🇺🇸
United States Military Ranks
The United States Army has 24 ranks — 12 officer and 12 enlisted — from Private up to General of the Army. Below: all 94 ranks across 4 branches (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines), with insignia and NATO-code equivalents.
Branches
4
Ranks documented
94
Active personnel
1.3M
Army
Rank Ladder
Highest first · 22 of 24 matched
| 🇺🇸 United States · Army | NATO code |
Equivalent in
|
|---|---|---|
| Officers | ||
General of the Army
|
OF-10 Marshal / General of the Army |
Field marshal
|
General
|
OF-9 General |
General
|
Lieutenant general
|
OF-8 Lieutenant General |
Lieutenant-general
|
Major general
|
OF-7 Major General |
Major-general
|
Brigadier general
|
OF-6 Brigadier General |
Brigadier
|
Colonel
|
OF-5 Colonel |
Colonel
|
Lieutenant colonel
|
OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel |
Lieutenant colonel
|
Major
|
OF-3 Major / Commandant |
Major
|
Captain
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
Captain
|
First lieutenant
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Lieutenant
Second lieutenant
|
Second lieutenant
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Lieutenant
Second lieutenant
|
| Cadet / Officer candidate | OF-D Student Officer |
Officer cadet
|
| Enlisted ranks | ||
Command sergeant major
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Warrant officer class 1
|
Sergeant major
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Warrant officer class 1
|
First sergeant
|
OR-8 1st Sergeant |
Warrant officer class 2
|
Master sergeant
|
OR-8 1st Sergeant |
Warrant officer class 2
|
Sergeant first class
|
OR-7 Sergeant 1st Class |
Staff
|
Staff sergeant
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Sergeant
|
Sergeant
|
OR-5 Sergeant | – |
Specialist
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Corporal
|
Corporal
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Corporal
|
Private first class
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class |
Lance corporal
|
Private
|
OR-2 Private | Private |
| Private | OR-1 Private | – |
Navy
Rank Ladder
Highest first · 20 of 23 matched
| 🇺🇸 United States · Navy | NATO code |
Equivalent in
|
|---|---|---|
| Officers | ||
Fleet admiral
|
OF-10 Marshal / General of the Army |
Admiral of the Fleet
|
Admiral
|
OF-9 General |
Admiral
|
Vice admiral
|
OF-8 Lieutenant General |
Vice admiral
|
Rear admiral
|
OF-7 Major General |
Rear admiral
|
Rear admiral (lower half)
|
OF-6 Brigadier General |
Commodore
|
Captain
|
OF-5 Colonel |
Captain
|
Commander
|
OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel |
Commander
|
Lieutenant commander
|
OF-3 Major / Commandant |
Lieutenant commander
|
Lieutenant
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
Lieutenant
|
Lieutenant (junior grade)
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Sub lieutenant
Midshipman
|
Ensign
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Sub lieutenant
Midshipman
|
Midshipman / officer candidate
|
OF-D Student Officer |
Officer Cadet
|
| Enlisted ranks | ||
Command master chief petty officer
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Warrant officer class 1
|
Master chief petty officer
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Warrant officer class 1
|
Command senior chief petty officer
|
OR-8 1st Sergeant |
Warrant officer class 2
|
Senior chief petty officer
|
OR-8 1st Sergeant |
Warrant officer class 2
|
Chief petty officer
|
OR-7 Sergeant 1st Class |
Chief petty officer
|
Petty officer first class
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Petty officer
|
Petty officer second class
|
OR-5 Sergeant | – |
Petty officer third class
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Leading rate
|
Seaman
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class | – |
Seaman apprentice
|
OR-2 Private |
Able rate
|
| Seaman recruit | OR-1 Private | – |
Air Force
Rank Ladder
Highest first · 22 of 25 matched
| 🇺🇸 United States · Air Force | NATO code |
Equivalent in
|
|---|---|---|
| Officers | ||
General of the Air Force
|
OF-10 Marshal / General of the Army |
Marshal of the RAF
|
General
|
OF-9 General |
Air chief marshal
|
Lieutenant general
|
OF-8 Lieutenant General |
Air marshal
|
Major general
|
OF-7 Major General |
Air vice-marshal
|
Brigadier general
|
OF-6 Brigadier General |
Air commodore
|
Colonel
|
OF-5 Colonel |
Group captain
|
Lieutenant colonel
|
OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel |
Wing commander
|
Major
|
OF-3 Major / Commandant |
Squadron leader
|
Captain
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
Flight lieutenant
|
First lieutenant
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Flying officer
Pilot officer / acting pilot officer
|
Second lieutenant
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Flying officer
Pilot officer / acting pilot officer
|
| Cadet / Officer trainee | OF-D Student Officer |
Officer cadet
|
| Enlisted ranks | ||
Command chief master sergeant
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Warrant officer
|
First sergeant
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Warrant officer
|
Chief master sergeant
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Warrant officer
|
First sergeant
|
OR-8 1st Sergeant | – |
Senior master sergeant
|
OR-8 1st Sergeant | – |
First sergeant
|
OR-7 Sergeant 1st Class |
Flight sergeant
Chief technician
|
Master sergeant
|
OR-7 Sergeant 1st Class |
Flight sergeant
Chief technician
|
Technical sergeant
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Sergeant
|
Staff sergeant
|
OR-5 Sergeant | – |
Senior airman
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Corporal
|
Airman first class
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class |
Lance corporal ( RAF Regiment only)
|
Airman
|
OR-2 Private |
Air specialist (class 1) technician
Air specialist (class 1)
Air specialist (class 2)
|
| Airman basic | OR-1 Private | Air recruit |
Marines
Rank Ladder
Highest first · 20 of 22 matched
| 🇺🇸 United States · Marines | NATO code |
Equivalent in
|
|---|---|---|
| Officers | ||
General
|
OF-9 General |
General
|
Lieutenant general
|
OF-8 Lieutenant General |
Lieutenant-general
|
Major general
|
OF-7 Major General |
Major-general
|
Brigadier general
|
OF-6 Brigadier General |
Brigadier
|
Colonel
|
OF-5 Colonel |
Colonel
|
Lieutenant colonel
|
OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel |
Lieutenant colonel
|
Major
|
OF-3 Major / Commandant |
Major
|
Captain
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
Captain
|
First lieutenant
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Lieutenant
Second lieutenant
|
Second lieutenant
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Lieutenant
Second lieutenant
|
Midshipman / officer candidate
|
OF-D Student Officer |
Officer cadet
|
| Enlisted ranks | ||
Sergeant major
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Warrant officer class 1
|
Master gunnery sergeant
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Warrant officer class 1
|
First sergeant
|
OR-8 1st Sergeant |
Warrant officer class 2
|
Master sergeant
|
OR-8 1st Sergeant |
Warrant officer class 2
|
Gunnery sergeant
|
OR-7 Sergeant 1st Class |
Colour sergeant
|
Staff sergeant
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Sergeant
|
Sergeant
|
OR-5 Sergeant | – |
Corporal
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Corporal
|
Lance corporal
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class |
Lance corporal
|
Private first class
|
OR-2 Private | Marine |
| Private | OR-1 Private | – |
Overview
The United States Armed Forces are one of the most formidable and technologically advanced military forces in the world, comprising several branches:
- United States Army: The U.S. Army is the largest branch and primarily responsible for land-based military operations. It includes infantry, armored units, artillery, and support units, with a focus on ground warfare.
- United States Navy: The U.S. Navy is responsible for maritime operations and defense. It operates aircraft carriers, submarines, surface ships, and aircraft, ensuring sea control and power projection.
- United States Air Force: The U.S. Air Force is responsible for aerial and space operations, including fighter aircraft, bombers, transport planes, and space assets. It plays a critical role in air superiority and global mobility.
- United States Marine Corps: The U.S. Marine Corps is a specialized branch known for its rapid deployment capabilities and amphibious operations. They serve as an expeditionary force ready for quick response.
- United States Space Force: The newest branch, the U.S. Space Force, focuses on space-related operations, including satellite deployment, space surveillance, and space-based missile defense.
- United States Coast Guard: While primarily a law enforcement agency, the U.S. Coast Guard also serves a military role during times of war or national security needs. It's responsible for maritime law enforcement and search and rescue.
United States Military
Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) and other open sources.
Insignia image credits
- Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons: General of the Army, General (Army), Lieutenant general (Army), Major general (Army), Brigadier general (Army), Colonel (Army), Lieutenant colonel (Army), Major (Army), Captain (Army), First lieutenant (Army), Second lieutenant (Army), Command sergeant major, Sergeant major (Army), First sergeant (Army), Master sergeant (Army), Sergeant first class, Staff sergeant (Army), Sergeant (Army), Specialist, Corporal (Army), Private first class (Army), Private, Fleet admiral, Admiral, Vice admiral, Rear admiral, Rear admiral (lower half), Captain (Navy), Commander, Lieutenant commander, Lieutenant, Lieutenant (junior grade), Ensign, Midshipman / officer candidate, Command master chief petty officer, Master chief petty officer, Command senior chief petty officer, Senior chief petty officer, Chief petty officer, Petty officer first class, Petty officer second class, Petty officer third class, Seaman, Seaman apprentice, General of the Air Force, General (Air Force), Lieutenant general (Air Force), Major general (Air Force), Brigadier general (Air Force), Colonel (Air Force), Lieutenant colonel (Air Force), Major (Air Force), Captain (Air Force), First lieutenant (Air Force), Second lieutenant (Air Force), Command chief master sergeant, First sergeant (Air Force), Chief master sergeant, First sergeant (Air Force), Senior master sergeant, First sergeant (Air Force), Master sergeant (Air Force), Technical sergeant, Staff sergeant (Air Force), Senior airman, Airman first class, Airman, General (Marines), Lieutenant general (Marines), Major general (Marines), Brigadier general (Marines), Colonel (Marines), Lieutenant colonel (Marines), Major (Marines), Captain (Marines), First lieutenant (Marines), Second lieutenant (Marines), Sergeant major (Marines), Master gunnery sergeant, First sergeant (Marines), Master sergeant (Marines), Gunnery sergeant, Staff sergeant (Marines), Sergeant (Marines), Corporal (Marines), Lance corporal, Private first class (Marines)