What is Field Marshal Rank?

21 May 2025

What is Field Marshal Rank?

The Chief of Army Staff of the Pakistan Army, General Asim Munir has been promoted to the rank of Field Marshal by the Pakistan government recently. 

  • He will be the second person  after Field Marshal Ayub Khan in 1959 to hold this rank.

About Field Marshal Rank

  • 5 Star Rank Officer: A Field Marshal or FM is a five-star officer rank, and is the highest attainable rank, above the general.
  • A Field Marshal rank is typically bestowed on generals for ceremonial reasons or during wartime
  • Entitlements: 
    • A Field Marshal is entitled to wear his uniform at any event he deems fit
    • He is considered to be on ‘active list’ until his death although he does not hold any office in official capacity beyond his date of retirement
    • He wears special badges of rank
    • He has five stars displayed on his vehicle
    • Salute: Salutes with the special Field Marshal’s baton is raised to the forehead and not the hand as is the norm in a military salute.
  • Indian Field Marshal: India has had two FMs as of now ie,
    • Sam Manekshaw was the first FM ascending to the rank in January 1973.
    • KM Cariappa was the second Field Marshal and was promoted in January 1986. 
    • Marshal of the Air Force: Arjan Singh was elevated to the rank in 2002
  • Equivalence: The FM rank in the Indian Army is equivalent to the Admiral of the fleet in the Indian Navy and the Marshal of the Indian Air Force.

Equivalent Ranks  Indian Army Indian Navy  Indian Air Force
1 *Field Marshal *Admiral of the Fleet *Marshal of the Air Force
2 General Admiral Air Chief Marshal
3 Lieutenant General Vice Admiral Air Marshal
4 Major General Rear Admiral Air Vice Marshal
5 Brigadier Commodore Air Commodore
6 Colonel Captain Group Captain

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