Rank insignia of the Carabinieri


As the Arma dei Carabinieri is the fourth service of the Italian Armed Forces, the Ranks and rank insignia of the Carabinieri are designed according to the military rank structure of Italy. Carabinieri personnel belongs to four different career paths, the Officer career, the Inspector career, the Sovrintendente career, and the basic Carabinieri career.

''Ruolo ufficiali''

Candidates for the non-technical Officer career of the Carabinieri are recruited through the Military Academy of Modena. At the end of the two-year period, students graduate in "Legal Sciences" and are appointed Sottotenente. The cycle of studies continues for another three years at the Carabinieri Officer School, at the end of which the students obtain a master's degree in Law and, on a voluntary basis, also one in "Internal and external security sciences". Appointment to Tenente is after two years at the school.
Non-technical officers are also recruited by direct appointment as Sottotenente by Luogotenente, under 50 years old, with a Master's degree, and by all other ranks with at least five years service, under 40 years old, with a Bachelor's degree in law. The directly appointed Sottotenente are trained for two years at the Carabinieri Officer School, obtaining a master's degree in Law and promotion to Tenente.
NATO-codeRankRank insignia
OF-8Generale di Corpo d'Armata
Comandante generale dell'Arma dei Carabinieri
OF-8Generale di Corpo d'Armata
Vicecomandante generale dell'Arma dei Carabinieri
OF-8Generale di Corpo d'Armata
former Vicecomandante generale dell'Arma dei Carabinieri
OF-8Generale di Corpo d'Armata
OF-7Generale di Divsione
Serving in higher rank
OF-7Generale di Divisione
OF-7Generale di Divisione
Honorary rank
OF-6Generale di Brigata
Serving in higher rank
OF-6Generale di Brigata
OF-5Colonnello
Serving in higher rank
OF-5Colonnello
Commanding officer
OF-5Colonnello
OF-5Colonnello
Honorary rank
OF-4Tenente colonnello
Serving in higher rank
OF-4Tenente colonnello
Commanding officer
OF-4Tenente colonnello
OF-3Maggiore
Serving in higher rank
OF-3Maggiore
Commanding officer
OF-3Maggiore
OF-2Capitano
Serving in higher rank
OF-2Primo Capitano
OF-2Capitano
OF-1Tenente
Commanding officer
OF-1Tenente
After two years at the Carabinieri Officer School
OF-1Sottotenente
At the Carabinieri Officer School
OF-DAllievo ufficiale
At the Military Academy of Modena

Ruoli Ispettori

Candidates for the Inspector career are by law recruited to 70% by internal or civilian applicants with a high school diploma, to 20% from the Sovrintendente career, and to 10% from the basic Carabinieri career. The former candidates attend a three-year university-based training process at the School of Marshals and Brigadiers of the Carabinieri, graduating with a Bachelor's degree in "Legal Sciences of Security" at the University of Rome Tor Vergata, while the latter candidates are trained for six months at the School of Marshals and Brigadiers of the Carabinieri.
NATO-codeRankRank insignia
OR-9Luogotenente «Carica Speciale»
OR-9Luogotenente
OR-9Maresciallo maggiore
OR-9Maresciallo capo
OR-8Maresciallo ordinario
OR-8Maresciallo
n/aAllievo maresciallo

Ruoli Sovrintendente

Candidates for the Sovrintendente career are by law recruited to 60% from the Appuntato scelto and to 40% from the lower ranks of the basic Carabinieri career. The former candidates are trained during one month, and the latter candidates during three months, at the School of Marshals and Brigadiers of the Carabinieri.
NATO-codeRankRank insignia
OR-7Brigadiere capo «Qualifica Speciale»
OR-7Brigadiere capo
OR-6Brigadiere
OR-5Vicebrigadiere

Ruoli Appuntati e Carabinieri

Candidates for the basic carabinieri career are by law recruited to 70% from serving soldiers with one or four year enlistments as temporary service volunteers, and to 30% from civilian life irrespective of previous military service. Initial enlistment is for a period of four years, after which permanent status is achieved. Training is one year at one of five Carabinieri schools.
NATO-codeRankRank insignia
OR-4Appuntato scelto «Qualifica Speciale»
OR-4Appuntato scelto
OR-4Appuntato
OR-4Carabiniere scelto
OR-4Carabiniere
n/aAllievo carabinere
During the first six months at the Carabinieri school