U.S. Armed Forces reference

U.S. Military Ranks & Insignia

Compare rank order, pay grades, insignia, and responsibilities across every branch of the United States military.

Military Ranks and Insignia At a Glance

Today's U.S. military services continue to use many of the ranks that were adopted in 1775 at the start of our Revolutionary War. Our early military leadership and congress adopted the organization, regulations and ranks of the British army and navy with just minor changes, some of which were influenced by our close association with France. Considering the British navy was the most successful in the world at that time it was natural that the Continental Congress' navy committee, led by John Adams, copied it as they set up our Navy. Today's military ranks are divided into Officers and Enlisted groups. The following charts offer background and current descriptions of the ranks that the U.S. Armed Forces use today.

Military Ranks and Insignia At a Glance

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ARMY

E-2
PRIVATE (PVT/PV2)
Private is the lowest rank. Most Soldiers start out at this rank. Their primary role is to carry out orders. The PVT rank does not have an insignia.
E-3
PRIVATE FIRST CLASS (PFC)
Privates are generally promoted to this level within a year by request of a supervisor. An individual can begin Basic Combat Training at this rank with experience or prior military training.
E-4
SPECIALIST (SPC)
A Specialist can manage other lower-ranked enlisted Soldiers. A Soldier can be promoted to this rank after serving a minimum of two years and attending a training class. Recruits with a four-year degree may enter Basic Combat Training as a Specialist.
E-4
CORPORAL (CPL)
Corporal is the base level of the Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) ranks. Corporals serve as team leader of the smallest Army units. Like Sergeants, they are responsible for individual training, personal appearance and cleanliness of Soldiers.
E-5
SERGEANT (SGT)
Sergeants typically command a fire team of around five Soldiers. Sergeants oversee Soldiers in their daily tasks, and are expected to set an example and standard for Privates to live up to.
E-6
STAFF SERGEANT (SSG)
A Staff Sergeant commands a squad (nine to 10 Soldiers). Often, a Staff Sergeant will have one or more Sergeants under his or her leadership. They are responsible for developing, maintaining and utilizing the full range of a Soldier's potential.
E-7
SERGEANT FIRST CLASS (SFC)
As the key assistant and advisor to the platoon leader, the Sergeant First Class generally has 15 to 18 years of Army experience.
E-8
MASTER SERGEANT (MSG)
The Master Sergeant is the principal Noncommissioned Officer at the battalion level and higher.
E-8
FIRST SERGEANT (1SG)
The First Sergeant is the principal NCO and life-blood of a company. He is the disciplinarian and counselor. He instructs other Sergeants, advises the commander and helps train all enlisted Soldiers. He assists Officers at the company level (62 to 190 Soldiers).
E-9
SERGEANT MAJOR (SGM)
Sergeants Major serve as the chief administrative assistants for an Army headquarters, but their sphere of influence regarding leadership is generally limited to those directly under their charge. They are key enlisted members of staff elements at battalion level or higher.
E-9
COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR (CSM)
Command Sergeants Major are the senior enlisted advisors to the Commanding Officer. They carry out policies and standards and advise the commander on the performance, training, appearance, and conduct of enlisted Soldiers. A Command Sergeant Major is assignable to battalion level or higher.
E-9
SERGEANT MAJOR OF THE ARMY
There's only one Sergeant Major of the Army. The SMA oversees all Noncommissioned Officers. He serves as the senior enlisted advisor and consultant to the Chief of Staff of the Army (a four-star General)