The 19 Ranks of the Royal Australian Air Force
Being one of the youngest armed forces (it celebrated its 100th birthday this year), the Royal Australian Air Force adopted its ranking system from Britain’s Royal Air Force (RAF). The RAF, itself being Britain’s youngest armed force, adapted its officer ranking system from the Royal Navy and its airman ranks from the British Army.
The rank is displayed on the chest of General Purpose Uniforms or Disruptive Pattern Combat Uniforms, and on the shoulder for all other uniforms except the Service Dress tunic when it is displayed on the sleeve.
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER RANKS OF THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE
1. AIRCRAFTMAN (AC) / AIRCRAFTWOMEN (ACW)
This is the entry level rank for those wishing to enlist as a non-commissioned officers. In the Army, you would be known as “Private” and in the Navy you would be called a “Seaman”. The insignia is blank. Starting pay, as at 13 May 2021, is $65,544.
2. LEADING AIRCRAFTMAN (LAC) / LEADING AIRCRAFTWOMAN (LACW)
One step up from training level, and before being recognised as a non-commissioned officer. In the Army this position is a “Private Proficient”, while in the Navy it is an “Able Seaman”. The rank can be recognised by the single, v-shaped chevron. Remuneration is $66,606.
3. CORPORAL (CPL)
This is the first of the non-commissioned officer rankings and features two chevrons on the rank insignia. The Army equivalent is also “Corporal”, while the Navy equivalent is “Leading Seaman”, and the remuneration starts at $72,255 once promoted to this rank. The word “corporal” comes from the medieval Italian phrase “capo corporale” which means “head of a body”.
4. SERGEANT (SGT)
With three chevrons attached to this rank, the Army equialent is also “Sergeant” and the Navy equivalent is “Petty Officer”. Remuneration on promotion starts at $81,301. As a side-note, the etymolog of the term is from Anglo-French “Serjeant”, which means “servant, valet, court official, or soldier”.
5. FLIGHT SERGEANT (FSGT)
This rank, like that of Sergeant, has three chevrons but also includes a crown above. It is equivalent to the “Chief Petty Officer” in the Navy, and he “Warrent Officer Class 2” in the Australian Army. Starting pay on promotion is $91,670.
6. WARRANT OFFICER (WOFF)
Warrant Officers are unique in that the are held by a warrant rather than a formal commission. They are seen as the most junior of the commissioned ranks, or the most senior of the non-commissioned officer ranks or, in some countries, as a separate category. Their rank insignia is the Australian Coat of Arms. Remuneration on promotion begins at $98,214.
7. WARRANT OFFICER OF THE AIR FORCE (WOFF-AF)
This is the senior Warrent Officer role in the RAAF, which has been around since 1993 and is only ever held by one person at a time — the incumbent is Fiona Grasby, who has held the role since November 2019. The special insignia for this role is the Australian Government’s Coat of Arms encircled by a wreath of Australian native flora. The WOFF-AF reports to the Chief of Air Force (CAF) and acts as a conduit between the RAAF’s senior leadership and the airman ranks. The WOFF-AF takes on the role of Reviewing Officer at ceremonial events such as graduations. They ar also the official custodian of the Airmen’s Code. Remuneration is $142,885.
COMMISSIONED OFFICER RANKS OF THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE
8. OFFICER CADET (OFFCDT)
This is the rank of all personnel undergoing initial officer training within the RAAF. Its equivalent in the Army is “Staff Cadet”, and in the Navy is “Midshipman”. As they hold a probationary, rather than a permanent, commission they are not saluted or referred to as “sir” or “ma’am”.
9. PILOT OFFICER (PLTOFF)
Equivalent to the Army’s “Second Lieutenant”, or the Navy’s “Acting Sub Lieutenant”, this rank is designated by a single light-blue band on a slightly wider black band. It is the lowest commissioned rank and has a remuneration of $72,362 per year.
10. FLYING OFFICER (FLGOFF)
Equivalent to the “Lieutenant” in the Australian Army, or the “Sub Lieutenant” in the Australian Navy. The insignia is barely different from that of the Pilot Officer — it’s a slightly thicker single blue band. This rank is typically achieved after around two-and-a-half years in the Air Force — once initial training has been completed — and, on promotion, has a remuneration of $76,358.
11. FLIGHT LIEUTENANT (FLTLT)
With an insignia of two light-blue bands on a slightly wider black band, the equivalent of the “Flight lieuy” rank in the Army is Captain, and in the Navy is Lieutenant. It is the highest of the Junior Officer Ranks in the Royal Australian Air Force, and this position will be in charge of a ‘Section’ Formation. Achieving this rank is automatic under the RAAF system provided that professional training is completed and the officer does not resign, making this one of the most common officer ranks in the RAAF. Remuneration is $88,705
12. SQUADRON LEADER (SQNLDR)
This rank is equivalent to the Army’s “Major” or the Navy’s “Lieutenant Commander”. It has three, horizontal bands, with the centre band being thinner than the outside two. Squadron Leaders, being the most junior of the Senior Officers, are the lowest rank that may fly a command flag — usually on a flag pole or an official car. They will be in charge of a “Flight” formation. They are paid $108,957 annually on promotion to this position.
13. WING COMMANDER (WGCDR)
With a Navy equivalent of “Commander” and an Army equivalent of “Lieutenant Colonel”, this role has a very similar insignia to that of the Squadron Leader, but with all bands equal thickness. A Wing Commander will lead a Unit or Team as part of a Squadron Formation (generally between five and twenty aircraft). Remuneration is $134,055.
Some notable Wing Commanders include Roald Dahl, who achieved five aerial victories during his time as a WWII fighter pilot, and Nine News presenter Peter Overton, who is a Wing Commander in the RAAF as a specialist reserve public affairs officer.
14. GROUP CAPTAIN (GPCAPT)
Equivalent to the Naval rank of Captain and the Army rank of Colonel, this is the highest of the Senior Officers in the RAAF — before promotion to the Air Officer category. Group Captains are in charge of a ‘Wing Formation’ (two or more squadrons) located at a Directorate or Centre. The insignia of this rank is four thin, light blue bands over four wider black bands. Remuneration on promotion to this position is $157,500
15. AIR COMMODORE (AIRCDRE)
The first of the ‘starred’ Air Officer ranks, this one-star position is equivalent to the Army’s Brigadier position or the Navy’s position of Commodore. The insignia is a light blue band on a broad black band — a ‘fatter’ version of the Junior Flying Officer’s insignia. An Air Commodore will be in charge of a “Force Element Group”, which is comprised of a headquarters and one or more ‘wings’. Remuneration for this position is $201,782. A ‘fun fact’ is that the king or queen can appoint honorary air commodores in the RAF. Two such examples are Prince Charles and Winston Churchill.
16. AIR VICE-MARSHAL (AVM)
This two-star rank is equivalent to a Major General in the Army or a Rear Admiral in the Royal Australian Navy. The position’s insignia is one light blue band on a slightly wider black band over a light blue band on a broader black band — looking similar, but bigger than the Junior Officer position of Flight Lieutenant. Remuneration for this position is $245,795.
17. AIR MARSHAL (AIRMSHL)
This is the most senior, active rank of the RAAF and is considered three-stars (equivalent to a Lieutenant General in the Army or a Vice Admiral in the Navy. It is held by the Chief of Air Force which, at July 2019, was Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld, AO, DSC. The insignia is two light blue bands on slightly wider black bands over a light blue band on a black broad band. Remuneration is $413,896
18. AIR CHIEF MARSHAL (ACM)
This rank is only awarded on the occasion that the Chief of the Defence Force is an officer of the RAAF. The insignia is three light blue bands, each on a slightly wider black band, over a thicker light blue band on a broad black band — four stripes in total. The rank is equivalent to Admiral in the Navy and General in the Army. Only four members of the RAAF have ever held the rank: Sir Frederick Scherger (1961–1966); Sir Neville McNamara (1982–1984); Sir Angus Houston (2005–2011); and Mark Binskin (2014–2018).
19. MARSHAL OF THE RAAF (MRAAF)
This is an honorary (as opposed to an active) rank that has only been awarded twice — and then only to a senior member of the Royal Family. King George VI held the rank from 1939 until his death in 1952. Also, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh received the rank on the RAAF’s 50th anniversary and held the rank until his death in 2021. The rank of MRAAF is displayed using five-stars on a flag, or five stripes on an insignia. The equivalent ranks are Admiral of the Fleet in the Royal Australian Navy or Field Marshal in the Army.
Pay rates as at 13 May 2021: https://www.defencejobs.gov.au/-/media/DFR/Files/DFT_Document_PayRates.pdf
Flags: https://www.adwareflags.com/index.php/raaf-flags#close
