Army Rank

U.S. Army Enlisted Rank Insignias

SERGEANT MAJOR OF THE ARMY There's only one Sergeant Major of the Army Epitome of what it means to be a Sergeant and oversees all Non-Commissioned Officers Advisor and consultant to the Chief of Staff of the Army (a four-star General)

COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR (CSM) (Addressed as "Command Sergeant Major") A CSM's counsel is expected to be calm, settled, and accurate Supplies recommendations to the commander and staff with unflagging enthusiasm Sets standards on performance, training, appearance, and conduct of enlisted personnel Assists Officers at the brigade level (3,000 to 5,000 Soldiers)

SERGEANT MAJOR (SGM) (Addressed as "Sergeant Major") SGMs experience and abilities are equal to that of the CSM Leadership is generally limited to those directly under his charge Assists Officers at the battalion level (300 to 1,000 Soldiers)

FIRST SERGEANT (1SG) (Addressed as "First Sergeant") Principal NCO and life-blood of the company; provider, disciplinarian, and wise counselor Instructs other SGTs, advise the Commander and helps train all enlisted Soldiers Assists Officers at the company level (62 to 190 Soldiers)

MASTER SERGEANT (MSG) (Addressed as "Sergeant") Principal NCO at the battalion level and often higher Not charged with all the leadership responsibilities of a 1SG Expected to dispatch leadership and other duties with the same professionalism

SERGEANT FIRST CLASS (SFC) (Addressed as "Sergeant") Key assistant and advisor to the platoon leader Generally has 15 to 18 years of Army experience Makes quick, accurate decisions in the best interests of Soldiers and country

STAFF SERGEANT (SSG) (Addressed as "Sergeant") Also commands a squad (9 to 10 Soldiers) Often has one or more SGTs under their leadership Develops, maintains, and utilizes the full range of his Soldier's potential

SERGEANT (SGT) (Addressed as "Sergeant") Typically commands a squad (9 to 10 Soldiers) Has greatest impact on Soldiers because SGTs oversee daily tasks SGTs set an example and the standard for Privates to look up to and live up to

CORPORAL (CPL) (Addressed as "Corporal") The base of the Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) ranks CPLs serve as team leader of the smallest Army units Responsible for individual training, personal appearance, and cleanliness of Soldiers

SPECIALIST (SPC) (Addressed as "Specialist") Can manage other enlisted Soldiers of lower rank Served a minimum of two years and attended a training for promotion People with a four year college degree can enter as a Specialist

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS (PFC) (Addressed as "Private") Promoted to this level after one year or earlier by request of supervisor Begins BCT at this level with experience or prior military training Carries out orders issued to them to the best of his/her ability

PRIVATE (PVT/PV2) (Addressed as "Private") Lowest Rank. A trainee who's starting Basic Combat Training (BCT) Carries out orders issued to them to the best of his/her ability (PVT does not have an insignia)

U.S. Army Officer Rank Insignia

Officer ranks in the United States military consist of commissioned officers and warrant officers. The commissioned ranks are the highest in the military. These officers hold presidential commissions and are confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Company grade officers are Second Lieutenant to Captain and field grade officers are Major through General.

U.S. Army Generals Insignias

GENERAL OF THE ARMY (GOA) Only used in time of war Equal or higher rank than those commanding armies from other nations The last officers to hold this rank served during and immediately following WWII GENERAL (GEN) (Addressed as "General") Senior level of Commissioned Officer Typically has over 30 years of experience and service Commands all operations within their geographical area The Chief of Staff for the Army is a four-star General LIEUTENANT GENERAL (LTG) (Addressed as "General") Typically commands corps-sized units (20,000 to 45,000 Soldiers) MAJOR GENERAL (MG) (Addressed as "General") Typically commands division-sized units (10,000 to 15,000 Soldiers) 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 COLONEL (COL) (Addressed as "Colonel") Typically commands battalion-sized units (3,000 to 5,000 Soldiers) CSM as principal NCO assistant Also found as the chief of divisional-level staff agencies LIEUTENANT COLONEL (LTC) (Addressed as "Lieutenant Colonel" or "Colonel") Typically commands battalion-sized units (300 to 1,000 Soldiers) CSM as principal NCO assistant May also be selected for brigade and task force Executive Officer MAJOR (MAJ) (Addressed as "Major") Serves as primary Staff Officer for brigade and task force command regarding personnel, logistical and operational missions CAPTAIN (CPT) (Addressed as "Captain") Commands and controls company-sized units (62 to 190 Soldiers) Instructs at service schools and U.S. Army Combat Training Centers Usually a Staff Officer at the battalion level FIRST LIEUTENANT (1LT) (Addressed as "Lieutenant") A seasoned lieutenant with 18 to 24 months service Leads weapons platoons and indirect fire centers Usually Executive Officer of a company-sized unit (110 to 140 Soldiers) SECOND LIEUTENANT (2LT) (Addressed as "Lieutenant") Typically the entry-level rank for most Commissioned Officers Leads platoon-size elements consisting of the platoon SGT With two or more squads (16 to 44 Soldiers)

U.S. Army Warrant Officer Insignias

The Army Warrant Officer is an adaptive technical expert, combat leader, trainer, and advisor. Through progressive levels of expertise in assignments, training, and education, the Warrant Officer administers, manages, maintains, operates, and integrates Army systems and equipment across the full spectrum of Army operations. Warrant Officers are formally addressed as either Mr. or Ms. CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER 5 (CW5) Master-level technical and tactical experts Support battalion, brigade, division, corps, and major command operations Provide leadership development, mentorship, advice, and counsel to WOs and officers Special WO leadership and representation responsibilities within their commands CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER 4 (CW4) Senior-level experts in their chosen field Primarily support battalion, brigade, division, corps, and echelons above corps operations Mentorship responsibilities and provide essential advice to commander on WO issues CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER 3 (CW3) Advanced-level experts who perform primary duties of a technical and tactical leader Provide direction, guidance, resources, assistance, and supervision as necessary Primarily support operations levels from team or detachment through brigade CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER 2 (CW2) Commissioned officers as provided by the President of the United States Intermediate level technical and tactical experts Performs duties and responsibilities at the detachment through battalion levels WARRANT OFFICER 1 (WO1) Appointed by the Secretary of the Army Technically and tactically proficient Duties are technical leader, trainer, operator, manager, maintainer, sustainer, and advisor