Editing Corporal (section)

== By country ==
{{Excessive examples|section|date=June 2023}}

=== Argentina ===
NCOs in the Argentine Armed Forces are divided into junior and senior NCOs, with three and four ranks, respectively. The three junior ranks are called "corporal" (cabo) in both the Navy and the Air Force, while in the Army the third rank is called "sergeant" (sargento).

National Gendarmerie and Coast Guard junior NCOs ranks are similar to those in the Army and Navy, respectively.

=== Australia ===
Corporal is the second lowest of the non-commissioned officer ranks in the [[Australian Army]], falling between [[lance-corporal]] and [[sergeant]]. A corporal is usually appointed as a section commander, and is in charge of 7–14 soldiers of private rank. They are assisted by a second-in-command, usually a lance-corporal or senior private. A Corporal within Artillery is known as a [[bombardier (rank)|bombardier]]. Corporal is also a rank of the [[Royal Australian Air Force]], being equal to both the Australian Army and [[Royal Air Force]] rank of corporal.

=== Bangladesh ===
Corporal is a non-commissioned officer rank in the [[Bangladesh Army]], falling between [[lance-corporal]] and [[sergeant]], and in the [[Bangladesh Air Force]], falling between [[leading aircraftman]] and [[sergeant]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.army.mil.bd/Rank-Categories |title=Rank Categories |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= <!--Not stated--> |website=[[Bangladesh Army]] |publisher=Bangladesh Army |access-date=24 September 2019 |quote= <!--Not stated--> }}</ref>

=== Belgium ===
The branches of the [[Belgian Army|Belgian Armed Forces]] use three ranks of corporal: corporal ({{langx|nl|korporaal}}, {{langx|fr|caporal}}), master corporal ({{langx|nl|korporaal-chef}}, {{langx|fr|caporal-chef}}) and 1st master corporal ({{langx|nl|1ste korporaal-chef}}, {{langx|fr|1e caporal-chef}}). Corporal is equivalent to [[Ranks and insignia of NATO|NATO Rank Code OR-3]], whereas master corporal and 1st master corporal are equivalent to OR-4. The rank immediately below corporal is [[private first class|1st private]] and the rank directly above 1st master corporal is [[sergeant]].

Units with a cavalry, artillery or Logistic Corps (Transport unit) tradition replace Corporal by "Brigadier".

The equivalent of these ranks in the Naval Component are [[quartermaster]], chief quartermaster and 1st chief quartermaster.

=== Belarus ===
[[File:Belarus BKA 1944 - Kapral.svg|right|thumb|75px|Belarus ''Kapral'']]
The [[Byelorussian Home Defence]] (23 February 1944 – 28 April 1945) used the '''''kapral''''' ({{langx|be|капрал}}), in the meaning of Corporal as [[Enlisted rank|enlisted grade]], equivalent to [[Obergefreiter]], [[Hauptgefreiter]] or [[Stabsgefreiter]] of the German [[Wehrmacht]] (1933–1945).

=== Brazil ===
Corporal (in [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]] ''Cabo'') is the second NCO rank of the [[Brazilian Army|Army]] and [[Brazilian Navy|Navy]], after the Private (or Sailor at the Navy), third of the [[Brazilian Air Force|Air Force]], after Private First-Class. Soldiers (either a recruit or a promoted Private) who successfully complete the Corporal course may be promoted to the rank of Corporal should they excel in the course. A Corporal in the Brazilian Army will lead the smallest fractions of units as machine gun squads, mortar and infantry squads. [[File:Divisa de Cabo emborrachada.png|thumb|A Brazilian ''Cabo'' rubberised patch]]

=== Canada ===
Corporal is an [[Canadian Forces Land Force Command|Army]] and [[Royal Canadian Air Force|Air Force]] [[non-commissioned member]] rank of the [[Canadian Armed Forces]]. Its [[Royal Canadian Navy|naval]] equivalent is [[Leading seaman#Canada|sailor 1st class]]. It is senior to the rank of [[private (rank)|private]] and its naval equivalent [[Able seaman (rank)#Royal Canadian Navy|sailor 2nd class]], and junior to [[master corporal]] (''caporal-chef'') and its equivalent [[master sailor]] (''matelot-chef''). It is part of the cadre of [[Non-commissioned officer#Canada|junior non-commissioned officers]], and one of the junior ranks. In French, the rank is ''caporal''.

The rank insignia of a corporal is a two-bar chevron, point down, worn in gold thread on both upper sleeves of the service dress jacket; in rifle green (army) or dark blue (air force) thread on [[CADPAT]] slip-ons for operational dress; in old gold thread on blue slip-ons on other air force uniforms; and in gold metal and green enamel miniature pins on the collars of the army dress shirt and outerwear coats. On army ceremonial uniforms, it is usually rendered in gold braid (black for rifle regiments), on either both sleeves, or just the right, depending on unit custom.

<!-- Unsourced image removed: [[File:Canadacorp.jpg|75px|right|Canadian corporal's arm badge]] -->
Corporal is the first non-commissioned officer rank, and the lowest rank officially empowered to issue a lawful command. Corporals can lead troops if they have the formal qualifications to be promoted to master corporal but have not been promoted yet. However, the rank of corporal was severely downgraded after [[Unification of the Canadian Forces|Unification]], along with the attendant responsibilities. A corporal in the Canadian Army in 1967 had the same duties and responsibilities that a sergeant has today. In an infantry section, a corporal will sometimes command an [[fireteam|assault team]] if a master corporal is leading the section or they are pending promotion to master corporal.

Another effect of Unification was to delete the appointments of [[lance-corporal]] and [[lance-sergeant]] (a corporal holding the acting rank of sergeant). The former is still common in other [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] militaries.

Corporal is deemed to be the substantive rank of the members carrying the appointment of master corporal. On pay documents, corporal was formerly listed as "Cpl (A)" and master corporal as "Cpl (B)".

In rifle regiments, a distinction was historically drawn between a corporal and an acting corporal; [[The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada]] had a special insignia to distinguish between the two.

=== Chile ===
In the [[Chilean Army|Army]], [[Chilean Navy|Navy]], [[Chilean Air Force|Air Force]] and [[Carabineros de Chile|Police]], there are three grades of Corporal: Corporal, Corporal 2nd. and Corporal 1st. The next level is [[Sergeant]] 2nd. grade.

=== Germany ===
Corporal or Korporal was the most junior NCO grade in many German partial states of [[Deutscher Bund]], before the term was replaced by the word [[Unteroffizier]] in the middle of the 19th century.

In September 2021, the [[Bundeswehr]] reimplemented the grade of Korporal, but this time as a senior enlisted rank below NCO level. Additionally, a completely new rank was created with the grade of [[Stabskorporal]] what is the most senior enlisted rank now.<ref>Anordnung des Bundespräsidenten über die Dienstgradbezeichnungen und die Uniform der Soldatinnen und Soldaten (15 September 2021)</ref> Both ranks are classified OR-4 in the [[Ranks and insignia of NATO|NATO rank code system]]. In the Bundeswehr, both ranks share paygrade A6 with the [[Unteroffiziere ohne Portepee|junior NCO rank]] [[Stabsunteroffizier]].

=== France ===
There are three ranks of corporal ({{langx|fr|caporal}}). In the [[French Army]], these are not [[non-commissioned officer|NCO]] ranks, but enlisted ones. The corporals are called "ranked" ({{lang|fr|gradés}}). [[Non-commissioned officer]]s start at the rank of {{lang|fr|sergent}}.

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"
! rowspan=2| 
! colspan=2| OR-3
|-
! [[French Army|Army]]<ref name="France_Army">{{cite book |title=Instruction N° 10300/DEF/EMAT/LOG/ASH |date=13 June 2005 |publisher=Staff of the French Army |url=https://rescue18.fr/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/INSTRUCTION-N-10300_DEF_EMAT_LOG_ASH-DEF_DCCAT_LOG_REG.pdf |access-date=30 May 2021 |language=fr}}</ref>
! [[French Air and Space Force|Air force]]<ref name="France_AirForce">{{cite web |title=Les grades |url=https://www.defense.gouv.fr/content/download/473665/7580470/file/Les_grades.pdf |website=defense.gouv.fr |publisher=[[Ministry of Armed Forces (France)]] |access-date=4 June 2021 |language=fr}}</ref>
|-
! Shoulder
| [[File:Army-FRA-OR-03.svg|50px]]
| [[File:French Air Force-caporal.svg|50px]]
|-
! Camouflage
| [[File:France-Army-OR-3 LowVis.svg|50px]]
| 
|-
! French
| colspan=2| {{lang|fr|Caporal}}
|-
! English translation
| colspan=2| Corporal
|}

In regiments with a cavalry tradition, using white insignia, and artillery, {{lang|fr|[[brigadier (French military rank)|brigadier]]}} is used instead.

=== India ===
{{See also|Air Force ranks and insignia of India}}
In the [[Indian Air Force]], a corporal is a rank given to an [[airman]] who is senior to [[aircraftsman|leading aircraftman]] but junior to a [[sergeant]]. A corporal is designated as a [[Non-Commissioned Officer]] in the Indian Air Force.

=== Indonesia ===
{{main|Indonesian military ranks}}
In the [[Indonesian Armed Forces|Indonesian Military]], the rank "Corporal" is known as {{lang|id|Kopral}}. In [[Indonesia]], "Corporal" has three levels, which are: Second Corporal ([[Lance Corporal]]), First Corporal (Corporal), and [[Master Corporal]].

=== Ireland ===
{{more citations needed|section|date=January 2021}}
{{Infobox military rank
| name           = Corporal
| native_name    = {{lang|ga|Ceannaire}}
| image          = {{nowrap|[[File:Ireland-Army-OR-4.svg|50px]] [[File:Irish Air Corps OR-4.svg|50px]]}}
| image_size     = 
| alt            =
| caption        = Army and Air Corps insignia 
| image2         = 
| image_size2    = 
| alt2           =
| caption2       = 
| image3         = 
| image_size3    = 
| alt3           =
| caption3       = 
| country        = {{flag|Ireland}}
| service branch = {{army|Ireland}}<br />{{air force|Ireland}}
| abbreviation   = 
| rank group     = [[Non-commissioned officer]]
| rank           = 
| NATO rank      = 
| Non-NATO rank  = 
| pay grade      = {{€|805.38}} – {{€|847.45}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Enlisted Pay Scales 01 October 2021 |url=https://assets.gov.ie/200843/edeb94e5-c0fc-4196-89b2-e1af61f621cf.pdf |website=gov.ie |publisher=[[Government of Ireland]] |access-date=5 January 2022 |page=4}}</ref>
| formation      = 1924
| abolished      = 
| higher rank    = [[Sergeant#Ireland|Sergeant]]
| lower rank     = [[Private (rank)#Ireland|Private, 3 star]] {{small|(army)}}<br />[[Airman|Airman, 3 star]] {{small|(air corps)}}
| equivalents    = [[Leading seaman]]
| history        = 
}}

Corporal ({{langx|ga|Ceannaire}}) is the lowest rank of non-commissioned officer within the [[Irish Army]] and [[Air Corps (Ireland)|Air Corps]]. The [[Naval Service (Ireland)|Naval Service]] equivalent is [[leading seaman]].

==== Army ====
The main role of an infantry corporal is either to command a [[section (military unit)|section]] as the section commander or to command the fire support group as the second in command of the section. All corporals are qualified instructors on drill, section weapons, and fieldcraft.

In the Artillery Corps, the corporal is normally assigned to a gun detachment as a [[Gun laying|layer]], or a detachment commander. Artillery corporals can also find themselves in charge of the battery signals section.

The army rank insignia consists of two winged chevrons (or "stripes"), the dress uniform being red chevrons with a yellow border.

==== Air Corps ====
Before 1994, the Air Corps was considered part of the army and wore army uniforms with distinct corps badges but the same rank insignia. With the introduction of a unique Air Corps blue uniform in 1994, the same rank markings in a white colour were worn, before the introduction of a new two-chevron badge with wing rank marking.

=== Italy ===
[[File:Rank insignia of caporale of the Army of Italy (1973).svg|thumb|75px]]
A soldier used to get promoted from private (''soldato'') to corporal rank (''caporale'') after 3 months of service until 2014, After 2014 they have to pass a selection to be promoted to corporal.<ref name="difesa.it">{{cite web |title=The Career |url=http://www.esercito.difesa.it/Concorsi/Volontari/VFP1/Pagine/LaCarriera.aspx |publisher=[[Italian Army]] |access-date=28 May 2011 |language=it |year=2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606123120/http://www.esercito.difesa.it/Concorsi/Volontari/VFP1/Pagine/LaCarriera.aspx |archive-date=6 June 2011 }}</ref> The title was used as a senior office in the [[Kingdom of Italy|Italian Kingdom]] during [[World War II]].

=== New Zealand ===
The [[New Zealand Defence Force]] awards the corporal rank to soldiers or airmen after 6 or 7 years of service. There is substantial responsibility on the part of a corporal in the [[New Zealand Army]] and [[Royal New Zealand Air Force]]. They usually command a small team and work closely with their sergeants. A pay increase is also given.

Like their British, Canadian and Australian counterparts, they wear two chevrons to distinguish their rank.

Corporals have what is termed 'power of arrest', and is impressed on recruits in RNZAF basic training. Basically, this power means that any airman or private disobeying or ignoring an order from a corporal will be subject to military arrest by that individual. Power of arrest is used by higher ranks to enforce their orders, corporal in the RNZAF being the lowest rank with this power.

=== Pakistan ===
These ranks are still used in the [[Pakistan Air Force]]. it is a rank given to an [[airman]] who is senior to [[aircraftsman|leading aircraftsman]] but junior to a sergeant.

=== Philippines === 
In the [[Armed Forces of the Philippines]], the rank '''Corporal''' is locally called as ''Kabo''. It is currently being used by both the [[Philippine Army]] and the [[Philippine Marine Corps]]. It stand above the rank of [[private first class]] and below [[sergeant]].

The [[Philippine Revolutionary Army]] also used corporal as part of their ranks during the [[Philippine Revolution]] and the [[Philippine–American War]]. It is the lowest enlisted personnel rank on the service, below the rank of [[sergeant]].

As of 8 February 2019, a new ranking classification for the [[Philippine National Police]] was adopted, eliminating confusion of old ranks. The rank of corporal is included on the new ranking classification. It is the second from the bottom, placing above the rank of Patrolman and below police [[staff sergeant]].

=== Poland ===
In the [[Polish Land Forces]], the rank of {{lang|pl|kapral}} is the lowest rank in the [[Non-commissioned officer|NCO]] corps (OR-3 in NATO code). Most commonly the rank is held by a NCO commanding an infantry squad, tank or gun crew, or a similar unit. The equivalent rank in the [[Polish Navy]] is {{lang|pl|mat}}.

As with many other military ranks, direct comparison between various armies might be misleading. Before World War II, the Polish Army's {{lang|pl|kapral}} was more or less equivalent to the British rank of [[lance corporal]], while the British rank of corporal was named {{lang|pl|[[plutonowy]]}} (lit. ''platooner''). In modern times, the rank is still equivalent to a UK lance corporal or a [[private first class]] in the U.S. Army (OR-3), while the British and American rank of corporal (OR-4) is equivalent to the Polish rank of {{lang|pl|starszy kapral}} ({{lit|senior corporal}}), which was introduced in 1971.

Historically, the rank was first introduced in Poland in the 17th century, together with mercenary troops of Italian origin. In foreign troops on the royal payroll, a {{lang|pl|kapral}} commanded four ranks of [[musketeer]]s or part of a company of [[pikemen]]. In the 20th century, between the world wars, the rank of corporal was held by both conscripted NCOs and professional soldiers alike. This was changed after [[World War II]], when the Polish Army was under Soviet command and the rank of {{lang|pl|kapral}} was modified to resemble that of Soviet ''junior sergeant'', reserved for conscripted NCOs. In the modern Polish Army, the rank is exclusively reserved for professional soldiers.

The insignia of {{lang|pl|kapral}} (worn on shoulder straps or badge above breast pocket) are two bars.

=== Portugal ===
The [[Portuguese Navy]] has the rank of {{lang|pt|cabo da Armada}} (corporal of the Navy). All other branches of the [[Portuguese Armed Forces]] have several ranks of corporal ({{lang|pt|cabo}} in [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]]). The [[Portuguese Army]] and the [[Portuguese Air Force]] have the ranks of {{lang|pt|segundo cabo}} (second corporal), {{lang|pt|primeiro cabo}} (first corporal) and {{lang|pt|cabo-adjunto}} (corporal adjudant). The [[Portuguese National Republican Guard|National Republican Guard]] has the ranks of {{lang|pt|cabo}} (corporal), {{lang|pt|cabo-chefe}} (chief corporal) and {{lang|pt|cabo-mor}} (corporal-major).

The several ranks of corporal correspond to the several [[pay grade]]s, above that of private, that can be reached inside the [[enlisted rank]] professional category of the Army, the Air Force and the National Republican Guard. In the Navy, the rank of {{lang|pt|cabo da Armada}} is the highest pay grade in the enlisted rank category.

=== Russia ===
The rank of corporal ({{langx|ru|капрал}}) existed in the Russian Army from 1647 to 1798, when it was replaced with that of [[non-commissioned officer]] ({{langx|ru|унтер-офицер}}, from {{langx|de|Unteroffizier}}, literally "sub-officer"). [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] and modern Russian armies have the rank of "{{lang|ru-latn|yefreytor}}" (derived from the German {{lang|de|[[Gefreiter]]}}) as the highest rank of enlisted personnel, below lance (or junior) sergeant ({{langx|ru|младший сержант}}) which are assigned as squad leaders.

=== Singapore ===
{{see also|Singapore Armed Forces ranks}}

==== Singapore Armed Forces ====
The Corporal rank in the [[Singapore Armed Forces]] is between the rank of [[Lance Corporal]] and [[Corporal First Class]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/press_room/SAF_Rank_Insignias_Chart.html |title=SAF Military Ranks – Enlistees |publisher=Mindef.gov.sg |access-date=7 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160927013359/https://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/press_room/SAF_Rank_Insignias_Chart.html |archive-date=27 September 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Conscription in Singapore|National Servicemen]] are usually promoted to this rank within the 2nd year of their service.

Prior to 1992, the SAF followed the British model where corporals were [[non-commissioned officer]]s often holding the appointment of [[section (military unit)|section]] leader. Today, a corporal is not a [[Specialist (Singapore)|specialist]] (NCO-equivalent). Corporals are usually given higher responsibilities/ appointments as a section 2IC, or 2nd-in-command.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mindef.gov.sg/army |title=The Singapore Army – Home |publisher=Mindef.gov.sg |date=29 December 2004 |access-date=14 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202223056/https://www.mindef.gov.sg/army |archive-date=2 February 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Home Team ====
In the [[Singapore Police Force]], [[Singapore Civil Defence Force]], [[Singapore Prison Service]], [[Immigration and Checkpoints Authority]] and [[Singapore Customs]], a corporal is a rank below sergeant.

The rank insignia for a corporal is two chevrons pointing downwards.

==== Uniformed youth organisations ====
For the [[National Cadet Corps (Singapore)|National Cadet Corps]] (NCC), the rank of Corporal is below the rank of Third Sergeant,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.acsindep.moe.edu.sg/nccland/ncc-ranks-and-badges/ |title=NCC Ranks and Badges |website=Anglo Chinese School (Independent)|access-date=20 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181120221139/https://www.acsindep.moe.edu.sg/nccland/ncc-ranks-and-badges/ |archive-date=20 November 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> and above the rank of Lance Corporal. For the [[National Police Cadet Corps]] (NPCC) and the [[National Civil Defence Cadet Corps]] (NCDCC), the rank of Corporal is below the rank of Sergeant, and above the rank of Lance Corporal.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.npcc.org.sg/roa.html |title=National Police Cadet Corps |website=npcc.org.sg|access-date=20 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181120221035/https://www.npcc.org.sg/roa.html |archive-date=20 November 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.uniforminsignia.org/?option=com_insigniasearch&Itemid=53&result=3489 |title=National Civil Defence Cadet Corps (NCDCC) / National Civil Defence Cadet Corps (NCDCC) |website=uniforminsignia.org|access-date=20 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181120222555/http://www.uniforminsignia.org/?option=com_insigniasearch&Itemid=53&result=3489 |archive-date=20 November 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

For NCC, the rank insignia is same as that of an SAF CPL, except that the letters 'NCC' are below the insignia, so as to differentiate NCC [[cadet]]s from SAF personnel. As for NPCC and NCDCC, the rank insignia is two pointed-down chevrons with the letters 'NPCC' and 'NCDCC' below the insignia, so as to differentiate NPCC and NCDCC cadets from [[Singapore Police Force]] and [[Singapore Civil Defence Force]] personnel, respectively.

The rank of Corporal is generally awarded to cadets in Secondary Two, or Secondary Three. Corporals, after being appointed, are given training to command a squad.

=== Spain ===
In the [[Spanish Armed Forces]], {{lang|es|cabo}} (corporal) is the rank between {{lang|es|soldado de primera}} (first class private) and {{lang|es|cabo primero}} (first corporal). It actually equates to a [[NATO]] OR-4, with {{lang|es|cabo primero}} and {{lang|es|cabo mayor}} equating both to an OR-5.

=== Ukraine ===
Since 2015, the Corporal ({{langx|uk|капрал | kapral}}), was introduced in the [[National Police of Ukraine]], that is a special rank of junior quarterdeck. It corresponds to former junior [[sergeant]] of [[militia]]. Also since 2018–19, the Corporal ({{langx|uk|капрал | kapral}}) was introduced in the Court Security Service ({{langx|uk|Служба судової охорони|Sluzhba Sudovoi ohorony}}), and the [[State Bureau of Investigation (Ukraine)|DBR]] ({{langx|uk|Державне бюро розслідувань|State Bureau of Investigation}}) as a special rank of junior quarterdeck.

=== United Kingdom ===
{{refimprove|section|date=September 2024}}
{{see also|British Army other ranks rank insignia|Royal Navy other rank insignia#Royal Marines|RAF other ranks}}
{{Infobox military rank
| name           = Corporal
| native_name    = 
| image          = [[File:United Kingdom-Army-OR-4.svg|50px]] [[File:British Royal Marines OR-4.svg|50px]] [[File:United Kingdom-AirForce-OR-4 (service).svg|50px]]
| image_size     = 
| alt            =
| caption        = Army, marine and RAF insignia
| image2         = 
| image_size2    = 
| alt2           =
| caption2       = 
| image3         = 
| image_size3    = 
| alt3           =
| caption3       = 
| country        = {{flag|United Kingdom}}
| service branch = {{army|United Kingdom}}<br />{{marines|United Kingdom}}<br />{{air force|United Kingdom}}
| abbreviation   = Cpl
| rank group     = 
| rank           = 
| NATO rank      = OR-4
| Non-NATO rank  = 
| pay grade      = 
| formation      = 
| abolished      = 
| higher rank    = [[Sergeant#United Kingdom|Sergeant]]
| lower rank     = [[Lance corporal#United Kingdom|Lance-corporal]]
| equivalents    = [[Leading rating|Leading hand or leading rate]]
| history        = 
}}
The rank of corporal, which falls between [[lance-corporal]] and [[sergeant]] is used by the [[British Army]], [[Royal Marines]], and [[Royal Air Force]].
 
The badge of rank is a two-bar [[Chevron (insignia)|chevron]] (also known as "stripes", "tapes", or "hooks"). A corporal's role varies between regiments; but, in the standard infantry role, a corporal commands a [[Section (military unit)|section]], with a lance-corporal as [[second-in-command]] (2ic). When the section is split into [[fireteam|fire teams]], they command one each. In the [[Royal Armoured Corps]], a corporal commands an individual [[tank]]. Their duties therefore largely correspond to those of [[staff sergeant]]s in the United States Army and corporals are often described as the "backbone" of the British Army.

In the [[Household Cavalry]], all non-commissioned ranks are designated as different grades of corporal up to [[Regimental Sergeant Major|regimental corporal major]] (who is a [[warrant officer]] class 1). There is no effective actual rank of corporal, however, and the ranks progress directly from lance-corporal to [[lance-corporal of horse]] (who is effectively equivalent to a corporal; technically, a lance-corporal of horse holds the rank of corporal but is automatically give the appointment of lance-corporal of horse). Similarly, in the [[Foot Guards]] and in the [[Honourable Artillery Company]], every Corporal is appointed as a [[lance-sergeant]] meaning they wear three chevrons rather than the regular two, with a lance-corporal wearing two chevrons instead of one: this is sometimes said to have originated with [[Queen Victoria]] who did not like "her own guardsmen" having only one chevron.<ref>{{cite web |title=History of the Foot Guards |url=https://theguardsmuseum.com/about-the-guards/history-of-the-foot-guards/history-page-1/#:~:text=As%20Royal%20Guards,%20they%20have%20over%20the |website=The Guards Museum |access-date=8 October 2024}}</ref>

[[Royal Artillery]] corporals are called [[Bombardier (rank)|bombardier]]s; although, until 1920, the Royal Artillery had corporals and bombardier was a lower rank. The rank of [[second corporal]] existed in the [[Royal Engineers]] and [[Royal Army Ordnance Corps]] until 1920.

A common nickname for a corporal is a "full screw", with lance-corporals being known as "lance-jacks".

<!-- Unsourced image removed: [[File:Rafcorp.jpg|75px|right|RAF corporal's arm badge]] -->
Corporal is the lowest NCO rank in the [[Royal Air Force]] (aside from the RAF Regiment who have lance-corporals), coming between [[junior technician]] or [[Senior aircraftman technician]] and [[sergeant]] in the technical trades, or [[senior aircraftman]] and [[sergeant]] in the non-technical trades. Between 1950 and 1964, corporals in technical trades were known as "corporal technicians" and wore their chevrons point up.

In the Royal Navy, the equivalent to corporal is [[Leading rating|leading hand or leading rate]].

The [[Army Cadet Force]], [[Combined Cadet Force]], [[Air Training Corps]], Royal Marines sections of the [[Sea Cadet Corps]] and the Combined Cadet Force all have the rank of corporal, reflecting the structure of their parent service; therefore it is the second NCO rank of the ACF, CCF (including the RAF Section, which has the rank of [[lance corporal]]) and marine cadets, and the first NCO rank in the ATC.
{{UK enlisted ranks}}

=== United States ===
{{Infobox military rank
| name           = Corporal
| image          = [[File:Army-USA-OR-04a (Army greens).svg|80px]]
| image_size     = 
| caption        =Army corporal 
| image2         =[[File:USMC-E4.svg|80px]] 
| image_size2    = 
| caption2       =Marine Corps corporal 
| image3         = 
| image_size3    = 
| caption3       = 
| country        = {{flag|United States}}
| service branch = {{army|United States}}<br />{{marines|United States}}
| abbreviation   = CPL
| rank           = Enlisted
| NATO rank      = OR-4
| Non-NATO rank  = 
| pay grade      = E-4
| formation      = 
| abolished      = 
| higher rank    = [[Sergeant#United States|Sergeant]]
| lower rank     = [[Private first class]] {{small|(Army)}}<br />[[Lance corporal#Marine Corps|Lance corporal]] {{small|(Marines)}}
| equivalents    = [[Petty officer third class]] {{small|(Navy/Coast Guard)}}<br />[[Senior airman]] {{small|(Air Force)}}<br />[[Specialist 4]] {{small|(Space Force)}}
| history        = 
}}

==== United States Army ====
In the [[United States Army|U.S. Army]], corporal is preceded by the first three forms of [[Private (rank)#United States Army|private]] and the rank of [[Specialist (rank)#United States Army|specialist]].<ref>
{{cite web |title=U.S. Army Ranks |url=https://www.army.mil/ranks/ |publisher=[[United States Army]] |access-date=28 May 2011 |year=2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110529035854/http://www.army.mil/symbols/armyranks.html |archive-date=29 May 2011 |url-status=live}}
</ref> A corporal rank shares the same pay grade ([[Uniformed services pay grades of the United States|E-4]]) as a specialist, though unlike a specialist, a corporal is a [[non-commissioned officer]] and may direct the activities of other soldiers.<ref>
{{cite web |last=Torbush |first=Alicia |title=Corporal: Stepping into the world of NCOs |url=https://www.army.mil/article/18109/ |publisher=[[United States Army]] |access-date=28 May 2011 |date=12 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010075913/http://www.army.mil/article/18109/ |archive-date=10 October 2012 |url-status=live}}
</ref>

The rank of corporal dates to the [[American Revolutionary War|Revolutionary War]]. Each [[Company (military unit)|company]] in the [[Continental Army]] was divided into four squads, with the [[Enlisted rank|enlisted]] contingent of each comprising a sergeant, a corporal, and nineteen privates. The corporal, along with the superior sergeant, were responsible for the care, discipline, and training of their men.<ref>{{cite book |editor-last1=Hogan |editor-first1=David W. |editor-last2=Fisch |editor-first2=Arnold G. |editor-last3=Wright |editor-first3=Robert K. |date=2009 |title=The Story of the Noncommissoned Officer Corps |location=Washington, D.C. |publisher=United States Army Center of Military History |pages=5–7 |isbn=978-0-16-067869-1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oziceIWd1DAC}}</ref> After the [[American Civil War|Civil War]], U.S. Army infantry strategy increasingly focused on units below the company level.<ref name="lin">{{cite book |last=McMahon |first=John K. |date=1953 |title=The Army Lineage Book, Vol. 2: Infantry |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YF3fAAAAMAAJ |location=Washington, D.C. |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |pages=30–47 |isbn=<!--None.--> |via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref> In 1891, a [[squad]] was defined as an eight-man unit led by a corporal, a definition which held through World War I until the eve of the U.S. entry into World War II.<ref name="lin" />

In 1940, with the recognition of the increasing importance of small-unit tactics, the size of the squad was increased to twelve men, now led by a [[sergeant]], with a corporal as assistant squad leader.<ref name="lin" /> In February 1944, the squad leader became a [[staff sergeant]], assisted by a sergeant, dropping the corporal from the infantry company's chain of command.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.battleorder.org/post/usa-rifleco-1944 |title=U.S. Army Rifle Company (1944-45) |author=<!--Not stated--> |website=Battle Order |date=6 June 2021 |access-date=7 July 2022}}</ref> As a result of this "steady inflation" of the NCO corps, writes historian Ernest F. Fisher, "the rank of corporal came to mean very little in a line organization, though the corporal was in theory and by tradition a combat leader."<ref name="fisher">{{cite book |last=Fisher |first=Ernest F. |date=1994 |title=Guardians of the Republic: A History of the Noncommissoned Officer Corps of the U.S. Army |location=New York |publisher=Ballantine |pages=250–277 |isbn=0-449-90923-9}}</ref> After the [[Korean War]], squad leaders were further promoted to [[sergeant first class]] (E-7), and the "once-honored rank of corporal sank into oblivion."<ref name="fisher" />

As of July 2021, specialists who are graduates of the [[Basic Leader Course]] (BLC) and who have been recommended for promotion are to become corporals before further promotion; conversely current corporals who have not yet graduated from BLC will be laterally reassigned as specialists until they have graduated from BLC.<ref name= vanhuizen >{{cite web |url=https://www.armytimes.com/2021/06/07/all-soldiers-must-now-serve-as-corporals-before-promotion-to-sergeant/ |first=Harm |last=Venhuizen |date=7 June 2021 |title=All soldiers must now serve as corporals before promotion to sergeant |website=Army Times}}</ref> No change in pay is involved, but corporals are expected to lead, teach, and mentor their teams.<ref name= lacdan>[https://www.army.mil/article/247183/soldiers_to_pin_on_corporal_after_blc Joseph Lacdan, Army News Service (4 June 2021) Soldiers to pin on corporal after BLC]</ref>

==== United States Marine Corps ====
{{More citations needed section|date=February 2021}}

Corporal is the fourth enlisted rank in the [[United States Marine Corps|U.S. Marine Corps]],<ref>
{{cite web |title=Enlisted Rank Insignia |url=https://www.defense.gov/about/insignias/enlisted.aspx |publisher=[[U.S. Department of Defense]] |access-date=28 May 2011 |year=2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110528070550/http://www.defense.gov/about/insignias/enlisted.aspx |archive-date=28 May 2011 |url-status=live}}
</ref> ranking immediately above [[lance corporal]] and immediately below [[sergeant]]. The Marine Corps, unlike the Army, has no other rank at the pay grade of E-4. Corporal is the lowest grade of non-commissioned officer in the U.S. Marine Corps, though promotion to corporal traditionally confers a significant jump in authority and responsibility compared to promotion from private through lance corporal. Marine infantry corporals generally serve as "fire-team leaders", leading a four-man team or weapons crew of similar size (e.g., assault weapons squad, medium machine gun team, or [[M224 mortar|LWCMS]] mortar squad).

In practice, however, the [[billet]] of fire team leader is generally held by a lance corporal, while corporals serve in the squad leader billet that would normally be held by a sergeant (E-5) in infantry units. In support units, corporals generally serve in "journeyman" level roles in which they direct the activities of junior Marines and provide technical supervision, on a very limited scope, under the direct supervision of a sergeant or SNCO.

Due to its emphasis on small-unit tactics, its infantry-centric ethos, and its tradition of empowering junior NCOs to exercise first-level leadership, the U.S. Marine Corps' Tables of Organization (TOs) usually places corporals (as well as sergeants and staff sergeants) in billets where other services would normally have higher ranking NCOs in authority. For example, the USMC Table of Organization "billet" rank for rifle fire team leader, rifle squad leader, and rifle platoon sergeant is corporal (E-4), sergeant (E-5), and staff sergeant (E-6), respectively. However, the same positions (Table of Organization and Equipment "slots") in US Army infantry units are one grade higher and, except in fire teams (both services with four men in each team), the equivalent Army units are smaller (viz., USMC rifle squad and rifle platoon – 13 men and 43 men, respectively, vice US Army rifle squad and rifle platoon – 9 men and 34 men, respectively). Specifically, for the Army rifle units, the rank of the fire team, squad leader, and platoon sergeant are: sergeant (E-5), staff sergeant (E-6), and sergeant first class (E-7), respectively.<ref>USMC Table of Organization, TO 1013G: Rifle Company, Infantry Battalion, Infantry Regiment and US Army Table of Organization and Equipment, TOE 07015C000: Rifle Company, Infantry Battalion (Light), Light Infantry Division</ref> Similarly, the term "[[Three Block War|strategic corporal]]" refers to the special responsibilities conferred upon a Marine corporal over against the normal responsibilities, and usual authority, of service members in the grade of E-4 in the other branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.<ref>
{{cite web |first=Charles C. |last=Krulak |title=The Strategic Corporal: Leadership in the Three Block War |publisher=Marines Magazine |url=http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/usmc/strategic_corporal.htm |date=January 1999 |access-date=24 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161021121441/http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/usmc/strategic_corporal.htm |archive-date=21 October 2016 }}
</ref>

Until the mid-to-late 1980s,{{Year needed|date=February 2021}} corporals were the lowest USMC rank eligible for selection as a [[drill instructor]] for USMC [[recruit training]].{{citation needed|date=January 2021}}

The history of the rank of corporal in the USMC roughly parallels that of the U.S. Army until 1942. From 1775 until WWII, the Marine Corps used essentially the same rank and organizational structure as its common British and colonial forebears with the Army, as well as the later Continental and U.S. armies. In 1942, as the Army modified its triangular division infantry organization to best fight in the European/North African/Middle Eastern Theatre the Marine Corps began modifying the triangular division plan to best employ its amphibious warfare doctrine in the Pacific Theatre. This meant that for the Corps, squad leaders would remain as sergeants and that the rifle squad would be sub-divided into three four-man fire teams each led by a corporal.

==== United States Air Force ====
{{See also|Airman first class|United States Air Force enlisted rank insignia}}
When the [[United States Air Force]] was separated from the US Army in 1947, corporal (E-3) became the most junior [[Non-commissioned officer|NCO]] grade{{snd}} below sergeant{{snd}} of this newly created independent branch of the United States Armed Forces. It was replaced by Airman 2nd Class (E-3) in April 1952 respectively [[Airman 1st Class]] (E-3, previously E-4) in October 1967, both enlisted ranks below NCO level.

In the same process sergeant was first replaced by Airman 1st class in 1952 (E-4, becoming E-3 in 1967). The title sergeant was reimplated in E-4 as lowest NCO rank from October 1967 to March 1991. From 1976, sergeant shared his paygrade with [[Senior airman]] (since then the most senior enlisted rank below NCO status), before phasing out in the late 1990s.<ref>{{cite web |website=A Chronology of the Enlisted Rank Chevron |first=Barry L. |last=Spink |title=A Chronology of the Enlisted Rank Chevron |url=https://www.afsfc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/862018/a-chronology-of-the-enlisted-rank-chevron/ |date=30 July 2013 |access-date=10 February 2024}}</ref>

{{US enlisted ranks}}