Greek military ranks

Modern Greek military ranks are based on Ancient Greek and Byzantine terminology.

In the army and air force, these names are often based on the unit or post that a holder of each rank usual commands. For example, a tagmatarchis is in charge of a tagma , which is derived from an Ancient Greek word translatable as "command", "order", or "class", and in modern Greek is a unit equivalent to a battalion in other armies; hence a modern tagmatarchis is a rank equivalent to major in other armies. Similarly, a lochagos normally commands a lochos (a word that originally meant "warband"), which in Ancient Greece was a 100-strong hoplite unit, but in modern Greek usage is equivalent to an infantry company. Hence a lochagos is the equivalent of a captain in other armies, and the modern Greek equivalent of an army first lieutenant is the modern neologism ypolochagos : literally, "sub-captain". Likewise, the modern Greek equivalent of a sergeant is a lochias .

The suffixes -agos and -archos (or -arches), which are often found in Greek rank names, are derived from the roots agein "to lead" and archein "to rule", respectively.

Officers

Officer ranks in the Army retain the style introduced in 1970, with the flaming grenade replacing (since 1975) the phoenix introduced by the Regime of the Colonels in 1973. Navy officer ranks retain the structure introduced in 1936. The Hellenic Air Force, is the youngest of the three services (founded in 1930). Its insignia are based on the British Royal Air Force, while it uses Army rank titles when translated to English. ^[1]

NATO code	OF-10		OF-9		OF-8		OF-7		OF-6		OF-5		OF-4		OF-3		OF-2		OF-1
Hellenic Army [2] v t e
			Στρατηγός Stratigos		Αντιστράτηγος Antistratigos		Υποστράτηγος Ypostratigos		Ταξίαρχος Taxiarchos		Συνταγματάρχης Syntagmatarchis		Αντισυνταγματάρχης Antisyntagmatarchis		Ταγματάρχης Tagmatarchis		Λοχαγός Lochagos		Υπολοχαγός Ypolochagos			Ανθυπολοχαγός Anthypolochagos
Hellenic Navy [3] v t e
			Ναύαρχος Navarchos		Αντιναύαρχος Antinavarchos		Υποναύαρχος Yponavarchos		Αρχιπλοίαρχος Archiploiarchos		Πλοίαρχος Ploiarchos		Αντιπλοίαρχος Antiploiarchos		Πλωτάρχης Plotarchis		Υποπλοίαρχος Ypoploiarchos		Ανθυποπλοίαρχος Anthypoploiarchos			Σημαιοφόρος Simaioforos
Hellenic Air Force [4] v t e
			Πτέραρχος Pterarchos		Αντιπτέραρχος Antipterarchos		Υποπτέραρχος Ypopterarchos		Ταξίαρχος Taxiarchos		Σμήναρχος Sminarchos		Αντισμήναρχος Antisminarchos		Επισμηναγός Episminagos		Σμηναγός Sminagos		Υποσμηναγός Yposminagos			Ανθυποσμηναγός Anthyposminagos
NATO code	OF-10		OF-9		OF-8		OF-7		OF-6		OF-5		OF-4		OF-3		OF-2		OF-1

NCO and other ranks

Non-commissioned officer streams

Non-commissioned officers in the Greek armed forces are separated into three streams:

1. Σχολή Μονίμων Υπαξιωματικών (ΣΜΥ) (Permanent Non-Commissioned Officers' School  [ el ] graduates (PNCO)) ^[5]
2. Εθελοντές Μακράς Θητείας (ΕΜΘ) (Long Term Volunteers (LTV)) ^[6]
3. Έφεδροι (Reserves (conscripts))

NCO and other ranks insignia

NCO ranks (excl. OR-9 and conscript ranks) have undergone some changes through the years, the latest being in 2004. ^[7] In the army PNCOs are designated by having two arcs above their chevrons, whereas LTVs have no arcs. In the navy, NCO ranks have undergone changes since 1975. In the navy PNCOs are designated by having two arcs above their chevrons, whereas LTVs have one arc. In the air force PNCOs are designated by having two arcs above their chevrons, whereas LTVs have no arcs.

NATO code	OR-9						OR-8		OR-7		OR-6						OR-5						OR-4				OR-3		OR-2						OR-1
Hellenic Army [8] v t e																																			Arm/corps insignia only
	Ανθυπασπιστής [a] Anthypaspistis						Αρχιλοχίας Archilochias		Επιλοχίας Epilochias		Λοχίας Lochias												Δεκανέας Dekaneas				Υποδεκανέας Ypodekaneas								Στρατιώτης Stratiotis
Hellenic Army (Conscripts)							No equivalent																												No insignia
	Δόκιμος Έφεδρος Αξιωματικός Dokimos Efedros Axiomatikos [a]										Λοχίας Lochias												Δεκανέας Dekaneas				Υποδεκανέας Ypodekaneas		Υποψήφιος Έφεδρος Βαθμοφόρος Ypopsifios Efedros Bathmoforos						Στρατιώτης Stratiotis
Hellenic Navy [9] v t e																							male		female										male	female
	Ανθυπασπιστής [a] Anthypaspistis						Αρχικελευστής Archikelefstis		Επικελευστής Epikelefstis		Κελευστής Kelefstis												Δίοπος Diopos												Ναύτης Naftis
Hellenic Navy (Conscripts)							No equivalent
	Σημαιοφόρος Επίκουρος Αξιωματικός Simaioforos Epikouros Axiomatikos										Κελευστής Kelefstis												Δίοπος Diopos												Ναύτης Naftis
Hellenic Air Force [4] v t e
	Ανθυπασπιστής [a] Anthypaspistis						Αρχισμηνίας Archisminias		Επισμηνίας Episminias		Σμηνίας Sminias												Υποσμηνίας Yposminias												Σμηνίτης Sminitis
Hellenic Air Force (Conscripts)	No equivalent																																		No insignia
																	Κληρωτός Σμηνίας Klirotos Sminias																		Σμηνίτης Sminitis
NATO code	OR-9						OR-8		OR-7		OR-6						OR-5						OR-4				OR-3		OR-2						OR-1

2027 proposed reform

PNCOs

Graduates of PNCO Schools will no longer automatically be promoted to OF-1 after 19 years of service. Instead, a new rank structure will be instituted, with a starting rank of Επιλοχίας Β΄, ^[10] outranking all volunteers from graduation. Promotions to Anthypaspistís Schimatismoú and above will be effectuated by selection, like flag officers, after the 35-year retirement limit. ^[10] Promotions to Anthypaspistís V´ and Archilochías V´ will not necessitate time served in the preceeding rank. ^[10]

PNCOs may be transferred to the officer corps under certain conditions (holding a degree, 14 years of service, etc.), but they no longer retain their specialisation. ^[11] Starting in 2027, all three PNCO schools will confer degrees equivalent to university degrees, like officer academies. ^[12]

PNCO ranks will be altered as follows:

Pay grade 2027 [13]	Y12	Y11	Y10	Y9	Y8	Y7	Y6	Y5	Y4	Y3	Y2	Y1
Insignia [14]
Name in Greek	Ανθυπασπιστής ΓΕΕΘΑ Anthypaspistís GEETHA	Ανθυπασπιστής ΓΕ Anthypaspistís GE	Ανθυπασπιστής Μείζονος Σχημ Anthypaspistís Meízonos Schim	Ανθυπασπιστής Σχηματισμού Anthypaspistís Schimatismoú	Ανθυπασπιστής Α΄ Anthypaspistís A´	Ανθυπασπιστής Β΄ Anthypaspistís V´	Αρχιλοχίας Μονάδος Archilochías Monádos	Αρχιλοχίας Α΄ Archilochías A´	Αρχιλοχίας Β΄ Archilochías V´	Επιλοχίας Ανεξάρτητης Υπομονάδος Epilochías Anexártitis Ypomonádos	Επιλοχίας Α΄ Epilochías A´	Επιλοχίας Β΄ Epilochías V´
Translation[ citation needed ]	HNDGS CWO	General Staff CWO	Major Formation CWO	Formation Command Warrant Officer	Warrant Officer 1st Class	Warrant Officer 2nd Class	Command Sergeant-Major	Sergeant Major 1st Class	Sergeant Major 2nd Class	Independent Subunit Staff Sergeant	Staff Sergeant 1st Class	Staff Sergeant 2nd Class

Volunteers/Professional Soldiers

Volunteer ranks are also split in two (with the exception of the rank of Stratiotis). Volunteers will no longer be promoted to Archilochías. Promotions to E9-E12 will be effectuated by selection, like flag officers, after the 35-year retirement limit. ^[15] They may be transferred to the Corps of Permanent NCOs to fill organizational positions if they have completed a specific period of service (e.g., 15 years) and meet academic criteria. ^[11]

Pay grade 2027 [13]	Rank	Insignia/Description [14]
E12	Επιλοχιας Διοικησεως A΄ Ταξης Epilochias Dioikiseos A´ Taxis	E10 insignia, flaming grenade replaced by golden star
E11	Επιλοχιας Διοικησεως B΄ Ταξης Epilochias Dioikiseos V´ Taxis	E10 insignia, flaming grenade replaced by silver star
E10	Επιλοχιας Διοικησεως Γ΄ Ταξης Epilochias Dioikiseos G´ Taxis	E7 insignia covered by three lines
E9	Επιλοχιας Βοηθος Επιτελη Epilochias Voithos Epiteli	E7 insignia covered by two lines
E8	Επιλοχιας A΄ Ταξης Epilochias A´ Taxis	E7 insignia covered by a line
E7	Επιλοχιας Β΄ Ταξης Epilochias V´ Taxis
E6	Λοχιας Βοηθος Επιτελη Lochias Voithos Epiteli	E2 insignia covered by two straight lines
E5	Λοχιας A΄ Ταξης Lochias A´ Taxis	E4 insignia covered by a straight line
E4	Λοχιας Β΄ Ταξης Lochias V´ Taxis
E3	Δεκανεας A΄ Ταξης Dekaneas A´ Taxis	E2 insignia covered by a straight line
E2	Δεκανεας Β΄ Ταξης Dekaneas V´ Taxis
E1	Στρατιωτης Stratiotis	flaming grenade in rhombus

See also

• Military of Greece
• Kingdom of Greece Army Ranks
• Royal Hellenic Navy rank insignia
• Royal Hellenic Air Force ranks

Notes

1. Greece has only one level of Warrant Officer. According to the current issue (2021) of STANAG 2116, the Greek Warrant Officers are included in OR-9, however they are afforded the privileges of an officer. See STANAG 2116 note 29, page D-9

References

1. "Hellenic Airforce Ranks". Archived from the original on 23 March 2025.
2. "Επωμίδες Φ/Π Στολών" [Shoulders for PV Uniforms]. army.gr (in Greek). Hellenic Army. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
3. "Διακριτικά Βαθμών Προσωπικού ΠΝ" [Insignia of Personnel Ranks]. hellenicnavy.gr (in Greek). Hellenic Navy. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
4. "Διακριτικά" [Ranks]. haf.gr (in Greek). Hellenic Air Force. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
5. "SMY Orkístikan oi néoi Mónimoi Lochíes – 36 apófoitoi apó tin Kýpro" ΣΜΥ Ορκίστηκαν οι νέοι Μόνιμοι Λοχίες – 36 απόφοιτοι από την Κύπρο [SMY New Permanent Sergeants sworn in – 36 graduates from Cyprus] (in Greek). 16 July 2023. Archived from the original on 14 July 2025.
6. "Stratós Xirás: Poioi EMTH - EPOP metatássontai sto Sóma Monímon Ypaxiomatikón" Στρατός Ξηράς: Ποιοι ΕΜΘ - ΕΠΟΠ μετατάσσονται στο Σώμα Μονίμων Υπαξιωματικών [Army: Which EMTH and EPOP are transferring to the Permanent Non-Commissioned Officer Corps] (in Greek). 22 November 2022. Archived from the original on 25 November 2025.
7. tanea.gr (11 October 2004). "Allázoun to ethnósimo kai oi «sardéles»" Aλλάζουν το εθνόσημο και οι «σαρδέλες» [The national coat of arms and the "sardines" are changing]. ΤΑ ΝΕΑ (in Greek). Archived from the original on 3 December 2024. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
8. "Διακριτικά Φ/Π Στολών Υπαξιωματικών Αποφοίτων ΣΜΥ" [Badges F / P Uniforms of Non-Commissioned Officer Graduates]. army.gr (in Greek). Hellenic Army. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
9. "Διακριτικά Βαθμών Προσωπικού ΠΝ" [Insignia of Personnel Degrees]. hellenicnavy.gr (in Greek). Hellenic Navy. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
10. "MEROS G´ STADIODROMIA MONIMON YPAXIOMATIKON (árthra 32-56) | Ypourgeío Ethnikís Ámynas" ΜΕΡΟΣ Γ΄ ΣΤΑΔΙΟΔΡΟΜΙΑ ΜΟΝΙΜΩΝ ΥΠΑΞΙΩΜΑΤΙΚΩΝ (άρθρα 32-56) | Υπουργείο Εθνικής Άμυνας [PART C STAGE OF PERMANENT NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS (articles 32-56) | Ministry of National Defense]. www.opengov.gr. Retrieved 2026-01-11.
11. "MEROS E´ METATAXEIS MONIMON YPAXIOMATIKON KAI EPANGELMATION OPLITON (árthra 66-71) | Ypourgeío Ethnikís Ámynas" ΜΕΡΟΣ Ε΄ ΜΕΤΑΤΑΞΕΙΣ ΜΟΝΙΜΩΝ ΥΠΑΞΙΩΜΑΤΙΚΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΕΠΑΓΓΕΛΜΑΤΙΩΝ ΟΠΛΙΤΩΝ (άρθρα 66-71) | Υπουργείο Εθνικής Άμυνας [PART E TRANSFERS OF PERMANENT NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS AND PROFESSIONAL ARMY MEMBERS (articles 66-71) | Ministry of National Defense]. www.opengov.gr. Retrieved 2026-01-11.
12. "MEROS I´ ANADIORGANOSI AKADIMAÏKIS EKPAIDEUSIS ENOPLON DYNAMEON (árthra 113-170) | Ypourgeío Ethnikís Ámynas" ΜΕΡΟΣ Η΄ ΑΝΑΔΙΟΡΓΑΝΩΣΗ ΑΚΑΔΗΜΑΪΚΗΣ ΕΚΠΑΙΔΕΥΣΗΣ ΕΝΟΠΛΩΝ ΔΥΝΑΜΕΩΝ (άρθρα 113-170) | Υπουργείο Εθνικής Άμυνας [PART E΄ REORGANIZATION OF ACADEMIC TRAINING OF THE ARMED FORCES (articles 113-170) | Ministry of National Defense]. www.opengov.gr. Retrieved 2026-01-11.
13. "MEROS ST´ MISTHOLOGIKES RYTHMISEIS (árthra 72-91) | Ypourgeío Ethnikís Ámynas" ΜΕΡΟΣ ΣΤ΄ ΜΙΣΘΟΛΟΓΙΚΕΣ ΡΥΘΜΙΣΕΙΣ (άρθρα 72-91) | Υπουργείο Εθνικής Άμυνας [PART FIVE SALARY REGULATIONS (articles 72-91) | Ministry of National Defense]. www.opengov.gr. Retrieved 2026-01-11.
14. "Énoples Dynámeis: Aftá eínai ta diakritiká tou néou Sómatos ton Ypaxiomatikón tou Stratoú Xirás (eikóna)" Ένοπλες Δυνάμεις: Αυτά είναι τα διακριτικά του νέου Σώματος των Υπαξιωματικών του Στρατού Ξηράς (εικόνα) [Armed Forces: These are the insignia of the new Army Non-Commissioned Officer Corps (image)]. Lawandorder.gr (in Greek). 2026-01-10. Retrieved 2026-01-11.
15. "MEROS D´ STADIODROMIA EPANGELMATION OPLITON (árthra 57-65) | Ypourgeío Ethnikís Ámynas" ΜΕΡΟΣ Δ΄ ΣΤΑΔΙΟΔΡΟΜΙΑ ΕΠΑΓΓΕΛΜΑΤΙΩΝ ΟΠΛΙΤΩΝ (άρθρα 57-65) | Υπουργείο Εθνικής Άμυνας [PART D PROFESSIONAL ARMY STAGES (articles 57-65) | Ministry of National Defense]. www.opengov.gr. Retrieved 2026-01-11.

External links

• Hellenic Airforce Ranks, Hellenic Air Force website
• Διακριτικά Ελληνικού Στρατού (Hellenic Army Insignia), Hellenic Army website
• Διακριτικά Βαθμών Προσωπικού ΠΝ (Hellenic Navy Personnel Rank Insignia), Hellenic Navy website