Israeli Ranks
By Steven Thomas on 17 Apr 2004 | Last Updated 25 Mar 2018
Rank Usual Abbreviation Rough Meaning or Equivalent Rank Comment Modern Insignia
Tiron Recruit
Turai Private
Turai-Rishon TARASH. Lance Corporal / Private 1st Class In use until 1999
Rav-Turai RABAT . Corporal Insignia not worn in combat.
Segen mihuts la’minyan Samal Sergeant
Samal-Rishon Sam’ar. Staff Sergeant
Rav-Samal RaS Company Sergeant Major (CSM) Zahal translates this rank as Sergeant 1st Class
Rav-Samal-Rishon RaSAR Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) / Master Sergeant Zahal translates this rank as 1st Sergeant
Rav-Samal-Mitqadem Rasam
Rav-Samal-Bakhír Rasab Warrant Officer
Rav-Nagad Ranag Chief Warrant Officer
Segen-Mishne SEGUM. Subaltern / 2nd Lieutenant In use from 1952. Platoon commander
Segen Lieutenant Until 1951 was a Platoon Commander; Post-1951 is the Company Executive Officer
Seren Captain Company Commander
Rav-Seren Major Battalion Executive Officer
Segun-Aluf Saal Lieutenant-Colonel Battalion Commander
Aluf-Mishne Alam Colonel Brigade or Regiment Commander
Tat-Aluf Taal Brigadier-General introduced after the Six-Day war, 1967.
Aluf Major-General Command a Branch of Service
Rav-Aluf Lieutenant-General
Rosh Mattay Ha’Klali RAMATKAL. Chief of the General Staff The highest ranking officer in the IDF. A role held by the Rav-Aluf
Note:
- Rav means “Above”
- Rishon means “First”
- Bakhír means “Senior”
- Mishne means “Vice” as in Vice-president so for practical purposes it means “Second” or “Below”.