Brigadier

A one-star officer of the British Army, OF-6, commanding a brigade, ranked below major general.

Overview

Brigadier wears a crown over three pips, or in dress a crossed sword and baton device with one star, and commands a brigade of around five thousand soldiers. The British Army considers brigadier a field officer rank rather than a general officer rank, unlike most armies where OF-6 begins the generals: a subtle difference of constitutional tradition. The title arose in seventeenth century Europe from the brigade command. OF-6 peers with the US brigadier general. Notable brigadiers pepper British history, and the rank now also commands large directorates and training establishments. Montgomery made his name commanding a brigade in the 1920s.