Flag officerSenior military officer entitled to fly a flag of rankA flag officer is a commissioned officer in a nation's armed forces senior enough to be entitled to fly a flag to mark the position from which that officer exercises command, such as their flagship.
General officerMilitary rankA general officer is an officer of high rank in the armies, and in some nations' air and space forces, marines or naval infantry. In some usages, the term "general officer" refers to a rank above colonel. General officer ranksThe adjective general had been affixed to officer designations since the late medieval period to indicate relative superiority or an extended jurisdiction. The various grades of general officer are at the top of the military rank structure.
British Armed ForcesCombined military forces of the United KingdomHis Majesty's Armed Forces, also known colloquially as the British Armed Forces, are the unified military forces responsible for the defence of the United Kingdom, its Overseas Territories and the Crown Dependencies. They also promote the UK's wider interests, support international peacekeeping efforts and provide humanitarian aid.
Air Officer ScotlandAir Officer Scotland is the senior Royal Air Force officer in Scotland, held since March 2025 by Air Commodore Mark J. Northover. In 1962, the Air Officer Scotland role assumed responsibility for Northern Ireland, becoming Air Officer Scotland and Northern Ireland. In December 1994 the AOSNI post departed Pitreavie Castle (the AOC Northern Maritime Air Region post was being disestablished).
Air officer commandingAir Officer Commanding (AOC) is a title given in the air forces of Commonwealth (and some other) nations to an air officer who holds a command appointment which typically comprises a large, organized collection of air force assets. Thus, an air vice marshal might be the AOC 38 Group. The equivalent term for army officers is general officer commanding (GOC), from where the air force term was derived.Air commodoreAir commodore (Air Cdre or Air Cmde) is an air officer rank used by some air forces, with origins from the Royal Air Force. The rank is also used by the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence and it is sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in countries which have a non-English air force-specific rank structure. Air commodore is immediately senior to group captain and immediately subordinate to air vice-marshal.
Royal NavyThe Royal Navy (RN) is the naval warfare force of the United Kingdom, responsible for defending the country, the Crown Dependencies, and the Overseas Territories from naval attack or invasion. It is a component of His Majesty's Naval Service, and its officers hold their commissions from the King. Although warships were used by English and Scottish kings from the early medieval period, the first major maritime engagements were fought in the Hundred Years' War against France.
Royal Air ForceThe Royal Air Force (RAF) is the air and space force of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. It was formed towards the end of the First World War on 1 April 1918 through the merger of the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS). Following the Allied victory over the Central Powers in 1918, the RAF emerged as the largest air force in the world.
Air forceAn air force in the broadest sense is the national military branch that primarily conducts aerial warfare. More specifically, it is the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an army aviation or naval aviation units.
Commander-in-chiefSupreme commanding authority of a militaryA commander-in-chief (sometimes called a supreme commander or supreme commander-in-chief) is the person who exercises supreme command and control over an armed force. The role may be vested in a head of state, head of government, or another designated officer or government official. The title used varies by country and language.
Military star rankingMilitary star ranking is military terminology, used in mainly English speaking countries, to describe general and flag officer/admirals. Within NATO's armed forces, the stars are equal to OF-6–10. Star rankingOne-starA one-star rank is usually the lowest ranking general or flag officer. In many Commonwealth countries, the one-star army rank of Brigadier is considered the highest field officer rank.
Commonwealth of NationsPolitical association which developed from the British EmpireThe Commonwealth of Nations, often referred to as the British Commonwealth or simply the Commonwealth, is an international association of 56 member states, the vast majority of which are former territories of its predecessor, the British Empire. They are connected through their use of the English language and their cultural and historical ties.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.