What Are the Ranks in the US Army? A Visual Guide

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Plus, discover the insignia for each rank in the Army
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Whether you’re interested in a career in the Army or you just want to learn more about this US military institution, we’ve got you covered. We’re exploring all of the different ranks in the Army, broken down into the three primary categories of ranks: enlisted ranks who are the main workforce, warrant officers who serve as technical specialists, and commissioned officers who act as managers and commanders.

Army Rank & Insignia Chart

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A chart showing the insignia, name, and pay grade of all the ranks in the US Army.

There are three major divisions of ranks in the US Army. They include enlisted personnel, ranging from E-1 to E-9; warrant officers, or technical specialists, ranging from W-1 to W-5, and commissioned officers, ranging from O-1 to O-10.

Section 1 of 3:

Army Enlisted Ranks

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  1. Step 1 Private (Recruit) (PVT)
    Newly-enlisted soldiers fresh out of Basic Training join the Army at the rank of Private, sometimes called Private Recruit. Soldiers in this rank are expected to dedicate themselves to learning the ins and outs of daily life in the Army, and they must adhere to all discipline and training standards.[1]
    • Pay grade: E-1
    • Addressed as: Private
    • Insignia: N/A
  2. Step 2 Private Second Class (PV2)
    After 6 months of time-in-service (TIS) at the E-1 grade, soldiers are promoted to the rank of Private Second Class (E-2 pay grade). These soldiers are generally expected to understand how things work and to be settled into their daily routines.[2]
    • Pay grade: E-2
    • Addressed as: Private
    • Insignia: 1 chevron
    • Note: Soldiers who complete 1– 2 years of JROTC, 20–24 college credits, or certain scouting awards can enter the Army at E-2.[3]
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  3. Step 3 Private First Class (PFC)
    Most soldiers will be eligible for promotion to Private First Class after 1 year TIS and 4 months time-in-grade (TIG) at E-2. At this rank, recruits may be given a little more responsibility, and they’re expected to continue their training. They also begin transitioning from apprentice to journeyman.[4]
    • Pay grade: E-3
    • Addressed as: Private
    • Insignia: 1 chevron with 1 rocker
    • Note: Soldiers who complete 3 or more years of JROTC or 24 or more college credits can enter the Army at E-3.[5]
  4. Step 4 Specialist (SPC)
    Specialists are soldiers who plan to focus on technical skills rather than a leadership track—although they may be given some leadership duties. They’re given the same pay grade as a Corporal, but this is still considered a junior enlisted role.[6]
    • Pay grade: E-4
    • Addressed as: Specialist
    • Insignia: Golden eagle from the seal of the United States
    • Note: Soldiers who complete a 4-year college degree can enter the Army at E-4.[7]
  5. Step 5 Corporal (CPL)
    Corporals are at the same E-4 pay grade as specialists. Because this is a leadership track, Corporals are considered junior non-commissioned officers (NCOs).[8] Corporals may be tasked to lead a team of 3–4 soldiers. Eligibility for this role requires 26 TIS, with 6 months TIG as an E-3 (can be waived to 3 months).
    • Pay grade: E-4
    • Addressed as: Corporal
    • Insignia: 2 chevrons
  6. Step 6 Sergeant (SGT)
    Sergeant is the first rank that’s considered a true NCO. They’re expected to train and mentor the soldiers beneath them, from privates up through specialists. Promotion to the rank of Sergeant or Staff Sergeant requires at least 36 months TIS and 8 months TIG at E-4. These promotions are very competitive and are based on a points system that evaluates multiple criteria.[9]
    • Pay grade: E-5
    • Addressed as: Sergeant
    • Insignia: 3 chevrons
  7. Step 7 Staff Sergeant (SSG)
    Staff Sergeants are hands-on leaders. They’re usually in charge of a squad (9–10 soldiers), although they can sometimes command up to a platoon (2–4 squads; 16–50 soldiers). They may also be tasked with planning missions. This role requires 84 months TIS and 10 months TIG as an E-5, as well as completion of the Primary Leadership Development Course (PLDC).[10]
    • Pay grade: E-6
    • Addressed as: Sergeant
    • Insignia: 3 chevrons and 1 rocker
  8. Step 8 Sergeant First Class (SFC)
    The Sergeant First Class is considered a Senior NCO. They typically serve as a Platoon Sergeant, assisting the platoon leader. Attaining this rank typically takes around 15–18 years.[11]
    • Pay grade: E-7
    • Addressed as: Sergeant
    • Insignia: 3 chevrons and 2 rockers
  9. Step 9 Master Sergeant (MSG)
    The Master Sergeant is a Senior NCO at the battalion level. They’re considered experts in their fields and may have fewer leadership duties than First Sergeants, which are also at the E-8 pay grade.[12]
    • Pay grade: E-8
    • Addressed as: Sergeant
    • Insignia: 3 chevrons with 3 rockers
  10. Step 10 First Sergeant (1SG)
    A First Sergeant is a Senior NCO who helps lead at company level (62–190 soldiers). They’re responsible for the training and discipline of their subordinates and may also advise the Commander. This role is essential—it’s often called the “lifeblood of the unit.”[13]
    • Pay grade: E-8
    • Addressed as: First Sergeant
    • Insignia: 3 chevrons with 3 rockers and 1 lozenge
  11. Step 11 Sergeant Major (SGM)
    The Sergeant Major is a Senior NCO at the pay grade of E9. This is an administrative role—they oversee the soldiers directly under their command, and they assist and advise officers at the battalion level.[14]
    • Pay grade: E-9
    • Addressed as: Sergeant Major
    • Insignia: 3 chevrons with 3 rockers and 1 star
  12. Step 12 Command Sergeant Major (CSM)
    Aside from Sergeant Major of the Army, this is the highest rank an enlisted member of the Army can achieve. As a senior leader, the Command Sergeant Major is expected to assist officers in leading at the battalion level or higher.[15]
    • Pay grade: E-9
    • Addressed as: Command Sergeant Major
    • Insignia: 3 chevrons with 3 rockers and 1 star surrounded by laurel boughs
  13. Step 13 Sergeant Major of the Army (SMA)
    There is only one Sergeant Major of the Army at a time—he is the highest-ranked enlisted soldier and acts as an advisor to the Army Chief of Staff. Currently, the Sergeant Major of the Army is Michael R. Weimer.
    • Pay grade: E-9
    • Addressed as: Sergeant Major
    • Insignia: 3 chevrons, 3 rockers, and the US coat of arms between two stars
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Section 2 of 3:

Army Warrant Officer Ranks

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  1. Warrant Officers are technical specialists.
    Soldiers who display exceptional technical proficiency can be selected as Warrant Officers by the Secretary of the Army. They begin at the lowest rank, Warrant Officer 1 (WO1), and are selected for promotion based on their skills and experience.[16]
    • Addressed as: Warrant Officer
    • Insignia:[17]
      • Warrant Officer 1 (WO1): Silver bar with a black break in the center
      • Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CW2): Silver bar with 2 black breaks in the center
      • Chief Warrant Officer 3 (CW3): Silver bar with 3 black breaks in the center
      • Chief Warrant Officer 4 (CW4): Silver bar with 4 black breaks in the center
      • Chief Warrant Officer 5 (CW5): Silver bar with vertical black line in the center
Section 3 of 3:

Army Commissioned Officer Ranks

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  1. Step 1 Second Lieutenant (2LT)
    Second Lieutenants are entry-level commissioned officers. In this role, officers serve as both Staff Officers and platoon leaders. As platoon leaders, they’re in charge of anywhere between 15–50 soldiers.[18] Soldiers can enter the Army as Second Lieutenants after completing ROTC or a four-year college degree and Officer Training School.[19]
    • Pay grade: O-1
    • Addressed as: Lieutenant
    • Insignia: 1 vertical gold bar
  2. Step 2 First Lieutenant (1LT)
    After 18–24 months in the Second Lieutenant role, officers can be promoted to First Lieutenant. First Lieutenants have more responsibility than Second Lieutenants, and they often serve as the Executive Officer of a company-sized unit.[20]
    • Pay grade: O-2
    • Addressed as: Lieutenant
    • Insignia: 1 vertical silver bar
  3. Step 3 Captain (CPT)
    Captains command units at the company level, so they’re in charge of anywhere from 62–190 soldiers. Captains usually hold the position of Staff Officer at a battalion level. They may also serve as instructors at Army Service Schools and Combat Training Centers.[21]
    • Pay grade: O-3
    • Addressed as: Captain
    • Insignia: 2 vertical silver bars
  4. Step 4 Major (MAJ)
    A Major in the Army holds the position of Staff Officer at a brigade level. They also head up task force commands, overseeing the logistics and operations for major missions.[22]
    • Pay grade: O-4
    • Addressed as: Major
    • Insignia: Bronze oak leaf
  5. Step 5 Lieutenant Colonel (LTC)
    Lieutenant Colonels are in charge of commanding brigades, which can contain anywhere from 300 to 1,000 soldiers. A Command Sergeant Major (CSM) may serve as their principal NCO. Lieutenant Colonels are responsible for organizing and executing strategic missions.[23]
    • Pay grade: O-5
    • Addressed as: Lieutenant Colonel
    • Insignia: Silver oak leaf
  6. Step 6 Colonel (COL)
    A Colonel serves as the commander over a brigade-sized unit (300–1,000). They may also serve as the Executive Officer over a brigade or task force, and may also have a CSM as their principal NCO.[24]
    • Pay grade: O-6
    • Addressed as: Colonel
    • Insignia: Eagle
  7. Step 7 Brigadier General (BG)
    A Brigadier General acts as the Deputy Commander, serving under the commanding General for their division. They are responsible for planning and coordinating missions and developing Army-wide policies.[25]
    • Pay grade: O-7
    • Addressed as: General
    • Insignia: 1 star
  8. Step 8 Major General (MG)
    Major General is a senior officer role with large-scale leadership duties. In this role, officers command division-sized units, which can contain anywhere from 10,000–15,000 soldiers.
    • Pay grade: O-8
    • Addressed as: General
    • Insignia: 2 stars
  9. Step 9 Lieutenant General (LTG)
    A Lieutenant General heads up corps-sized units, which can contain 20,000–45,000 soldiers. They may also serve as senior staff officer for major commands, and they provide strategic advice for the Army as a whole.[26]
    • Pay grade: O-9
    • Addressed as: General
    • Insignia: 3 stars
  10. Step 10 General (GEN)
    Aside from General of the Army, General is the highest rank a commissioned officer can achieve in the Army. This position is usually awarded to officers with 30 or more years of service. They command all of the operations for their geographical region. The Army Chief of Staff is a 4-star General.[27]
    • Pay grade: O-10
    • Addressed as: General
    • Insignia: 4 stars
  11. Step 11 General of the Army (GOA)
    The General of the Army is a special rank that is only awarded during times of war. It is given to the most senior and distinguished Generals in the United States Army. The last person promoted to General of the Army was Omar Bradley in 1950.[28]
    • Pay grade: O-10
    • Addressed as: General
    • Insignia: 5 stars in a ring
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References

  1. ↑ https://veteran.com/army-ranks/
  2. ↑ https://veteran.com/army-ranks/
  3. ↑ https://asvabhero.com/army-ranks
  4. ↑ https://www.military.com/army/enlisted-ranks.html
  5. ↑ https://asvabhero.com/army-ranks
  6. ↑ https://www.military-ranks.org/army/specialist
  7. ↑ https://asvabhero.com/army-ranks
  8. ↑ https://veteran.com/army-ranks/
  9. ↑ https://www.military.com/army/enlisted-ranks.html
  1. ↑ https://www.military.com/army/enlisted-ranks.html
  2. ↑ https://www.military.com/army/enlisted-ranks.html
  3. ↑ https://veteran.com/army-ranks/
  4. ↑ https://www.trinitypride.org/army-rank
  5. ↑ https://veteran.com/army-ranks/
  6. ↑ https://www.military-ranks.org/army/command-sergeant-major
  7. ↑ https://www.trinitypride.org/army-rank
  8. ↑ https://www.studyguides.af.mil/Portals/15/documents/rank_ribbons/Officer+Rank+Insignia+of+the+United+States+Armed+Forces.pdf
  9. ↑ https://www.federalpay.org/military/army/second-lieutenant
  10. ↑ https://www.military-ranks.org/army/second-lieutenant
  11. ↑ https://www.trinitypride.org/army-rank
  12. ↑ https://www.trinitypride.org/army-rank
  13. ↑ https://www.trinitypride.org/army-rank
  14. ↑ https://www.usamm.com/blogs/news/ranks-in-the-us-army
  15. ↑ https://www.trinitypride.org/army-rank
  16. ↑ https://www.usamm.com/blogs/news/ranks-in-the-us-army
  17. ↑ https://www.usamm.com/blogs/news/ranks-in-the-us-army
  18. ↑ https://www.trinitypride.org/army-rank
  19. ↑ https://history.army.mil/Research/Reference-Topics/5-Star/

About This Article

Amy Bobinger, BA
Co-authored by:
Amy Bobinger, BA
wikiHow Staff Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Amy Bobinger, BA. Amy Bobinger holds a B.A. in English from Mississippi College and has spent over eight years helping people make sense of complicated topics. Since she began her career in 2016, she’s honed her skills in storytelling, content management, and editorial strategy. Amy loves turning complex information into something clear and useful, knowing that the right words can make a real difference in readers' lives.
1 votes - 20%
Co-authors: 2
Updated: August 21, 2026
Categories: Careers in the Military

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