View source for Italian Army ranks

{{Short description|none}}
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{{more citations needed|date=August 2013}}
{{Expand German|topic=mil|date=August 2013}}
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The '''Italian Army ranks''' are the ranks used by the [[Italian Army]], the insignia for which are worn on epaulettes of shirts. Ranks in the Italian Army indicate both their officers' status and seniority, as dedicated members of the Italian militia. As of 2024, the lowest rank is "soldato semplice" and the highest rank is "generale". There are a total of 32 ranks in seven categories. These categories include: temporary service volunteers, permanent service volunteers, sergeants, marshals (NCOs), junior officers, senior officers, and generals.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.overthefront.com/resources/military-ranks/italian-ranks |title=Italian Ranks |website=Over the Front |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209095301/https://www.overthefront.com/resources/military-ranks/italian-ranks |archive-date=9 February 2022}}</ref>

In order to clearly show an officer's rank as a form of identification and authority, insignia patches are worn by all members of the Italian army. In each ranking category of officer, there is a trend in the symbols shown on their insignia patches. As soldiers gain ranks, the symbols on their insignia become more detailed and recognizable, such as adding an additional star or stripe per higher rank achieved.<ref>{{Cite patent |country=US |number=6339866 |title=Method and apparatus for a removable nametag or insignia |inventor=French Vaughn}} (patent)</ref>{{better source needed|reason=This patent doesn't contain the above details on insignia changing with rank.|date=September 2019}}

== Current ranks ==
The chart below represents the Italian Army rank insignia used on the [[slip-on]] of winter service uniforms. The color of the uniforms is [[Khaki (color)|khaki]].<ref>In the images the [[Pantone]] colour khaki 16-0726 TC, rendered as RGB 161 143 94, has been used.</ref>

Officers who are assigned to an acting position corresponding to a higher rank than their own wear the insignia of the higher rank, but with the highest star of the insignia trimmed in red enamel. Similarly, an officer temporarily assigned to a position of higher rank in the absence of the incumbent officer displays the highest star in the colour bronze.

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).

=== Officers ===
{|style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Armed Forces/OF/Blank}}
|- style="text-align:center;"
|
| colspan=36 bgcolor=#798051 border=0 style="color: white" | '''Officers'''
|- style="text-align:center;"
|
| colspan=10 align="center" bgcolor=#a18f5e border=0 style="color: white"| '''Generals'''
| colspan=6 align="center" bgcolor=#a18f5e border=0 style="color: white"| '''Senior officers'''
| colspan=8 align="center" bgcolor=#a18f5e border=0 style="color: white"| '''Junior officers'''
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Armies/OF/Italy}}
|}

====Special ranks====
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
|- style="background-color:#CCCCCC; text-align:center;"
! NATO Code|| OF-8 || OF-7 || OF-6 || colspan=2| OF-5 || colspan=2| OF-4 || colspan=2| OF-3 || OF-2 || OF-1
|- style="text-align:center;"
| '''Special ranks'''<ref name="Italy_Army" />
| [[File:Rank insignia of generale di corpo d'armata con incarichi speciali of the Army of Italy (1973).svg|50px]]
| [[File:Rank insignia of generale di divisione con funzioni superiori of the Army of Italy (1973).svg|50px]]
| [[File:Rank insignia of generale di brigata con funzioni superiori of the Army of Italy (1973).svg|50px]]
| [[File:Rank insignia of colonnello con funzioni del grado superiore of the Army of Italy (1973).svg|50px]]
| [[File:Rank insignia of colonnello comandante di corpo of the Army of Italy (1973).svg|50px]]
| [[File:Rank insignia of tenente colonnello con funzioni superiori of the Army of Italy (1973).svg|50px]]
| [[File:Rank insignia of tenente colonnello comandante di battaglione of the Army of Italy (1973).svg|50px]]
| [[File:Rank insignia of maggiore con funzioni del grado superiore of the Army of Italy (1973).svg|50px]]
| [[File:Rank insignia of maggiore comandante di battaglione of the Army of Italy (1973).svg|50px]]
| [[File:Rank insignia of capitano con funzioni di grado superiore of the Army of Italy (1973).png|50px]]
| [[File:Rank insignia of tenente comandante di compagnia of the Army of Italy (1973).svg|50px]]
|}

=== Enlisted ===
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0p
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Armies/OR/Blank}}
|- style="text-align:center;"
|
| colspan=22 bgcolor=#798051 border=0 style="color: white" | '''Sub-officers'''
| colspan=4 bgcolor=#798051 border=0 style="color: white" | '''Volunteer ratings'''
| colspan=10 bgcolor=#798051 border=0 style="color: white" | '''Enlisted'''
|- style="text-align:center;"
|
| colspan=8 align="center" bgcolor=#a18f5e border=0 style="color: white"| '''Marshals'''
| colspan=14 align="center" bgcolor=#a18f5e border=0 style="color: white"| '''Sergeants'''
| colspan=4 align="center" bgcolor=#a18f5e border=0 style="color: white"| '''Permanent service volunteers'''
| colspan=10 align="center" bgcolor=#a18f5e border=0 style="color: white"| '''Temporary service volunteers'''
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Armies/OR/Italy}}
|- style="text-align:center;"
! Translation
| colspan=2| First [[sub-lieutenant]]
| colspan=2| Sub-lieutenant
| colspan=2| [[Marshal (Italy)|First marshal]]
| style="vertical-align:center;" colspan=2|
{| style="background-color: transparent; text-align: center;"
| [[Marshal (Italy)|Chief marshal]]
| [[Marshal (Italy)|Ordinary marshal]]
| [[Marshal (Italy)|Marshal]]
|}
| colspan=1| [[Sergeant major|Chief sergeant major]] adjutant
| colspan=1| Chief sergeant major
| colspan=6| [[Sergeant major]]
| colspan=6| [[Sergeant]]
| style="vertical-align:center;" colspan=4|
{| style="background-color: transparent; text-align: center;"
| Graduate adjutant
| First graduate
| Chief graduate
| Graduate select
| Graduate
|}
| colspan=2| Corporal-major
| colspan=6| [[Corporal]]
| colspan=2| [[Private (rank)|Private]]
|}

=== History ===
Enlisted insignia saw no significant changes until 1973 when the chevrons were moved from the sleeve to the shoulder board. 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 with corresponing shoulder board insignia.

=== Current usage ===
The rank of {{lang|it|caporale}} is not a command grade and only results in a higher paygrade, and may be attained by conscript personnel. The ranks up to {{lang|it|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 in a training course.

The rank of {{lang|it|soldato}} is used only for recruits and is substituted by the following, depending on the branch or service of their assignment

* {{lang|it|Fante}}/Fan.                ([[Infantry]]man)
* {{lang|it|Alpino}}/Alp.               ([[Alpini|Mountain infantryman]])
* {{lang|it|Bersagliere}}/Bers.         ([[Marksman]], [[Rifleman]])
* {{lang|it|Paracadutista}}/Par.        ([[Paratrooper|Parachutist]])
* {{lang|it|Granatiere}}/Gra.           ([[Grenadier]])
* {{lang|it|Lagunare}}/Lag.             ([[Lagunari|Lagoon infantryman]])
* {{lang|it|Artigliere}}/Art.           ([[Artillery]]man, Gunner)
* {{lang|it|Trasmettitore}}/Trs.        ([[Signaller]])
* {{lang|it|Assistente di Sanità}}/Asa. ([[Medic]])
* {{lang|it|Cavaliere}}/Cav.            ([[Cavalry]]man)
* {{lang|it|Lanciere}}/Lanc.            ([[Lancer]])
* {{lang|it|Dragone}}/Dra.              ([[Dragoon]])
* {{lang|it|Carrista}}/Cr.              ([[Tank]]er)
* {{lang|it|Autiere}}/Aut.              (Driver)
* {{lang|it|Geniere}}/Gnr.              ([[Pioneer (military)|Pioneer]], [[Sapper]])
* {{lang|it|Guastatore}}/Guast.         (Combat Sapper)
* {{lang|it|Incursore}}/Inc.            ([[Italian Special Forces|Special Forces]] Operator)

== History ==
{{unreferenced section|date=December 2019}}
[[Italian Army]] officers used to wear the ranks on the sleeve, like [[Italian Navy|naval]] officers. Since 1946, insignia were changed in order to align with [[NATO]] regulations. In 1973 the system had the following slight change: the "bastion wall" was added to the stars for general officers, instead of the silver shoulder board; the civic crown was added to the stars for field officers, instead of a gold band on the edge of the epaulette or shoulder strap; 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 more easily recognizable on the field uniform.

=== Timeline of change ===
{{see also|Military ranks of the Kingdom of Italy|Military ranks of the Italian Social Republic}}
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armed Forces/OF/Blank}}
|- style="text-align:center;"
| rowspan=2| '''{{army|Italy}}'''<br />{{small|(1947–1972)}}<ref name=Ranks1947>{{cite web |title=Le Insegne di grado dal 1945 al 1972 |url=http://www.esercito.difesa.it/Equipaggiamenti/Militaria/Gradi/Gradinonpiùinuso/LeInsegnedigradodal1945al1972/Pagine/default.aspx |website=esercito.difesa.it |publisher=Italian Army |access-date=16 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110704143749/http://www.esercito.difesa.it/Equipaggiamenti/Militaria/Gradi/Gradinonpi%C3%B9inuso/LeInsegnedigradodal1945al1972/Pagine/default.aspx |archive-date=4 July 2011 |language=it}}</ref>
| colspan=2 rowspan=2|
| colspan=2| [[File:Rank insignia of generale di corpo d'armata con incarichi speciali of the Italian Army (1945-1972).png|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:Rank insignia of generale di corpo d'armata of the Italian Army (1947-1972).png|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:Rank insignia of generale di divisione of the Italian Army (1945-1972).png|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:Rank insignia of generale di brigata of the Italian Army (1945-1972).png|50px]]
| colspan=1| [[File:Rank insignia of colonnello comandante di reggimento of the Italian Army (1945-1972).png|50px]]
| colspan=1| [[File:Rank insignia of colonnello of the Italian Army (1945-1972).png|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:Rank insignia of tenente colonnello of the Italian Army (1945-1972).png|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:Rank insignia of maggiore of the Italian Army (1945-1972).png|50px]]
| colspan=1| [[File:Rank insignia of primo capitano of the Army of Italy (1973).svg|50px]]
| colspan=1| [[File:Rank insignia of capitano of the Army of Italy (1973).svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:Rank insignia of primo tenente of the Italian Army (1945-1972).png|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:Rank insignia of tenete of the Army of Italy (1973).svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:Rank insignia of sottotenete of the Army of Italy (1973).svg|50px]]
|- style="text-align:center;"
| colspan=2| {{lang|it|Generale di corpo d'armata con incarichi speciali}}
| colspan=2| {{lang|it|Generale di corpo d'armata}}
| colspan=2| {{lang|it|Generale di divisione}}
| colspan=2| {{lang|it|Generale di brigata}}
| colspan=1| {{lang|it|Colonnello comandante di reggimento}}
| colspan=1| {{lang|it|Colonnello}}
| colspan=2| {{lang|it|Tenente colonnello}}
| colspan=2| {{lang|it|Maggiore}}
| colspan=1| {{lang|it|Primo capitano}}
| colspan=1| {{lang|it|Capitano}}
| colspan=2| {{lang|it|Primo tenente}}
| colspan=2| {{lang|it|Tenente}}
| colspan=2| {{lang|it|Sottotenente}}
|- style="text-align:center;"
| rowspan=2| '''{{army|Italy}}'''<br />{{small|(1972–?)}}
|}

=== Enlisted ranks introduced in 2018 ===
{|  style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background:#fff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin:0 12px 12px 0;"
|- style="background:#ccc;"
! colspan=9| Other rank insignia
|- style="background-color:#CCCCCC; text-align:center;"
! NATO Code||OR-9||OR-7||OR-4
|- style="text-align:center; background:#efefef;"
| Shoulder board
| [[File:Rank insignia of primo luogotenente qs of the Army of Italy (2018).svg|50px]]
| [[File:Rank insignia of sergente maggiore capo qualif sp of the Army of Italy (2018).svg|50px]]
| [[File:Rank insignia of caporalmaggiore capo scelto qualif sp of the Army of Italy (2018).svg|50px]]
|- style="text-align:center;"
! Italian<ref name="Q.S. ranks">{{Cite web |url=https://www.forzearmate.eu/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/94_36-2-Lettera-nuovi-gradi-al-COCER.pdf |title=Riordino delle carriere del 27/02/2018 |language=it |trans-title=Reorganization of careers of 27/02/2018 |date=27 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180703021840/https://www.forzearmate.eu/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/94_36-2-Lettera-nuovi-gradi-al-COCER.pdf |archive-date=3 July 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| {{lang|it|Primo luogotenente q.s.}}<ref>q.s. - ({{lang|it|qualifica speciale}} - special rank)</ref>
| {{lang|it|Sergente maggiore capo q.s.}}
| {{lang|it|Caporale maggiore capo scelto q.s.}}
|- style="background:#ccc;"
| colspan=10|
|- style="text-align:center;"
! English
| Sub-lieutenant (special class)
| Chief Sergeant Major<br>(special class)
| Senior Chief Corporal-Major<br>(special class)
|}

=== Enlisted name changes in 2022 ===
On 5 August 2022 the {{lang|it|Caporale maggiore}} ranks in OR-4 were retitled as {{lang|it|Graduato}}.<ref name="LEGGE 5">{{cite web |url=https://www.normattiva.it/uri-res/N2Ls?urn:nir:stato:legge:2022;119~art7 |title=LEGGE 5 agosto 2022, n. 119 |language=it |trans-title=Law 5 August 2022, n. 119 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524123310/https://www.normattiva.it/uri-res/N2Ls?urn:nir:stato:legge:2022;119~art7 |archive-date=24 May 2024}}</ref> {{lang|it|Primo luogotenente q.s.}} and {{lang|it|Sergente maggiore capo q.s.}} were also renamed.<ref name="LEGGE 5"/>

{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
|- style="background-color:#CCCCCC;text-align:center;"
! NATO code
! OR-9
! OR-7
! colspan=5| OR-4
|- style="text-align:center;"
! Insignia
| [[File:Rank insignia of primo luogotenente qs of the Army of Italy (2018).svg|50px]]
| [[File:Rank insignia of sergente maggiore capo qualif sp of the Army of Italy (2018).svg|50px]]
| [[File:Rank insignia of caporalmaggiore capo scelto qualif sp of the Army of Italy (2018).svg|50px]]
| [[File:IT-Army-OR7.svg|50px]]
| [[File:IT-Army-OR6.svg|50px]]
| [[File:IT-Army-OR5.svg|50px]]
| [[File:IT-Army-OR4a.svg|50px]]
|- style="text-align:center;"
| ({{small|1975–2018}})
| 
| 
| 
| {{lang|it|Caporale maggiore capo scelto}}
| {{lang|it|Caporale maggiore capo}}
| {{lang|it|Caporale maggiore scelto}}
| {{lang|it|Primo caporale maggiore}}
|- style="text-align:center;"
| ({{small|2018–2022}})
| {{lang|it|Primo luogotenente q.s.}}
| {{lang|it|Sergente maggiore capo q.s.}}
| {{lang|it|Caporale maggiore capo scelto q.s.}}
| {{lang|it|Caporale maggiore capo scelto}}
| {{lang|it|Caporale maggiore capo}}
| {{lang|it|Caporale maggiore scelto}}
| {{lang|it|Primo caporale maggiore}}
|- style="text-align:center;"
| ({{small|2022–Present}})
| {{lang|it|Primo luogotenente}}
| {{lang|it|Sergente maggiore aiutante}}
| {{lang|it|Gradutato aiutante}}
| {{lang|it|Primo graduato}}
| {{lang|it|Graduato capo}}
| {{lang|it|Graduato scelto}}
| {{lang|it|Graduato}}
|}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Military ranks by country}}

[[Category:Military ranks of Italy]]
[[Category:Italian Army]]