Grande Armée - Ranks of The Grande Armée

Ranks of The Grande Armée

Unlike the armies of the Ancien Régime and other monarchies, advancement in the Grande Armée was based on proven ability rather than social class or wealth. Napoleon wanted his army to be a meritocracy, where every soldier, no matter how humble of birth, could rise rapidly to the highest levels of command, much as he had done (provided, of course, they did not rise too high or too fast). This was equally applied to the French and foreign officers, and no less than 140 foreigners attained the rank of Général. By and large this goal was achieved. Given the right opportunities to prove themselves, capable men could rise to the top within a few years, whereas in other armies it usually required decades if at all. It was said that even the lowliest private carried a marshal's baton in his knapsack.

Maréchal d'Empire, or Marshal of the Empire, was not a "rank" within the French Army, but a personal title granted to distinguished Divisional generals, along with higher pay and privileges. The highest "rank" in Napoleon's army was actually Général de division.

Grande Armée rank	Modern U.S. equivalent
Général de division, Lieutenant général	Lieutenant General
Général de brigade, Maréchal de camp (in 1815)	Major General
Adjudant-commandant	Brigadier General
Colonel	Colonel
Major	Lieutenant Colonel
Chef de bataillon or Chef d'escadron	Major
Capitaine adjutant-major	Staff Captain
Capitaine	Captain
Lieutenant	First Lieutenant
Sous-lieutenant	Second Lieutenant
Non-commissioned officers
Adjudant sous-officier	Chief Warrant Officer
Adjudant-Chef	Warrant Officer
Adjudant	Sergeant-Major
Sergent-Major or Maréchal des logis Chef	First sergeant
Sergent or Maréchal des Logis	Sergeant
Caporal-Fourrier or Brigadier-Fourrier	Company clerk/supply Sergeant
Caporal or Brigadier (Cavalry, Horse Artillery and Gendarmerie)	Corporal
Soldat or Cavalier(Cavalry) or Canonnier(Artillery)	Private