Ranks in the French Navy

Ranks in the French Navy

The rank insignia of the French Navy (French: "Marine Nationale") are worn on shoulder straps of shirts and white jackets, and on sleeves for navy jackets and mantels.

Until 2005, only commissioned officers had an anchor on their insignia, but warrant officers are now receiving them as well.

Unlike in the French Army ("Armée de Terre") and French Air Force ("Armée de l'Air"), one does not prefix "mon" to the name of the rank when addressing an officer (for example, "capitaine" instead of "mon capitaine"). [http://www.culture.gouv.fr/culture/dglf/cogeter/feminisation/5diversite.html#ancre1064047] This custom is sometimes said to date back to the Battle of Trafalgar, when Napoleon decided that French Navy officers did not deserve to be called "monsieur" ("mon" being here elliptical for "monsieur", "sir").

Commanding officers have titles of "capitaine", but are called "commandant" (in the army, both "capitaine" and "commandant" are ranks, which tends to stir some confusion among the public). The two highest ranks, "vice-amiral d'escadre" and "amiral" (admiral), are functions, rather than ranks. They are assumed by officers ranking "vice-amiral" (vice admiral).

The only "amiral de la flotte" (Admiral of the Fleet) was François Darlan after he was refused the dignity of Admiral of France. Equivalent to the dignity of Marshal of France, the rank of Admiral of the Fleet remains theoretical in the Fifth Republic; it was last granted in 1869, during the Second Empire, but retained during the Third Republic until the death of its bearer in 1873. The title of "amiral de la flotte" was created so that Darlan would not have an inferior rank than his counterpart in the British Royal Navy, who had the rank of Admiral of the Fleet.

Insignia

Officers

"Officiers généraux" — General officers

"Officiers supérieurs" — Senior officers

"Officiers subalternes" — Junior officers

Petty officers and enlisted personnel

"Officiers mariniers" — Petty Officers

"Matelots et quartiers-maîtres" — Sailors and quarter-masters


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Ranks in the French Army — Rank insignia in the French army, except for general officers, depends on whether the soldier belongs to a foot arm or a horse arm . All arms are designated either a foot or horse arm. In foot arms the main insignia colour is gold, but in horse… …   Wikipedia

  • French Navy — Marine Nationale Naval Ensign of France Active 1624 present …   Wikipedia

  • List of current French Navy ships — Detail of the Forbin, a modern frigate of the French navy. The faceted appearance reduces radar cross section for stealth. This is a list of current French Navy ships[1][2] …   Wikipedia

  • History of the Royal Navy — Naval Service of the British Armed Forces …   Wikipedia

  • Ranks of the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces — Military of Cuba …   Wikipedia

  • Modern equipment and uniform of the French Army — French Army …   Wikipedia

  • French Armed Forces — Armées françaises Coat of Arms of the French Republic (unofficial) Service branches Armée de Terre …   Wikipedia

  • French name — This article describes the conventions for using people s names in France, including the norms of custom and practice, as well as the legal aspects. Contents 1 Styles and forms of address 1.1 Madame, Mademoiselle, Monsieur 1.2 Military …   Wikipedia

  • Military ranks of the Swiss Armed Forces — The military ranks of the Swiss Army have changed little over the centuries, except for the introduction, in 2001, of a new set of warrant officers. The rank insignia for all personnel are worn on shoulder boards with the appropriate background… …   Wikipedia

  • French commando frogmen — For other nations commando frogmen, and information about frogmen in general, see Frogman. Marine Nationale Motto: Honneur, Patrie, Valeur, Disci …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”