No. 1 through 3 & 5), the rank insignia are worn on the shoulder boards for officers, warrant officers and Military Experts, and on the sleeves for specialists and enlisted men. For specialised uniforms such as coveralls and flight suits (No. 4C), ranks of officers, warrant officers and Military Experts are sewn on both shoulders, and on the right sleeves for specialists and enlisted men. The old non-pixelised uniform had officers' and warrant officers' ranks on the shoulder epaulettes, and on the sleeves for specialists and enlisted ranks.
To assist in the comparison of ranks in the armed forces of different countries, established NATO rank codes are used.
The rank of Corporal First Class is awarded to Corporals in the top 30% of their cohort who have held the rank for at least six months.
The title of a personnel with the vocation of Engineer, based on his MDES rank, would be thus:
Singapore Armed Forces
The Singapore Armed Forces is the military arm of the Total Defence of the Republic of Singapore; as well as the military component of the Ministry of Defence. The SAF comprises three branches: the Singapore Army, the Republic of Singapore Air Force and the Republic of Singapore Navy...
(SAF) has two rank structures.
One rank structure is similar to that of other military in other country. One major difference is that the SAF uses a unified rank structure, with identical rank names and insignia throughout the Army
Singapore Army
The Singapore Army is the branch of the Singapore Armed Forces responsible for land operations. It is the largest of the three armed services and heavily reliant on a conscript army, comprising the majority of Singapore's Operationally Ready National Servicemen .-Capabilities:The mission of the...
, Navy
Republic of Singapore Navy
The Republic of Singapore Navy is the naval component of the Singapore Armed Forces , responsible for the defence of Singapore against sea-borne threats and protection of its sea lines of communications. Operating within the crowded littoral waters of the Singapore Strait, the RSN is regarded as...
, and Air Force
Republic of Singapore Air Force
The Republic of Singapore Air Force is the air arm of the Singapore Armed Forces. It was first established in 1968 as the Singapore Air Defence Command...
. For example, traditional Navy ranks such as Ensign
Ensign
An ensign is a national flag when used at sea, in vexillology, or a distinguishing token, emblem, or badge, such as a symbol of office in heraldry...
and Commander
Commander
Commander is a naval rank which is also sometimes used as a military title depending on the individual customs of a given military service. Commander is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the armed forces, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Commander as a naval...
have been replaced with Army-style ranks. Only two exceptions exist to the unified rank structure. Firstly, among the flag officer ranks, the Navy retains the Admiral
Admiral
Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"...
ranks. The second exception is for the rank insignia for 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...
and 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...
among the Air Force, and the Army and Navy.
This structure is subdivided for Officer
Officer (armed forces)
An officer is a member of an armed force or uniformed service who holds a position of authority. Commissioned officers derive authority directly from a sovereign power and, as such, hold a commission charging them with the duties and responsibilities of a specific office or position...
, 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...
s, Specialist
Specialist (Singapore)
In the Singapore Armed Forces , Specialists are the group of ranks equivalent to non-commissioned officers in other armed forces. This term was introduced in 1993, for a more "positive" rank classification. In the SAF, Warrant Officers are not considered Specialists.Like many other modern...
s, and enlisted men.
The other structure is for the Military Domain Experts Scheme (MDES), which comprises eight ranks (ME1 – ME8). Personnel under this Scheme are collectively known as Military Experts (MEs).
Comparisons
Unlike most Commonwealth countries, the armed forces of Singapore no longer use British-style rank insignia nor many British rank titles. Company officers are represented by bars, field officers by coats-of-arms and flag and general officers are represented by stars, similar to the systems of the Republic of ChinaRepublic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
, South Korea, and (in particular) Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
for example. American influence is obvious in relation to the existence of two Rear Admiral ranks.
The SAF rank structure is largely similar to that of the Singapore Civil Defence Force
Singapore Civil Defence Force
The Singapore Civil Defence Force is the main agency in charge of the provision of emergency services in Singapore during peacetime and emergency.A uniformed organisation under the purview of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the main role of SCDF is to provide...
up to the rank of Colonel.
Officer Corps
Potential officers in the SAF are selected at Basic Military Training CentreBasic Military Training Centre
The Basic Military Training Centre is a military training facility located in Ladang, Pulau Tekong, in Singapore...
and Specialist Cadet School. They are sent to Officer Cadet School
Officer Cadet School (Singapore)
Officer Cadet School is one of the several training establishments within the SAFTI Military Institute camp complex. Its role is to train officers of all three services of the Singapore Armed Forces...
to train, and are commissioned on graduation. Specialists may attend Officer Cadet School on recommendation as well. Even officers sent to train at friendly service academies complete the majority of the Officer Cadet Course and are commissioned prior. As a result, SAFTI Military Institute is considered the spiritual home of the Officer Corps.
Graduating from junior colleges or polytechnics is a prerequisite to be selected for OCS. Career officers with A level qualifications are expected to obtain further studies in university; many scholarships are given for university education at local or overseas universities.
The role of officers in the SAF mirrors that of most Western militaries. Officers are generalists who exercise leadership and command. They are assisted by the Specialists who provide technical expertise, train and discipline the enlistees, and serve as the institutional memory of the SAF. Several of the SAF's top officers have had operational military experience overseas
Military Scholarship
As with many military organizations, the Singapore Armed Forces aims to build up a network of military personnel that are equipped with knowledge of various fields. Military scholarships and study awards are given to both regular servicemen and woman to broaden their horizons and enhance their learning capability.The Singapore Armed Forces Overseas Scholarship
Singapore Armed Forces Overseas Scholarship
The Singapore Armed Forces Overseas Scholarship , is a scholarship by the Public Service Commission .The SAFOS is second in prestige to the President's Scholarship. Singaporean males have to serve two years of National Service upon completion of their GCE A level or International Baccalaureate...
(SAFOS) is given to outstanding officers with excellent academic results, co-curricular activities and Officer Cadet School performance. These scholars have a different tour of duty from the rest of the officers as they are exposed to a broader range of military tactics and various kinds of ministry in Singapore. SAFOS scholars are groomed for the highest levels of command and management in the SAF and beyond.
Specialists
Potential Specialists are selected at Basic Military Training CentreBasic Military Training Centre
The Basic Military Training Centre is a military training facility located in Ladang, Pulau Tekong, in Singapore...
and are trained at Specialist Cadet School. As of 22 December 2008, all specialist trainees are given the rank of Specialist Cadet (SCT). This rank is worn until they pass out from SCS, after which the trainees are promoted to the rank of Third Sergeant (3SG).
The requirements for selection are similar to that of officers - graduation from junior college or polytechnic. The majority of soldiers who are selected to train to be Specialists by this route remain National Servicemen
National Service in Singapore
Conscription in Singapore, called National Service , requires all male Singaporean citizens and second-generation permanent residents who have reached the age of 18 to enrol in the military...
and usually do not decide to sign-on as regulars. This is most likely due to the better career prospects available outside the military to people with such educational qualifications. The primary source of regular Specialists is from ITE
Institute of Technical Education
The Institute of Technical Education is a post-secondary institution in Singapore that provides pre-employment training to secondary school leavers and continuing education and training to working adults....
and polytechnics, through various schemes which provide study grants.
This scheme replaces the now-defunct SAF Education Centre whose role was to give boys aged 14–17 who were not academically inclined a career in the military.
Role
The Specialist Corps forms the backbone of the Singapore Army's operations as Specialists are often referred to as "SMEs" or "Subject Matter Experts". They are specifically trained in a variety of weaponries and/or equipment as well as perform other duties such as Administration and/or handle discipline issues (hence the term "Specialist") The Specialist, though the lowest in rank in the command hierarchy, is essential in the running and efficient execution of military exercises or training by being the link between the Officer Corps and the Enlistee by providing a dual link of feedback from the top superiors to the lower enlistees. They are welfare managers as well as authoritative figures that execute the commands of their superiors in lieu of them.Further training
SCS also regularly conducts advanced courses like the Platoon Sergeant's Course and Company Sergeant Major Course, in which regular, NSmen and full-time National Service Men who have exhibited and showcased outstanding military performance on/off the field, are selected to train to take up more responsibilities. Hence, it is not surprising to find an NSF Company Sergeant Major in the Singapore Army. More importantly, it is a way to ensure continual NCO Leadership in reserve NS Battalions by providing for, capable and well-trained Specialists to take up the roles which are often given only to Regular Servicemen in active Battalions.Warrant Officers
Regular Specialists who have completed relevant career advancement tours will be offered a chance to progress further in their careers as a Warrant Officer. As of 1 April 2010, outstanding Specialists can attain the new rank of Third Warrant OfficerThird Warrant Officer
Third Warrant Officer is a Warrant Officer rank in the Singapore Armed Forces. It is the most junior of the Warrant Officers, and holders of this rank are given appointments such as Company Sergeant Major. The rank was newly introduced on 14 May 2009, and went into effect on 01 April 2010, as part...
(3WO) as soon as 6 years into their service. NSmen who have also exhibited excellent track records as well as excellent military performance can also be considered for conversion to be a Warrant Officer.
Third Warrant Officers (3WO) train at SAFWOS (Singapore Armed Forces Warrant Officer School) and attend the Joint Warrant Officer Course to be promoted to the rank of Second Warrant Officer
Second Warrant Officer
Second Warrant Officer is a Warrant Officer rank in the Singapore Armed Forces. It was the most junior of the Warrant Officers until the rank of Third Warrant Officer was brought into effect on 01 April 2010....
(2WO).
Warrant Officers serve as mentors as well as disciplinarians in many training institutes as well as active battalion units. They are usually referred to as "Encik" , which means "Mister" in malay, in deference to their seniority as well as experience and knowledge. Otherwise, they are referred to by juniors as "Sir".
The Warrant Officer's creed details the roles and responsibilities of the Specialist as a commander and as a leader of men under his charge.
Military Domain Experts Scheme ranks
The Military Domain Experts Scheme consists of eight ranks. These ranks do not have names, but are instead indicated as MEX, with X being a digit from 1 to 8. The eight-rank structure is further divided into at least two pay grades. The ranks of ME3, ME4, ME6, ME7 have three pay grades. Pay grades are indicated in the format MEX-Y (eg: ME3-2). Usually, only the main rank (eg, ME3) is indicated on any correspondence unless the pay grade is required to be known.Personnel from pre-MDES who made the switch to the MDES will be converted to the MDES ranks based on their previous, more traditional SAF ranks. The below shows the MDES ranks those who converted will hold:
ME1: Third Sergeant
Third Sergeant
Third Sergeant is a Specialist rank in the Singapore Armed Forces. Third Sergeants are the most junior of Specialists, ranking above Corporal First Class, who, in the SAF, are not considered Specialists and do not have command authority...
(3SG), Second Sergeant
Second Sergeant
Second Sergeant is a Specialist rank in the Singapore Armed Forces. Second Sergeants are more senior than Third Sergeants, but less senior than First Sergeants. The rank insignia for a Second Sergeant features the three chevrons pointing down shared by all Specialists, and one chevron pointing...
(2SG) and First Sergeant
First Sergeant
First sergeant is the name of a military rank used in many countries, typically a senior non-commissioned officer.-Singapore:First Sergeant is a Specialist in the Singapore Armed Forces. First Sergeants are the most senior of the junior Specialists, ranking above Second Sergeants, and below Staff...
(1SG)
ME2: 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:...
(SSG) and 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...
(MSG)
ME3: Third Warrant Officer
Third Warrant Officer
Third Warrant Officer is a Warrant Officer rank in the Singapore Armed Forces. It is the most junior of the Warrant Officers, and holders of this rank are given appointments such as Company Sergeant Major. The rank was newly introduced on 14 May 2009, and went into effect on 01 April 2010, as part...
(3WO), Second Warrant Officer
Second Warrant Officer
Second Warrant Officer is a Warrant Officer rank in the Singapore Armed Forces. It was the most junior of the Warrant Officers until the rank of Third Warrant Officer was brought into effect on 01 April 2010....
(2WO) and First Warrant Officer
First Warrant Officer
First Warrant Officer is a Warrant Officer rank in the Singapore Armed Forces. It is senior to Second Warrant Officer but junior to Master Warrant Officer....
(1WO)
ME4: Master Warrant Officer
Master Warrant Officer
Master warrant officer is a senior military rank in the Canadian Forces, Singapore Armed Forces and the Israel Defense Forces.-Canadian Forces:...
(MWO), 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...
(2LT), 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...
(LTA) and Captain (CPT)
ME5: 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. ...
(MAJ), Senior Warrant Officer
Senior Warrant Officer
Senior Warrant Officer is a Warrant Officer rank in the Singapore Armed Forces. It is the highest Warrant Officer rank.The service and formation Regimental Sergeant Majors are mostly Senior Warrant Officers. Many Senior Warrant Officers remain in SAF Warrant Officer School to train and groom...
(SWO)
ME6: 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...
(LTC) and Senior Lieutenant Colonel
Senior Lieutenant Colonel
Senior Lieutenant Colonel is a Senior Officer rank in the Singapore Armed Forces, ranking just above Lieutenant Colonel and below Colonel. The new Senior Lieutenant-Colonel rank will designate those who have been tapped for higher appointments in the army, navy and air force...
(SLTC)
ME7: 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...
(COL)
ME8: 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...
(BG)
These ranks are not meant to be exactly equivalent to any of the traditional SAF ranks.
Insignia
The Singapore Armed ForcesSingapore Armed Forces
The Singapore Armed Forces is the military arm of the Total Defence of the Republic of Singapore; as well as the military component of the Ministry of Defence. The SAF comprises three branches: the Singapore Army, the Republic of Singapore Air Force and the Republic of Singapore Navy...
rank system, with the exception of the MDES structure, uses the same rank name for all three services until the rank of Colonel (inclusive). Currently, the official table of ranks stops at three stars.
For the camouflage "Number 4" uniform, all rank insignia are worn on the chest straps. For other dress (No. 1 through 3 & 5), the rank insignia are worn on the shoulder boards for officers, warrant officers and Military Experts, and on the sleeves for specialists and enlisted men. For specialised uniforms such as coveralls and flight suits (No. 4C), ranks of officers, warrant officers and Military Experts are sewn on both shoulders, and on the right sleeves for specialists and enlisted men. The old non-pixelised uniform had officers' and warrant officers' ranks on the shoulder epaulettes, and on the sleeves for specialists and enlisted ranks.
To assist in the comparison of ranks in the armed forces of different countries, established NATO rank codes are used.
Officers
| NATO rank code | OF-1 | OF-2 | OF-3 | OF-4 | OF-5 | OF-6 | OF-7 | OF-8 | ||
| Rank | 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... |
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... |
Captain | 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. ... |
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... |
Senior Lieutenant Colonel Senior Lieutenant Colonel Senior Lieutenant Colonel is a Senior Officer rank in the Singapore Armed Forces, ranking just above Lieutenant Colonel and below Colonel. The new Senior Lieutenant-Colonel rank will designate those who have been tapped for higher appointments in the army, navy and air force... |
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... |
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... Rear Admiral Rear Admiral Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. It is generally regarded as the lowest of the "admiral" ranks, which are also sometimes referred to as "flag officers" or "flag ranks"... (one-star) |
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... Rear Admiral Rear Admiral Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. It is generally regarded as the lowest of the "admiral" ranks, which are also sometimes referred to as "flag officers" or "flag ranks"... (two-star) |
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.... Vice Admiral Vice Admiral Vice admiral is a senior naval rank of a three-star flag officer, which is equivalent to lieutenant general in the other uniformed services. A vice admiral is typically senior to a rear admiral and junior to an admiral... |
| Abbreviation | 2LT | LTA | CPT | MAJ | LTC | SLTC | COL | BG RADM |
MG RADM |
LG VADM |
Warrant officers
Note: As of 1 April 2010, the SAF has officially introduced a new rank, Third Warrant Officer.Enlistees
The situation for enlistees is a bit more complicated. Recruits of all services do not wear any rank insignia. Only Army Infantry Privates who are awarded the Private First Class rank wear the single chevron. The rank of Private First Class are no longer awarded to active Enlistees, although NSmen or personnel who has achieved this rank prior to it being decommissioned are allowed to wear them. Privates, like recruits, would not have any rank insignia.The rank of Corporal First Class is awarded to Corporals in the top 30% of their cohort who have held the rank for at least six months.
| Rank | 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.... 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... |
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... |
Lance Corporal Lance Corporal Lance corporal is a military rank, used by many armed forces worldwide, and also by some police forces and other uniformed organizations. It is below the rank of corporal, and is typically the lowest non-commissioned officer, usually equivalent to the NATO Rank Grade OR-3.- Etymology :The presumed... |
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.... |
Corporal First Class Corporal First Class Corporal First Class is the highest enlistee rank in the Singapore Armed Forces, ranking just above Corporal and below Third Sergeant. It is awarded to deserving Corporals in the top 30% of their cohort who have held the rank for at least six months... |
| Abbreviation | REC PTE |
PFC | LCP | CPL | CFC |
Military Experts
Military Experts (MEs): Each rank consists of two parts, the first being a prefix based on the rank's seniority, and the second being the vocation name (Engineer). An example would be Assistant Engineer. Exceptions are the rank of ME3 and ME4, which has no prefix and is addressed simply by the vocation name.The title of a personnel with the vocation of Engineer, based on his MDES rank, would be thus:
| Rank | ME1 | ME2 | ME3 | ME4 | ME5 | ME6 | ME7 | ME8 |
| Title | Assistant Engineer | Assistant Engineer | Engineer | Engineer | Senior Engineer | Principal Engineer | Senior Principal Engineer | Chief Engineer |
External links
- Military Ranks of Singapore, accessed 7 March 2010.