Israel Defense Forces ranks

<table class="infobox bordered" style="width: 250px; font-size: 95%; float: right;" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0"><tr><th colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#8888ff">Israel Defense Forces<tr><td colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#afeeee"> </table>The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have a unique rank structure. Because the IDF is an integrated force, ranks are the same in all services (there is no differentiation between army, navy, air force, etc.) The ranks are derived from those of the paramilitary Haganah developed in the Mandate period to protect the Yishuv. This origin is reflected in the slightly-compacted rank structure; for instance, the Chief of Staff (Ramatkal) is seemingly only equivalent to a Lieutenant General in other militaries.

Current ranks

History

When the IDF were created in 1948, there were 7 enlisted and NCO ranks, and 8 officer ranks. The ranks were as follows:

Notes

• In the IDF, the same ranks are used throughout the military, including the Israeli Air Force and Israeli Navy. This contrasts with many other armed forces that have a separate rank system for different branches.
• As the ranks of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) are traditionally translated one-to-one to Western rank then the rank of Aluf (אלוף) is translated as Major General, and Rav Aluf......
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