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Alférez (rank)

Alférez or alferes is a junior officer rank in the militaries of some Hispanophone and Lusophone countries.

This article is about the modern military rank. For the medieval court officer, see Alférez.

The name originates from al-fāris (Arabic: الفارس), meaning "the knight", "the horseman" or "the cavalryman". However, today the rank is often translated as ensign, sub-lieutenant or second lieutenant.


The rank was first used by Iberian armies during the reconquista in the Middle Ages, being associated to the officer responsible for the carrying of a unit flag. During that time alférez was the leader of the retinue of a king or high-ranking nobleman. The famous warrior El Cid was the alférez of King Alfonso VI of Castile and Alfonso Núñez was the alférez of Duke Raymond of Galicia.

Chile[edit]

In Chile, an officer cadet is known as a sub-alférez. On graduating from officer training, he becomes an alférez for a year while carrying out training specific to his branch. After this, the alférez is promoted to sub-lieutenant.

Peru[edit]

Frigate alférez is the lowest naval officer rank.

Alpéres shoulder insignia
Philippine Revolutionary Army

Alpéres shoulder insignia Philippine Revolutionary Army

The rank of alférez, locally spelled as alpéres, was also used by the Philippine Revolutionary Army during the Philippine Revolution and Philippine–American War. It is the lowest commissioned officer rank and is interchangeable with second lieutenant (Spanish: segundo teniente; Tagalog: ikalawang tenyente) on the service.

Dominican Republic[edit]

Alférez is used in the Dominican Navy, with frigate alférez (second lieutenant) and ship alférez (first lieutenant) being the lowest naval officer ranks.

Venezuela[edit]

Alférez in Venezuela's Armed Forces is the last rank of a cadet in the three land academies of officers: Army, Air Force and National Guard. The naval academy uses for its last rank "midshipman" or "guardiamarina".

Alférez
(Chilean Army)[3]

Alférez (Chilean Army)[3]

Alférez
(Army of Equatorial Guinea)

Alférez (Army of Equatorial Guinea)

Alferes
(Mozambican Army)

Alferes (Mozambican Army)

Alferes
(Portuguese Army)[4]

Alferes (Portuguese Army)[4]

Alferes
(Army of São Tomé and Príncipe)

Alferes (Army of São Tomé and Príncipe)

Alférez
(Spanish Army)[2]

Alférez (Spanish Army)[2]

Alférez
(National Army of Uruguay)[5]

Alférez (National Army of Uruguay)[5]