The Royal Australian Air Force inherited its rank structure from the Royal Air Force. The RAF based its officer ranks on the Royal Navy, and its airmen ranks on the British Army.
Unlike the RAF, RAAF rank abbreviations are always written in uppercase without spaces (eg. PLTOFF, not Plt Off). Also, the RAAF does not have the ranks of Senior Aircraftman, Junior Technician, Chief Technician or Master Aircrew.
Rank insignia is very similar to that of the RAF, with the exception of LAC/W (which is one chevron (two bladed propellor in RAF)). Both officers and airmen wear rank on the shoulder, however it is worn on the sleeve of the ceremonial jacket (lower sleeve for officers, upper sleeve for airmen). The word 'Australia' appears immediately below all rank insignia worn on the shoulder.
The most senior active rank of the RAAF (Air Marshal - a 3-star rank) is reserved for Chief of Air Force.[1] On the occasions that Chief of the Defence Force is occupied by a RAAF officer, that officer holds the rank of Air Chief Marshal. The rank Marshal of the Royal Australian Air Force is currently held as an honorary rank by HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
[edit] Officers
[edit] Air Officers
[edit] Senior Officers
[edit] Junior Officers
[edit] Trainee Officers
| Insignia |
 |
| Title |
Officer Cadet |
| Abbreviation |
OFFCDT |
| Army Equivalent |
Staff Cadet (RMC rank only) Officer Cadet |
| Navy Equivalent |
Midshipman |
[edit] Airmen
[edit] Warrant Officer
| Insignia |
 |
 |
| Title |
Warrant Officer of the Air Force |
Warrant Officer |
| Abbreviation |
WOFF-AF |
WOFF |
| RAAF Code |
E-9 |
E-9 |
| Army Equivalent |
Regimental Sergeant Major of the Army |
Warrant Officer Class 1 |
| Navy Equivalent |
Warrant Officer of the Navy |
Warrant Officer |
[edit] Non-Commissioned Officers
| Insignia |
 |
 |
 |
| Title |
Flight Sergeant |
Sergeant |
Corporal |
| Abbreviation |
FSGT |
SGT |
CPL |
| RAAF Code |
E-8 |
E-6 |
E-5 |
| Army Equivalent |
Warrant Officer Class 2 |
Sergeant |
Corporal |
| Navy Equivalent |
Chief Petty Officer |
Petty Officer |
Leading Seaman |
[edit] Junior Airmen
[edit] See also
[edit] References and notes
- ^ Other non-RAAF 3* positions available to RAAF officers are VCDF, CJOPS, and CCDG.
- ^ "Private Proficient" (PTE(P)) is not a separate formal ADF rank; it is a salary proficiency point which is "automatically" granted after 12 months service as a Private - refer http://www.defence.gov.au/DPE/PAC/V2_Ch1_Pt4.htm and http://www.defence.gov.au/DPE/PAC/V2_Ch3_Pt2_Div3.htm
This is the same as the situation with Seaman being re-classified to Able Seaman, and Aircraftman/Women being re-classified Leading Aircraftman/Women after 12 months; the requirements are the same for all three services. Thus, Able Seaman and Leading Aircraftman/Women do not outrank an Army Private.
The relevant regulations are:
[edit] External links
|
|
|
| General Information |
|
|
| Commands |
|
|
| Current Operations |
|
|
| Other |
|
|
