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
Color illustrations of rank insignia
More about US Army Insignia
Rank Insignia of the World
The Roman Army
     .   . .
American Studies   /    History Info   /    Pocock Home 
  Created and maintained by Emil Pocock, 
pocock@easternct.edu.  Last modified August 19, 2005.
ECSU Home   Disclaimer
(I am researching for a short story of mine.)