In the ancien Régime French Navy, an officier d'épée (literally, sword officer) was a member of the "corps des officiers d'épée", one of the naval officer corps. This corps was divided between "officiers de vaisseau" (serving at sea) et "officiers de port" (serving in a port as pilot or in fleet maintenance). The other main corps was the administrative officier de plume. See also Nobles of the Sword Military ranks of France Navy of the Ancien Régime