It is important that you understand rank and unit structures, as it will help prevent any breakdowns in communication between you and your spouse.

Soldiers are referred to in 2 ways: rank and grade. Rank is the status, such as "Private" or "Captain." Grade, is the pay level that that soldier is entitled to according to the rank. Enlisted soldiers have grades like "E-1," while officers use 'O' grades, "O-3." Warrant officers, (enlisted soldiers with commissioned status, those with technical expertise) use grades like "W-2" and such. Some ranks are grouped in the same pay grade, but pay is usually different depending on the time in service.

5 star Generals are only seen in wartime.

Note the officer ranks 1LT and 2LT, as well as Major and LTC- these are like each other, but one is silver, and the other is gold. When a service member is wearing ACU's/BDU's, the rank is subdued, and hard to see. The rank of Major and Second Lieutenant are sewn gold, even on BDU's. The silver ranks of First Lieutenant and Colonel are sewn black.

This is a long page- it has all the rank for the major branches. Please be patient.

Army Rank

Enlisted Title	Insignia		Officer Title	Insignia		Warrant Officer Title	Insignia
Private E-1	None		Second Lieutenant O-1			Warrant Officer One WO1
Private (PV2) E-2			First Lieutenant O-2			Chief Warrant Officer 2 CWO2
Private First Class E-3			Captain O-3			Chief Warrant Officer 3 CWO3
Specialist E-4			Major O-4			Chief Warrant Officer 4 CWO4
Corporal  E-4			Lieutenant Colonel O-5			Chief Warrant Officer 5 CWO5
Sergeant E-5			Colonel O-6
Staff Sergeant E-6			Brigadier General O-7
Sergeant First Class E-7			Major General O-8
Master Sergeant E-8			Lieutenant General O-8
First Sergeant E-8			General O-9
Sergeant Major E-9
Command Sergeant Major E-9
Sergeant Major of the Army E-9

Air Force Rank

Enlisted Title	Insignia		Officer Title	Insignia
Airman Basic E-1	None		Second Lieutenant O-1
Airman E-2			First Lieutenant O-2
Airman First Class E-3			Captain O-3
Senior Airman E-4			Major O-4
Staff Sergeant E-5			Lieutenant Colonel O-5
Technical Sergeant E-6			Colonel O-6
Master Sergeant E-7			Brigadier General O-7
First Sergeant E-7			Major General O-8
Senior Master Sergeant E-8			Lieutenant General O-8
First Sergeant E-8			General O-9
Chief Master Sergeant E-9
First Sergeant E-9
Command Chief Master Sgt. E-9
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force E-9

Marine Corps Rank

Enlisted Title	Insignia		Officer Title	Insignia		Warrant Officer Title	Insignia
Private E-1	None		Second Lieutenant O-1			Warrant Officer One WO1
Private First Class E-2			First Lieutenant O-2			Chief Warrant Officer 2 CWO2
Lance Corporal E-3			Captain O-3			Chief Warrant Officer 3 CWO3
Corporal E-4			Major O-4			Chief Warrant Officer 4 CWO4
Sergeant E-5			Lieutenant Colonel O-5			Chief Warrant Officer 5 CWO5
Staff Sergeant E-6			Colonel O-6
Gunnery Sergeant E-7			Brigadier General O-7
Master Sergeant E-8			Major General O-8
First Sergeant E-8			Lieutenant General O-8
Master Gunnery Sergeant E-9			General O-9
Sergeant Major E-9
Sergeant Major of the Corps E-9

Navy  Rank

Enlisted Title	Insignia	Worn on Collar		Officer Title	Insignia		Warrant Officer Title	Insignia
Seaman Recruit SR E-1		N/A		Ensign ENS O-1			Warrant Officer One WO1
Seaman Apprentice SA E-2		N/A		Lieutenant Junior Grade LTJG O-2			Chief Warrant Officer 2 CWO2
Seaman SN E-3		N/A		Lieutenant LT O-3			Chief Warrant Officer 3 CWO3
Petty Officer Third Class PO3 E-4				Lieutenant Commander LCDR O-4			Chief Warrant Officer 4 CWO4
Petty Officer Second Class PO2 E-5				Commander CDR O-5			Chief Warrant Officer 5 CWO5
Petty Officer First Class PO1 E-6				Captain CAPT O-6
Chief Petty Officer CPO E-7				Rear Admiral (lower half) RDML O-7
Senior Chief Petty Officer SCPO E-8				Rear Admiral (upper half) RADM O-8
Master Chief Petty Officer MCPO E-9				Vice Admiral VADM O-9
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy MCPON E-9				Admiral ADM O-10