Italian Army Ranks

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This chart represents the Italian Army rank insignia used on the slip-on of winter service uniforms. The color of the uniforms is khaki. [In the images has been used the Pantone colour Khaki 16-0726 TC, rendered as RGB 161 143 94.]

Officers who are assigned to a position attaining a higher rank wear the star of the higher rank with a red enamel. Similarly, officer temporarily assigned to a position attaining a higher rank in vacancy of the officer in charge, wear the star of the higher rank in bronze colour.

As can be seen, the Italian rank system has a large number of junior NCO ranks. Several ranks (which are variations on corporal) have a "chosen" version of the rank, "chosen" having the same sense of "leading", as in the historic British Army appointment of "chosen man" (now called lance-corporal).

History

Italian Army officers used to wear the ranks on the sleeve, like Naval officers. Since 1946, insignia was changed in order to fulfill NATO regulations. In 1973 the system had the following slight change: the wreath was added to the stars for General Officers, instead of the silver epaulette; the crown was added to the stars for Field Officers, instead of a gold band on the edge of the epaulette; the stars began to be placed near the edge of the epaulette instead of in the center. These changes were mostly intended to make insignia easily recognizable on the Field Uniform.

TANAG 2116 ranking

Officials

Enlisted

This chart represents the Italian Army enlisted rank insignia with seniority decreasing left-to-right inside a given pay grade. All ranks of sergente or higher are considered as Under-Officers. Airborne units personnel wear the chevrons on a blue base.

History

Enlisted insignia saw no significant changes until 1973 when the chevrons were moved from the sleeve to the epaulette. In 1997 the new ranks from 1°CM to CMCS were created for permanent service enlisted personnel, and the new insignia were created. in the same year, the rank of C.le Sc. was created as top rank for conscript personnel, and the new insignia was created.

Current usage

The rank of Caporale and of Caporale Scelto are not command grades and only result in a higher paygrade, and may be attained by conscript personnel. The ranks until Caporal Maggiore may be attained by temporary service personnel. Higher Ranks may only be attained by permanent service personnel. Sergeants generally have team command tasks, and are appointed in the rank only after several months training course.The rank of Soldato is used only for recruits and is substituted by the following, depending on the branch or service:
* "Fante"/Fan. (Infantryman)
* "Alpino"/Alp. (Mountain Infantryman)
* "Bersagliere"/Bers. (Marksman)
* "Paracadutista"/Par. (Parachutist)
* "Granatiere"/Gra. (Grenadier)
* "Lagunare"/Lag. (Lagoon Infantryman)
* "Artigliere"/Art. (Artillery Soldier)
* "Trasmettitore"/Trs. (Signaller)
* "Assistente di Sanità"/Asa. (Medic)
* "Cavaliere"/Cav. (Cavalryman)
* "Lanciere"/Lanc. (Lancer)
* "Dragone"/Dra. (Dragoon)
* "Carrista"/Cr. (Tankist)
* "Autiere"/Aut. (Driver)
* "Geniere"/Gnr. (Pioneer)

References

Notes