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Land Forces Navy |
This article involves the ranks of the entire Polish Armed Forces as well as the rank insignia used today.
Origins[]
The present Polish system of rank insignia is a direct descendant of various systems used in the past in the Polish Army. Some of the grades trace their name back to Middle Ages, for instance the rank of chorąży literally means a flag bearer or an Ensign. Other names of Polish ranks are of foreign origin and were in most cases introduced by 17th century mercenaries serving for the Polish Crown. These include the rank of kapral, which is a derivative of Italian caporale - much like the English equivalent of corporal.
Most rank titles are cognates to the ones in English, with some exceptions. Notably colonel's literal meaning is regimental-leader, likewise plutonowy means platoon-leader. Also, the title equivalent to petty officer is identical to the word for boatswain, so a Bosman may or may not be a bosman.
Until World War II, each of the branches of the Land Forces used a set of different names for the same grades. For instance a sergeant was called sierżant in the infantry, ogniomistrz (literally master of fire) in the artillery and wachmistrz (from German Wachtmeister, or Master of the Guards) in the cavalry. This is similar to the German army calling a cavalry officer which is equivalent to Hauptmann a Rittmeister
Modern polish military practices were heavily influenced by Prussian/German and Russian traditions, as most founding officers after 1918 independence were veterans of those respective armies.
Customs[]
The Polish language requires the use of a prior honorific before stating the addressee's rank e.g. 'Panie Kapitanie...' (Sir Captain...). This is directly equivalent to French practice where the possessive Mon is pre-pended to the addressee's rank. During the communist period use of the formal 'Pan' (Sir) was frowned upon and 'Obywatel' (Citizen) (as in: Obywatelu Kapitanie!) was used. This has reverted to prior style in the post-communist era.
It is customary to include other titles when referring to an officer in writing. This can lead to some interesting abbreviations. For example, a Lt. Col. in the airforce by the name Nowak who is a pilot and has a M.Sc. in engineering would be written ppłk pil. mgr inż. Nowak. (LtCol plt MEng Nowak)
Uniquely, Polish forces use a two-fingered version of the salute, and the saluting custom insists one is saluting the eagle (pinned to almost all headwear) rather than the counterparty, therefore one doesn't salute superiors if they aren't wearing a cap/beret etc.
Marshal of Poland[]
| NATO Code | OF-10 | |
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 Polish Armed Forces |
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| pl: | Marszałek Polski | |
| Abbreviation | marsz. | |
| English equivalent | Field Marshal | |
Marshal of Poland (Marszałek Polski) is the highest rank in the Polish Armed Forces. It has been granted to only six officers and is not used currently. At present, this rank is equivalent to a Field Marshal or General of the Army (OF-10) in other NATO armies.
Land Forces[]
Officers[]
| NATO Code | OF-9 | OF-8 | OF-7 | OF-6 | OF-5 | OF-4 | OF-3 | OF-2 | OF-1 | |
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Land Forces |
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| Generał1 | Generał broni | Generał dywizji | Generał brygady | Pułkownik | Podpułkownik | Major | Kapitan | Porucznik | Podporucznik | |
| Abbreviation | gen. | gen. broni | gen. dyw. | gen. bryg. | płk | ppłk | mjr | kpt. | por. | ppor. |
| English equivalent | General | Lieutenant General | Major general (Divisional general) |
Brigadier general (Brigade general) |
Colonel | Lieutenant Colonel | Major | Captain | First lieutenant | Second lieutenant |
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Warrant Officer ranks of the Army[]
| NATO Code | OR-9 | OR-8 | OR-7 | |
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Land Forces |
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| Polish: | Starszy chorąży sztabowy |
Starszy chorąży | Chorąży | Młodszy chorąży |
| Abbreviation | st. chor. szt. | st. chor. | chor. | mł. chor. |
| English: | Senior Staff Warrant Officer | Senior Warrant Officer | Warrant Officer | Junior Warrant Officer |
Non Commissioned Officers and Privates[]
| NATO Code | OR-6 | OR-5 | OR-4 | OR-3 | OR-2 | OR-1 | |
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Land Forces |
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| Polish | Starszy sierżant |
Sierżant | Plutonowy | Starszy kapral |
Kapral | Starszy szeregowy |
Szeregowy |
| English | Staff Sergeant | Sergeant | Master Corporal | Corporal | Lance Corporal | Private 1st Class | Private |
| Abbreviation | st. sierż. | sierż. | plut. | st. kpr | kpr. | st. szer. | szer. |
Air Forces[]
Officers[]
| NATO Code | OF-9 | OF-8 | OF-7 | OF-6 | - | OF-5 | OF-4 | OF-3 | OF-2 | OF-1 | |
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Air Forces |
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| Polish rank | Generał | Generał broni |
Generał dywizji |
Generał brygady |
Pułkownik | Podpułkownik | Major | Kapitan | Porucznik | Podporucznik | |
| English equivalent | General | Lieutenant General | Major General, Divisional General |
Brigadier, Brigade General |
Colonel | Lieutenant Colonel | Major | Captain | Lieutenant | Second Lieutenant | |
| Abbreviation | gen. | gen. broni | gen. dyw. | gen. bryg. | płk | ppłk | mjr | kpt. | por. | ppor. | |
Chorąży rangs Air Force[]
| NATO Code | OR-9 | OR-8 | OR-7 | |
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Air Forces |
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| Polish | Starszy chorąży sztabowy |
Starszy chorąży | Chorąży | Młodszy chorąży |
| Abbreviation | st. chor. szt. | st. chor. | chor. | mł. chor. |
| English: | Staff-senior-chorąży | Senior-chorąży | Chorąży | Junior-chorąży |
Non-commissioned officers and airmen[]
| NATO Code | OR-6 | OR-5 | OR-4 | OR-3 | OR-2 | OR-1 | |
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Air Forces |
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| Polish rank | Starszy Sierżant |
Sierżant | Plutonowy | Starszy Kapral |
Kapral | Starszy Szeregowy |
Szeregowy |
| Technical Sergeant | Flight Sergeant | Staff Sergeant | Senior Airman, Corporal |
Airman 1st Class, Lance Corporal |
Airman | Airman Basic | |
| Abbreviation | st. sierż. | sierż. | plut. | st. kpr | kpr. | st. szer. | szer. |
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Officers[]
| NATO Code | OF-9 | OF-8 | OF-7 | OF-6 | - | OF-5 | OF-4 | OF-3 | OF-2 | OF-1 | |
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Navy |
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| Polish rank | Admirał | Admirał floty1 | Wiceadmirał | Kontradmirał | Komandor | Komandor porucznik |
Komandor podporucznik |
Kapitan marynarki |
Porucznik marynarki |
Podporucznik marynarki | |
| English rank | Admiral | Fleet Admiral1 | Vice Admiral | Rear Admiral, Counter Admiral |
Captain, Commodore |
Commander, Lieutenant Commodore |
Lieutenant Commander, Sublieutenant Commodore |
Lieutenant, Ship Captain |
Lieutenant (junior grade), Ship Lieutenant |
Ensign, Ship Sublieutenant | |
| Abbreviation | adm. | adm. fl. | wadm. | kadm. | kmdr | kmdr por. | kmdr ppor. | kpt. mar. | por. mar. | ppor. mar. | |
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| NATO Code | OR-9 | OR-8 | OR-7 | |
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Navy |
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| Pl: | Starszy chorąży sztabowy marynarki |
Starszy chorąży marynarki |
Chorąży marynarki |
Młodszy chorąży marynarki |
| Abbreviation | st. chor. szt. mar. | st. chor. mar. | chor. mar. | mł. chor. mar. |
| Pl: | Staff-senior-chorąży navy |
Senior-chorąży navy |
Chorąży navy |
Junior-chorąży navy |
Non-commissioned officers and sailors[]
| NATO Code | OR-6 | OR-5 | OR-4 | OR-3 | OR-2 | OR-1 | |
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Navy |
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Bosman | Bosmanmat | Starszy mat |
Mat | Starszy marynarz |
Marynarz | |
| Senior Chief Petty Officer, Senior Boatswain |
Chief Petty Officer, Boatswain |
Petty Officer 1st Class, Junior Boatswain |
Petty Officer 2nd Class | Ordinary Seaman | Seaman Apprentice | Seaman Recruit | |
| Abbreviation | st. bsm. | bsm. | bsmt | st. mat | mat | st. mar. | mar. |
- All naval rank and insignia information is referenced from the Official Website of the Polish Navy [1]
Historical ranks[]
Abolished on July 1, 2004[]
| NATO Code | OR-9 | OR-7 | OR-4 | ||||||||||||
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| Polish rank | Chorąży sztabowy (Army) |
Chorąży sztabowy (Air force) |
Chorąży sztabowy marynarki (Navy) |
Młodszy chorąży sztabowy (Army) |
Młodszy chorąży sztabowy (Air force) |
Młodszy chorąży sztabowy marynarki (Navy) |
Starszy sierżant sztabowy (Army) |
Starszy sierżant sztabowy (Air force) |
Starszy bosman sztabowy (Navy) |
Sierżant sztabowy (Army) |
Sierżant sztabowy (Air force) |
Bosman sztabowy (Navy) |
Starszy plutonowy (Army) |
Starszy plutonowy (Air Force) |
Starszy bosmanmat (Navy) |
| English rank | Senior Warrant Officer | Senior Warrant Officer | Senior Warrant Officer | Master Warrant Officer | Master Warrant Officer | Master Warrant Officer | First Sergeant | Senior Master Sergeant | Command Master Chief Petty Officer | Master Sergeant | Master Sergeant | Master Chief Petty Officer | Lance Sergeant | Chief technician | Chief Petty Officer 2nd class |
| Abbreviation | chor. szt. | chor. szt. | chor. szt. mar. | mł. chor. szt. | mł. chor. szt. | mł. chor. szt. mar. |
st. sierż. szt. | st. sierż. szt. | st. bsm. szt. | sierż. szt. | sierż. szt. | bsm. szt. | st. plut. | st. plut. | st. bsmt. |
Other changes on July 1, 2004[]
Pay Grade changed on July 1, 2004[]
- Młodszy chorąży/Młodszy chorąży marynarki: OR-8 to OR-7
- Starszy chorąży/Starszy chorąży marynarki: OR-8 to OR-9
- Starszy Kapral/Starszy mat: OR-3 to OR-4
Other[]
- Hetman
- Rotmistrz
- Regimentarz
- Strażnik Wielki
- Strażnik Polny
- Pisarz Polny
- Oboźny Wielki
- Oboźny Polny
- Towarzysz
- Bosman floty
See also[]
- Wojsko Polskie (Polish Armed Forces)
- Ranks and insignia of NATO Armies
- Comparative military ranks
- Military Rank
- Polish Scouts rank insignia
External links[]
The original article can be found at Polish Armed Forces rank insignia and the edit history here.