Overview of Military Ranks within Different Branches

Hey guys, I've been seriously considering a career in the military after high school. The thing is, I'm a bit swamped by the info online and can't get a clear picture of the structure. Has anyone got a clear breakdown of the different ranks within all the military branches? Any help to navigate this would be really appreciated!

Of course, understanding the structure of the different military branches can be indeed overwhelming, but having a guide can be quite helpful. Here's a simplified overview:

Army & Marines:

Starting from the bottom of enlisted ranks, the sequence usually follows:

- Private/basic infantryman

- Corporal

- Sergeant

- Staff Sergeant

Then there are the non-commissioned officers (NCOs):

- Sergeant First Class (Army)

- Gunnery Sergeant (Marines)

A step above we find the senior NCOs (SNCOs):

- Master Sergeant/First Sergeant (Army)

- Master Sergeant/First Sergeant (Marines)

At the top of the enlisted ranks, you have:

- Sergeant Major (Army)

- Sergeant Major/Master Gunnery Sergeant (Marines)

Navy & Coast Guard:

- Seaman Recruit

- Seaman Apprentice

- Seaman

- Petty Officer Third Class

- Petty Officer Second Class

- Petty Officer First Class

- Chief Petty Officer

- Senior Chief Petty Officer

- Master Chief Petty Officer

Air Force & Space Force:

- Airman Basic

- Airman

- Airman First Class

- Senior Airman

- Staff Sergeant

- Technical Sergeant

- Master Sergeant

- Senior Master Sergeant

- Chief Master Sergeant

Warrant Officers (available in Army, Marines, Navy, Coast Guard):

Warrant Officers are specialists who fall between enlisted and conventional officers:

- Warrant Officer 1 (WO1)

- Chief Warrant Officers 2, 3, 4, and 5 (CW2, CW3, CW4, CW5)

Officer Ranks follows a similar structure across all branches:

- Second Lieutenant

- First Lieutenant

- Captain

- Major

- Lieutenant Colonel

- Colonel

- Brigadier General

- Major General

- Lieutenant General

- General

This is pretty simplified, but hopefully, it'll help you to navigate the different ranks among the military branches. Do keep in mind though, each branch also has its own specific roles and duties at each rank.