Military ranks of the Empire of Brazil

The rank insignia of the Estado-Maior General (General/Flag officers) were established by an Imperial Decree of 7 October 1823.

They bore the leaves of an Oak-tree, similar to the ranks of the Portuguese Army of the early 1800s.

[1] In 1850, a law regulating the Promotion of officers in the Imperial Brazilian Army was approved.

This meant that to become an Alferes, equivalent to a 2º Lieutenant, one had to be either a Sergeant or a Cadet with service time at lower rankings, not to mention the students from the Escola Militar whose entrance to officership was handled by a separate legislation.

José Iran Ribeiro, from the Federal University of Santa Maria, found out that, from a group of 15 volunteers, 9 had risen up to become sergeants 6 of them before reaching 20 years of age.