The military ranks of Brazil are the military insignia used by the Brazilian Armed Forces. The insignia and ranks of the Brazilian military are defined by Act no. 6880 of December 9, 1980.Act no. 6880 of December 9, 1980.

Air Force ranks date from 1941, when the Brazilian Air Force was organized as a merger of the Navy's Aeronaval Force and the Army's Aviation Service.

Commissioned officer ranks The rank insignia of commissioned officers.

The shoulder epaulette pads from Navy and Air Force indicate both rank and specialty branch. The air force examples below are shown without branch designation marks on the epaulettes, with the exception of the ranks of Marshal of the Air Force and Air Chief Marshal, which can only be occupied by aviators. Army shoulder pads do not represent branch, as this is indicated elsewhere in the uniform like on the cuff and sleeves of the dress and everyday uniforms.BRASIL. Lei nº 14.751, de 12 de dezembro de 2023. Art. 18. Diário Oficial da União: seção 1, Brasília, DF, 13 dez. 2023.

The Military Police alongside the Military Firefighters Corps are classed as an auxiliary and reserve forces of the ArmyBRASIL. Constituição da República Federativa do Brasil de 1988. Art. 144, § 6º. Emenda Constitucional nº 104, de 4 de dezembro de 2019. Disponível em: https://www.jusbrasil.com.br/topicos/10673132/artigo-144-da-constituicao-federal-de-1988. and thus carry insignia similar to that service. Another important point to mention is that police forces are subordinate to the governors of their respective states. As a result, the structure of their insignias follows that of the Brazilian Army. However, each state has its own legislation, regulations regarding insignias, uniforms, historical uniforms, and teaching academies for both NCOs and COs.

Police force and firefighter corps commanders and chiefs The highest commander of the police force is the governor. Since it serves as an auxiliary force to the army, the highest rank attainable is that of colonel.BRASIL. Lei nº 14.751, de 12 de dezembro de 2023. Art. 12, Inciso I. Lei Orgânica Nacional das Polícias Militares e dos Corpos de Bombeiros Militares dos Estados, do Distrito Federal e dos Territórios. Disponível em: https://normas.leg.br/?urn=urn:lex:br:federal:lei:2023-12-12;14751 However, there are special ranks designated for military commanders within the police. These positions are appointed by each governor and are exclusively assigned to senior officers, most of whom are colonels.BRASIL. Lei nº 14.751, de 12 de dezembro de 2023. Art. 29. Lei Orgânica Nacional das Polícias Militares e dos Corpos de Bombeiros Militares dos Estados, do Distrito Federal e dos Territórios. Disponível em: https://normas.leg.br/?urn=urn:lex:br:federal:lei:2023-12-12;14751

The design of insignias may vary from state to state, and in some states, certain positions may or may not include a distinction in rank design.BRASIL. Lei nº 14.751, de 12 de dezembro de 2023. Art. 15, inciso I. Lei Orgânica Nacional das Polícias Militares e dos Corpos de Bombeiros Militares dos Estados, do Distrito Federal e dos Territórios. Disponível em: https://normas.leg.br/?urn=urn:lex:br:federal:lei:2023-12-12;14751 The representations shown are generalized artistic illustrations and may not reflect the exact insignias used in each state. Rank Colonel Lieutenant colonel Major Brazilian Military Police Governor military cabinet chief (SP) Deputy general commander Chief of Staff Colonel in the role of military court judge Governor military cabinet chief/Interim Governor military cabinet chief Military Firefighters Corps Deputy general commanderChief of Staff Note: The insignias in the table were artistically created based on real models from various Brazilian states. They serve illustrative purposes and may include minor inaccuracies or design differences compared to official state insignias.

Rank flags Rank General / Flag Officers Senior Officers

Student officers Each branch of the Brazilian Armed Forces has its own institutions for training commissioned officers (COs) and non-commissioned officers (NCOs). The academies responsible for officer training in each branch are:

Army: Agulhas Negras Military Academy (AMAN), Military Institute of Engineering (IME), (NPOR/CPOR), (ESFCEx/EsFCEx) (Which also houses the Military Chaplains School for the Army), and the (EsEFEx). Navy: Naval School (EN) and Admiral Wandenkolk Training Center (CIAW). Air Force: Brazilian Air Force Academy (AFA) and (CPORAER).

For police forces, each state has its own academies; however, the most famous is the (APMBB) in the state of São Paulo.

Note: It is worth noting that most police and firefighter academies in Brazil last 3 years, with the being one of the only ones that lasts 4 years.

Rank group Special Student Grade Junior officer Student officer/Cadets 5th year 4th year 3rd year 2nd year 1st year IME Aspirante a Oficial AMAN CPORAluno CPOREsFCEx EN Guarda-Marinha Guarda-Marinha (Marines) (Marines) Rank group Special Student Grade Junior officer Student officer/Cadets 5th year 4th year 3rd year 2nd year 1st year AFAAspirante CPORaer Brazilian Military Police (APMBB) (APMBB) (APMBB) (APMBB) Military Firefighters Corps Rank group Special Student Grade Junior officer 5th year 4th year 3rd year 2nd year 1st yearStudent officer/Cadets

Preparatory school The Brazilian system includes a preparatory stage before entering the military academy. Known as preparatory schools, students who graduate from these institutions are guaranteed access to their respective academies, as follows:

Army: Brazilian Army Preparatory School of Cadets (EsPCEx) (1 year) provides a guaranteed place at AMAN. Navy: (CN) (3 years, combined with high school) provides a place at EN. Air Force: (EPCAr) (3 years, combined with high school) provides a place at AFA.

Rank group Cadets(preparatory schools) EsPCEx EPCAr Aluno EPCAR 3°AnoAluno EPCAR 2°AnoAluno EPCAR 1°AnoCNAluno CN 3° AnoAluno CN 2° AnoAluno CN 1° Ano

Non-commissioned Officers The rank insignia of non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel.

Students non-commissioned officers Future NCOs are not classified as Cadets but rather as Students (). Additionally, the term "Student" is followed by the rank for which they are being trained. For example, for corporals: Student-Corporal; and for sergeants: Student-Sergeant.

The academies responsible for NCO training in each branch are: Army: ESA (The course lasts for two years, and graduates are commissioned as Third Sergeants) Navy: EAM and CIAA (It lasts 2 months to be a Sergeant, but you must have completed the Apprentice (11 months) and Corporal (4 Months) courses beforehand to be eligible). Air Force: EEAR (The course lasts for two years, and graduates are commissioned as Third Sergeants).

For police forces, each state has its own academies. In São Paulo State, the Escola Superior de Sargentos (ESSgt) can be translated as Sergeants' Advanced School or Higher School for Sergeants.BRASIL. Lei nº 14.751, de 12 de dezembro de 2023. Art. 16. Diário Oficial da União: seção 1, Brasília, DF, 13 dez. 2023.

It is worth mentioning that there are other courses for training sergeants and corporals, as well as advanced training courses. One of these courses is the CFST (Temporary Sergeant Training Course), which allows the NCO to remain in an active military career for a maximum of 8 years.

Students who graduate from sergeant courses can attain the positions of Sub-lieutenant (in the army or police) or Sub-officer (in Navy, Air Force and Marines).BRASIL. Lei nº 14.751, de 12 de dezembro de 2023. Art. 15, inciso V. Lei Orgânica Nacional das Polícias Militares e dos Corpos de Bombeiros Militares dos Estados, do Distrito Federal e dos Territórios. Disponível em: https://normas.leg.br/?urn=urn:lex:br:federal:lei:2023-12-12;14751 However, depending on the NCO's performance and additional courses completed, they may rise to the rank of Captain.

Rank group Sargeants candidates Corporal candidates Soldier candidates (CFST)(CFST)(CFC)(CFC)(EEAR)(EEAR)(EEAR)(EEAR) Brazilian Military Police(Essgt) (SP)(ES)(SC)(SC) Military Firefighters Corps(PB)(PB)(PB)(PR)

Generalissimo

On January 15, 1890, Deodoro da Fonseca was acclaimed by some troops and supporters as "" (). However, there is no known official decree, law, or military act issued by the Brazilian federal government or the Ministry of War (currently the Ministry of Defense) that formally granted Fonseca a military rank higher than Marshal or Admiral, which remain the highest military rank in Brazil. The Brazilian Armed Forces do not recognize a six-star general rank in any of their branches.

Although the term "Generalíssimo" has occasionally appeared in cultural or civic commemorations, such uses are symbolic or honorific. The rank does not appear in official legislation that defines the structure and hierarchy of the Armed Forces of Brazil.

Generalíssima A symbolic military title of "" (female form of Generalissimo) has also been officially given to Our Lady of the Conception Aparecida, the Patroness of Brazil. In 1967, during the 250th anniversary of the appearance of her image, president Artur da Costa e Silva formally conferred upon her the title "" in a civil-military ceremony held at Aparecida. The event featured participation by the Brazilian Army, the Ministry of Defense, and was marked by the presentation of the Pontifical Golden Rose by Cardinal Amleto Cicognani, on behalf of Pope Paul VI.

Official reports from the Military Ordinariate of Brazil and the Chamber of Deputies describe a Request for Solemn Session No. 2479/2023 as an act of renewing the title of "".

See also Military ranks of the Empire of Brazil Military ranks of Portugal

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