Greek military ranks
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Modern Greek military ranks are based on Ancient Greek and Byzantine terminology.
In the army and air force, these names are often based on the unit or post that a holder of each rank usual commands. For example, a tagmatarchis is in charge of a tagma, which is derived from an Ancient Greek word translatable as "command", "order", or "class", and in modern Greek is a unit equivalent to a battalion in other armies; hence a modern tagmatarchis is a rank equivalent to major in other armies. Similarly, a lochagos normally commands a lochos (a word that originally meant "warband"), which in Ancient Greece was a 100-strong hoplite unit, but in modern Greek usage is equivalent to an infantry company. Hence a lochagos is the equivalent of a captain in other armies, and the modern Greek equivalent of an army first lieutenant is the modern neologism ypolochagos: literally, "sub-captain". Likewise, the modern Greek equivalent of a sergeant is a lochias.
The suffixes -agos and -archos (or -arches), which are often found in Greek rank names, are derived from the roots agein "to lead" and archein "to rule", respectively.
Officers
Officer ranks in the Army retain the style introduced in 1970, with the flaming grenade replacing (since 1975) the phoenix introduced by the Regime of the Colonels in 1973. Navy officer ranks retain the structure introduced in 1936. The Hellenic Air Force, is the youngest of the three services (founded in 1930). Its insignia are based on the British Royal Air Force, while it uses Army rank titles when translated to English.[1]
| NATO code | OF-10 | OF-9 | OF-8 | OF-7 | OF-6 | OF-5 | OF-4 | OF-3 | OF-2 | OF-1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 Hellenic Army[2] |
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| Στρατηγός Stratigos |
Αντιστράτηγος Antistratigos |
Υποστράτηγος Ypostratigos |
Ταξίαρχος Taxiarchos |
Συνταγματάρχης Syntagmatarchis |
Αντισυνταγματάρχης Antisyntagmatarchis |
Ταγματάρχης Tagmatarchis |
Λοχαγός Lochagos |
Υπολοχαγός Ypolochagos |
Ανθυπολοχαγός Anthypolochagos | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Hellenic Navy[3] |
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| Ναύαρχος Navarchos |
Αντιναύαρχος Antinavarchos |
Υποναύαρχος Yponavarchos |
Αρχιπλοίαρχος Archiploiarchos |
Πλοίαρχος Ploiarchos |
Αντιπλοίαρχος Antiploiarchos |
Πλωτάρχης Plotarchis |
Υποπλοίαρχος Ypoploiarchos |
Ανθυποπλοίαρχος Anthypoploiarchos |
Σημαιοφόρος Simaioforos | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Hellenic Air Force[4] |
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| Πτέραρχος Pterarchos |
Αντιπτέραρχος Antipterarchos |
Υποπτέραρχος Ypopterarchos |
Ταξίαρχος Taxiarchos |
Σμήναρχος Sminarchos |
Αντισμήναρχος Antisminarchos |
Επισμηναγός Episminagos |
Σμηναγός Sminagos |
Υποσμηναγός Yposminagos |
Ανθυποσμηναγός Anthyposminagos |
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| NATO code | OF-10 | OF-9 | OF-8 | OF-7 | OF-6 | OF-5 | OF-4 | OF-3 | OF-2 | OF-1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NCO and other ranks
Non-commissioned officer streams
Non-commissioned officers in the Greek armed forces are separated into three streams:
NCO and other ranks insignia
NCO ranks (excl. OR-9 and conscript ranks) have undergone some changes through the years, the latest being in 2004.[7] In the army PNCOs are designated by having two arcs above their chevrons, whereas LTVs have no arcs. In the navy, NCO ranks have undergone changes since 1975. In the navy PNCOs are designated by having two arcs above their chevrons, whereas LTVs have one arc. In the air force PNCOs are designated by having two arcs above their chevrons, whereas LTVs have no arcs.
| NATO code | OR-9 | OR-8 | OR-7 | OR-6 | OR-5 | OR-4 | OR-3 | OR-2 | OR-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Hellenic Army[8] |
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Arm/corps insignia only | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ανθυπασπιστής[a] Anthypaspistis |
Αρχιλοχίας Archilochias |
Επιλοχίας Epilochias |
Λοχίας Lochias |
Δεκανέας Dekaneas |
Υποδεκανέας Ypodekaneas |
Στρατιώτης Stratiotis | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hellenic Army (Conscripts) |
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No equivalent |
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No insignia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Δόκιμος Έφεδρος Αξιωματικός Dokimos Efedros Axiomatikos[a] |
Λοχίας Lochias |
Δεκανέας Dekaneas |
Υποδεκανέας Ypodekaneas |
Υποψήφιος Έφεδρος Βαθμοφόρος Ypopsifios Efedros Bathmoforos |
Στρατιώτης Stratiotis | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hellenic Navy[9] |
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| Ανθυπασπιστής[a] Anthypaspistis |
Αρχικελευστής Archikelefstis |
Επικελευστής Epikelefstis |
Κελευστής Kelefstis |
Δίοπος Diopos |
Ναύτης Naftis | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hellenic Navy (Conscripts) |
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No equivalent |
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| Σημαιοφόρος Επίκουρος Αξιωματικός Simaioforos Epikouros Axiomatikos |
Κελευστής Kelefstis |
Δίοπος Diopos |
Ναύτης Naftis | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hellenic Air Force[4] |
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| Ανθυπασπιστής[a] Anthypaspistis |
Αρχισμηνίας Archisminias |
Επισμηνίας Episminias |
Σμηνίας Sminias |
Υποσμηνίας Yposminias |
Σμηνίτης Sminitis | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hellenic Air Force (Conscripts) |
No equivalent |
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No insignia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Κληρωτός Σμηνίας Klirotos Sminias |
Σμηνίτης Sminitis | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NATO code | OR-9 | OR-8 | OR-7 | OR-6 | OR-5 | OR-4 | OR-3 | OR-2 | OR-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2027 proposed reform
PNCOs
Graduates of PNCO Schools will no longer automatically be promoted to OF-1 after 19 years of service. Instead, a new rank structure will be instituted, with a starting rank of Επιλοχίας Β΄,[10] outranking all volunteers from graduation. Promotions to Anthypaspistís Schimatismoú and above will be effectuated by selection, like flag officers, after the 35-year retirement limit.[10] Promotions to Anthypaspistís V´ and Archilochías V´ will not necessitate time served in the preceeding rank.[10]
PNCOs may be transferred to the officer corps under certain conditions (holding a degree, 14 years of service, etc.).[11] Starting in 2027, all three PNCO schools will confer degrees equivalent to university degrees, like officer academies.[12]
PNCO ranks will be altered as follows:
| Pay grade 2027[13] | Y12 | Y11 | Y10 | Y9 | Y8 | Y7 | Y6 | Y5 | Y4 | Y3 | Y2 | Y1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Insignia[14] | |
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| Name in Greek | Ανθυπασπιστής ΓΕΕΘΑ Anthypaspistís GEETHA |
Ανθυπασπιστής ΓΕ Anthypaspistís GE |
Ανθυπασπιστής Μείζονος Σχημ Anthypaspistís Meízonos Schim |
Ανθυπασπιστής Σχηματισμού Anthypaspistís Schimatismoú |
Ανθυπασπιστής Α΄ Anthypaspistís A´ |
Ανθυπασπιστής Β΄ Anthypaspistís V´ |
Αρχιλοχίας Μονάδος Archilochías Monádos |
Αρχιλοχίας Α΄ Archilochías A´ |
Αρχιλοχίας Β΄ Archilochías V´ |
Επιλοχίας Ανεξάρτητης Υπομονάδος Epilochías Anexártitis Ypomonádos |
Επιλοχίας Α΄ Epilochías A´ |
Επιλοχίας Β΄ Epilochías V´ |
| Translation[citation needed] | HNDGS CWO | General Staff CWO | Major Formation CWO | Formation Command Warrant Officer | Warrant Officer 1st Class | Warrant Officer 2nd Class | Command Sergeant-Major | Sergeant Major 1st Class | Sergeant Major 2nd Class | Independent Subunit Staff Sergeant | Staff Sergeant 1st Class | Staff Sergeant 2nd Class |
Volunteers/Professional Soldiers
Volunteer ranks are also split in two (with the exception of the rank of Stratiotis). Volunteers will no longer be promoted to Archilochías. Promotions to E9-E12 will be effectuated by selection, like flag officers, after the 35-year retirement limit.[15] They may be transferred to the Corps of Permanent NCOs to fill organizational positions if they have completed a specific period of service (e.g., 15 years) and meet academic criteria.[11]
| Pay grade 2027[13] | Rank | Insignia/Description[14] |
|---|---|---|
| E12 | Επιλοχιας Διοικησεως A΄ Ταξης Epilochias Dioikiseos A´ Taxis |
E10 insignia, flaming grenade replaced by golden star |
| E11 | Επιλοχιας Διοικησεως B΄ Ταξης Epilochias Dioikiseos V´ Taxis |
E10 insignia, flaming grenade replaced by silver star |
| E10 | Επιλοχιας Διοικησεως Γ΄ Ταξης Epilochias Dioikiseos G´ Taxis |
E7 insignia covered by three lines |
| E9 | Επιλοχιας Βοηθος Επιτελη Epilochias Voithos Epiteli |
E7 insignia covered by two lines |
| E8 | Επιλοχιας A΄ Ταξης Epilochias A´ Taxis |
E7 insignia covered by a line |
| E7 | Επιλοχιας Β΄ Ταξης Epilochias V´ Taxis |
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| E6 | Λοχιας Βοηθος Επιτελη Lochias Voithos Epiteli |
E4 insignia covered by two straight lines |
| E5 | Λοχιας A΄ Ταξης Lochias A´ Taxis |
E4 insignia covered by a straight line |
| E4 | Λοχιας Β΄ Ταξης Lochias V´ Taxis |
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| E3 | Δεκανεας A΄ Ταξης Dekaneas A´ Taxis |
E2 insignia covered by a straight line |
| E2 | Δεκανεας Β΄ Ταξης Dekaneas V´ Taxis |
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| E1 | Στρατιωτης Stratiotis |
flaming grenade in rhombus |
See also
Notes
- Greece has only one level of Warrant Officer. According to the current issue (2021) of STANAG 2116, the Greek Warrant Officers are included in OR-9, however they are afforded the privileges of an officer. See STANAG 2116 note 29, page D-9