Ranks in the French Navy

The rank insignia of the French Navy are worn on epaulettes of shirts and white jackets, and on sleeves for navy jackets and mantels.

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Until 2005, only officers had an anchor on their insigna, but warrant officers are now receiving them as well.

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Unlike the French Army, officers are not called Mon Commandant, but only Commandant; this custom dates back to the Battle of Trafalgar, when Napoleon decided that French Navy officers did not deserve to be called "monsieur" (the "mon" in mon Commandant does not mean "my", but "sir").

Related Topics:
French Army - Battle of Trafalgar - Napoleon

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Commanding officers have titles of capitaine, but are called commandant (in the army, both capitaine and commandant are ranks, which tends to stir some confusion among the public).

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The two highest ranks, vice-amiral d'escadre and amiral, are functions, rather than ranks. They are assumed by officers ranking vice-amiral.

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