The rank insignia of the Italian Navy (Marina Militare) are worn on epaulettes of shirts and white jackets, and on sleeves for navy jackets and mantels. The rank structure is organized into three broad categories: commissioned officers (ufficiali), non-commissioned officers (sottufficiali), and enlisted personnel (truppa). The system aligns with NATO standardized rank codes (OF-1 to OF-9 for officers and OR-1 to OR-9 for other ranks) to facilitate interoperability with other member nations.
Officer Ranks (Ufficiali)
Flag Officers (Ammiragli)
Italian Rank
English Translation
NATO Code
Ammiraglio
Admiral
OF-10
Ammiraglio di squadra con incarichi speciali
Squadron Admiral with Special Assignments
OF-9
Ammiraglio di squadra
Squadron Admiral (Lieutenant Admiral)
OF-8
Ammiraglio di divisione
Divisional Admiral (Vice Admiral)
OF-7
Contrammiraglio
Counter Admiral (Rear Admiral)
OF-6
Notes:
The rank of "ammiraglio" (admiral) is assigned only to the naval officer promoted as Chief of the Defense Staff.
The rank of "ammiraglio di squadra con incarichi speciali" (squadron admiral with special assignments) is assigned to the naval officer promoted as Chief of the Naval Staff and/or as Secretary of Defense.
Senior Officers (Ufficiali Superiori)
Italian Rank
English Translation
NATO Code
Capitano di vascello
Ship-of-the-line Captain
OF-5
Capitano di fregata
Frigate Captain
OF-4
Capitano di corvetta
Corvette Captain
OF-3
Junior Officers (Ufficiali Inferiori)
Italian Rank
English Translation
NATO Code
Tenente di vascello
Ship-of-the-line Lieutenant
OF-2
Sottotenente di vascello
Ship-of-the-line Sublieutenant
OF-1
Guardiamarina
Gardemarine (Ensign)
OF-1
Student Officer
Italian Rank
English Translation
Aspirante guardiamarina
Aspiring Ensign
Non-Commissioned Officers (Sottufficiali)
Marshals (Marescialli) — OR-9 to OR-8
Italian Rank
English Translation
NATO Code
Primo luogotenente
First Sublieutenant
OR-9
Luogotenente
Sublieutenant
OR-9
Primo maresciallo
First Marshal
OR-9
Sergeants (Sergenti) — OR-7 to OR-6
Italian Rank
English Translation
NATO Code
Secondo aiutante
Second Chief Adjutant
OR-7
Secondo capo scelto
Chosen Second Chief
OR-7
Secondo capo
Second Chief
OR-6
Sergente
Sergeant
OR-5
Enlisted Personnel (Graduati e Comuni)
Chiefs (Capi)
Italian Rank
English Translation
Capo di prima classe
Chief 1st Class
Capo di seconda classe
Chief 2nd Class
Capo di terza classe
Chief 3rd Class
Subchiefs (Sottocapi)
Italian Rank
English Translation
Sottocapo aiutante
Subchief Adjutant
Sottocapo scelto
Chosen Subchief
Sottocapo di prima classe
Subchief 1st Class
Sottocapo di seconda classe
Subchief 2nd Class
Sottocapo di terza classe
Subchief 3rd Class
Commoners (Comuni) — OR-4 to OR-1
Italian Rank
English Translation
NATO Code
Comune scelto
Chosen Commoner
OR-4
Comune di prima classe
Commoner 1st Class
OR-3
Comune di seconda classe
Commoner 2nd Class
OR-2
Note: The rank of "comune di seconda classe" (OR-1) has no rank insignia; sailors at this level wear only a category or specialty badge (e.g., "tecnico di macchine" — machinist's mate).
Recent Reforms
2018 Reform
Introduced new rank structures including "primo luogotenente q.s." (qualifica speciale — special rank) and "secondo capo scelto q.s."
2022 Name Changes
On 5 August 2022, multiple ranks across the Italian armed forces were renamed. Key changes included:
"Primo luogotenente q.s." → "Primo luogotenente"
"Secondo capo scelto q.s." → "Secondo aiutante"
"Sottocapo di prima classe scelto q.s." → "Sottocapo aiutante"
"Sottocapo di prima classe scelto" → "Sottocapo scelto"
"Sottocapo" → "Comune scelto"
Enlisted Personnel Overview
Enlisted service members form the backbone of the Italian Navy. They comprise personnel on active duty, one-year service volunteers (VFP 1), and four-year service volunteers (VFP 4). At the end of their four-year service, enlisted sailors have the opportunity to become regular service members and reach higher ranks (up to Captain). They are technical specialists employed onboard naval units and ashore or in operational forces, working in fields such as electronics, computer science, and engineering. Enlisted personnel are trained at the Taranto- and La Maddalena-based training establishments.
