Brigadier facts for kids

This badge shows the rank of a Brigadier in the Australian Army.

A Brigadier is a high-ranking officer in an army. This rank is usually found above a Colonel and below a Major-General. The exact power and duties of a Brigadier can be a bit different depending on the country.

What is a Brigadier?

In many countries, especially those with a military history linked to Britain, a Brigadier is a very important commander.

• They typically lead a large group of soldiers called a brigade.
• A brigade is a big military unit, often made up of about 3,000 to 5,000 soldiers.
• It's like one-third of an even larger group called a division.

This rank system is used in armies like the British Army, the Royal Marines, the Australian Army, the Indian Army, the New Zealand Army, and the Pakistan Army.

Brigadier in Other Countries

Not every country uses the rank of Brigadier in the same way.

• In some countries, like Spain, Italy, France, and the Netherlands, the term "Brigadier" might refer to a non-commissioned rank. This means it's a rank for soldiers who are not officers.
• Instead, these countries often use the rank of Brigadier general for an officer who commands a brigade. This rank is similar to what a Brigadier is in the British system.
• All NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) forces use a special code, OF-6, to show that these ranks are considered equal across different countries.

What Does a Brigadier's Badge Look Like?

The badge that a Brigadier wears on their uniform usually has three pips.

• A pip is a small star-shaped symbol.
• Above these three pips, there is often a national symbol, like a crown or an emblem that represents their country.

Images for kids

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  Tunisia

See also

In Spanish: Brigadier para niños