Alférez (rank)

{{short description|Junior officer rank in the militaries of Spain, Argentina, Chile and Uruguay}}

{{about|the modern military rank|the medieval court officer|Alférez}}

{{lang|es|Alférez}} or {{lang|pt|alferes}} is a junior officer rank in the militaries of some Hispanophone and Lusophone countries.

The name originates from {{lang|ar-Latn|al-fāris}} ({{langx|ar|الفارس}}), meaning "the knight", "the horseman" or "the cavalryman".{{citation needed|date=February 2023}} However, today the rank is often translated as ensign, sub-lieutenant or second lieutenant.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}}

The rank was first used by Iberian armies during the {{lang|es|reconquista}} in the Middle Ages, being associated to the officer responsible for the carrying of a unit flag. During that time {{lang|es|alférez}} was the leader of the retinue of a king or high-ranking nobleman. The famous warrior El Cid was the {{lang|es|alférez}} of King Alfonso VI of Castile and Alfonso Núñez was the {{lang|es|alférez}} of Duke Raymond of Galicia.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}}

Argentina

In Argentina, the rank of alférez is used by both the air force and the gendarmerie. It is, however, used differently in the two services. The air force uses the rank for newly qualified officers, while the gendarmerie uses alférez ranks as an equivalent for the army's "lieutenant" ranks.

The other armed forces of Argentina do not use the rank of ensign.

Chile

In Chile, an officer cadet is known as a sub-alférez. On graduating from officer training, he becomes an alférez for a year while carrying out training specific to his branch. After this, the alférez is promoted to sub-lieutenant.

Philippines

File:PR Alferez SE.svg

The rank of alférez, locally spelled as alpéres, was also used by the Philippine Revolutionary Army during the Philippine Revolution and Philippine–American War. It is the lowest commissioned officer rank and is interchangeable with second lieutenant ({{langx|es|segundo teniente}}; {{langx|tl|ikalawang tenyente}}) on the service.

File:|{{center|
Philippine Revolutionary Army}}

Spain

{{lang|es|Alférez}} is the lowest officer rank in Spain, immediately below lieutenant. It's also the entry level for Voluntary Reservists.{{cite web |title=Reservistas Voluntarios |url=https://ejercito.defensa.gob.es/personal/reservistas-voluntarios.html |website=ejército de tierra la fuerza de los valores |access-date=15 May 2024}}

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"

! colspan=3| OF-1

rowspan=2| {{army|Spain}}{{cite web |title=Army Ranks & Insignia |url=https://ejercito.defensa.gob.es/en/personal/divisas-empleos.html |website=ejercito.defensa.gob.es |publisher=Ministry of Defence (Spain) |access-date=30 May 2021}}

| rowspan=2|

| File:Spain-Army-OF-1a.svg

rowspan=2| {{navy|Spain}}

| 50px

| {{lang|es|Alférez de fragata}}

rowspan=2| {{flagicon|Spain}} Spanish Air and Space Force

| rowspan=2|

| 50px

Gallery

=Army insignia=

File:SS.OO.1.EJER.ALFÉREZ.svg|{{lang|es|Alférez}}
(Chilean Army){{cite web |url=http://www.ejercito.cl/grados-y-distintivos.php |title=Distintivos de grados |language=es |trans-title=Badges of degrees |access-date=20 January 2012 |website=ejercito.cl |publisher=Chilean Army |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120051649/http://www.ejercito.cl/grados-y-distintivos.php |archive-date=20 January 2012}}

File:07. EGLF-2LT.svg|{{lang|es|Alférez}}
(Army of Equatorial Guinea)

File:Mozambique-Army-OF-1a.svg|{{lang|pt|Alferes}}
(Mozambican Army)

File:Portugal-Army-OF-1a.svg|{{lang|pt|Alferes}}
(Portuguese Army){{cite web |title=POSTOS E DISTINTIVOS EXÉRCITO |url=http://antigo.mdn.gov.pt/defesa/Simbolos/exercito.htm |website=antigo.mdn.gov.pt |access-date=30 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100301024102/http://antigo.mdn.gov.pt/defesa/Simbolos/exercito.htm |archive-date=1 March 2010 |language=pt}}

File:STeP OF-1a.svg|{{lang|pt|Alferes}}
(Army of São Tomé and Príncipe)

File:Spain-Army-OF-1a.svg|{{lang|es|Alférez}}
(Spanish Army){{cite web |title=Army Ranks & Insignia |url=https://ejercito.defensa.gob.es/en/personal/divisas-empleos.html |website=ejercito.defensa.gob.es |publisher=Ministry of Defence (Spain) |access-date=30 May 2021}}

File:Uruguay-Army-OF-0.png|{{lang|es|Alférez}}
(National Army of Uruguay){{cite book |editor1-last=Hudson |editor1-first=Rex A. |editor2-last=Meditz |editor2-first=Sandra W. |title=Uruguay: A Country Study |date=1992 |publisher=Federal Research Division, Library of Congress |isbn=0-8444-0737-2 |pages=222–223 |edition=2nd |url=https://www.marines.mil/portals/1/Publications/Uruguay%20Study_3.pdf?ver=2012-10-11-163307-517 |access-date=13 June 2021 |chapter=Chapter 5. National Security}}

References

Category:Military ranks

Category:Military ranks of Argentina