Hi guys, I've been scouring the internet trying to understand the order of ranks in different military branches but I just can't seem to wrap my head around it. Does anyone have a simplified understanding of how the ranks stand in order with each other? Thank you!
Sure, I'd be happy to break down the ranking structure for you! The rank hierarchies for all U.S. military branches are essentially similar but may differ slightly in their titles and insignia used.
For simplicity, let's discuss the U.S. Army and the U.S. Navy. I'll outline the ranks from lowest to highest for each:
U.S. Army:
Enlisted: Private (PVT), Private Second Class (PFC), Specialist (SPC), Corporal (CPL), Sergeant (SGT), Staff Sergeant (SSG), Sergeant First Class (SFC), Master Sergeant (MSG), First Sergeant (1SG), Sergeant Major (SGM), and Command Sergeant Major (CSM).
Officers: Second Lieutenant (2LT), First Lieutenant (1LT), Captain (CPT), Major (MAJ), Lieutenant Colonel (LTC), Colonel (COL), Brigadier General (BG), Major General (MG), Lieutenant General (LTG), General (GEN).
U.S. Navy:
Enlisted: Seaman Recruit (SR), Seaman Apprentice (SA), Seaman (SN), Petty Officer Third Class (PO3), Petty Officer Second Class (PO2), Petty Officer First Class (PO1), Chief Petty Officer (CPO), Senior Chief Petty Officer (SCPO), and Master Chief Petty Officer (MCPO).
Officers: Ensign (ENS), Lieutenant Junior Grade (LTJG), Lieutenant (LT), Lieutenant Commander (LCDR), Commander (CDR), Captain (CAPT), Rear Admiral Lower Half (RDML), Rear Admiral (RADM), Vice Admiral (VADM), Admiral (ADM).
In each branch, "Enlisted" are soldiers who have ranks of corporal and below, while "Officers" are soldiers who have ranks of lieutenant and above. As you move up in rank, responsibilities usually increase. Remember that each branch has its unique roles and responsibilities, so individual experiences can differ considerably.
I hope this clarifies things a bit! If you're considering joining the military, talking with a local recruiter could be incredibly insightful—they can give you a more in-depth understanding on the nuances within each branch's structure.
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