View source for RAF other ranks

{{Short description|None}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2017}}{{Royal Air Force sidebar}}

The term used in the [[Royal Air Force]] (RAF) to refer to all [[Military rank|ranks]] below [[RAF officer ranks|commissioned officer]] level is '''[[Other ranks (UK)|other ranks]]''' (ORs). It includes [[Warrant officer (United Kingdom)|warrant officers]] (WOs), [[non-commissioned officer]]s (NCOs) and [[airmen]].
__TOC__

== Ranks ==
{{RAF Other Ranks}}

== Origins ==
Upon the formation of the Royal Air Force on 1 April 1918, rank titles and badges for ORs were adopted from the [[British Army]], specifically the [[Royal Flying Corps]] (RFC).<ref name="Air of Authority1">{{cite web |first=M. B. |last=Barrass |url=https://www.rafweb.org/Ranks-Uniform/Ranks7.htm |title=Royal Flying Corps Non Commissioned Officers 1912 - 1918 |website=Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation |access-date=19 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220701023453/http://rafweb.org/Ranks-Uniform/Ranks7.htm |archive-date=1 July 2022}}</ref> The RFC ranks of [[Flight Sergeant]] (equivalent to [[Staff Sergeant]]), [[Sergeant]], [[Corporal]] and Air Mechanic were directly adopted. The RFC's four-bladed propeller trade classification badge above the Sergeants' and Flight Sergeants' chevrons was dropped.

To distinguish them from Army personnel, RAF personnel wore the [[Badge of the Royal Air Force|RAF eagle]] on a rectangular patch below the shoulder seam on the sleeve. The RAF Eagle is depicted with its beak turned to the rear rather than the front. RAF NCOs were fond of saying that represented that their eyes were everywhere.

The trade classification of [[Leading Aircraftman]] was created on 5 April 1918 to fill a void in the Service ranks. It was granted the double-bladed propeller rank insignia of the RFC Air Mechanic 1st Class and was equivalent in rank and authority to the Army appointment of Lance-Corporal. On 1 January 1919 the rank of [[Aircraftman]] replaced the ranks of Private, Air Mechanic, and Clerk. Aircraftmen were nicknamed "Erks" (a corruption of the word 'Aircraft') by the senior ranks, which was preferred to 'other ranks' or 'troops'.

The rank of Master Clerk was originally equivalent to Sergeant Major 1st Class. On 28 November 1918, the new rank of Chief Master Clerk was made equivalent to the rank of Sergeant Major 1st Class, and the old rank of Master Clerk was made equivalent to the rank of Sergeant Major 2nd Class.

The original RAF ranks are vertically listed by seniority; the Technical ranks had precedence over the Administrative ranks, which in turn had precedence over the Service ranks. This was meant to keep non-technical NCOs from interfering with the efforts of technical and administrative NCOs. This was abolished in January 1919 and a streamlined single-column rank system was devised.

{|border=1 class=wikitable
!rowspan=2|Rank group
!colspan=5|RAF other ranks (1 April 1918)<ref>''Air Memorandum No. 1'' (March 1918)</ref><ref>''Air Memorandum No. 2'' (April 1918)</ref><ref name="Air of Authority2">{{cite web |first=M. B. |last=Barrass |url=https://www.rafweb.org/Ranks-Uniform/Ranks6.htm |title=RAF Non-Commissioned Ranks/Trade Classifications |website=Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation |access-date=19 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627175132/http://rafweb.org/Ranks-Uniform/Ranks6.htm |archive-date=27 June 2022}}</ref>
!colspan=2 rowspan=2|RAF other ranks (1 January 1919)<ref>''Air Ministry Weekly Order 109'' (1921, reprint of 1923)</ref><ref name="Air of Authority2"/>
|- style="text-align:center;"
!colspan=2|Technical
!Administrative
!colspan=2|Service
|- style="text-align:center;"
|rowspan=4|Senior NCOs
|[[File:British Army (1920–1953), OR-9a.svg|50px]]
|Chief Master Mechanic
|Chief Master Clerk{{efn|Renamed from Master Clerk on 28 November 1918}}
|[[File:British RAF 1918 OR-9.svg|50px]]
|Sergeant Major 1st Class
|[[File:British RAF OR-9 (1919-1953).svg|50px]]
|Sergeant Major 1st Class
|- style="text-align:center;"
|[[File:British Army (1920–1953), OR-7.svg|50px]]
|Master Mechanic
|Master Clerk{{efn|Introduced from 28 November 1918}}
|[[File:British Army (1920–1953), OR-7.svg|50px]]
|Sergeant Major 2nd Class
|[[File:British RAF OR-8 (1919-1939).svg|50px]]
|Sergeant Major 2nd Class
|- style="text-align:center;"
|[[File:RFC Flight Sergeant.svg|50px]]
|Chief Mechanic
|Flight Clerk
|[[File:British Army (1920–1953), OR-6.svg|50px]]
|Flight Sergeant
|[[File:British RAF OR-7b (1919-1953).svg|50px]]
|Flight Sergeant
|- style="text-align:center;"
|[[File:RFC Sergeant.svg|50px]]
|Sergeant Mechanic
|Sergeant Clerk
|[[File:British Army (1920–1953), OR-4.svg|50px]]
|Sergeant
|[[File:British RAF OR-6.svg|50px]]
|Sergeant
|- style="text-align:center;"
|Junior NCOs
|[[File:British Army (1920–1953), OR-3.svg|50px]]
|Corporal Mechanic
|Corporal Clerk
|[[File:British Army (1920–1953), OR-3.svg|50px]]
|Corporal
|[[File:British RAF OR-4.svg|50px]]
|Corporal 
|- style="text-align:center;"
|rowspan=3|Enlisted men
|[[File:RAF Air Mechanic 1st Class 1918-1919.svg|50px]]
|Air Mechanic 1st Class
|Clerk 1st Class
|rowspan=3|
|Leading Aircraftman{{efn|Introduced on 5 April 1918 for Privates 1st Class in receipt of 2 shillings or more per day}}
|[[File:British RAF OR-2a.svg|50px]]
|Leading Aircraftman{{efn|name="LeadingAircraftman"}}
|- style="text-align:center;"
| rowspan=2|
|Air Mechanic 2nd Class
|Clerk 2nd Class
|Private 1st Class
| rowspan=2|
|Aircraftman 1st Class
|- style="text-align:center;"
|Air Mechanic 3rd Class
|Clerk 3rd Class
|Private 2nd Class
|Aircraftman 2nd Class
|}

== 1930–1949 ==
=== Warrant officers ===
In 1933, the ranks of ''Sergeant Major 1st Class'' and ''Sergeant Major 2nd Class'' were renamed '''Warrant Officer Class I''' and '''Warrant Officer Class II''' to put them in line with the Army. In 1939, the rank of Warrant Officer II was abolished and the rank of Warrant Officer I was renamed '''[[Warrant Officer]]'''.<ref name="Air of Authority2"/> RAF Warrant Officers were given equivalent status to the continuing Army rank of Warrant Officer Class I.

=== Aircrew ===
On 1 July 1946, NCOs serving as aircrew were assigned different rank badges which distinguished them from ORs in ground trades.<ref name="Air of Authority5">{{cite web |first=M. B. |last=Barrass |url=https://www.rafweb.org/Ranks-Uniform/Ranks6C.htm |title=Aircrew from 1946 |website=Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation |access-date=19 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627173326/http://rafweb.org/Ranks-Uniform/Ranks6C.htm |archive-date=27 June 2022}}</ref> The new ranks were:
{|class=wikitable
|-
|+RAF aircrew ranks (1946–1950)
|-
!Aircrew rank!!Equivalent rank!!Insignia description{{efn|The RAF Eagle in the insignia is properly displayed with its beak turned to the rear.}}!!Rank insignia
|- 
|[[Master Aircrew]]||Warrant Officer||Wreath closed by Royal Arms and inset with an RAF Eagle within.||[[File:1946 RAF Master Aircrew.svg|centre|100px]]
|-
|[[Aircrew I]]||Flight Sergeant||Crown over Wreath closed by an RAF Eagle and inset with three 6-pointed stars within.||[[File:RAF Aircrew I rank.png|centre|100px]]
|-
|[[Aircrew II]]||Sergeant||Wreath closed by an RAF Eagle and inset with three 6-pointed stars within.||[[File:RAF Aircrew II rank.png|centre|100px]]
|-
|[[Aircrew III]]||Corporal||Wreath closed by an RAF Eagle and inset with two 6-pointed stars within.||[[File:RAF Aircrew III rank.png|centre|100px]]
|-
|[[Aircrew IV]]||Leading Aircraftman||Wreath closed by an RAF Eagle and inset with one 6-pointed star within.||[[File:RAF Aircrew IV rank.png|centre|100px]]
|-
|[[Aircrew Cadet]]||Trainee||Wreath closed by an RAF Eagle and a blank field within.||[[File:RAF Aircrew Cadet rank.png|centre|100px]]
|}

== 1950s ==
{| style="float:right; width:170px; border:solid #ccc 1px; margin:5px;"
|- align="center"
|[[File:1901 pattern Tudor Crown (gold and red).svg|100px]]
|- align="center"
|[[File:Crown of Saint Edward (gold and red).svg|100px]]
|-
| style="padding:0 5px 0 5px; font-size:85%; line-height:14px;"|In 1953, the crown was changed from the [[Tudor Crown (heraldry)|Tudor Crown]] to the [[St Edward's Crown|Crown of St Edward]], when Queen [[Elizabeth II]] adopted a stylised image of the crown for use in coats of arms, badges, logos and various other insignia.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dpc.vic.gov.au/index.php/news-publications/victorian-symbols-emblems/victorian-coat-of-arms |title=Victorian Coat of Arms |publisher=[[Victoria State Government]] |access-date=15 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715173357/https://www.vic.gov.au/history-victorian-coat-arms |archive-date=15 July 2019}}</ref><ref name="Air of Authority2"/>
|}
=== Technicians and aircrew ===
In 1950, a new grading system for technicians was introduced.<ref name="Air of Authority3">{{cite web |first=M. B. |last=Barrass |url=https://www.rafweb.org/Ranks-Uniform/Ranks6A.htm |title=Technician Trades 1950 - 1964 |website=Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation |access-date=19 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220701022032/http://rafweb.org/Ranks-Uniform/Ranks6A.htm |archive-date=1 July 2022}}</ref> This involved the creation of the following ranks:
{|class="wikitable"
|-
|+RAF technician ranks (1950–1964)
|- style="text-align:center"
!Technician rank!!Equivalent rank!!Rank insignia
|- style="text-align:center" 
|[[Master Technician]]||Warrant Officer||[[File:British RAF OR-9 (1919-1953).svg|50px]]
|- style="text-align:center"
|[[Chief Technician]]||Flight Sergeant||[[File:British RAF OR-7a (1950-1953).svg|50px]]
|- style="text-align:center"
|[[Senior Technician]]||Sergeant||[[File:British RAF OR-5 (1950-1964).svg|50px]]
|- style="text-align:center"
|[[Corporal Technician]]||Corporal||[[File:British RAF OR-4a (1950-1964).svg|50px]]
|- style="text-align:center"
|[[Junior Technician]]||Leading Aircraftman||[[File:British RAF OR-3 (1950-1964).svg|50px]]
|}

Also in 1950, the unpopular NCO aircrew ranks were abolished, although Master Aircrew was retained as a rank.<ref name="Air of Authority5"/> Aircrew I became Flight Sergeant Aircrew and Aircrew II, III and IV became Sergeant Aircrew. Both new ranks adopted a gold RAF Eagle between the chevrons to permit continuing distinction from ground trades. Aircrew cadets wore the RAF Eagle on its own as a trade classification badge.

{|class="wikitable"
|-
|+RAF aircrew ranks (1950–present)
|- style="text-align:center"
!Aircrew rank!!Rank insignia
|- style="text-align:center"
|[[Master Aircrew]]||[[File:British RAF (Aircrew) OR-9 (1946-1953).svg|50px]]
|- style="text-align:center"
|[[Flight Sergeant]] Aircrew||[[File:British RAF (Aircrew) OR-7 (1950-1953).svg|50px]]
|- style="text-align:center"
|[[Sergeant]] Aircrew||[[File:British RAF (Aircrew) OR-6.svg|50px]]
|}

=== Junior ranks ===
On 1 January 1951, two junior ranks were introduced:
* Senior Aircraftman/Senior Aircraftwoman with a triple-bladed propeller.
* Leading Aircraftman/Leading Aircraftwoman with a double-bladed propeller (this had previously been only a trade classification and not a rank)

== 1960s ==
=== Technicians ===
{{multiple image
 | perrow      = 2
 | total_width = 300
 | header      = 1964 technician ranks
 | image1      = British RAF OR-7a.svg
 | caption1    = Chief technician
 | image2      = British RAF OR-3 (1964-2005).svg
 | caption2    = Junior technician
}}
In 1964, the technician ranks were abolished, with the exception of [[Junior Technician]] and [[Chief Technician]], the latter becoming an intermediate rank between Sergeant and Flight Sergeant for Technical Trades.<ref name="Air of Authority3"/> Junior Technicians adopted the four-bladed propeller as their badge of rank and Chief Technicians adopted a treble chevron surmounted by a four-bladed propeller as their rank insignia.<ref name="Air of Authority4">{{cite web |first=M. B. |last=Barrass |url=https://www.rafweb.org/Ranks-Uniform/Ranks6B.htm |title=Technician Trades 1964 - present |website=Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation |access-date=19 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220701015252/http://rafweb.org/Ranks-Uniform/Ranks6B.htm |archive-date=1 July 2022}}</ref> Master Technicians, Senior Technicians and Corporal Technicians became Warrant Officer, Sergeant and Corporal respectively. The ORs structure became:
* [[Warrant Officer]] (WO) / [[Master Aircrew]] (MAcr)
* [[Flight Sergeant]] (Flt Sgt, F/Sgt, or FS) / Flight Sergeant Aircrew (FSAcr)
* [[Chief Technician]] (Chf Tech, C/T, or CT)
* [[Sergeant]] (Sgt) / Sergeant Aircrew (SAcr)
* [[Corporal]] (Cpl)
* [[Junior Technician]] (Jnr Tech, J/T, or JT)
* [[Senior Aircraftman]] (SAC) / [[Senior Aircraftwoman]] (SACW)
* [[Leading Aircraftman]] (LAC) / [[Leading Aircraftwoman]] (LACW)
* [[Aircraftman]] (AC) / [[Aircraftwoman]] (ACW)<ref name="Jefford_2014">{{cite book |last1=Jefford |first1=C.G. |title=Observers and Navigators: And Other Non-Pilot Aircrew in the RFC, RNAS and RAF |year=2010 |page=285 |publisher=Grub Street |location=London |isbn=978-1-909808-02-7 |quote=Air Ministry Order A.80/1963 of 6 March 1963 replaced the AC1 and AC2 with just 'Aircraftman' with effect from 1 April 1964}}</ref>

== Changes in the 2000s ==
=== Phasing out of Junior Technician ===
[[File:British RAF OR-2c.svg|thumb|200px|2005 Senior Aircraftman/Aircraftwoman (Technician) rank]]
From 2005 onwards, no more airmen have been promoted to [[Junior Technician]]. Although there are currently personnel in the rank of Junior Technician, once they have all been promoted or discharged from the RAF, the rank will cease to be used. From March 2005, SACs in technical trades who had attained the Operational Performance Standard were promoted to ''Senior Aircraftman/Aircraftwoman (Technician)'' SAC(T) and given a new badge of rank, consisting of the three-bladed propeller inside a circle.<ref name="Air of Authority4"/> This new rank was introduced to distinguish airmen trained to work unsupervised from those who were not, and is equivalent to the old Junior Technician rank.

=== Introduction of Lance Corporal ===
On 1 April 2010, the [[RAF Regiment]] introduced the rank of [[lance corporal]] for SACs at the time who undertook the role of [[Section (military unit)|section]] second-in-command/fire team commander. This gave them more authority on the ground, as well as a better pay band. The rank has not moved to other trades, and is solely in the RAF Regiment.<ref>{{cite news |editor-first=Lesley |editor-last=Woods |date=12 April 2010 |title=New Rank for the RAF Regiment |url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/news/archive.cfm?storyid=F2704E04-5056-A318-A8A32544D3DCB41E |work=[[Royal Air Force]] website |publisher=www.RAF.mod.uk |access-date=16 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160323181530/http://www.raf.mod.uk/news/archive.cfm?storyid=F2704E04-5056-A318-A8A32544D3DCB41E |archive-date=23 March 2016}}</ref>

=== Aviator replaces Airman/Airwoman ===
In November 2021 the official RAF magazine ''AirClues'' promulgated: "the term 'aviator' has now replaced the generic term of ‘airman’ to bring right up to date the way we should describe all of our personnel," since women now numbered a fifth of candidates applying to enlist in the RAF.<ref>{{cite news |work=[[The Times]] |first=Debbie |last=White |date=21 November 2021 |title=RAF goes gender-neutral as aviators replace airmen |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/defence/article/farewell-to-airmen-as-raf-goes-gender-neutral-hx8cpgttm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602183222/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/farewell-to-airmen-as-raf-goes-gender-neutral-hx8cpgttm |archive-date=2 June 2023}}</ref>

=== Air Specialist replaces Airman/Airwoman ===
In July 2022, the RAF officially introduced the ranks Air recruit, Air specialist class 2, Air specialist class 1 and Air specialist (class 1) technician to replace the ranks Aircraftman/woman, Leading Aircraftman/woman, Senior Aircraftman/woman and Senior Aircraftman/woman (Technician). This was an attempt to further promote gender neutrality and inclusion with the RAF.<ref>{{cite web |title=RAF Ranks |url=https://www.raf.mod.uk/our-organisation/raf-ranks/ |website=[[RAF]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220724084253/https://www.raf.mod.uk/our-organisation/raf-ranks/ |archive-date=24 July 2022 |url-status=live}}</reF>

== Timeline of changes ==
{| 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;"
! Rank group 
! colspan=22| Senior NCOs
! colspan=6| Junior NCOs
! colspan=8| Enlisted
|- style="text-align:center;"
! rowspan=2 | {{flagicon image|Flag of the Royal Flying Corps.svg}} [[Royal Flying Corps]]<br/>(1912–April 1918)<ref name="Air of Authority1"/>
| colspan=6| [[File:British Army (1920–1953), OR-9a.svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:British Army (1920–1953), OR-7.svg|50px]]
| colspan=1| [[File:RFC Quartermaster Sergeant.svg|50px]]
| colspan=1| [[File:RFC Flight Sergeant.svg|50px]]
| colspan=12| [[File:RFC Sergeant.svg|50px]]
| colspan=4| [[File:British Army (1920–1953), OR-3.svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:RFC Air Mechanic 1st Class.svg|50px]]
| colspan=8| '''No insignia'''{{Hr}}
|- style="text-align:center;"
| colspan=6| [[Warrant Officer (United Kingdom)#British Army|Warrant officer class I]]
| colspan=2| [[Warrant Officer (United Kingdom)#British Army|Warrant officer class II]]
| colspan=1| Quartermaster sergeant
| colspan=1| Flight sergeant
| colspan=12| Sergeant
| colspan=4| Corporal
| colspan=2| Air mechanic 1st class	
| colspan=6| Air mechanic 2nd class
| colspan=2| Air mechanic 3rd class
|- style="text-align:center;"
! rowspan=2 | {{flagicon image|Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg}} [[Royal Naval Air Service]]<br/>(1914–April 1918)
| colspan=8 rowspan=2| 
| style="vertical-align:middle;" colspan=2 rowspan=2 |
{| style="background-color: transparent; text-align: center;"
| colspan=3|  ''2 golden cuff buttons, and a golden eagle pin on the collar''
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Chief petty officer mechanic, 1st grade
| Chief petty officer mechanic, 2nd grade
| Chief petty officer mechanic, 3rd grade
|}
| colspan=12| [[File:UK Petty officer 1st class 1901.svg|50px]]
| colspan=4| [[File:British Royal Navy OR-4.svg|50px]]
| colspan=2 rowspan=2| 
| colspan=6| [[File:blank.svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:blank.svg|50px]]
|- style="text-align:center;"
| colspan=12| Petty officer mechanic
| colspan=4| Leading mechanic
| colspan=6| Air mechanic, 1st class
| colspan=1| Air mechanic, 1st class (acting)
| colspan=1| Air mechanic, 2nd class
|- style="text-align:center;"
! rowspan=2| (1918 – 1919)<ref name="Air of Authority2"/>
| colspan=6| [[File:British RAF 1918 OR-9.svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:British Army (1920–1953), OR-7.svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:British Army (1920–1953), OR-6.svg|50px]]
| colspan=12| [[File:British Army (1920–1953), OR-4.svg|50px]]
| colspan=4| [[File:British Army (1920–1953), OR-3.svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| 
| colspan=8| '''No insignia'''{{Hr}}
|- style="text-align:center;"
| colspan=6| [[Warrant officer (United Kingdom)#Royal Air Force|Sergeant major 1st class]]
| colspan=2| [[Warrant officer (United Kingdom)#Royal Air Force|Sergeant major 2nd class]]
| colspan=2| [[Flight sergeant]]
| colspan=12| [[Sergeant]]
| colspan=4| [[Corporal]]
| colspan=2| 
| colspan=6| [[Aircraftman|Private 1st class]]
| colspan=2| [[Aircraftman|Private 2nd class]]
|- style="text-align:center;"
! rowspan=2| (1919 – 1933)<ref name="Air of Authority2"/>
| colspan=6| [[File:British RAF OR-9 (1919-1953).svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:British RAF OR-8 (1919-1939).svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:British RAF OR-7b (1919-1953).svg|50px]]
| colspan=12| [[File:British RAF OR-6.svg|50px]]
| colspan=4| [[File:British RAF OR-4.svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| 
| colspan=8| '''No insignia'''{{Hr}}
|- style="text-align:center;"
| colspan=6| [[Warrant officer (United Kingdom)#Royal Air Force|Sergeant major 1st class]]
| colspan=2| [[Warrant officer (United Kingdom)#Royal Air Force|Sergeant major 2nd class]]
| colspan=2| [[Flight sergeant]]
| colspan=12| [[Sergeant]]
| colspan=4| [[Corporal]]
| colspan=2| 
| colspan=3| [[Leading aircraftman]]{{efn|name="LeadingAircraftman"|Used a two bladed propeller badge as a trade classification but not made a rank until 1951}}
| colspan=3| [[Aircraftman|Aircraftman 1st class]]
| colspan=2| [[Aircraftman|Aircraftman 2nd class]]
|- style="text-align:center;"
! rowspan=2| (1933 – 1939)<ref name="Air of Authority2"/>
| colspan=6| [[File:British RAF OR-9 (1919-1953).svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:British RAF OR-8 (1919-1939).svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:British RAF OR-7b (1919-1953).svg|50px]]
| colspan=12| [[File:British RAF OR-6.svg|50px]]
| colspan=4| [[File:British RAF OR-4.svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| 
| colspan=8| '''No insignia'''{{Hr}}
|- style="text-align:center;"
| colspan=6| [[Warrant officer (United Kingdom)#Royal Air Force|Warrant officer class I]]
| colspan=2| [[Warrant officer (United Kingdom)#Royal Air Force|Warrant officer class II]]
| colspan=2| [[Flight sergeant]]
| colspan=12| [[Sergeant]]
| colspan=4| [[Corporal]]
| colspan=2| 
| colspan=3| [[Leading aircraftman]]{{efn|name="LeadingAircraftman"}}
| colspan=3| [[Aircraftman|Aircraftman 1st class]]
| colspan=2| [[Aircraftman|Aircraftman 2nd class]]
|- style="text-align:center;"
! rowspan=2| (1939 – 1950)
| colspan=6| [[File:British RAF OR-9 (1919-1953).svg|50px]]
| colspan=2 rowspan=2| 
| colspan=2| [[File:British RAF OR-7b (1919-1953).svg|50px]]
| colspan=12| [[File:British RAF OR-6.svg|50px]]
| colspan=4| [[File:British RAF OR-4.svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| 
| colspan=8| '''No insignia'''{{Hr}}
|- style="text-align:center;"
| colspan=6| [[Warrant officer (United Kingdom)#Royal Air Force|Warrant officer]]
| colspan=2| [[Flight sergeant]]
| colspan=12| [[Sergeant]]
| colspan=4| [[Corporal]]
| colspan=2| 
| colspan=3| [[Leading aircraftman]]{{efn|name="LeadingAircraftman"}}
| colspan=3| [[Aircraftman|Aircraftman 1st class]]
| colspan=2| [[Aircraftman|Aircraftman 2nd class]]
|- style="text-align:center;"
! rowspan=2| (1950 – 1951)<ref name="Air of Authority3"/>
| colspan=3| [[File:British RAF OR-9 (1919-1953).svg|50px]]
| colspan=3| [[File:British RAF OR-9 (1919-1953).svg|50px]]
| colspan=2 rowspan=2| 
| colspan=1| [[File:British RAF OR-7b (1919-1953).svg|50px]]
| colspan=1| [[File:British RAF OR-7a (1950-1953).svg|50px]]
| colspan=6| [[File:British RAF OR-6.svg|50px]]
| colspan=6| [[File:British RAF OR-5 (1950-1964).svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:British RAF OR-4.svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:British RAF OR-4a (1950-1964).svg|50px]]
| colspan=1| [[File:British RAF OR-3 (1950-1964).svg|50px]]
| colspan=1| 
| colspan=8| '''No insignia'''{{Hr}}
|- style="text-align:center;"
| colspan=3| [[Warrant officer (United Kingdom)#Royal Air Force|Warrant officer]]
| colspan=3| [[Master technician]]
| colspan=1| [[Flight sergeant]]
| colspan=1| [[Chief technician]]
| colspan=6| [[Sergeant]]
| colspan=6| [[Senior technician]]
| colspan=2| [[Corporal]]
| colspan=2| [[Corporal technician]]
| colspan=2| [[Junior technician]]
| colspan=3| [[Leading aircraftman]]{{efn|name="LeadingAircraftman"}}
| colspan=3| [[Aircraftman|Aircraftman 1st class]]
| colspan=2| [[Aircraftman|Aircraftman 2nd class]]
|- style="text-align:center;"
! rowspan=2| (1951 – 1953)
| colspan=3| [[File:British RAF OR-9 (1919-1953).svg|50px]]
| colspan=3| [[File:British RAF OR-9 (1919-1953).svg|50px]]
| colspan=2 rowspan=2| 
| colspan=1| [[File:British RAF OR-7b (1919-1953).svg|50px]]
| colspan=1| [[File:British RAF OR-7a (1950-1953).svg|50px]]
| colspan=6| [[File:British RAF OR-6.svg|50px]]
| colspan=6| [[File:British RAF OR-5 (1950-1964).svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:British RAF OR-4.svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:British RAF OR-4a (1950-1964).svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:British RAF OR-3 (1950-1964).svg|50px]]
| colspan=3| [[File:British RAF OR-2b.svg|50px]]
| colspan=3| [[File:British RAF OR-2a.svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| '''No insignia'''
|- style="text-align:center;"
| colspan=3| [[Warrant officer (United Kingdom)#Royal Air Force|Warrant officer]]
| colspan=3| [[Master technician]]
| colspan=1| [[Flight sergeant]]
| colspan=1| [[Chief technician]]
| colspan=6| [[Sergeant]]
| colspan=6| [[Senior technician]]
| colspan=2| [[Corporal]]
| colspan=2| [[Corporal technician]]
| colspan=2| [[Junior technician]]
| colspan=3| [[Senior aircraftman]]
| colspan=3| [[Leading aircraftman]]
| colspan=2| [[Aircraftman]]
|- style="text-align:center;"
! rowspan=2| (1953 – 1964)
| colspan=3| [[File:British RAF OR-9.svg|50px]]
| colspan=3| [[File:British RAF OR-9.svg|50px]]
| colspan=2 rowspan=2| 
| colspan=1| [[File:British RAF OR-7b.svg|50px]]
| colspan=1| [[File:British RAF OR-7a (1953-1964).svg|50px]]
| colspan=6| [[File:British RAF OR-6.svg|50px]]
| colspan=6| [[File:British RAF OR-5 (1950-1964).svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:British RAF OR-4.svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:British RAF OR-4a (1950-1964).svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:British RAF OR-3 (1950-1964).svg|50px]]
| colspan=3| [[File:British RAF OR-2b.svg|50px]]
| colspan=3| [[File:British RAF OR-2a.svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| '''No insignia'''
|- style="text-align:center;"
| colspan=3| [[Warrant officer (United Kingdom)#Royal Air Force|Warrant officer]]
| colspan=3| [[Master technician]]
| colspan=1| [[Flight sergeant]]
| colspan=1| [[Chief technician]]
| colspan=6| [[Sergeant]]
| colspan=6| [[Senior technician]]
| colspan=2| [[Corporal]]
| colspan=2| [[Corporal technician]]
| colspan=2| [[Junior technician]]
| colspan=3| [[Senior aircraftman]]
| colspan=3| [[Leading aircraftman]]
| colspan=2| [[Aircraftman]]
|- style="text-align:center;"
! rowspan=2| (1964 – 2005)<ref name="Air of Authority4"/>
| colspan=6| [[File:British RAF OR-9.svg|50px]]
| colspan=2 rowspan=2| 
| colspan=1| [[File:British RAF OR-7b.svg|50px]]
| colspan=1| [[File:British RAF OR-7a.svg|50px]]
| colspan=12| [[File:British RAF OR-6.svg|50px]]
| colspan=4| [[File:British RAF OR-4.svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:British RAF OR-3 (1964-2005).svg|50px]]
| colspan=3| [[File:British RAF OR-2b.svg|50px]]
| colspan=3| [[File:British RAF OR-2a.svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| '''No insignia'''
|- style="text-align:center;"
| colspan=6| [[Warrant officer (United Kingdom)#Royal Air Force|Warrant officer]]
| colspan=1| [[Flight sergeant]]
| colspan=1| [[Chief technician]]
| colspan=12| [[Sergeant]]
| colspan=4| [[Corporal]]
| colspan=2| [[Junior technician]]
| colspan=3| [[Senior aircraftman|Senior aircraftman/ woman]]
| colspan=3| [[Leading aircraftman|Leading aircraftman/ woman]]
| colspan=2| [[Aircraftman|Aircraftman/ woman]]
|- style="text-align:center;"
! rowspan=2| (2005 – 2010)<ref name="Air of Authority4"/>
| colspan=6| [[File:British RAF OR-9.svg|50px]]
| colspan=2 rowspan=2| 
| colspan=1| [[File:British RAF OR-7b.svg|50px]]
| colspan=1| [[File:British RAF OR-7a.svg|50px]]
| colspan=12| [[File:British RAF OR-6.svg|50px]]
| colspan=4| [[File:British RAF OR-4.svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| 
| colspan=2| [[File:British RAF OR-2c.svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:British RAF OR-2b.svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:British RAF OR-2a.svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| '''No insignia'''
|- style="text-align:center;"
| colspan=6| [[Warrant officer (United Kingdom)#Royal Air Force|Warrant officer]]
| colspan=1| [[Flight sergeant]]
| colspan=1| [[Chief technician]]
| colspan=12| [[Sergeant]]
| colspan=4| [[Corporal]]
| colspan=2| 
| colspan=2| [[Senior aircraftman technician|Senior aircraftman/<br>woman technician]]
| colspan=2| [[Senior aircraftman|Senior aircraftman/ woman]]
| colspan=2| [[Leading aircraftman|Leading aircraftman/ woman]]
| colspan=2| [[Aircraftman|Aircraftman/ woman]]
|- style="text-align:center;"
! rowspan=2| (2010 – 2022)
| colspan=3| [[File:British RAF OR-9b.svg|50px]]
| colspan=3| [[File:British RAF OR-9.svg|50px]]
| colspan=2 rowspan=2| 
| colspan=1| [[File:British RAF OR-7b.svg|50px]]
| colspan=1| [[File:British RAF OR-7a.svg|50px]]
| colspan=12| [[File:British RAF OR-6.svg|50px]]
| colspan=4| [[File:British RAF OR-4.svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:British RAF OR-3.svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:British RAF OR-2c.svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:British RAF OR-2b.svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:British RAF OR-2a.svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| '''No insignia'''
|- style="text-align:center;"
| colspan=6| [[Warrant officer (United Kingdom)#Royal Air Force|Warrant officer]]
| colspan=1| [[Flight sergeant]]
| colspan=1| [[Chief technician]]
| colspan=12| [[Sergeant]]
| colspan=4| [[Corporal]]
| colspan=2| [[Lance corporal]]<br />{{small|([[RAF Regiment]] only)}}
| colspan=2| [[Senior aircraftman technician|Senior aircraftman/<br>woman technician]]
| colspan=2| [[Senior aircraftman|Senior aircraftman/ woman]]
| colspan=2| [[Leading aircraftman|Leading aircraftman/ woman]]
| colspan=2| [[Aircraftman|Aircraftman/ woman]]
|- style="text-align:center;"
! rowspan=2| (2022 – present)
| colspan=3| [[File:British RAF OR-9b.svg|50px]]
| colspan=3| [[File:British RAF OR-9.svg|50px]]
| colspan=2 rowspan=2| 
| colspan=1| [[File:British RAF OR-7b.svg|50px]]
| colspan=1| [[File:British RAF OR-7a.svg|50px]]
| colspan=12| [[File:British RAF OR-6.svg|50px]]
| colspan=4| [[File:British RAF OR-4.svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:British RAF OR-3.svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:British RAF OR-2c.svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:British RAF OR-2b.svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:British RAF OR-2a.svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| '''No insignia'''
|- style="text-align:center;"
| colspan=6| [[Warrant officer (United Kingdom)#Royal Air Force|Warrant officer]]
| colspan=1| [[Flight sergeant]]
| colspan=1| [[Chief technician]]
| colspan=12| [[Sergeant]]
| colspan=4| [[Corporal]]
| colspan=2| [[Lance corporal]]<br />{{small|([[RAF Regiment]] only)}}
| colspan=2| [[Senior aircraftman technician|Air specialist (class 1) technician]]
| colspan=2| [[Senior aircraftman|Air specialist (class 1)]]
| colspan=2| [[Leading aircraftman|Air specialist (class 2)]]
| colspan=2| [[Aircraftman|Air recruit]]
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Air Forces/OR/Blank}}
|}

;Aircrew
{| 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;"
! Rank group 
! colspan=22| Senior NCOs
! colspan=6| Junior NCOs
! colspan=8| Enlisted
|- style="text-align:center;"
! rowspan=2| (1946 – 1950)<ref name="Air of Authority5"/>
| colspan=6| [[File:British RAF (Aircrew) OR-9 (1946-1953).svg|50px]]
| colspan=2 rowspan=2| 
| colspan=2| [[File:RAF Aircrew I rank.png|50px]]
| colspan=12| [[File:RAF Aircrew II rank.png|50px]]
| colspan=4| [[File:RAF Aircrew III rank.png|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:RAF Aircrew IV rank.png|50px]]
| colspan=6 rowspan=2| 
| colspan=2| [[File:RAF Aircrew Cadet rank.png|50px]]
|- style="text-align:center;"
| colspan=6| [[Master aircrew]]
| colspan=2| [[Aircrew I]]
| colspan=12| [[Aircrew II]]
| colspan=4| [[Aircrew III]]
| colspan=2| [[Aircrew IV]]
| colspan=2| [[Aircrew Cadet]]
|- style="text-align:center;"
! rowspan=2| (1950 – 1953)
| colspan=6| [[File:British RAF (Aircrew) OR-9 (1946-1953).svg|50px]]
| colspan=2 rowspan=2|
| colspan=2| [[File:British RAF (Aircrew) OR-7 (1950-1953).svg|50px]]
| colspan=12| [[File:British RAF (Aircrew) OR-6.svg|50px]]
| colspan=14 rowspan=2| 
|- style="text-align:center;"
| colspan=6| [[Master aircrew]]
| colspan=2| [[Flight sergeant]] aircrew
| colspan=12| [[Sergeant]] aircrew
|- style="text-align:center;"
! rowspan=2| (1953 – present)
| colspan=6| [[File:British RAF (Aircrew) OR-9.svg|50px]]
| colspan=2 rowspan=2| 
| colspan=2| [[File:British RAF (Aircrew) OR-7.svg|50px]]
| colspan=12| [[File:British RAF (Aircrew) OR-6.svg|50px]]
| colspan=14 rowspan=2| 
|- style="text-align:center;"
| colspan=6| [[Master aircrew]]
| colspan=2| [[Flight sergeant]] aircrew
| colspan=12| [[Sergeant]] aircrew
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Air Forces/OR/Blank}}
|}

== See also ==
* [[Aircrew brevet]]
* [[British Army Other Ranks rank insignia]]
* [[Comparative military ranks of World War I]]
* [[Comparative military ranks of World War II]]
* [[Comparative military ranks]]
* [[List of Royal Air Force Ground Trades|List of Royal Air Force ground trades]]
* [[List of Royal Air Force members]]
* [[Military rank]]
* [[RAF officer ranks]]
* [[Ranks and insignia of NATO Air Forces Enlisted]]
* [[Ranks of the cadet forces of the United Kingdom]]
* [[Royal Navy ratings rank insignia]]
* [[Royal Observer Corps#Rank structure|Royal Observer Corps ranks]]
* [[Women's Auxiliary Air Force#Ranks|Women's Auxiliary Air Force ranks]]

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
*[https://www.raf.mod.uk/our-organisation/raf-ranks/ Ranks and Badges of the Royal Air Force]
*[http://www.britairforce.com/raf_ranks_1.htm RAF ORs and equivalents, reproduced from Air Ministry Weekly Order 109 of 1921]

{{UK enlisted ranks}}
{{Royal Air Force}}
{{Military ranks by country}}

[[Category:British military insignia]]
[[Category:Military ranks of the Royal Air Force| ]]