The military rank system is relatively comprehensive, encompassing multiple levels including soldiers, non-commissioned officers, lieutenant officers, colonel officers, and general officers. Below is a detailed list of all military ranks within this system:
I. Soldier
- PrivateDuring their first year of active service, conscripts are awarded the rank of Private.
- Private First ClassDuring the second year of active service, a private is promoted to Private First Class.
II. Non-Commissioned Officer
Non-commissioned officer ranks are divided into three levels—junior, intermediate, and senior non-commissioned officers—totaling seven ranks; these ranks are listed in ascending order as follows:
- Junior Non-Commissioned Officer：
- Junior Sergeant: Typically promoted from soldiers who have completed their active service and been selected as junior non-commissioned officers.
- Sergeant: Typically promoted from Private, with a longer service tenure than a Private.
- Intermediate Non-Commissioned Officer：
- Senior Non-Commissioned Officer: Typically promoted from a Sergeant, this rank represents the highest level among intermediate non-commissioned officers.
- Senior Sergeant (Level 4): The length of service and rank level are higher than those of a Sergeant.
- Senior Non-Commissioned Officer：
- Senior Non-Commissioned Officer (Sergeant Major): Holds a relatively long service record and a high rank, serving as a key technical expert within the military.
- Sergeant Major Second Class: With longer service years and higher job rank, he is a senior non-commissioned officer in the army.
- First Class Sergeant: The highest rank among non-commissioned officers, with long service years and superb skills, they are a valuable asset in the army.
III. Military Officers
A lieutenant is a junior officer among military officers and includes three levels:
- second lieutenant: Usually promoted by military school graduates or local college students after joining the army through training, it is the main rank of ranked officers.
- lieutenant: Usually promoted from second lieutenants, or directly awarded by graduates of military academies, serving as platoon and deputy company officers.
- captain: Usually promoted from lieutenant, serving as the main military rank of deputy company and full company officers.
IV. School Officer
A colonel is a mid-level officer among military officers and includes four levels:
- Major: Usually promoted from captain, serving as the main military rank of battalion officer and deputy battalion officer.
- lieutenant colonel: Usually promoted from major, holding the auxiliary or main rank of deputy regimental officer or regimental officer.
- colonel: Usually promoted from lieutenant colonel, serving as the main military rank of deputy divisional officer and regimental officer.
- senior colonel: It is the highest rank among colonel officers, usually promoted from colonel, and holds the main military rank of divisional officer and deputy military officer.
V. Senior Officers
A general is a senior officer among military officers and includes three levels:
- major general: Usually promoted from senior colonel, holding the main military rank of deputy military officer, full military officer, and deputy military district officer.
- lieutenant general: Usually promoted from major general, serving as the auxiliary or main rank of deputy military region or chief military region officer.
- admiral: It is the highest military rank in the current military rank system. It is usually promoted from lieutenant general and serves as the establishment military rank of senior positions such as vice chairman and member of the Central Military Commission, chief of general staff, director of the general political department, etc.
In addition, it is worth noting that the military rank system also includes special types of military ranks such as civilian cadre ranks and professional and technical officer ranks, but these do not fall within the scope of the conventional officer rank system.
