Commandant (rank)

Commandant (/ˌkɒmənˈdɑːnt/, /ˌkɒmənˈdænt/, /ˈkʌmədənt/; French: [kɔmɑ̃dɑ̃]) is a military rank used in many countries, where it is usually equivalent to the rank of major.

For the appointment, see Commandant.

Canada[edit]

Commandant d'aviation was the Canadian French term for the air force rank of squadron leader (prior to the 2014 amendment of the National Defence Act). The rank of squadron leader itself had not been held by active duty personnel in the Canadian Forces since 1968 when it was replaced by major.

Irish Army commandant's subdued rank slide

Irish Air Corps rank insignia

Irish Air Corps rank insignia (green)

Commandant (Comdt) (Irish: Ceannfort) is a military rank in both the Irish Army and Irish Air Corps.^[1] It is equivalent to major and squadron leader. In the Irish Naval Service, the equivalent rank is lieutenant commander.

India[edit]

Commandant is a rank in the Central Armed Police Forces of India (BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB). It is equivalent to the rank of Colonel/Captain/Group Captain. Commandant rank officers generally command battalions in the CAPFs. In the Indian Coast Guard, ranks of Commandant and Commandant (Junior grade) exist. While Commandant is equivalent to Colonel/Captain/Group Captain, Commandant (Junior grade) is equivalent to Lieutenant Colonel/Commander/Wing Commander.^[2]

Commandant
Commandant

France

Army
Air Force
Gendarmerie

CDT

OF-3

Commandant des Eaux et Forêts

French Air and Space Force commandant

French infantry

French cavalry

Commandant is an officer-grade rank of the Military of France,^[3] specifically the French Army and the French Air and Space Force, in both of which it has NATO level OF-3: equivalent to major or lieutenant-commander. In this context, it is shortened form of the previous rank capitaine-commandant: i.e. a "captain commanding (a battalion)".

The commandant is also styled chef de bataillon ("battalion leader") in the infantry, chef d'escadrons ("squadrons leader") in the armoured cavalry and chef d'escadron ("squadron leader") in the artillery and the Gendarmerie.

In the French Navy, commandant is a appointment or operational command, rather than a rank, namely, the most senior officer of a ship, e.g. capitaine de vaisseau (vessel), capitaine de frégate (frigate), capitaine de corvette (corvette). As such, it can refer to the holders of several ranks.

Prior to the French Revolution, the major was the officer appointed by the King to keep track of the expenditures and readiness of a regiment. He could have a deputy (an aide-major) and could be either a commoner or a nobleman. A major was graded as a commissar, not an officer. The officer at commandant rank level was the chef de bataillon or chef d'escadron.

Major is now, however, the most senior warrant officer rank, above adjudant-chef.

Spain[edit]

In the Spanish Army and Spanish Air Force, the rank of comandante is senior to a captain and junior to a lieutenant colonel, making it equivalent to the rank of major or squadron leader in English-speaking countries.

Chilean Air Force squadron commandant rank insignia (epaulette)

Chilean Air Force squadron commandant rank insignia (sleeve)

Comandante ("commandant") is a military officer rank used in some Latin American countries. The Chilean Air Force uses the rank of comandante de escuadrilla ("squadron commandant") as a rank equivalent to the British rank of squadron leader. The Peruvian Air Force uses the rank of comandante as an equivalent to lieutenant-colonel or wing commander.

Comandante can be translated into English either as "commandant" or as "commander". The rank may also be found in numerous paramilitary organizations, such as the Sandinistas.

United Kingdom[edit]

In the United Kingdom the term commandant usually refers to an appointment, not a rank. However, between 1922 and 1928 the rank of brigadier-general was replaced by colonel-commandant. This was not well received, and was replaced by brigadier.

Later, senior commandant and chief commandant were Auxiliary Territorial Service ranks equivalent to major and lieutenant-colonel respectively used between 1939 and May 1941, when they were replaced by senior and chief commander. The Commanding Officers of individual battalions of the Brigade of Gurkhas was designated a Commandant, rather than a commanding officer; and so with the Bermuda Militia Artillery (1895-1965). These ranks were also used in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force until December 1939, when they were replaced by squadron officer and wing officer (equating to squadron leader and wing commander) respectively. The rank was also used for senior commanders of the Ulster Special Constabulary (B Specials).