US Military Ranks

Emil Pocock, History and American Studies, Eastern Connecticut State University

US Military Ranks and Units

Modern US Military Ranks

The table shows current ranks in the US military service branches, but they can serve as a fair guide throughout the twentieth century.

Ranks in foreign military services may vary significantly, even when the same names are used. Many European countries use the rank Field Marshal, for example, which is not used in the United States.

Pay Scale	Army	Air Force	Marines	Navy and Coast Guard
Commissioned Officers
**	General of the Army	General of the Air Force		Fleet Admiral
O-10	Army Chief of Staff General	Air Force Chief of Staff General	Commandant of the Marine Corps General	Chief of Naval Operations Commandant of the Coast Guard Admiral
O-9	Lieutenant General	Lieutenant General	Lieutenant General	Vice Admiral
O-8	Major General	Major General	Major General	Rear Admiral (Upper Half)
O-7	Brigadier General	Brigadier General	Brigadier General	Rear Admiral (Commodore)
O-6	Colonel	Colonel	Colonel	Captain
O-5	Lieutenant Colonel	Lieutenant Colonel	Lieutenant Colonel	Commander
O-4	Major	Major	Major	Lieutenant Commander
O-3	Captain	Captain	Captain	Lieutenant
O-2	1st Lieutenant	1st Lieutenant	1st Lieutenant	Lieutenant, Junior Grade
O-1	2nd Lieutenant	2nd Lieutenant	2nd Lieutenant	Ensign
Warrant Officers
W-5	Master Warrant Officer 5		Chief Warrant Officer 5	Master Warrant Officer
W-4	Warrant Officer 4		Chief Warrant Officer 4	Warrant Officer 4
W-3	Warrant Officer 3		Chief Warrant Officer 3	Warrant Officer 3
W-2	Warrant Officer 2		Chief Warrant Officer 2	Warrant Officer 2
W-1	Warrant Officer 1		Warrant Officer	Warrant Officer 1
Non-Commissioned Officers
Special	Sergeant Major of the Army	Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force	Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps	Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
E-9	Command Sergeant Major Sergeant Major	First Sergeant (Chief Master Sergeant) Chief Master Sergeant	Sergeant Major Master Gunnery Sergeant	Master Chief Petty Officer
E-8	First Sergeant Master Sergeant	First Sergeant (Senior Master Sergeant) Senior Master Sergeant	First Sergeant Master Sergeant	Senior Chief Petty Officer
E-7	Sergeant First Class	First Sergeant (Master Sergeant) Master Sergeant	Gunnery Sergeant	Chief Petty Officer
E-6	Staff Sergeant	Technical Sergeant	Staff Sergeant	Petty Officer First Class
E-5	Sergeant	Staff Sergeant	Sergeant	Petty Officer Second Class
E-4	Corporal		Corporal	Petty Officer Third Class
Enlisted Personnel
E-4	Specialist	Senior Airman
E-3	Private First Class	Airman First Class	Lance Corporal	Seaman
E-2	Private	Airman	Private First Class	Seaman Apprentice
E-1	Private (Recruit)	Airman Basic	Private	Seaman Recruit

Blank indicates there is no rank at that pay grade.
** Ranks used infrequently during wartime.

Unit Size (US Army in the late-20th Century)

Size, composition, and leadership of military units varies with time, place, and circumstances. The composition of fully authorized units (reflected in this table) will vary, especially during in periods of active engagement. Use this as a general guide for the late-20th century US Army. The composition of foreign military units may deviate considerably from US practices.

Unit	Approximate Personnel	Composition	Typical Commander
Army	100,000	2+ corps, HQ	General
Corps	30,000+	2+ divisions	Lt. General
Division	15,000+	3 brigades, HQ, support units	Maj. General
Brigade	4,500+	3+ regiments, HQ	Brig. General
Regiment	1,500+	2+ battalions, HQ	Colonel
Battalion	700	4+ companies, HQ	Lt. Colonel
Company	175	4 platoons, HQ	Captain
Platoon	40	4 squads	Lieutenant
Squad	10		Staff Sergeant

External Links

Excellent historical background

C olor illustrations of rank insignia

More about US Army Insignia

Rank Insignia of the World

The Roman Army

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Created and maintained by Emil Pocock, pocock@easternct.edu. Last modified August 19, 2005.

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