Military ranks of the Netherlands armed forces
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The Military ranks of the Netherlands Armed Forces are the military insignia used by the Netherlands Armed Forces.[1]
Current ranks
- Officer ranks
- Enlisted ranks
| NATO code | OR-9 | OR-8 | OR-7 | OR-6 | OR-5 | OR-4 | OR-3 | OR-2 | OR-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infantry ranks | Adjudant-onderofficier | Sergeant-majoor | Sergeant der 1e klasse | Sergeant | Korporaal der 1e klasse | Korporaal | Soldaat der 1e klasse | Soldaat der 2e klasse | Soldaat der 3e klasse | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Artillery ranks | Opperwachtmeester | Wachtmeester der 1e klasse | Wachtmeester | Kanonier der 1e klasse | Kanonier der 2e klasse | Kanonier der 3e klasse | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cavalry ranks | Adjudant-onderofficier | Opperwachtmeester | Wachtmeester der 1e klasse | Wachtmeester | Korporaal der 1e klasse | Korporaal | Huzaar der 1e klasse | Huzaar der 2e klasse | Huzaar der 3e klasse | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Administration ranks | Sergeant-majoor | Sergeant der 1e klasse | Sergeant | Soldaat der 1e klasse | Soldaat der 2e klasse | Soldaat der 3e klasse | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NATO code | OR-9 | OR-8 | OR-7 | OR-6 | OR-5 | OR-4 | OR-3 | OR-2 | OR-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No insignia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjudant-onderofficier/ Opperschipper |
Sergeant-majoor/ Schipper |
Sergeant/ Bootsman |
Korporaal/ Kwartiermeester |
Matroos der 1e klasse | Matroos der 2e klasse | Matroos der 3e klasse | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No insignia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjudant-onderofficier | Sergeant-majoor | Sergeant | Korporaal | Marinier der 1e klasse | Marinier der 2e klasse | Marinier der 3e klasse | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjudant-onderofficier | Sergeant-majoor | Sergeant der 1e klasse | Sergeant | Korporaal der 1e klasse | Korporaal | Soldaat der 1ste klasse | Soldaat der 2de klasse | Soldaat der 3de klasse | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjudant-onderofficier | Opperwachtmeester | Wachtmeester der 1e klasse | Wachtmeester | Marechaussee der 1e klasse | Marechaussee der 2e klasse | Marechaussee der 3e klasse | Marechaussee der 4e klasse | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NATO code | OR-9 | OR-8 | OR-7 | OR-6 | OR-5 | OR-4 | OR-3 | OR-2 | OR-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In 2003 the appointments of Stafadjudant-onderofficier were introduced.
| Rank group | Senior NCO | ||
|---|---|---|---|
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||
| Stafadjudant-onderofficier (Landmachtadjudant) | Stafadjudant-onderofficier (Brigadeadjudant) | Stafadjudant-onderofficier (Bataljonsadjudant) | |
The Dutch titles for privates are:[2]
| Name | |
|---|---|
| Infantry | Soldaat, Stoter, Grenadier, Jager, Fusilier, Commando, Pontonnier |
| Cavalry | Huzaar |
| Artillery | Kannonier, Rijder |
Cadet ranks at the Royal Military Academy and Royal Naval College
| NATO code | OF(D) | Student officer | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OR-5 | OR-4 | OR-3 | OR-1 | ||||
| 5th year | 4th year | 3rd year | 2nd year | 1st year | |||
| Vaandrig/Kornet | Sergeant/ Wachtmeester |
Korporaal der 1e klasse | Korporaal | Soldaat/ Huzaar/ Kanonier der 3e klasse | |||
| Vaandrig | Sergeant | Korporaal der 1e klasse | Korporaal | Soldaat der 3de klasse | |||
Netherlands Marine Corps |
|||||||
| Sergeant-Adelborst | Korporaal-Adelborst | Adelborst der 1e klasse | Adelborst | ||||
| Kornet | Cadet Wachtmeester | Cadet Marechaussee der 1e klasse | Cadet Marechaussee der 2e klasse | Cadet Marechaussee der 4e klasse | |||
Overseas forces
- Officer ranks
| NATO code | OF-10 | OF-9 | OF-8 | OF-7 | OF-6 | OF-5 | OF-4 | OF-3 | OF-2 | OF-1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Curaçao |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kolonel | Luitenant-kolonel | Majoor | Kapitein | 1e Luitenant | 2e Luitenant | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sint Maarten |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kolonel | Luitenant-kolonel | Majoor | Kapitein | 1e Luitenant | 2e Luitenant | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
- Student officers
| NATO code | OF(D) |
|---|---|
Curaçao |
|
| Vaandrig | |
Sint Maarten |
|
| Vaandrig |
- Enlisted ranks
| NATO code | OR-9 | OR-8 | OR-7 | OR-6 | OR-5 | OR-4 | OR-3 | OR-2 | OR-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Curaçao |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Staf adjudant onderofficier | Adjudant onderofficer | Sergeant-majoor | Sergeant | Korporaal | Soldaat 1ste klas | Soldaat 2de klas | Soldaat | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sint Maarten |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Staf adjudant onderofficier | Adjudant onderofficer | Sergeant-majoor | Sergeant | Korporaal | Soldaat 1ste klas | Soldaat 2de klas | Soldaat | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Royal insignia
In 2013, the King of the Netherlands was given special insignia[a] showing the regalia orb, scepter and sword for army and navy. Although it indicates no rank, it shows his lasting connection to the armed forces.[5]
| Rank group | the Monarch |
|---|---|
Historic ranks
Royal Netherlands Army
- Officer ranks
| Rank group | General / flag officers | Senior officers | Junior officers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1856–1914 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Veld)Maarschalk | Generaal | Luitenant-generaal | Generaal-majoor | Kolonel | Overste/Luitenant-kolonel | Majoor | Kapitein/Ritmeester | 1e Luitenant | 2e Luitenant | Vaandrig/Kornet | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1914–1940[6][7] |
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| Generaal | Luitenant-generaal | Generaal-majoor | Kolonel | Overste/Luitenant-kolonel | Majoor | Kapitein/Ritmeester | 1e Luitenant | 2e Luitenant | Kapelmeester[8] | Vaandrig/Kornet | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1941–1955[9][10][11] |
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| Generaal | Luitenant-generaal | Generaal-majoor | Kolonel | Overste/Luitenant-kolonel | Majoor | Kapitein/Ritmeester | 1e Luitenant | 2e Luitenant | Kapelmeester | Vaandrig/Kornet | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rank group | General / flag officers | Senior officers | Junior officers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
- Enlisted ranks
| Rank group | Senior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Enlisted | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1856–1922[7] |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vaandeldrager[12] | Adjudant | Opzichter[13] | Sergeant-majoor | Sergeant der 1e klasse | Sergeant | Korporaal | Soldaat/ Kanonier | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vaandeldrager | Adjudant | Opperwachtmeester | Wachtmeester der 1e klasse | Wachtmeester | Brigadier[14] | Huzaar | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rank group | Senior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Enlisted | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1923–1940[7] |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjudant | Opzichter[13] | Sergeant-majoor | Sergeant der 1e klasse | Sergeant | Korporaal | Soldaat/ Kanonier | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjudant | Opperwachtmeester | Wachtmeester der 1e klasse | Wachtmeester | Brigadier | Huzaar | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rank group | Senior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Enlisted | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1941–1955[6] |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjudant | Sergeant-majoor/ Opperwachtmeester |
Sergeant/Wachtmeester | Korporaal | Soldaat/Huzaar/ Kanonier der 1e klasse |
Soldaat/Huzaar/ Kanonier | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1961–1990 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjudant | Opzichter | Sergeant-majoor/ Opperwachtmeester |
Sergeant der 1e klasse/ Wachtmeester der 1e klasse |
Sergeant/Wachtmeester | Korporaal der 1e klasse | Korporaal | Soldaat/Huzaar/ Kanonier der 1e klasse |
Soldaat/Huzaar/ Kanonier der 2e klasse |
Soldaat/Huzaar/ Kanonier der 3e klasse | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NATO code | OR-9 | OR-8 | OR-7 | OR-6 | OR-5 | OR-4 | OR-3 | OR-2 | OR-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Royal Netherlands Air Force
- Officer ranks
| Rank group | General / flag officers | Senior officers | Junior officers | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
c. 1961–1988[15][16] |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Generaal | Luitenant-generaal | Generaal-majoor | Commodore | Kolonel | Luitenant-kolonel | Majoor | Kapitein | Eerste-luitenant | Tweede-luitenant | |||||||||||||||
| NATO code | OF-10 | OF-9 | OF-8 | OF-7 | OF-6 | OF-5 | OF-4 | OF-3 | OF-2 | OF-1 | ||||||||||||||
- Student officers
| NATO code | OF(D) | |
|---|---|---|
c. 1961/1963 |
||
| Vaandrig | Kadet[17] | |
c.1988–2002[16] |
||
| Vaandrig | ||
- Enlisted ranks
| Rank group | Senior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Enlisted | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
c. 1963–1977[15] |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Technisch Opzichter | Adjudant-Onderofficier/Opzichter | Sergeant-majoor | Sergeant der 1e klasse | Sergeant | Korporaal der 1e klasse | Korporaal | Soldaat der 1ste klasse | Soldaat | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1977–unknown |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjudant-Onderofficier | Sergeant-majoor | Sergeant der 1e klasse | Sergeant | Korporaal der 1e klasse | Korporaal | Soldaat der 1ste klasse | Soldaat | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
c.1988–2002[16] |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjudant-Onderofficier | Sergeant-majoor | Sergeant der 1e klasse | Sergeant | Korporaal der 1e klasse | Korporaal | Soldaat der 1ste klasse | Soldaat | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NATO code | OR-9 | OR-8 | OR-7 | OR-6 | OR-5 | OR-4 | OR-3 | OR-2 | OR-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Royal Netherlands Navy
- Officer ranks
Royal Marechaussee
- Officer ranks
| Rank group | General / flag officers | Senior officers | Junior officers | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1945–1961 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Generaal-Majoor | Brigade-Generaal | Kolonel | Luitenant-Kolonel | Majoor | Kapitein | Eerste-Luitenant | Tweede-Luitenant | |||||||||||||||||
1962–1995 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Generaal-Majoor | Brigade-Generaal | Kolonel | Luitenant-Kolonel | Majoor | Kapitein | Eerste-Luitenant | Tweede-Luitenant | |||||||||||||||||
| NATO code | OF-10 | OF-9 | OF-8 | OF-7 | OF-6 | OF-5 | OF-4 | OF-3 | OF-2 | OF-1 | ||||||||||||||
- Enlisted ranks
| Rank group | Senior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Enlisted | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1945–1961 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjudant | Opperwachtmeester | Wachtmeester der 1e klasse | Wachtmeester | Marechaussee der 1e klasse | Marechaussee der 2e klasse | Marechaussee der 3e klasse | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1962–1995 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjudant | Opperwachtmeester Adm. | Opperwachtmeester | Wachtmeester der 1e klasse | Wachtmeester | Marechaussee der 1e klasse | Marechaussee der 2e klasse | Marechaussee der 3e klasse | Marechaussee der 4e klasse | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NATO code | OR-9 | OR-8 | OR-7 | OR-6 | OR-5 | OR-4 | OR-3 | OR-2 | OR-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Former ranks

- (Veld)Maarschalk (Field) Marshal), OF-10 of the Royal Netherlands Army, abolished in 1914.[citation needed]
- Further in the past there were other ranks: Admiraal-generaal (General admiral), Luitenant-admiraal-generaal (Lieutenant General Admiral), and Kapitein-generaal (Captain General).[citation needed]
- The Technisch Opzichter (Technical Supervisor) and Opzichter (Supervisor) ranks were discontinued in 1977.[citation needed]
- The rank of Kapelmeester (Bandmaster) has been discontinued (the insignia was the same as that of Adjudant).[citation needed]
- The rank of Onderluitenant (Under Lieutenant) existed in the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army. An Onderluitenant was the highest non-commissioned officer rank, between adjudant-onderofficier and tweede luitenant. After demobilizing the KNIL, professional soldiers were allowed to return or transfer to the Royal Netherlands Army or the Militaire Luchtvaart (the predecessor of the Royal Netherlands Air and Space Force), while maintaining their rank. The rank insignia for Onderluitenant in the KNIL (and later the Royal Army) consisted of two dots. Onderluitenant Jacques Willem van Asdonck (Rangkasbitung, West Java, 1914) was the last Onderluitenant to leave active service in 1969.[citation needed]
Admiral
| Admiraal | |||||||
See also
Notes
- Since 1983 the Dutch constitution article 97 names the government as a whole as commander in chief of the armed forces instead of a single individual. The monarch as head of state is part of the government, and holds no military ranks as individual


