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Army Rank Structure

|Purpose |

|THIS LESSON INTRODUCES THE ARMY RANK STRUCTURE. IT PROVIDES |

|INFORMATION ON OFFICER AND ENLISTED RANK, GRADES, AND INSIGNIA. |

|UPON COMPLETION OF THIS LESSON, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY ARMY|

|RANK STRUCTURE BY RANK, GRADE, AND INSIGNIA AND IN ORDER OF |

|SENIORITY. |

Introduction

Army soldiers, just like other military personnel, are classified by rank and grade. These terms have been explained to you in previous lessons. As a refresher, rank is the actual title, while grade is the corresponding pay level for that rank. This lesson will provide you with the rank, grade and insignia of Army soldiers.

History

Congress adopted an American Continental Army on June 14, 1775. The next day, Congress unanimously chose George Washington as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army and gave him the rank of General. The Continental Army consisted of ten rifle companies. Each company’s rank structure consisted of a captain, three lieutenants, four sergeants, four corporals, a drummer (or horn player), and 68 privates. In addition to the ranks previously mentioned, the Continental Army also included colonels, generals, and several now-obsolete ranks like coronet, subaltern and ensign. On July 23, 1775, General Washington wrote:

As the Continental Army has unfortunately no uniforms, and consequently many inconveniences must arise from not being able to distinguish the commissioned officers from the privates, it is desired that some badge of distinction be immediately provided; for instance that the field officers may have red or pink colored cockades in their hats, the captains yellow or buff, and the subalterns green.

From that point on, the Army rank structure and insignia evolved. This was the start of the Marine Corps’ present system as well.

Army Rank Structure

The Army rank structure consists of officers, warrant officers, and enlisted personnel. Army officer and warrant officer ranks and grades are the same as the Marine Corps’ ranks and grades. The enlisted grades are the E-1 through E-9, but the rank titles and insignia are different.

Officer Rank Structure

Rank Grade

• General 0-10

• Lieutenant General 0-9

• Major General 0-8

• Brigadier General 0-7

• Colonel 0-6

• Lieutenant Colonel 0-5

• Major 0-4

• Captain 0-3

• First Lieutenant 0-2

• Second Lieutenant 0-1

Warrant Officer Rank Structure

Rank Grade

• Chief Warrant Officer, CW05 W-5

• Chief Warrant Officer, CW04 W-4

• Chief Warrant Officer, CW03 W-3

• Chief Warrant Officer, CW02 W-2

• Warrant Officer, W01 W-1

Enlisted Rank Structure

Rate Grade

• Sergeant Major of the Army E-9

• Command Sergeant Major E-9

• Sergeant Major E-9

• First Sergeant E-8

• Master Sergeant E-8

• Sergeant First Class E-7

• Staff Sergeant E-6

• Sergeant E-5

• Corporal E-4

• Specialist E-4

• Private First Class E-3

• Private E-2

• Private E-1

Conclusion

There may be opportunities for you to come in contact with Army soldiers. With your knowledge of the Army rank structure, you will be able to identify them by rank and pay grade. It will also enhance your knowledge as a cadet and as a leader.(

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