SilentWarriors.net Military Family Community

http://www.silentwarriors.net/bm/Guides/new/military-rank.shtml

Military Rank

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		 USN Warrant Officer 1
Seaman Apprentice
SA
E-2		 N/A   Lieutenant Junior Grade
LTJG
O-2		   Chief Warrant Officer 2
CWO2		 U.S. Navy/Coast Guard Chief Warrant Officer 2
Seaman
SN
E-3		 N/A   Lieutenant
LT
O-3		   Chief Warrant Officer 3
CWO3		 Navy/Coast Guard Chief Warrant Officer 3
Petty Officer Third Class
PO3
E-4		   Lieutenant Commander
LCDR
O-4		   Chief Warrant Officer 4
CWO4		 U.S. Navy/Coast Guard Chief Warrant Officer 4
Petty Officer Second Class
PO2
E-5		   Commander
CDR
O-5		   Chief Warrant Officer 5
CWO5		 USN Warrant Officer 5
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