In some branches of the

French Army The French Army, officially known as the Land Army (, , ), is the principal Army, land warfare force of France, and the largest component of the French Armed Forces; it is responsible to the Government of France, alongside the French Navy, Fren ...

and in the French

National Gendarmerie The National Gendarmerie ( ) is one of two national law enforcement forces of France, along with the National Police (France), National Police. The Gendarmerie is a branch of the French Armed Forces placed under the jurisdiction of the Minister ...

''Chef d'escadron'' ("

squadron leader Squadron leader (Sqn Ldr or S/L) is a senior officer rank used by some air forces, with origins from the Royal Air Force. The rank is used by air forces of many countries that have historical British influence. Squadron leader is immediatel ...

") is the officer rank above captain and below lieutenant colonel. It is the first

Senior officer A senior officer is an officer of a more senior grade in military or other uniformed services. In military organisations, the term may refer to any officer above junior officer rank, but usually specifically refers to the middle-ranking group of ...

(''Officier supérieur'') rank and corresponds to

Major Major most commonly refers to: * Major (rank), a military rank * Academic major, an academic discipline to which an undergraduate student formally commits * People named Major, including given names, surnames, nicknames * Major and minor in musi ...

in the armies of most English-speaking countries. It is spelled with an s (Chef d'escadrons) in units which were traditionally part of the cavalry. The equivalent rank in other branches of the French Army that are not mounted troops (mostly Infantry and Combat Engineers) is ''Chef de bataillon'' (battalion leader). In the administrative and support branch of the Gendarmerie, the equivalent rank is ''Commandant''. In summary : *''Troupes à cheval'' (horse troops): ** cavalry, tanks : chef d'escadrons - four silver (white) braids ** transportation units, artillery : chef d'escadron - four silver (white) braids ** Gendarmerie : chef d'escadron - four silver (white) braids for the Departmental Gendarmerie, four golden (yellow) braids for the Mobile Gendarmerie and the

Republican Guard A republican guard, sometimes called a national guard, is a state organization of a country (often a republic, hence the name ''Republican'') which typically serves to protect the head of state and the government, and thus is often synonymous wit ...

*''Troupes à pied'' (foot units) : infantry, combat engineers - chef de bataillon : four golden (yellow) braids * Gendarmerie administrative Corps : commandant - four silver (white) braids Chef d'escadron is also in use in the armies of many former

French colonies From the 16th to the 17th centuries, the First French colonial empire existed mainly in the Americas and Asia. During the 19th and 20th centuries, the second French colonial empire existed mainly in Africa and Asia. France had about 80 colonie ...

such as Niger), Somehow confusingly, ''Chef d'escadron'' is also a title (not a rank) sometimes used for the commanding officer of a squadron, (usually a '' capitaine'' in the Army but either a ''capitaine'' or a ''chef d'escadron'' in the Gendarmerie).The Gendarmerie more frequently uses the title ''Commandant d'unité'' (CDU - unit commander), probably to avoid confusion Finally, the French Air Force also has squadrons but does not use chef d'escadron as a title (and uses commandant as a rank).

Sources

{{reflist Military ranks of France

See also

Sources