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Wei (rank)
Wei (rank)
from Wikipedia

Wei
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese
Simplified Chinese
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyinwèi
Wade–Gileswei
Vietnamese name
Vietnamese alphabetúy
Chữ Hán
Korean name
Hangul
Hanja
Transcriptions
Revised Romanizationwi
Japanese name
Kanji
Transcriptions
Romanizationwi

Wei is a company-grade officer rank used in some East Asian militaries, including China, Taiwan, North Korea and South Korea.

Chinese variant

[edit]

People's Liberation Army

[edit]

The same rank names are used for all services, prefixed by haijun (simplified Chinese: 海军; traditional Chinese: 海軍; lit. 'naval force') or kongjun (simplified Chinese: 空军; traditional Chinese: 空軍; lit. 'air force').

Rank group Junior officers
Chinese 大尉 上尉 中尉 少尉
Pinyin Dàwèi Shàngwèi Zhōngwèi Shǎowèi
Literal translation Great officer Upper officer Middle officer Lower officer
 PLA Ground Forces[1] Used only
1955–1965
 PLA Navy[1]
 PLA Air Force[1]
PLA Rocket Force
PLA Aerospace Force
PLA Cyberspace Force
People's Armed Police[1]
大尉
Da wei
上尉
Shang wei
中尉
Zhong wei
少尉
Shao wei
Rank group Junior officers

Republic of China Armed Forces

[edit]
Rank group Junior officers
Chinese 上尉 中尉 少尉
Taiwanese Hokkien Siōng-ùi Tiong-ùi Siáu-ùi
Literal translation Upper officer Middle officer Lower officer
 Republic of China Army[2]
Republic of China Military Police[2]
 Republic of China Navy[2]
 Republic of China Air Force[2]
 Republic of China Marine Corps[2]
上尉
Siōng-ùi
中尉
Tiong-ùi
少尉
Siáu-ùi
Rank group Junior officers

Korean variant

[edit]
Wi
Hangul
Hanja
Revised RomanizationWi
McCune–ReischauerWi

North Korea

[edit]
Rank group Junior officers
Hangul 대위 상위 중위 소위
Hanja 大尉 上尉 中尉 少尉
Romanization Taewi Sangwi Chungwi Sowi
Literal translation Great rank Upper rank Middle rank Lower rank
 Korean People's Army Ground Force[3]
Senior captain Captain First lieutenant Second lieutenant
 Korean People's Navy[3]
Senior lieutenant Lieutenant Lieutenant
junior grade
Ensign
 Korean People's Army Air Force[3]
Senior captain Captain First lieutenant Second lieutenant
대위
Taewi
상위
Sangwi
중위
Chungwi
소위
Sowi
Rank group Junior officers

South Korea

[edit]
Rank group Junior officers
Hangul 대위 중위 소위 준위
Hanja 大尉 中尉 少尉 准尉
Romanization Daewi Jungwi Sowi Junwi
Literal translation Great rank Middle rank Small rank Given rank
 Republic of Korea Army[4]
Captain First lieutenant Second lieutenant Warrant officer
 Republic of Korea Navy[5]
Translation[6] Lieutenant Lieutenant junior grade Ensign Warrant officer
 Republic of Korea Air Force
Captain First lieutenant Second lieutenant Warrant officer
 Republic of Korea Marine Corps
Captain First lieutenant Second lieutenant Warrant officer
대위
Daewi
중위
Jungwi
소위
Sowi
준위
Junwi
Rank group Junior officers

Vietnamese variant

[edit]
Rank group Junior officers
Native name Đại úy Thượng úy Trung úy Thiếu úy
Chữ Hán 大尉 上尉 中尉 少尉
Literal translation Grand officer Upper officer Middle officer Smaller officer
 Vietnam People's Ground Force[7]
 Vietnam People's Navy[7]
 Vietnam People's Air Force[7]
Vietnam Border Guard[7]
Vietnam Coast Guard[7]
Vietnam Cyberspace Operations[7]
President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Defence Force[7]
Native name Đại úy Thượng úy Trung úy Thiếu úy
Rank group Junior officers

South Vietnamese variant

[edit]
Rank group Junior officers Officer cadet
Native name Đại úy Trung úy Thiếu úy Chuẩn úy
Chữ Hán 大尉 中尉 少尉 准尉
Literal translation Grand officer Middle officer Smaller officer Quasi-officer
 Army of the Republic of Vietnam
(1967-1975)[8]
Translation[8] Captain First lieutenant Second lieutenant Aspirant
 Republic of Vietnam Navy
(1967-1975)[8]
Translation[8] Lieutenant Lieutenant (junior grade) Ensign Commissioned warrant officer
 Republic of Vietnam Marine Division
(1967-1975)
Translation Captain First lieutenant Second lieutenant Aspirant
 Republic of Vietnam Air Force
(1967-1975)[8]
Translation[8] Captain First lieutenant Second lieutenant Aspirant
Native name Đại úy Trung úy Thiếu úy Chuẩn úy
Rank group Junior officers Officer cadet

See also

[edit]

Ranks used in Chinese character-using countries

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Wei (尉) is a designation for company-grade officer ranks in the armed forces of several East Asian countries, including the , the Republic of China (), Vietnam, , and , equivalent to junior commissioned officers responsible for leading platoons and companies. These ranks comprise Shao Wei (second lieutenant, NATO OF-1), Zhong Wei (first lieutenant, NATO OF-1), and Shang Wei (, NATO OF-2), with officers typically entering at Shao Wei upon commissioning from military academies or universities. In the (PLA), the Wei ranks represent the entry-level commissioned officers who command tactical units ranging from (30–50 personnel) to (100–200 personnel), often serving as platoon leaders, company executive officers, or political instructors, and are required to be members of the . Introduced in 1955 under a Soviet-inspired system to standardize the PLA's professional structure, these ranks were eliminated in 1965 amid the Cultural Revolution's emphasis on egalitarian principles but restored on October 1, 1988, to enhance command efficiency after operational shortcomings exposed in the 1979 . Promotions within the Wei category depend on service time, performance evaluations, and examinations, with direct advancement possible for officers holding advanced degrees—such as entering as Zhong Wei with a master's or Shang Wei with a PhD. The Wei nomenclature extends to other services like the PLA Navy and Air Force, where insignia features a single star for Shao Wei, two for Zhong Wei, and three for Shang Wei, alongside branch-specific sleeve stripes or shoulder boards. In Taiwan's , the ranks mirror this structure and apply uniformly across ground, naval, and air components, emphasizing operational leadership in joint environments. The term "Wei" derives from military terminology, historically denoting assistant commanders or local security officials as early as the (1046–256 BCE), evolving into its modern form to reflect continuity in East Asian martial traditions.

Overview

Definition and Role

The "Wei" rank, derived from the Chinese characters 尉 (wèi), designates a category of company-grade commissioned officers in several East Asian militaries, encompassing junior to mid-level positions responsible for leading platoons or companies. These officers typically hold authority over small tactical units ranging from 20 to 150 personnel, ensuring operational cohesion at the grassroots level of . In their roles, Wei officers perform core duties such as commanding units during engagements, executing tactical decisions to achieve mission objectives, conducting and discipline for subordinates, and relaying orders from senior command while providing feedback from the field. They serve as vital links in the chain of command, bridging strategic directives with on-the-ground execution and fostering unit readiness through routine administration and combat preparation. Under NATO standardization (STANAG 2116), Wei ranks align with officer codes OF-1 to OF-2, comparable to through , emphasizing their status as fully commissioned officers distinct from non-commissioned roles. This classification underscores their professional leadership responsibilities rather than enlisted support functions. Modern implementations across East Asian forces, including subdivisions like Shao Wei, Zhong Wei, and Shang Wei, continue to reflect imperial Chinese military traditions where 尉 denoted capable subordinate commanders.

Etymology and Historical Origins

The term wei originates from the Classical Chinese character 尉 (wèi), which etymologically denoted an "assistant" or "deputy" in administrative and contexts, evolving from its use as a supervisory role in early hierarchical structures. In the (1046–256 BCE), wei specifically referred to low-level commanders responsible for overseeing small units of troops, such as squads or platoons, under higher generals in a feudal system that emphasized noble-led hierarchies and local defense. This role highlighted wei officers as deputies aiding in troop administration and watch duties, reflecting the dynasty's decentralized command structure during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods. During the (206 BCE–220 CE) and (618–907 CE), the wei element became more formalized within imperial military organizations as part of titles for mid-level officers, such as colonels who commanded regiments of the imperial guards, provincial garrisons, and militia units like the fubing system. In the Han era, titles such as xiaowei (colonel) and duwei (commandant of the capital) integrated wei into structured hierarchies for border defense and central armies, emphasizing tactical oversight in large-scale campaigns. By the Tang period, wei positions, including left and right guard commandants (zuo-you wei), supported the professionalized garrison forces, adapting to expanded territorial needs while maintaining the rank's deputy-like function in unit leadership. Through the cultural diffusion of the , the wei rank influenced neighboring states, with Korea adopting similar titles using the character 尉 during the Dynasty (1392–1897), where it appeared in military hierarchies modeled on Ming Chinese systems for central and provincial armies. In , under Chinese suzerainty during the (1428–1789), wei-derived ranks were incorporated into the imperial military framework, aiding in the organization of guards and regional forces amid Confucian administrative reforms. In the 19th and 20th centuries, wei ranks underwent standardization during China's Republican era (1912–1949), as the restructured traditional titles into modern junior officer grades like (second lieutenant) and (captain) to align with Western-influenced professional militaries. These adaptations persisted post-World War II in the divided Chinese states, forming the basis for contemporary East Asian variants.

Chinese Variants

People's Liberation Army

In the (PLA) of the , the Wei ranks refer to a set of company-grade officer designations that were first formalized in the 1955 military rank reforms. These reforms, issued by the State Council in February 1955 and implemented in September, established a hierarchical system modeled after the to professionalize the PLA following the and internal reorganization efforts. The system divided officers into Wei (company-grade) and Xiao (field-grade) categories, with Wei ranks serving as entry- and mid-level positions responsible for and leadership. The 1955–1965 PLA Ground Force structure included four Wei ranks: Shǎowèi (少尉, ), Zhōngwèi (中尉, ), Shàngwèi (上尉, ), and Dàwèi (大尉, senior captain). These ranks corresponded to NATO officer grades OF-1 to OF-3, with Shǎowèi equivalent to (OF-1), Zhōngwèi to (OF-1), Shàngwèi to (OF-2), and Dàwèi to a senior captain role bridging to major (OF-3). consisted of shoulder boards featuring bars and on a red background for Ground Force officers, patterned after Soviet designs; for example, Shǎowèi wore one bar, Zhōngwèi two bars, Shàngwèi three bars, and Dàwèi three bars with an additional star. Promotions to these ranks typically occurred through graduation from military academies, such as the , or elevation from enlisted service based on performance, political reliability, and tenure. The rank system was abolished in May 1965 amid the Cultural Revolution to enforce egalitarian principles and eliminate perceived bourgeois hierarchies, though some elements persisted informally in the Navy and Air Force until full implementation of the abolition. Following the 1979 Sino-Vietnamese War and subsequent modernization drives under Deng Xiaoping, ranks were revived in 1988 through regulations approved by the Seventh National People's Congress, with slight modifications to align with a unified 15-grade structure that tied pay, billets, and authority more closely to positional duties than titles alone. The Dàwèi rank was eliminated in the revival, streamlining Wei to three grades—Shǎowèi (OF-1), Zhōngwèi (OF-1), and Shàngwèi (OF-2)—while retaining Soviet-inspired insignia updated with simplified shoulder boards using bars, stars, and branch-specific colors (e.g., blue for Navy). Branch variations distinguish the ranks across PLA services: the Ground Force uses simplified pinyin designations like Shǎowèi, while the Navy prefixes terms with Hǎijūn (e.g., Hǎijūn shǎowèi for Navy junior lieutenant) and the Air Force with Kōngjūn (e.g., Kōngjūn zhōngwèi for Air Force lieutenant). Post-1965 reforms integrated Wei ranks into a service-unified officer system, where Navy and Air Force personnel retained their designations during the abolition period's transition, ensuring continuity in specialized roles like naval aviation. Today, promotions follow a merit-based path emphasizing academy training or enlisted-to-officer transitions, with Wei officers serving as foundational leaders in operational units.

Republic of China Armed Forces

In the Republic of China Armed Forces, the Wei ranks designate junior commissioned officers, corresponding to second lieutenant, first lieutenant, and captain. These are known in Mandarin as Shàowèi (少尉), Zhōngwèi (中尉), and Shàngwèi (上尉), respectively, with no distinct Dawei (大尉) grade; instead, senior responsibilities are incorporated into the rank of major (Shàoxiào, 少校). In Hokkien or Taiwanese Mandarin, commonly used in military contexts due to Taiwan's linguistic diversity, the ranks are pronounced as Siáu-ùi, Tiong-ùi, and Siōng-ùi. This bilingual nomenclature reflects the armed forces' adaptation to local Taiwanese culture while maintaining standard Mandarin terminology. Insignia for Wei ranks consist of gold bars and stars worn on epaulets, standardized across the , (where termed Hōe-kun siáu-ùi for ), Air Force (Khong-kun tiong-ùi for ), and Marine Corps. For example, Siáu-ùi is represented by a single gold bar, progressing to two bars and a star for Siōng-ùi. These designs draw from Western influences, emphasizing uniformity for operations. The Wei rank structure was retained from the Nationalist era of the 1920s, when the formalized modern officer grades during the , and was further codified in the 1950s following the of China's retreat to in 1949. Post-retreat, U.S. military advisory missions significantly shaped the system, aligning it with American organizational models to bolster defenses against communist threats. Currently, Wei ranks align with officer grades OF-1 for Shàowèi and Zhōngwèi, and OF-2 for Shàngwèi, facilitating interoperability in multinational exercises. Entry into these ranks typically occurs through rigorous officer training at the in , where cadets undergo a four-year program emphasizing leadership, tactics, and joint-service doctrines across all branches. The armed forces prioritize integrated operations, with Wei officers often leading teams in simulations and real-world contingencies. Unique to the Republic of China system is the routine bilingual application of rank terms in training and commands, blending Mandarin with to enhance cohesion among diverse personnel. Post-2000 reforms have promoted integration, allowing women to access Wei ranks via the and specialized programs, increasing representation in junior leadership roles to support all-volunteer force transitions.

Korean Variants

Korean People's Army

In the (KPA), the wei-equivalent ranks correspond to the junior officer grades of Sowi (소위), denoting ; Chungwi (중위), ; Sangwi (상위), ; and Taewi (대위), . These ranks form the foundational layer of the commissioned officer , established as part of the KPA's formal rank system on December 31, 1952, by decree of the during the . They emphasize hierarchical discipline and operational leadership in ground forces, (where Taewi is termed Haegun taewi), , and strategic forces, with promotions historically tied to demonstrated loyalty to the and adherence to ideology. Insignia for these ranks feature red-enameled stars arranged on collar tabs or epaulets, following a Soviet-inspired pattern that uses increasing numbers of small stars to denote progression: two stars for Sowi, three for Chungwi, and four for Sangwi, while Taewi typically incorporates a bar or additional alongside stars to signify captaincy. This design is uniform across KPA branches, with variations in branch-specific colors (e.g., blue for , light blue for ) but retaining the core star-and-bar motif on olive-green uniforms for ground and strategic forces. The underscore the ranks' role in maintaining ideological purity, as officers often serve dual functions integrating military command with duties under the KPA's General Political Bureau, which enforces principles of self-reliance and party supremacy. The rank structure originated from Soviet military influences in the late 1940s, evolving with Chinese aid during and after the (1950–1953) to standardize the KPA's officer system amid post-liberation reorganization. In the 1990s, under Kim Jong-il's leadership, revisions prioritized loyalty to the regime over pure merit-based advancement, with promotions requiring membership and alignment with ideology; this period saw promotions slowed during the Arduous March famine (1994–1998) due to economic and resource constraints. Post-2010s developments, particularly amid accelerated and programs, have seen selective rank expansions to bolster and strategic units, reflecting the KPA's emphasis on capabilities. These ranks align with NATO codes OF-1 (Sowi, Chungwi, Sangwi) for grades and OF-2 (Taewi) for , though the KPA system integrates political oversight more deeply than typical Western structures, with officer roles often involving to ensure under party directives. The higher focus on artillery and within these ranks highlights the KPA's of preemptive defense, where junior officers lead elite units prioritizing ideological fervor alongside tactical proficiency.

Republic of Korea Armed Forces

In the (ROKAF), the Wei ranks comprise the and junior commissioned officer grades, specifically Junwi (), Sowi (), Jungwi (), and Daewi (). These ranks form the foundational leadership layer for company-level operations across the , (where Daewi is termed Haebyeong Daewi in the Marine Corps), , and Marine Corps, emphasizing tactical command and technical expertise in a force structured for rapid mobilization and alliance interoperability. The Junwi rank is distinctive to the ROKAF among Korean military systems, functioning as a single-grade position that bridges non-commissioned officers and commissioned officers, often filled by experienced enlisted personnel promoted for specialized skills in areas like and . Insignia for these ranks feature gold-colored bars and arcs on a branch-specific colored background—typically red for the and , blue for the , and light blue for the —with Sowi denoted by a single bar, Jungwi by two bars, and Daewi by three bars; Junwi uses a single arc or chevron variant to distinguish its warrant status. Established in under U.S. influence following Korea's liberation, the ROKAF rank structure was modeled on American systems to build a professional force, with the initial army limited to 50,000 personnel as per U.S. advisory support. During the in the 1950s, these ranks expanded alongside the overall force growth from approximately 98,000 to over 590,000 troops by 1953, incorporating U.S. Korean Military Advisory Group (KMAG) training to enhance capabilities amid intense demands. Entry into Wei ranks occurs primarily through the , a four-year institution commissioning graduates as Sowi, or via the (ROTC), a college-based program established in 1961 that integrates military education with university studies to produce officers for mandatory service. These pathways align with NATO equivalents, where Junwi corresponds to WO-1, Sowi and Jungwi to OF-1, and Daewi to OF-2, facilitating joint operations with U.S. forces through standardized command protocols. In the , conscription reforms under the Defense Reform Initiative emphasized professionalization and high-tech integration, adjusting ROTC and academy curricula to shorten certain training phases while prioritizing skills in advanced warfare, including joint U.S.-ROK exercises like Ulchi Freedom Shield that simulate cyber and conventional threats. The ROKAF's Wei ranks are fully gender-neutral, allowing women to serve in these positions since expanded integration policies in the , with officers comprising about 8.8% of the force as of 2023 and eligible for promotion through Daewi without restriction. In August 2025, a bill was proposed to allow enlisted soldiers access to , aiming to further integrate women as the active-duty force shrinks to 450,000 as of July 2025. Mandatory service for males integrates Wei-level officers into a conscript-heavy structure, but reforms have shifted focus toward specialized roles, including cybersecurity at the level, where Sowi and higher personnel receive training in cyber defense commands to counter North Korean threats and support U.S. alliance operations. This emphasis on high-tech warfare underscores the ranks' role in maintaining deterrence on the Korean Peninsula.

Vietnamese Variants

Vietnam People's Armed Forces

In the , the wei ranks, known as "úy" in Vietnamese, form the junior officer grades and include Thiếu úy (second lieutenant), Trung úy (first lieutenant), Thượng úy (captain), and Đại úy (major). These ranks were influenced by Chinese and Soviet military advisory support to standardize structure amid the and early alignments. Following national unification in 1975, the southern forces were integrated into the unified structure on July 2, 1976, establishing a single socialist-oriented rank system across all branches. The term "úy" derives from military terminology, paralleling the "wei" ranks through historical borrowing during the mid-20th century advisory period. Insignia for these ranks consist of gold stars on red shoulder epaulettes, with one small star denoting Thiếu úy, two small stars for Trung úy, three small stars for Thượng úy, and one large star for Đại úy; this design remains consistent across the People's Army ground forces, (where Đại úy is termed Hải quân đại úy), Air Defence-Air Force, and . The ranks align with codes OF-1 (Thiếu úy and Trung úy), OF-2 (Thượng úy), and OF-3 (Đại úy), reflecting their roles in to company command. Promotions to these levels typically occur through rigorous training at institutions like the Hồ Chí Minh National Academy of Politics and specialized military schools, emphasizing both tactical proficiency and ideological alignment with directives. The Đổi Mới reforms of the 1980s further modernized training for these officers, shifting from post-war recovery to professionalization with market-oriented efficiencies while maintaining party oversight, enabling better integration of advanced tactics and equipment. Officers in úy ranks play key roles in defense operations, coordinating naval patrols and support to assert amid territorial disputes. They also contribute to international , with over 150 deployed to UN missions as staff officers since the . A distinctive feature is the strong emphasis on loyalty to the , integrated into officer selection and evaluation to ensure political reliability in command decisions. Since the , the armed forces have expanded úy-level roles in emerging domains, including the 2017 establishment (announced 2018) of the Cyber Operations Command for digital defense and enhanced maritime units with new frigates and to bolster capabilities.

Army of the Republic of Vietnam

The junior officer ranks in the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN), collectively known as the "úy" ranks and serving as equivalents to the Chinese "wei" structure, encompassed Chuẩn úy (aspirant or quasi-lieutenant), Thiếu úy (second lieutenant), Trung úy (first lieutenant), Thượng úy (captain), and Đại úy (major). These ranks formed the core of company-grade leadership, with Chuẩn úy functioning as a unique probationary grade for cadets and aspirants undergoing rapid commissioning to meet wartime demands. Insignia for these ranks followed U.S.-style designs, utilizing and on epaulettes, and were uniformly applied across the ARVN, (VNN), (VNAF), and Regional Forces. Specifically, Thiếu úy wore a single , Trung úy two , Thượng úy three , and Đại úy a single ; Chuẩn úy insignia included a with a single star to denote its status. These symbols emphasized alignment with American advisory influences, facilitating in operations. The rank structure was established in 1955 under President Ngô Đình Diệm as part of reorganizing the post-colonial into the ARVN, marking South Vietnam's shift toward independence from French control. Expansion occurred throughout the amid escalating U.S. military aid under the Military Assistance Program, which grew ARVN forces from approximately 150,000 personnel in 1956 to over 600,000 by 1965, including enhanced officer commissioning to support , , and armored units. The Chuẩn úy rank proved particularly vital for accelerating officer production during this period, enabling quick integration of probationary leaders into active units. These ranks aligned with NATO officer codes OF-1 (Thiếu úy and Trung úy), OF-2 (Thượng úy), and OF-3 (Đại úy), mirroring U.S. Army equivalents to standardize command hierarchies in multinational efforts. Officer training occurred primarily through the Joint General Staff's oversight of institutions like the Thu Duc Officer Candidate School and Dalat National Military Academy, which produced thousands of graduates annually via programs emphasizing tactics, leadership, and logistics; by 1970, the system included 26 service schools offering 326 courses for over 65,000 trainees. These junior officers played a pivotal role in counterinsurgency operations, leading pacification efforts, ranger battalions, and territorial security forces that secured over 76% of South Vietnam's population by late 1968. Following the Fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975, the ARVN ranks were abolished as North Vietnamese forces overran the capital and compelled the unconditional surrender of South Vietnamese President . The legacy of these ranks endures in the recollections of overseas Vietnamese communities, where former ARVN officers preserve military traditions through veteran associations and historical documentation.

References

  1. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E5%B0%89
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