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


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