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.)