Build Your Career . . .: Ranks And Insignia || Bangladesh Army

Once you decide to join the Army, your success depends only on your desire and commitment to become a better Soldier. Below are the various Army ranks' for Soldiers as well as Junior Commissioned Officers and Officers. While the amount of time spent in each rank is based on averages, you can often accelerate the promotion process by taking advantage of additional training, qualification and schooling opportunities.

Sainik

Lowest rank: a trainee who's starting Basic Training . Primary role is to carry out orders issued to them to the best of his/her ability. Sainik does not have an insignia.

Lance Corporal

Lance Corporal are promoted to this level after one year or earlier by superior officer. Carries out orders issued to them to the best of his/her ability.

Corporal (Cpl)

A Cpl is base of the Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) ranks. Cpls serve as a Section Commander, the smallest Army units. They are responsible for individual training, personal appearance and cleanliness of Soldiers.

Sergeant (Sgt)

A Sgt commands a section (9 to 10 Soldiers). He holds various important appointments at platoon, company and battalion level. SGTs have greatest impact on Soldiers because Sgts oversee them in their daily tasks. In short, Sgts set an example and the standard for Sainiks to look up to, and live up to. They hold key appointments in the Company and Regiments.

Warrant Officer (WO)

Key appointment and the platoon leader. Generally has 15 to 20 years of Army experience and puts it to use by making quick, accurate decisions in the best interests of the Soldiers and the country.

Senior Warrant Officer (SWO)

Key appointment and the platoon leader. Generally has 22 to 25 years of Army experience and puts it to use by making quick, accurate decisions in the best interests of the Soldiers.

Master Warrant Officer (MWO)

There's only one Master Warrant Officer in a Battalion. Serves as the senior advisor and consultant to the Commanding Officer

Second Lieutenant

A Second Lieutenant is the junior most officer in a Battalion. He serves as the administrative officer or staff officer in an unit.

Lieutenant

A Lieutenant assists Company Commander in various unit activities. He serves as the administrative officer or staff officer in an unit.

Captain

A Captain serves as a company second in command or a staff officer in unit and formation level. He holds various appointments like, Grade-3 Staff Officer, Adjutant, Quarter Master etc. Various extra regimental duties starts from this rank. Some Captains hold the appointment of Aid de Corp to senior officers. Some officers are posted to BGB, SSF, RAB as captain also.

Major

A Major serves as a Company Commander in a unit/ battalion. Some very senior Majors are appointed as Battalion Second in Command. Some are appointed as Officer Commanding of independent companies . He serves as a Grade-2 staff officer at HQ and formation level. He holds various appointments like Grade-2 Staff Officer, Brigade Major, DAA & QMG etc. He acts as Instructor at most of the training institutions. Some officers are posted to BGB, SSF, RAB, POLICE, DGFI, BNCC, NSI, BTRC as major also.

Lieutenant Colonel

He is the Battalion Commander. Some time he serves as a Grade-1 staff officer at formation level. He holds various appointments like Grade-1 Staff Officer, AA & QMG etc. He acts as Chief Instructor at most of the training institutions. Some officers are posted to BGB, RAB, POLICE, DGFI, SSF, NSI, BTRC as Lieutenant Colonel also.

Colonel

A Colonel is appointed as an Officiating Brigade Commander . Some time he serves as a Colonel Staff at formation level. Some Colonels are posted as a Station Commander. Some Colonels are posted to BGB as Sector Commander and DGFI as Colonel GS.

Brigadier General

A Brigadier General is appointed as a Brigade Commander . Some time he serves as a Director at various directorate of Army Headquarters. He acts as Commandant at most of the training institutions. Some Brigadier Generals are posted to BGB as Sector Commander also.

Major General

A Major General is appointed as a General Officer Commanding at Division Level or ARTDOC. Some time he serves as PSO to the Chief of Army Staff. He serves as a PSO at Armed Forces Division, Director General at DGFI, SSF, BGB, Ansar & VDP and some other organizations. He acts as Commandant at National Defence College, Defence Service Command and Staff College, Military Institute of Science and Technology and VC of Bangladesh University of Professionals etc.

Lieutenant General

A Lieutenant General is a three star General. Some time he serves as PSO to the Chief of Army Staff or a PSO at Armed Forces Division or Director General at DGFI. He may act as a Commandant at National Defence College too.

General