Field marshal (Australia)

Field marshal
The FM insignia of St. Edward's Crown mounted above two crossed batons that are circled by a wreath of oak leaves.
Australia's first appointed field marshal (honorary), the then Lieutenant General Sir William Birdwood, photographed near Hill 60, Gallipoli. Photograph by C.E.W. Bean, October 1915.
Country	Australia
Service branch	Australian Army
Abbreviation	FM
Rank	Field Marshal
NATO rank code	OF-10
Non-NATO rank	O-11
Formation	1925
Next lower rank	General
Equivalent ranks	Admiral of the Fleet (RAN) Marshal of the Air Force (RAAF)

Field marshal is the highest rank of the Australian Army, and is currently held by Charles III, King of Australia. The rank was created as a direct equivalent of the British military rank of field marshal. It is a five-star rank, equivalent to the ranks in the other armed services of Admiral of the Fleet in the Royal Australian Navy, and Marshal of the Royal Australian Air Force. The subordinate army rank is general.

Three of the five field marshals were honorary appointments to members of the Royal Family and one an honorary appointment to a British Army officer. The only Australian appointed was Sir Thomas Blamey, who was on the retired list when he was proposed for the rank. Blamey was recalled to active duty and promoted.