Ensign (rank)

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Common military ranks
Officers
Navies	Armies	Air forces
Admiral of the Fleet	Field Marshal	Marshal of the Air Force
Admiral	General	Air Marshal
Commodore	Brigadier	Air Commodore
Captain	Colonel	Group Captain
Commander	Lt. Colonel	Wing Commander
Lt. Commander	Major / Commandant	Squadron Leader
Lieutenant	Captain	Flight Lieutenant
Sub-Lieutenant	Lieutenant	Flying Officer
Ensign	2nd Lieutenant	Pilot Officer
Midshipman	Officer Cadet	Officer Cadet
Seamen, soldiers and airmen
Warrant Officer	Sergeant Major	Warrant Officer
Petty Officer	Sergeant	Sergeant
Leading Seaman	Corporal	Corporal
Seaman	Private	Aircraftman

Ensign (pronounced /ˈɛnsən/) is a junior rank of commissioned officer in the armed forces of some countries, normally in the infantry or navy. As the junior officer in an infantry regiment was traditionally the carrier of the ensign flag, the rank itself acquired the name.

"Ensign" is enseigne in French, Fähnrich in German, and chorąży in Polish, each of which derives from a term for a flag. The Spanish alférez and Portuguese alferes is a junior officer rank below lieutenant associated with carrying the flag, and so is often translated as "ensign", although unlike the rank in other languages, its etymology has nothing to do with flags.

The NATO rank code is OF-1 (junior)

Contents 1 Argentina 2 France and Canada 3 Austria and Germany 4 New Zealand 5 Norway 6 Poland 7 Romania 8 Russia 9 United Kingdom 10 United States 11 Ensigns in Popular Culture 12 In Fiction 12.1 United Federation of Planets 12.2 Earth Federation 12.3 Star Kingdom of Manticore 13 See also 14 References

[edit] Argentina

In Argentina, the rank of ensign is used by both the air force and the gendarmerie. It is, however, used differently in the two services. The air force uses the rank for newly qualified officers, while the gendarmerie uses "ensign" ranks as an equivalent for the army's "lieutenant" ranks.

Argentine Air Force Rank	Argentine Gendarmerie Rank	Equivalent Commonwealth Ranks for comparison
-------------	-------------	-------------
Ensign	Sub-Ensign	Acting Pilot Officer / 2nd Lieutenant
Lieutenant	Ensign	Pilot Officer / 2nd Lieutenant
First Lieutenant	First Ensign	Flying Officer / Lieutenant

The other armed forces of Argentina have ranks equivalent to ensign: "subteniente" (which can be translated into English as "sublieutenant") in the army and "guardiamarina" (with no direct translation into English) in the navy"^[1]. In the army, the most junior sublieutenant in a regiment (or other unit) is also the flag carrier.

[edit] France and Canada

French Ship-of-the-line Ensigns

Ship-of-the-line Ensign, First Class, Enseigne de vaisseau de première classe

Ship-of the-line Ensign, Second Class, Enseigne de vaisseau de deuxième classe

In France of the ancien regime, like in other countries, the ensign (enseigne) was the banner of an infantry regiment^[2]. Also like in other countries, the name began to be used for the officers who carried the ensign. It was renamed sub-lieutenant (sous-lieutenant) in the end of the 18^th century. The Navy used a rank of Ship-of-the-Line Ensign (enseigne de vaisseau), which was the first officer rank. It was briefly renamed Ship-of-the-line Sub-Lieutenant (sous-lieutenant de vaisseau) in the end of the 18^th century, but its original name was soon restored.

Nowadays, the rank is still used in the Marine nationale: Ship-of-the-Line Ensign (Enseigne de vaisseau) is the name of the two lowest officer ranks (which are distinguished as from one another as "first class", equal to an army lieutenant, and "second class", equal to an army sub-lieutenant.) The term enseigne de marine ("naval ensign") is also often used, but is not the official title. Both ranks of Ensign use the style lieutenant.

French-speaking Canadian Naval officers also uses the terms of enseigne de vaisseau de deuxième classe and de première classe as the French term for Acting Sub-Lieutenant and Sub-Lieutenant respectively. However, French-Canadian Sub-Lieutenant use the short form of enseigne instead of lieutenant.

[edit] Austria and Germany

German Army and Air Force rank insignia (shoulder tab)

German Navy rank insignia (sleeve)

Austrian Army rank insignia (collar)

Ensign, in German Fähnrich, is a German and Austrian officer cadet rank. A German ensign serves in the ranks, first as a junior non-commissioned officer then in subsequent grades equivalent to Unterfeldwebel (until 1945, now Unteroffizier), Feldwebel, and Oberfeldwebel (until 1945, now Hauptfeldwebel). Ultimately the ensign becomes an officer.

The word Fähnrich comes from an older German military title, Fahnenträger (literally: Flag Carrier), and first became a distinct military rank on January 1, 1899.

Junior Rank Fahnenjunker

Fähnrich

Senior Rank Oberfähnrich

[edit] New Zealand

An Ensign's (RNZN) shoulder insignia

The Royal New Zealand Navy, unlike the Royal Navy—whose uniforms, insignia, and traditions it copies—created the Ensign grade to equal the lowest commissioned RNZAF grade of Pilot Officer and the New Zealand Army grade of Second Lieutenant. It ranks above the grade of Midshipman. Like the grade of Pilot Officer, it uses a single thin strip of braid. The fact that the Royal Navy has no real equivalent to the lowest commissioned Royal Air Force and British Army grades was the driving factor behind the RNZN's decision to create the Ensign grade, as well as the fact that at the time New Zealand was actively involved with the United States Armed Forces, it also made sense to balance the rank system out with that used by the United States Navy.

[edit] Norway

Norwegian Ensigns Insignia

UK-Navy-OF1.gif An RNoN Fenrik Arm, shoulder or chest insignia (depending on uniform)

An Norwegian Army and Heimevernet (Home Guard) Fenrik shoulder insignia.

The Royal Norwegian Navy (RNoN) the Norwegian Army and the Royal Norwegian Air Force's equivalent of Ensign is Fenrik (rank below lieutenant). It was previously referred to as Second Lieutenant (Norwegian: Secondløitnant), while the rank of lieutenant went by Premier Lieutenant.

The rank is obtained after attending "befalsskolen" for one year, from which the candidate emerges as a sergeant, and serving as a sergeant for one additional year. The rank is known to have been temporarily given to soldiers with rank equivalent of non-commissioned officers, showing skill-set's and performance beyond their rank, in contract based operative service (UN, NATO). This is highly uncommon and the rank is reverted after the contract period ends.

A Fenrik serves as a NATO (OF-1) Second Lieutenant, but the function of the rank differs drastically from other armies. Although it is an officer rank, it strongly resembles an NCO-rank in practice. Fenriks are usually former experienced sergeants without officer education, and usually fill such roles as squad leaders and platoon sergeants. This is due to the lack of an NCO-corps in the Norwegian army^[3].

The historical background for this is that Norways NCO-corps was discontinued on July 1, 1975, and the senior NCOs currently serving was given officer ranks. NCOs ranking as "Oversersjant" was given the officer rank of Fenrik^[4], NCO's ranking as "Stabssersjant" was given the rank of Lieutenant^[5], and - in accordance with "Hærordningen av 1. januar 1977" - the most senior of the NCOs ranking as "Stabsserjant" was given the rank of Captain.

The corresponding ranks for the RNoN was "Overkvartermester" (Kvartermester I klasse)^[6] and "Flaggkvartermester"^[7].

The corresponding ranks for the Royal Norwegian Air Force was "Vingsersjant" and "Stabssersjant"^[8].

The rank insignia is worn on the sleeves (navy dress uniform only), on the shoulders of service uniforms or - more recently - on the chest. The chest placement is of newer date - introduced with the M-2000 uniform, which is worn by both noncommissioned ranks and officers in all branches of the Norwegian Defence.

Norwegian Army and Navy officer ranks and insignia with corresponding NATO codes

NATO Code	OF-10	OF-9	OF-8	OF-7	OF-6	OF-5	OF-4	OF-3	OF-2	OF-1		OF(D)	Student Officer
Norway[9] edit	No Equiv	General	Generalløytnant	Generalmajor	Brigader	Oberst	Oberstløytnant	Major	Kaptein / Rittmester	Løytnant	Fenrik	No Equiv

NATO Code	OF-10	OF-9	OF-8	OF-7	OF-6	OF-5	OF-4	OF-3	OF-2	OF-1		OF(D)	Student Officer
Norway (Edit)	No Equivalent	Admiral	Viseadmiral	Kontreadmiral	Flaggkommandør	Kommandør	Kommandørkaptein	Orlogskaptein	Kapteinløytnant	Løytnant	Fenrik	No Equivalent

[edit] Poland

The Polish Army equivalent of "ensign" is "chorąży" (the Polish for "ensign" or "flag" being "chorągiew").

[edit] Romania

The Romanian Navy equivalent of "ensign" is aspirant.

[edit] Russia

The present-day Russian-Army equivalent is the NCO rank of praporshchik (пра́порщик);and the Russian-Navy equivalent, Mitshman (ми́чман).

[edit] United Kingdom

Until 1871, when it was replaced by Second Lieutenant, Ensign was the lowest rank of commissioned officer in infantry regiments of the British Army (except fusilier and Rifle regiments, which always used Second Lieutenant). It was the duty of officers of this rank to carry the colours of the regiment. In the 16th century "ensign" was corrupted into "ancient," and was used in the two senses of a banner and the bearer of the banner. Today, the term "Ensign" is still used by the Foot Guards regiments, for instance during the ceremony of Trooping the Colour. The equivalent cavalry rank was Cornet, also being derived from the name of a banner.

[edit] United States

The ranks of Ensign and Cornet were abolished in the US Army in the year 1800.^[10]

In the United States Navy, the rank of "Ensign" superseded in 1862 that of "Passed Midshipman". It is the most junior commissioned officer in the United States Navy, the United States Coast Guard, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps and the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps ranking below lieutenant junior grade. It is also equivalent to a second lieutenant in the United States Army, United States Marine Corps and the United States Air Force. Depending upon the warfare community, an Ensign may go straight to a ship after commissioning to serve as a division officer or receive one to two years of specialty training prior to reporting to an operational unit. Ensigns who become division officers are responsible for leading a group of petty officers and enlisted personnel in a division while at the same time receiving on the job training in leadership, naval systems, programs, and policies from enlisted service members and other officers. U.S. Navy and Coast Guard Ensigns wear collar insignia of a single gold bar, hence their nickname of "butterbars" (shared with Army, Air Force and Marine 2nd lieutenants).

v • d • e United States commissioned officer and officer candidate ranks
	Officer candidate	O-1	O-2	O-3	O-4	O-5	O-6	O-7	O-8	O-9	O-10	Special	Special
Approximate insignia:	(no universal insignia)												(no authorized insignia)
Air Force:	CDT / OT	2d Lt	1st Lt	Capt	Maj	Lt Col	Col	Brig Gen	Maj Gen	Lt Gen	Gen	GOAF[1][4]	[2]
Army:	CDT / OC	2LT	1LT	CPT	MAJ	LTC	COL	BG	MG	LTG	GEN	GA[1][4]	General of the Armies[1][4]
Marine Corps:	Midn / Cand	2ndLt	1stLt	Capt	Maj	LtCol	Col	BGen	MajGen	LtGen	Gen	[2]	[2]
Navy:	MIDN / OC	ENS	LTJG	LT	LCDR	CDR	CAPT	RDML	RADM	VADM	ADM	FADM[1][4]	Admiral of the Navy[1][4]
Coast Guard:	CDT	ENS	LTJG	LT	LCDR	CDR	CAPT	RDML	RADM	VADM	ADM	[2]	[2]
Public Health Service:	[2]	ENS	LTJG	LT	LCDR	CDR	CAPT	RADM	RADM	VADM	ADM	[2]	[2]
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration:	[2]	ENS	LTJG	LT	LCDR	CDR	CAPT	RDML	RADM	VADM[1][4]	[3]	[2]	[2]
Grade inactive [1] Grade never created [2] Grade is authorized for use by U.S. Code but has not been created [3] Grade requires Congressional approval for re-activation [4]

v • d • e United States warrant officer ranks
	W-1	W-2	W-3	W-4	W-5
Approximate insignia:	(no universal insignia)	(no universal insignia)	(no universal insignia)	(no universal insignia)	(no universal insignia)
Air Force:	WO-1[1]	CWO-2[1]	CWO-3[1]	CWO-4[1]	CWO-5[1]
Army:	WO1	CW2	CW3	CW4	CW5
Marine Corps:	WO-1	CWO-2	CWO-3	CWO-4	CWO-5
Navy:	WO-1[1]	CWO-2	CWO-3	CWO-4	CWO-5
Coast Guard:	[3]	CWO-2	CWO-3	CWO-4	[3]
Public Health Service:	[3]	[3]	[3]	[3]	[2]
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration:	[2]	[2]	[2]	[2]	[2]
Grade inactive [1] Grade never created [2] Grade is authorized for use by U.S. Code but has not been created [3]

[edit] Ensigns in Popular Culture

• Ensign Willis Seward "Willie" Keith was a lead character in the 1954 war drama The Caine Mutiny, played by Robert Francis.
• Ensign O'Toole was a 1962-63 NBC American television series with Dean Jones in the title role.
• Ensign Pulver was a character in the book, play, film and television series of Mister Roberts. Robert Walker Jr. played him in the 1964 film of that name.
• A sultry Ensign Toni Johnson, played by Erika Eleniak was a lead character in the movie Chasers.
• Lucas Wolenczak became an Ensign in the third season of seaQuest DSV.
• Bud Roberts and Harriet Sims, (played by Patrick Labyorteaux and Karri Turner respectively) were characters on JAG who both first appeared as Ensigns.
• Ensign Nellie Forbush was the lead female character from the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical "South Pacific".

[edit] In Fiction

[edit] United Federation of Planets

In Starfleet (from the fictional universe of Star Trek), "Ensign" is the most junior officer rank. It is the rank bestowed on newly commissioned officers when they graduate from Starfleet Academy. Ensigns typically begin their careers as the most junior officers in the department of their chosen specialty. Ensigns who have strongly distinguished themselves in their academy class or on duty may sometimes be given posts as main-shift bridge officers (such as Ensigns Pavel Chekov, Harry Kim, Wesley Crusher and Ro Laren).

[edit] Earth Federation

In the Universal Century timeline of the Gundam anime series. The rank of Ensign is the 7^th rank up below Lieutenant JG. The rank of Ensign is only extended to the EF Space Forces. Notanble EFF Ensigns include Ensign Shiro Amada, Ensign Kou Uraki (Later Lieutenant JG), Ensign Amuro Ray (Later Lieutenant)and Ensign Hayato Kobayashi.

[edit] Star Kingdom of Manticore

In the series of novels, known as "the Honor Harrington series", written by David Weber, the rank of Ensign is used by the Royal Manticoran Navy. In many of these novels the most junior officers start first as Midshipmen (or Midshipwomen) and upon passing that grade become Ensigns. In several stories Ensigns are pivotal to the plot, or play a major part in supporting the major characters. Honor Harrington herself has been one.

[edit] See also

• U.S. Navy officer rank insignia
• Comparative military ranks
• Sub-Lieutenant
• Signifer
• Vexillarius

[edit] References

• Division Officer's Guide / James Stavridis and Robert Girrier - Naval Institute Press, 2004 - ISBN 1591147999