Israel Defense Forces ranks

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The ranks in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reflect an individual's level in the military.

IDF ranks are divided into three groups: enlisted ranks, from Private to First Sergeant; non-commissioned officer (NCO) ranks, from Staff Sergeant to Chief Warrant Officer; and officer ranks, from Second Lieutenant to Lieutenant General. The rank insignia for enlisted personnel are worn on the arm, between the elbow and the shoulder, while the ranks of NCOs and officers are worn on the shoulder epaulettes of the shirt.^[1]

Because the IDF is an integrated force, ranks are the same in all branches (there is no differentiation between army, navy, air force, etc.) The ranks are derived from those in the paramilitary Haganah, which operated during the Mandate period in order to protect the Yishuv.^[2]