Military Rank

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SECOND LIEUTENANT (2LT)

(Addressed as "Lieutenant")

Typically the entry-level rank for most Commissioned Officers.

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A single gold bar

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FIRST LIEUTENANT (1LT)

(Addressed as "Lieutenant")

A seasoned lieutenant with 18 to 24 months service. Leads more specialized weapons platoons and indirect fire computation centers. A senior Lieutenant is a commisioned officer

Interns and nurses often will wear this rank

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A single silver bar

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CAPTAIN (CPT)

(Addressed as "Captain")

Commands and controls company-sized units (62 to 190 Soldiers), together with a NCO assistant. Instructs skills at service schools and The United States Army combat training centers. Many residents will come in as a Capt giving them credit for their years of school

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2 bars (looks like an "H")

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MAJOR (MAJ)

(Addressed as "Major")

Serves as primary Staff Officer for brigade and task force command regarding personnel, logistical and operational missions. Doctors and more senior nurses (nurse managers) wear this rank. Referred to as a Field Grade Officer

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A gold oak leaf

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U.S. Army uniforms and gear can vary based on rank and occasion. The easiest way to identity rank is to look for the insignia that each member of the Army will display on his or her uniform. Insignia will be unique to each rank, and the insignia of officers and generals will differ clearly from those of enlisted soldiers.

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Familiarizing yourself with these insignia will make it possible to quickly identify the rank of a member of the Army or Air Force

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LIEUTENANT COLONEL (LTC)

(Addressed as "Lieutenant Colonel " or "Colonel")

Senior medical officers, doctors and nurse leaders or commanders wear this rank

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A silver oak leaf

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Rank is worn on the Air Force Airman Battle Uniform (ABU) on what part of the uniform for officers?

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On the collar

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Insignia shows three chevrons closed by a rounded bar at the bottom, enclosing a green field.

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Staff Sergeant’s (SSG, E-6)

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Privates

The lowest rank (E-1) of enlisted soldiers, privates in Basic Combat Training (BCT), do not have insignia.

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Private

Privates at the E-2 rank display a single yellow chevron.

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PRIVATE FIRST CLASS (PFC)

(Addressed as "Private") Soldiers at the Private First Class rank (PFC, E-3) wear a symbol of a chevron closed by a rounded bar at the bottom, enclosing a green field. PV2s are promoted to this level after one year—or earlier by request of supervisor.

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COLONEL (COL)

(Addressed as "Colonel")

Typically commands brigade-sized units (3,000 to 5,000 Soldiers), with a CSM (command sergeant major) as principal NCO (non-commissioned officer) assistant.

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SPECIALIST (SPC)

(Addressed as "Specialist")

Can manage other enlisted Soldiers of lower rank. Has served a minimum of two years and attended a specific training class to earn this promotion. People enlisting with a four year college degree can enter BCT as a Specialist.

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Warrant Officers (WO1,CW2,CW3, CW4,CW5)

The Army Warrant Officer is an adaptive technical expert, combat leader, trainer, and adviser. Warrant Officers are formally addressed as either Mr. or Ms. Chief Warrant Officers become commissioned officers as provided by the President of the United States.

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WARRANT OFFICER 1 (WO1)

CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER 2 (CW2)

CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER 3 (CW3)

CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER 4 (CW4)

CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER 5 (CW5)

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BRIGADIER GENERAL (BG)

(Addressed as "General")

Serves as Deputy Commander to the commanding general for Army divisions. Assists in overseeing the staff's planning and coordination of a mission.

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1 star

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MAJOR GENERAL (MG)

(Addressed as "General")

Typically commands division-sized units (10,000 to 15,000 Soldiers)

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2 stars

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LIEUTENANT GENERAL (LTG)

(Addressed as "General")

Typically commands corps-sized units (20,000 to 45,000 Soldiers)

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GENERAL (GEN)

(Addressed as "General")

The senior level of Commissioned Officer typically has over 30 years of experience and service. Commands all operations that fall within their geographical area. The Chief of Staff of the Army is a four-star General.

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GENERAL OF THE ARMY (GOA)

This is only used in time of War where the Commanding Officer must be equal or of higher rank than those commanding armies from other nations. The last officers to hold this rank served during and immediately following WWII.

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CORPORAL (CPL)

(Addressed as "Corporal")

The base of the Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) ranks, CPLs serve as team leader of the smallest Army units. Like SGTs, they are responsible for individual training, personal appearance and cleanliness of Soldiers.

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MASTER SERGEANT (MSG)

(Addressed as "Sergeant")

Principal NCO at the battalion level, and often higher. Expected to dispatch leadership and other duties with the same professionalism.

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SERGEANT MAJOR (SGM)

(Addressed as "Sergeant Major")

SGMs experience and abilities are equal to that of the CSM, but the sphere of influence regarding leadership is generally limited to those directly under his charge. The Air Force does not have this rank.

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Air Force Technical Sergeant

Sometimes addressed as Tech Sergeant or most often Sergeant

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Air Force Airman First Class (A1C) E-3

(Addressed as "Airman or A1C")

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Air Force Staff Sergeant (SSgt) E-5

(Addressed as "Sergeant")

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