British Army Rank Structure - Non Commissioned Officer

by mark watson April 29, 2023

We get asked alot about this... so here it is. The British Army non-commissioned officer rank structure, along with illustrations and references:

1. Warrant Officer Class 1 (WO1)
The rank insignia for a Warrant Officer Class 1 is a royal coat of arms. This is the highest non-commissioned officer rank in the British Army and is held by only a small number of individuals.

Reference:
- British Army website: https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/our-people/ranks/
- Ministry of Defence website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/defence-rank-and-insignia

2. Warrant Officer Class 2 (WO2) (CSM /SSM)
The rank insignia for a Warrant Officer Class 2 is split into two roles a royal crown or a crown in a laurel wreath. Warrant Officer Class 2s typically hold supervisory positions or serve as technical experts within their field.

Reference:
- British Army website: https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/our-people/ranks/
- Ministry of Defence website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/defence-rank-and-insignia

3. Staff Sergeant (SSgt)
The rank insignia for a Staff Sergeant is three chevrons and a crown. Staff Sergeants typically serve as platoon staff / platoon hq element, or in other supervisory positions.

Reference:
- British Army website: https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/our-people/ranks/
- Ministry of Defence website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/defence-rank-and-insignia

4. Sergeant (Sgt)
The rank insignia for a Sergeant is three chevrons. Sergeants typically serve as platoon senior or in other management leadership roles.

Reference:
- British Army website: https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/our-people/ranks/
- Ministry of Defence website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/defence-rank-and-insignia

5. Corporal (Cpl)
The rank insignia for a Corporal is two chevrons. Corporals typically serve as team leaders or in other junior leadership roles.

Reference:
- British Army website: https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/our-people/ranks/
- Ministry of Defence website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/defence-rank-and-insignia

6. Lance Corporal (LCpl)
The rank insignia for a Lance Corporal is a single chevron. Lance Corporals typically serve as fire team leaders or in other junior leadership roles.

Reference:
- British Army website: https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/our-people/ranks/
- Ministry of Defence website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/defence-rank-and-insignia

7. Private (Pte)
The rank insignia for a Private is no insignia. Privates are the most junior rank in the British Army.

Reference:
- British Army website: https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/our-people/ranks/
- Ministry of Defence website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/defence-rank-and-insignia