Policy
CAF reveals French gender-inclusive vocabulary in rank designations
Mishall RehmanIn an effort to be more gender-inclusive, the Canadian Armed Forces has added rank designations in French to allow individuals to choose which form of the designation fits them best.
Although current designations are gender-neutral, additional rank designations in French were added to “support efforts to create an inclusive culture within the Defence team, as well as to reflect the various changes that are happening within society,” stated the CANFORGEN.
It is now up to each individual which article of the designation they would like to go by.
“Members of the CAF can choose to use the version that best represents them. Gender diverse members can choose from the list below, modifying the article and the adjectives to best reflect their gender identity/gender expression,” stated an announcement that informed CAF members of the change in February.
There is no change to the abbreviation of ranks. Translations have been developed and reviewed by the Translation Bureau.
The list of masculine and feminine French designations are below:
For Army or Air Force Personnel:
- Le General, La Generale
- Le Lieutenant-General, La Lieutenante-Generale
- Le Major-General, La Majore-Generale
- Le Brigadier-General, La Brigadiere-Generale
- Le Colonel, La Colonelle
- Le Lieutenant-Colonel, La Lieutenante-Colonelle
- Le Major, La Majore
- Le Capitaine, La Capitaine
- Le Lieutenant, La Lieutenante
- Le Sous-Lieutenant, La Sous-Lieutenante
- L Eleve-Officier, L Eleve-Officiere
- L’Adjudant-Chef, L’Adjudante-Chef
- L’Adjudant-Maitre, L’Adjudante-Maitre
- L’Adjudant, L’Adjudante
- L Sergent, La Sergente
- Le Caporal, La Caporale
- Le Soldat, La Soldate
- L’Aviateur, L’Aviatrice
- Le Bombardier, La Bombardiere
- Le Cavalier, La Cavaliere
- L’Artilleur, L’Artilleuse
- Le Sapeur, La Sapeuse
- Le Signaleur, La Signaleuse
- Le Garde, La Garde
- Le Fusilier, La Fusiliere
- Le Carabinier, La Carabiniere
- Le Voltigeur, La Voltigeuse
- L Artisan, L Artisane
- Le Musicien, La Musicienne
- Le Cornemuseur, La Cornemuseuse
- Le Batteur, La Batteuse
- Le Ranger, La Ranger
For Naval Personnel
- L Amiral, L Amirale
- Le Vice-Amiral, La Vice-Amirale
- Le Contre-Amiral, La Contre-Amirale
- Le Commodore, La Commodore
- Le Capitaine De Vaisseau, La Capitaine De Vaisseau
- (6) Le Capitaine De Fregate, La Capitaine De Fregate
- (7) Le Capitaine De Corvette, La Capitaine De Corvette
- (8) Le Lieutenant De Vaisseau, La Lieutenante De Vaisseau
- (9) L Enseigne De Vaisseau De Premiere Classe, L Enseigne De Vaisseau De Premiere Classe
- (10) L Enseigne De Vaisseau De Deuxieme Classe, L Enseigne De Vaisseau De Deuxieme Classe
- (11) L Aspirant De Marine, L Aspirante De Marine
- (12) Le Premier Maitre De Premiere Classe, La Premiere Maitre De Premiere Classe
- (13) Le Premier Maitre De Deuxieme Classe, La Premiere Maitre De Deuxieme Classe
- (14) Le Maitre De Premiere Classe, La Maitre De Premiere Classe
- (15) Le Maitre De Deuxieme Classe, La Maitre De Deuxieme Classe
- (16) Le Matelot De Premiere Classe, La Matelot De Premiere Classe
- (17) Le Matelot De Deuxieme Classe, La Matelot De Deuxieme Classe
- (18) Le Matelot De Troisieme Classe, La Matelot De Troisieme Classe
Other
- (1) Un Officier, Une Officiere
- (2) Un Sous-Officier, Une Sous-Officiere
- (3) Le Caporal-Chef, La Caporale-Chef
- (4) Le Matelot-Chef, La Matelot-Chef
- (5) Le Soldat Recrue, La Soldate Recrue
- (6) L Aviateur Recrue, L Aviatrice Recrue
