Below are the SANDF Ranks or Rankings.
General officers
- Field marshal (1923–c1950)
- General (1914– ) (called “commandant-general” 1956–68)
- Lieutenant-general (1914– )
- Major-general (1914– ) (called “combat general” 1960–68)
- Brigadier-general (1912–40, 1998– )
Field officers
- Brigadier (1937–98) (called “colonel-commandant” 1937–40)
- Colonel (1912– )
- Chief commandant (Used in the Commandos 1968–70)[1]
- Lieutenant-colonel (1912– ) (called “commandant” 1950–94)
Company / junior officers
- Major (1912– )
- Captain (1912– )
- Lieutenant (1912– ) (called “field cornet” 1960–68)
- Second lieutenant (1918– ) (called “assistant field cornet” 1960–68)
Warrant officersWarrant officer class 1 rank badge 1921–2002Warrant officer class 1 rank badge 1921–57
In June 2008 a new series of warrant officer ranks were introduced.
- Warrant officer 1st class (1921– )
- Warrant officer 2nd class (1921– )
- Warrant officer (1912–21)
Non-commissioned officers
- Staff sergeant (1912– ) (Air Force equivalent “flight sergeant”)
- Sergeant (1912– ) (Air Force equivalent called “air sergeant” until 1970)
- Corporal (1912– ) (Air Force equivalent called “air corporal” until 1970)
- Lance-corporal (1912– ) (Air Force equivalent called “leading air mechanic” until 1970)
Rank and file
- Private (1912– ) (Air Force equivalent called “air mechanic” 1920–70, “private” 1970–82 and “airman” 1982–)
Naval ranks
Flag officers
- Admiral (1972– )
- Vice-admiral (1965– )
- Rear-admiral (1940– )
- Rear-admiral junior grade (1998– )
Senior officers
- Commodore (1946–98)
- Captain (1941– )
- Commander (1913– )
- Lieutenant-commander (1913– )
Junior officers
- Lieutenant (1913– )
- Sub-lieutenant (1913– )
- Ensign (1913– ) (called “acting sub-lieutenant” until 1965)
- Warrant officer 1st class (1955– )
- Warrant officer 2nd class (1955– )
- Warrant officer (1913–55)
Petty officers
- Chief petty officer (1913– )
- Petty officer (1913– )
- Leading seaman (1913– )
- Able seaman (1913– )
Ratings
- Seaman (1913– )