Editing Chevron (insignia) (section)

== Rank insignia ==
In Western European tradition, chevrons are used as an insignia of the ranks variously known, depending on the country, as [[non-commissioned officer]] or sub-officer ranks. This usage has become the worldwide norm, but there are many exceptions where other insignia, typically stripes but sometimes stars, are used for such ranks instead.

Many countries, such as France and Italy, use chevrons proper, or colloquially, the chevrons "point up". Many others, such as most [[Member states of the Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth countries]], use inverted chevrons, or colloquially, the chevrons "point down."

In the United States, the Army and Marines use chevrons proper (although prior to the 20th century this was not true), while the Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard use inverted chevrons. Arcs, known as "rockers", are also added to chevrons to indicate higher rank.

English-speaking countries tend to use three chevrons for a sergeant and two for a corporal.

Canadian and Australian Forces often refer to chevrons as "hooks". In the Dutch armed forces they are nicknamed "banana peels".<ref>See [http://www.leger1939-1940.nl/Uniform/Infanterist/rang.htm Infanterist 1939-1940: rangen - Het Nederlandsche Leger 1939-1940] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120412190912/http://www.leger1939-1940.nl/Uniform/Infanterist/rang.htm |date=2012-04-12 }}, 2012</ref>

In the [[British Army]], [[Royal Marines]] and [[Royal Air Force]], chevrons are worn point down to denote non-commissioned officer rank, with one for [[lance corporal]], two for corporal, three for sergeant, and three with a crown for [[staff sergeant]] (known as [[colour sergeant]] in infantry regiments and the Royal Marines) or [[flight sergeant]] (RAF). Branch and tradition results in variations in rank titles ([[corporal of horse]] being the equivalent of sergeant in the [[Household Cavalry]]) and spellings (serjeant in [[The Rifles]]). Large chevrons are also worn on the sleeves of [[Royal Navy]] sailors to denote good conduct rather than rank.

Although usually associated with non-commissioned officers, the chevron was originally used as an insignia to denote [[general officer]] ranks in the British Army. It was adopted from the insignia worn by cavalry during the 18th century, in particular the [[Household Cavalry]]. It was worn on the cuffs, forearms and tails of their coats, embroidered in gold bullion for the guards and silver for dragoons regiments. [[George III of the United Kingdom|George III]] favoured the uniform of the Horse Guards, and his [[Windsor uniform]] followed a similar pattern. After 1768, a similar pattern uniform as worn the King was introduced to general officers, with the number and spacing of the chevrons denoting rank. For example, a major general would wear his chevrons in pairs: two on the sleeves, and two on the tails. A lieutenant general would wear them in groups of three, and a full general's would be equidistant. This practice continued into the early Victorian era.

=== Examples ===
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File:British Army OR-3.svg|[[Lance corporal]]<br />([[British Army]])<ref name="United Kingdom">{{cite book |title=ARMY DRESS REGULATIONS (ALL RANKS) |date=February 2016 |publisher=Ministry of Defence |location=Part 9 Sect 2 Annex D |url=https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/393927/response/959318/attach/8/ADR%20Part%209.pdf?cookie_passthrough=1 |access-date=20 March 2022 |chapter=Part 9 Badges, Headdress and Embellishments |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210520120110/https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/393927/response/959318/attach/8/ADR%20Part%209.pdf?cookie_passthrough=1 |archive-date=20 May 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>
File:Army-USA-OR-02 (Army greens).svg|[[Private (rank)#United States|Private]]<br />([[United States Army]])<ref name="US_Army">{{cite web |title=U.S. Army Ranks |url=https://www.army.mil/ranks/ |website=army.mil |publisher=United States Army |access-date=27 May 2021}}</ref>
</gallery>