Commandant-general is a military rank in several countries and is generally equivalent to that of major-general.

Argentina

Commandant general is the highest rank in the Argentine National Gendarmerie, and is held by the national director of the gendarmerie and his senior deputies. Depending on the appointment, it may be equal to any Argentine army rank from brigade general to the highest Argentine army rank, lieutenant general.

Ireland

During the Irish Civil War of 1922–23, the Irregulars, or anti-Treaty IRA, applied this term to the leaders of their various brigades throughout the country. The term was acquired from the Boer ranks, through veterans of the Irish Transvaal Brigade.

Italy

Italy Italy, officially the Italian Republic, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe, Western Europe. It consists of Italian Peninsula, a peninsula that extends into the Mediterranean Sea, with the Alps on its northern land b ...

''Comandante generale'' (commandant general) is the title of the general officers commanding the ''

Carabinieri The Carabinieri (, also , ; formally ''Arma dei Carabinieri'', "Arm of Carabineers"; previously ''Corpo dei Carabinieri Reali'', "Royal Carabineers Corps") are the national gendarmerie of Italy who primarily carry out domestic and foreign poli ...

'', the '' Guardia di Finanza'' and the '' Corps of the Port Captaincies – Coast Guard''. It is an appointment, not a rank. In Fascist Italy's Blackshirts, ''comandante generale'' was the title of their head and was held by Benito Mussolini from 1922 to 1943.

Portugal and Brazil

Historically, commandant-general () has been the traditional title of the appointment of commanding officer in several security forces in

Portugal Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic, is a country on the Iberian Peninsula in Southwestern Europe. Featuring Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point in continental Europe, Portugal borders Spain to its north and east, with which it share ...

and

Brazil Brazil, officially the Federative Republic of Brazil, is the largest country in South America. It is the world's List of countries and dependencies by area, fifth-largest country by area and the List of countries and dependencies by population ...

. Presently, in Portugal is the title of the general officer commanding the National Republican Guard (GNR). In the past, it was also the title of the commanding officers of the Public Security Police, the former Fiscal Guard and the former Portuguese Legion. In Brazil, it is the title of the commanding officers of the state military police and military fire departments.

South Africa

Commandant-general was a military rank in South African Republic and the Orange Free State Republic as well as in the Union of South Africa and the Republic of South Africa. The commandant-general of one of the Boer republics was the head of its armed forces. The rank of full general in the South African Army was renamed "commandant-general" in 1956 and was in use until 1967 when it reverted simply to "general" Commandant-general was, at times, also a post designation, rather than a rank. Brigadier-General CF Beyers was the first Commandant-General of the Active Citizen Force{{cite journal, last=Jooste, first=L, title=DIE POLITIEKE KOERSWENDING VAN 1948 BESORG 'N NUWE IDENTITEIT AAN DIE UNIEVERDEDIGINGSMAG, journal=Militaria, year=1996, volume=26, series=2, url=http://scientiamilitaria.journals.ac.za/pub/article/view/246, accessdate=14 September 2012 until he resigned in 1914. He was succeeded as Commandant-General by Major-General J C Smuts with effect from 16 September 1914.National Archives, Pretoria: GG Box 683, File No. 9/104/1

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, commandant-general is a military appointment, not a rank. See the following for more details: * Commandant General Royal Marines * Commandant-General of the RAF Regiment

References

Military ranks Military ranks of South Africa