Canadian Forces Ranks and Insignia - Distinctive Rank Names

Distinctive Rank Names

Some branches and regiments use distinctive rank names in place of Master Corporal, Corporal and Private:

Branch Master Corporal Corporal Private
Armoured Branch Master Corporal (caporal-chef) Corporal (caporal) Trooper (cavalier)
Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery Master Bombardier (bombardier-chef) Bombardier (bombardier) Gunner (artilleur)
Military Engineering Branch Master Corporal (caporal-chef) Corporal (caporal) Sapper (sappeur)
Communications and Electronics Branch Master Corporal (caporal-chef) Corporal (caporal) Signalman (signaleur)
Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Branch Master Corporal (caporal-chef) Corporal (caporal) Craftsman (artisan)
Infantry Branch members of guards regiments Master Corporal (caporal-chef) Corporal (caporal) Guardsman (garde)
Infantry Branch members of rifle regiments Master Corporal (caporal-chef) Corporal (caporal) Rifleman (carabinier)
Infantry Branch members of fusilier regiments Master Corporal (caporal-chef) Corporal (caporal) Fusilier (fusilier)

The officers of some army regiments wear pre-unification rank insignia on their ceremonial uniforms (full dress and patrol dress). These insignia are nearly identical to those of the British Army: see British Army officer rank insignia for details. In the guard regiments, Warrant Officers are known as Colour Sergeants and second lieutenants are known as Ensigns.

Except for those who acquired the Canadian Forces Mess Dress after 1968, naval officers have always worn the Royal Navy-style executive curl rank insignia on mess uniforms (see Royal Navy officer rank insignia). The colour designations for specialist officers are not used except for naval medical officers who may use a variant of the standard rank slip-ons and shoulder boards incorporating a scarlet red background between the gold stripes of their rank and naval medical service officers (Nursing Officers, Pharmacy Officers, Health Care Administration Officers, Social Work Officers, Physiotherapy Officers, and Bioscience Officers) who have shoulder boards incorporating a dull cherry red background between the strips of their rank.

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