|
Pay Grade |
Rank |
Insignia |
Description |
|
E1 |
Private E1 |
No Insignia |
PRIVATE (PVT/PV2)
Lowest rank: a trainee who’s starting Basic Combat
Training (BCT). Primary role is to carry out orders
issued to them to the best of his/her ability. (Private does
not have an insignia)
|
|
E2 |
Private E2 |
 |
PRIVATE (PVT/PV2)
Lowest rank: a trainee who’s starting Basic Combat
Training (BCT). Primary role is to carry out orders
issued to them to the best of his/her ability. (PVT does
not have an insignia) |
|
E3 |
Private First Class |
 |
PRIVATE FIRST CLASS (PFC)
PV2s are promoted to this level after one year—or
earlier by request of supervisor. Individual can begin
BCT at this level with experience or prior military
training. Carries out orders issued to them to the best
of his/her ability. |
|
E4 |
Specialist |
 |
SPECIALIST (SPC)
Can manage other enlisted Soldiers of lower rank. Has
served a minimum of two years and attended a specific
training class to earn this promotion. People enlisting
with a four year college degree can enter BCT as a
Specialist. |
|
E4 |
Corporal |
 |
CORPORAL (CPL)
The base of the Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) ranks,
CPLs serve as team leader of the smallest Army units.
Like SGTs, they are responsible for individual training,
personal appearance and cleanliness of Soldiers.
|
|
E5 |
Sergeant |
 |
SERGEANT (SGT)
Typically commands a squad (9 to 10 Soldiers).
Considered to have the greatest impact on Soldiers
because SGTs oversee them in their daily tasks. In
short, SGTs set an example and the standard for Privates
to look up to, and live up to. |
|
E6 |
Staff Sergeant |
 |
STAFF SERGEANT (SSG)
Also commands a squad (9 to 10 Soldiers). Often has one
or more SGTs under their leadership. Responsible for
developing, maintaining and utilizing the full range of
his Soldiers' potential. |
|
E7 |
Sergeant First Class |
 |
SERGEANT FIRST CLASS (SFC)
Key assistant and advisor to the platoon leader.
Generally has 15 to 18 years of Army experience and puts
it to use by making quick, accurate decisions in the
best interests of the Soldiers and the country.
|
|
E8 |
Master Sergeant |
 |
MASTER SERGEANT (MSG)
Principal NCO at the battalion level, and often higher.
Not charged with all the leadership responsibilities of
a 1SG, but expected to dispatch leadership and other
duties with the same professionalism. |
|
E8 |
First Sergeant |
 |
FIRST SERGEANT (1SG)
Principal NCO and life-blood of the company: the
provider, disciplinarian and wise counselor. Instructs
other SGTs, advises the Commander and helps train all
enlisted Soldiers. Assists Officers at the company level
(62 to 190 Soldiers). |
|
E9 |
Sergeant Major |
 |
SERGEANT MAJOR (SGM)
SGMs experience and abilities are equal to that of the
CSM, but the sphere of influence regarding leadership is
generally limited to those directly under his charge.
Assists Officers at the battalion level (300 to 1,000
Soldiers). |
|
E9 |
Command Sergeant Major |
 |
COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR (CSM)
Functioning without supervision, a CSM’s counsel is
expected to be calm, settled and accurate—with
unflagging enthusiasm. Supplies recommendations to the
commander and staff, and carries out policies and
standards on the performance, training, appearance and
conduct of enlisted personnel. Assists Officers at the
brigade level (3,000 to 5,000 Soldiers). |
|
E9 |
Sergeant Major of the Army |
 |
SERGEANT MAJOR OF THE ARMY
There’s only one Sergeant Major of the Army. This rank
is the epitome of what it means to be a Sergeant and
oversees all Non-Commissioned Officers. Serves as the
senior enlisted advisor and consultant to the Chief of
Staff of the Army (a four-star General). |
All ranks of Corporal or Sergeant
and higher are considered non-commissioned officers (NCOs).
The rank of Specialist is a soldier
of pay grade E-4 who has not yet attained non-commissioned officer
status. It is common that a soldier may never be a Corporal and will
move directly from Specialist to Sergeant, attaining NCO status
immediately.
In each command of company sized
units and smaller, there is assigned a senior enlisted who is the
monitor and advocate of the Enlisted Personnel to the commanding
officer. This position is known as the First Sergeant, though the
person carrying that title does not have to be the rank of First
Sergeant (it is the highest ranking enlisted person in the company).
In a battalion or larger unit, the senior enlisted man is a Command
Sergeant-Major. The rank of Sergeant-Major is usually carried by one
person in a battalion or larger unit, known as the Operations
Sergeant-Major.
In terms of command, the rank of a
person determines what job and command he/she has within a unit. For
most personnel in the Infantry, a Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle
(M2A2) is commanded by a Staff Sergeant, the gun is manned by a
Specialist or Sergeant and the driver is Specialist or below. For
the Armor, the Abrams Main Battle Tank (M1A2) is commanded by a
Staff Sergeant, the gunner is a Sergeant, the loader is a Specialist
and the driver is a Specialist or below.
|
