Military ranks in the World of Avatar

Military ranks are a system of hierarchical relationships employed to clearly define a chain of command within the military.

Army
The chain of command is not very well defined in the Water Tribe. There is no overall military commander of the Water Tribes, and as such, command is divided between the two polar factions.



Tribal Chief
A Tribal Chief (首長, shǒuzhǎng) is the leader of a Water Tribe settlement. Several chiefs are present in the Southern Water Tribe, which is consisted of several villages scattered along the vicinity of the South Pole. All of these chiefs are virtually equal in power, and serve more as figures of guidance rather than as authoritative political figures. There is one sole chief of the Northern Water Tribe, and he seemingly has more power than his southern faction counterparts. In principle, however, all chiefs are equal, and convene together to make decisions. The chief of the Northern Water Tribe is advised by a council consisted of the most influential members of the tribe, including Master Pakku and Princess Yue.

Known Tribal Chiefs include:
 * Chief Arnook (Northern Water Tribe)
 * Chief Hakoda (Southern Water Tribe)

Lieutenant
There have been subtle hints presented that imply the existence of a lieutenant in the military of the Water Tribe. Bato may be the lieutenant of the Southern Water Tribe, as he wears a different uniform to that of the other warriors and is shown to act in a lieutenant-like position to Hakoda on several occasions.

Possible lieutenants include:
 * Hahn (Northern Water Tribe)
 * Bato (Southern Water Tribe)

Army
The Earth Kingdom Army is commanded by the Council of Five. The council is the highest authority in the Earth Kingdom military (apart from the Grand Secretariat of Ba Sing Se and the Earth King himself), and oversees the country's entire war effort against the Fire Nation. The council is headed by General How, the commanding officer of the military. Among the council members is General Sung, who defended Ba Sing Se's Outer Wall from an attack of a giant drill. The other three generals were briefly seen, and remained unnamed.

General


General is the highest rank in the Earth Kingdom Army. Each general is in charge of bases located in the Earth Kingdom, or can serve as members of the Council of Five in Ba Sing Se.

Known generals include:
 * General How (Head of the Council of Five)
 * General Fong
 * General Sung
 * General Chin †

Captain
A captain is the commander, or second in command, of a company of soldiers or a squadron. In Omashu, it is shown that the captains are high enough ranking to be able to speak with the King of Omashu and discuss military affairs.

Known captains include:
 * Captain Yung
 * Earthbender captain

Army
The Fire Nation Army is the biggest and main branch of the Fire Nation, and is a key used in taking the Earth Kingdom. It utilizes a large collection of different vehicles and soldiers.

General


General (Chinese:將軍, jiāngjūn) is the highest rank in the Fire Nation Army. Different generals vary in position, and the extent of their power varies as well. Generals with more authority are often referred to as High Generals. Most High Generals work with the Fire Lord to construct crucial battle plans that would benefit the nation's war efforts the most. For instance, the war meeting held by the Fire Lord in a flashback consisted of High Generals whose collective goal was to develop a battle plan that would lead to the fall of Ba Sing Se.

Each general is assigned a different position, whether to invade the Earth Kingdom capital or to oversee the production of weapons in a factory.

Known generals include:
 * General Azulon †
 * General Bujing
 * General Iroh
 * General Shinu
 * General Shu
 * General Mung

Colonel
A colonel is usually a military title rated as the highest, or second-highest field rank below the General, or "flag" grades. In some small military forces, it can be the highest rank held. A colonel can be placed in charge of a fortress or be in charge of a certain fighting group, such as the Yu Yan Archers or the Rough Rhinos.

Known colonels include:
 * Colonel Mongke
 * Colonel Shinu (eventually promoted to general)

Captain
Captain (Chinese:隊長, duìzhǎng), also a rank in the Fire Nation's Navy and air force, was an officer rank below colonel. Usually, captains led units into battles. Some captains were in charge of garrisons.

Known captains include:
 * Captain Chey (prior to desertion)
 * Guard captain

Navy
The Navy is the Fire Nation's aquatic fighting force, and is the biggest navy in the Avatar World. Ironically, it is even bigger than that of the Water Tribe. The navy split into two fleets, maybe more, the Eastern and Western fleets, and is commanded by admirals. Separate ships have their own commanding officers.

Admiral


Admiral (Chinese:艦長, jiànzhǎng) is the highest rank in the Fire Nation Navy, preceded by commander. The title has been used since the inception of the navy, and gives whoever bears the title very high authority and command over an entire fleet. They are appointed directly by the Fire Lord.

One notable bearer of the classification is Admiral Zhao, who held the title for a very short time; about a month. Zhao was famous for several feats as an admiral. One was the brief capture of Avatar Aang, whom he captured by using the Yu Yan Archers. The Avatar was recaptured by the banished Prince Zuko, disguised as the Blue Spirit. Zhao later led the Siege of the North, and during the invasion, killed the Moon Spirit, Tui. Consequently, Zhao was killed by the Ocean Spirit, La.

The Admiral of the Eastern Fleet is Admiral Chan, and the Western Fleet is commanded by Admiral Liang.

Known admirals include:
 * Admiral Chan
 * Admiral Jeong Jeong (prior to desertion)
 * Admiral Liang
 * Admiral Zhao †

Commander
A commander is in charge of the captains and are responsible for carrying out an admiral's commands. They are also placed in charge of blockades and a considerable amount of ships, but still have nowhere near as much power as an Admiral.

Known commanders include:
 * Commander Zhao (prior to gaining the rank of Admiral)

Captain


A captain is an officer charged with overseeing a particular vessel. He is under the direct command of a commander. A captain could also oversee a royal vessel, as shown by Azula's ship captain. Captain is also a rank in the air force.

Known captains include:
 * Azula's ship captain
 * Captain Li
 * Captain Zhao (prior to gaining the rank of Commander)

Lieutenant
A lieutenant is the lowest rank officer in the Fire Nation military. A lieutenant is under the direct command of the captain of his ship. Even though they have more power than a soldier, they are still considered as average soldiers when compared to admirals.

Known lieutenants include:
 * Lieutenant Jee
 * Lieutenant Zhao (Revealed in "The Siege of the North, Part 2")

Private
Privates are not considered officers, and are under the command of a ship's lieutenant.

Air Force
The Fire Nation Air Force is the air arm of the Fire Nation's military and only operated in the final stages of the War. There were no named members of the air force. The air force was destroyed during the Battle at Wulong Forest, when the airship fleet was destroyed by Sokka, Suki, and Toph.

Captain


Captain was a rank in the Fire Nation Air Force. Captains were given command of Fire Nation airships and their crews. Captain is also a rank in the Fire Nation Navy as well as the Fire Nation Army.

Known captains include:
 * Airship captain