Military ranks of Tonga

The military ranks of Tonga used by His Majesty's Armed Forces are similar to those used in other Commonwealth armed forces. ^[1]

Ceremonial ranks

Rank group	Commander-in-chief
Tongan Land Component
Tongan Navy
Name	Commander-in-chief
Tongan	Komanitā-pule

Commissioned officer ranks

The rank insignia of commissioned officers.

Rank group	General / flag officers										Senior officers						Junior officers
Tongan Land Component [2] v t e
									Brigadier general		Colonel		Lieutenant colonel		Major		Captain		Lieutenant			Second lieutenant
									Pilikaria seniale		Kenolo		Lafitani kenolo		Mesia		Kapiteni		Lafitani			Lafitani ua
Tongan Navy [2] v t e
									Commodore		Captain		Commander		Lieutenant commander		Lieutenant		Sub lieutenant			Midshipman
Rank group	General / flag officers										Senior officers						Junior officers

Other ranks

The rank insignia of non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel.

Rank group	Senior NCOs																						Junior NCOs						Enlisted
Tongan Land Component [2] v t e																													No insignia
	Warrant officer class 1						Warrant officer class 2		Staff sergeant		Sergeant												Corporal				Lance corporal		Private (or equivalent)
	'Ofisa Fakamafai Kalasi 1						'Ofisa Fakamafai Kalasi 2		Sitafu satini		Satini												Kopila				Lani kopila		Palaiveti
Tongan Navy [2] v t e																													No insignia
	Warrant officer class 1						Warrant officer class 2		Staff sergeant		Sergeant												Corporal				Lance corporal		Private

References

1. Millen, P.G. (June 1983). The Visiting Forces (Relative Ranks) Regulations (PDF). Wellington: Government of New Zealand. p. 49. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
2. "Tonga Defence Services (Amendment) Regulations 2009" (PDF). Tonga Government Gazette Supplement Extraordinary. 5: 151–153. 10 May 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 August 2025. Retrieved 26 September 2021.