Overview

Pakistan’s Armed Forces are considered as one of the world’s largest and most capable. Pakistan has several military forces, however, the Pakistan Army, Pakistan Navy, and Pakistan Armed Forces are also the three most important. The Pakistan Army’s rank structure is mostly based on British Army ranks, but the rank structure of many other ranks people and insignia differ. Stay together as we go over the ranks in the Pakistan Armed Forces in each of these three divisions in depth below.

In the Pakistani Armed Forces, there are a variety of ranks to choose from

Because the subcontinent’s military forces fought for the British for many years before independence, they get a similar ranking structure to the English troops. As just a result, the army, navy, and air force all have a number of ranking officers who command the enrolled men and assist them towards becoming battle-ready.

Moreover, each rank has its own military emblem, which would be normally placed on the shoulder of the serving personnel’s uniform. The four largest rows of each division represent the highest-ranking positions, ranging from one to four stars. Let’s go through the functions and responsibilities of military ranks one by one, division by division and rank by rank.

Pak Army Ranks List

Second Lieutenant

Captain

Lieutenant

Major

Lieutenant Colonel

Colonel

Brigadier

General

Major General

Lieutenant General

Field Marshal

Second Lieutenant

In the Pakistan Army, a Second Lieutenant is the lowest rank of a commissioned officer. The Second Lieutenant leads the infantry soldiers into battle, issuing instructions to the platoon sergeant, which then communicates them to squad leaders and soldiers. With nearly 30 soldiers under their command, the position is usually kept for 1 to 2 years.

Lieutenant

The next level in the Pakistan Army after Second Lieutenant, often referred to as “First Lieutenant,” this officer seems to have more fighting experience and it can only command special units or platoons. As part of an army’s artillery unit, they may also be in control of indirect-fire systems with long-range weapons.

Captain

Captains, who are addressed by their ranks, lead a company-sized unit of over 100 troops, sometimes with the help of a Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO). That’s also the highest rank where the officers are expected to personally lead and direct soldiers. They often teach at cadet schools and training centres, put their knowledge and skills to great use.

Major

Rather than serving on the battlefield, majors usually serve as support officers. They may also be in charge of supervising a task force for logistical or practical operations.

Lieutenant Colonel

Via an experienced NCO assistant, this Pakistan Army post leads a battalion of up to 1,000 men. Officers can also be picked to lead a task force as Executive/Commanding Officer.

Colonel

Colonels are yet another rank that works as a staff officer, even though they are frequently the link between the battlefield and the office. They may also have the authority to supply important advice to senior officials.

Brigadier

Brigadiers and Brigade Generals often choose between commanding a brigade mostly on the battlefield and commercial processes and missions as just a staff officer.

General

A Major General commands division-sized forces of 10,000 to 15,000 soldiers, and he or she could also be appointed to a senior staff position throughout the Defence ministry.

Major General

A Major General, who may well be appointed to a top management position in the Defence Ministry, leads division-sized troops of about 10,000 to 15,000 soldiers.

Lieutenant General

Lieutenant Generals seem to have a say in appointing staff in the Ministry of Defence, as they command corps formations of even over 20,000 soldiers.

Ranks of the Pakistan Navy

Let’s move on to the ranks and functions of commanders in the Pakistan Navy as we continue our discussion of Pakistan Armed Forces ranks.

Midshipman

The title of Midshipman is bestowed on a newly commissioned officer in the Pakistan Navy. That’s the phase of training for a recruit for becoming a Naval Officer and is based on the specialities that he or she want to learn.

Sub Lieutenant (s/lt)

Midshipmen are promoted to a Sub Lieutenant rank after about two years of training when they supervise the crew as the first step toward being a Lieutenant.

Lieutenant (lt)

A naval fleet’s lieutenants guarantee that perhaps the crew onboard is performing their tasks. Lieutenants are often in response to stationing a crewmember on guard to keep a close eye out for enemy attacks, so it’s a profession with a lot of responsibilities.

Lieutenant Commander (lt-cdr)

The Lieutenant Commander seems to be the commanding officer of a tiny boat that has its own small crew. Officers with this rank frequently opt to oversee a specific department inside the Navy.

Commander (cdr)

The Commander is the second in charge behind the Captain for commanding a warship or submarine. Commanders can also work in naval bases on land or for the Defence ministry.

Captain (capt)

Captains are all in charge of larger ships or occupy top positions in land-based enterprises. The Captain is now in charge of the crew’s as well as the craft’s overall well-being, includes keeping logbooks, solving disciplinary concerns, delegating work duties, rationing food supplies, and much more.

Commodore (cdre)

A naval officer can opt to lead a fleet of ships or taking on larger roles in an on-shore station as just a Commodore. They also assist the Rear Admirals as required in their duties.

Rear Admiral (r-adm)

Officers in this post get the authority to fly their own flags and command their own ships in order to protect and assist the squadrons in battle.

Vice Admiral (v-adm)

In addition to aiding the Admiral, the Vice Admiral also can command the ships and fleet if needed. They may also end up in high-ranking government posts.

Admiral (adm)

As the highest naval rank, it grants an officer entire command of a fleet of ships, and also the ability to command a ship that sails on their own flag. If necessary, they can choose to get the Rear Admiral and Vice-Admiral on board their own ship. Throughout the Pakistan Army, this rank equates with that of a General.

Ranks Of The Pakistan Air Force

Now, let’s take a closer look at the Pakistan Air Force’s ranks.

Pilot Officer (plt-off)

Pilot Officer is the first stage in becoming a commissioned officer in the Air Force. On the way to becoming a Flying Officer, this post requires the accomplishment of one tasks.

Flying Officer (flg-off)

Flying Officers may or not be able to fly at this time. Many are aircrew or ground support, while some are in charge of missions via ground bases.

Flight Lieutenant (flt-lt)

Flight Lieutenants are often granted command over even a small unit, usually of specially qualified officers, if they choose to join the aircrew or even the on-ground branches.

Squadron Leader (sqn-ldr)

Squadron Leaders are all in charge of ground-based operations and squadrons at first. They would be assigned the task of supervising a squad in the division of their choice. Based on the Wing Commander’s approval, it may request them to command a small flying squadron.

Wing Commander (wg-cdr)

A Wing Commander, who may very well supervise a Squadron Leader after assigning them a few army forces to manage, is in charge of flying squadrons. Rather than commanding a flying squadron, wing commanders could choose to command an administrative wing.

Group Captain (gp-capt)

A Group Captain’s primary responsibilities include overseeing training institutes and flying bases. They could also be in charge of military aircraft units known as groups.

Air Commodore (air-cdre)

Air Commodores are considered air officers and typically hold senior roles within organisations. They could either command groups or operate upon the on-base ground.

Air Vice-Marshal (avm)

An Air Vice Marshall is in charge of military aviation units or organisations. The Chief of the Air Staff is yet another name for the position that has a wide range of responsibilities.

Air Marshal (am)

Air Marshals are second in command to Air Chief Marshals and serve as the Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force or other prominent posts. Based on their service experience, it may also appoint fighter pilots to this high-ranking role.

Air Chief Marshal (acm)

The Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force is usually the Air Chief Marshal, and that it is the highest level inside the Pakistan Air Force.