Corporal

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Belarus BKA 1944 - Kapral
Divisa de Cabo emborrachada
Army-FRA-OR-03
French Air Force-caporal
France-Army-OR-3 LowVis
Corporal
CountryVarious
AbbreviationCpl
NATO rank codeOR-4
Next higher rankSergeant
Next lower rankLance Corporal


Corporal (Cpl) is a military rank used in many countries' armed forces. It is typically a low-ranking non-commissioned officer (NCO) position, often above a Lance Corporal and below a Sergeant. The rank of Corporal is used in various branches of the military, including the Army, Marine Corps, and Air Force.

Role and Responsibilities[edit | edit source]

Corporals are often responsible for leading small military units, such as a fireteam or a squad. They are tasked with ensuring that their subordinates are trained, disciplined, and ready for combat. Corporals also serve as a link between the enlisted personnel and the higher-ranking NCOs and officers.

Insignia[edit | edit source]

The insignia for a Corporal varies between different countries and military branches. In the United States Army, the insignia consists of two chevrons. In the British Army, it is represented by two chevrons worn on the sleeve.

Promotion[edit | edit source]

Promotion to the rank of Corporal typically requires a combination of time in service, time in grade, and successful completion of leadership training courses. The specific requirements can vary significantly between different military organizations.

Variations by Country[edit | edit source]

United States[edit | edit source]

In the United States Armed Forces, the rank of Corporal is used in the Army and the Marine Corps. In the Army, it is considered a junior NCO rank, while in the Marine Corps, it is the lowest NCO rank.

United Kingdom[edit | edit source]

In the British Army and the Royal Marines, Corporal is a rank above Lance Corporal and below Sergeant. It is a key leadership position within a section or platoon.

Canada[edit | edit source]

In the Canadian Armed Forces, Corporal is a rank in both the Army and the Air Force. It is equivalent to the rank of Leading Seaman in the Royal Canadian Navy.

Related Ranks[edit | edit source]

See Also[edit | edit source]

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD