Army Enlisted Rank: Basic Training for People with Organizational Challenges

For starters, there are nine levels of enlisted rank in the United States Army. The rank begins with the soldier and ends with the sergeant major of the army. Along with each proper rank name, there is a shortened rank identifier and an enlisted grade or pay grade. Enlisted grades also begin at E1 and end at E9. Four grades are distinguished, E4, E7, E8 and E9, because each one has multiple associated ranges.

People often recognize that soldiers wear “stripes” on their sleeves and neck. There are two types of stripes that are used with each other. The stripes that point upward are called chevrons. The lower stripes that are attached to the chevrons are called bows or rocking chairs.

Private, PV1, E1 – This is a basic recruiting rank and grade. The soldier does not wear insignia. His sleeve and neck are bare.

Private, PV2, E2: The soldier wears the gallon insignia on the sleeves and neck. Advancement to rank E2 is usually automatic upon completion of six months of service.

Private First Class, PFC, E3 – Private First Class wears the gallon insignia and a rocking chair. Advancement to rank E3 is usually automatic upon completion of 12 months of service. E1, E2 and E3 are all addressed as ‘Private’.

Specialist 4, SP4, E4 – Specialist is a somewhat unique rank. This is the only enlisted rank that does not have stripes or rockers. Instead, the Specialist rank looks like a solid shield with an eagle centered on it. The Specialist has been trained in a military occupational specialty (MOS), his work in the Army, and has some experience in service.

Corporal, CPL, E4: Corporal wears the two-gallon insignia. The corporal is the first rank in the United States Army identified as a noncommissioned officer or noncommissioned officer. The corporal and the specialist earn the same amount of pay, but the corporal outperforms the specialist due to his non-commissioned officer status. Additionally, the corporal is the first rank designated as ‘junior warrant officer’ or junior warrant officer.

Sergeant, SGT, E5 – Sergeant wears the three-gallon insignia. This rank is sometimes known as “Sergeant Buck”. A Sergeant may serve as a Squad Leader in the absence of a Staff Sergeant. The Sergeant is a Junior Warrant Officer.

Staff Sergeant, SSG, E6 – The Staff Sergeant wears three-gallon badges and a seesaw. The Staff Sergeant is generally placed in charge of one of the four platoon squads, but Staff Sergeants may also act as Platoon Sergeant in the absence of a First Class Sergeant. The Staff Sergeant is a Junior Warrant Officer.

Sergeant First Class, SFC, E7 – Sergeant First Class wears three-gallon badges and two rocking chairs. The Sergeant First Class is the first rank appointed as Senior Warrant Officer. The ranks of E8 and E9 are also senior NCOs.

Platoon Sergeant, PSG, E7 – Platoon Sergeant rank is the same as First Class Sergeant. There may be more than one First Class Sergeant in a platoon, but there is only one Platoon Sergeant. The Platoon Sergeant is the primary assistant and advisor to the Platoon Leader, who is usually a Lieutenant and therefore the Platoon Sergeant has authority over any other E7 in his platoon.

Sergeant Major, MSG, E8 – The Sergeant Major wears three-gallon badges and three rocking chairs. The Sergeant Major works in a personnel position, such as Operations.

First Sergeant, 1SG, E8 – First Sergeant wears three-gallon badges and three rocking chairs. A first sergeant and a sergeant major earn the same salary, but the first sergeant is the highest-ranking enlisted soldier in a company and therefore has more authority than the sergeant major. A small diamond resides within the chevrons and rockers space.

Sergeant Major, SGM, E9 – The Sergeant Major wears three-gallon badges and three rocking chairs. A small five-pointed star resides within the chevron and rocking space. Typically, the Sergeant Major is in battalion level units or higher.

Command Sergeant Major, CSM, E9 – A small five-pointed star with a flower crown sits within the chevron and rocking space. The Command Sergeant Major is the chief enlisted advisor to the commanding officer. His duties entail certain ceremonial functions, such as taking care of the unit’s colors, as well as serving as monitor and defender of the enlisted men in command.

Sergeant Major of the Army, SMA, E9 – The Sergeant Major of the Army is the highest enlisted rank. There is only one Sergeant Major of the Army at a time. Represents all soldiers enlisted in the Army. The eagle of the Great Seal of the United States is centered between two five-pointed stars centered horizontally between the chevrons and the rocking chairs.

Each of the aforementioned ranks is special in its own way and occupies a valuable place in the military hierarchy. Although their ranks, duties, and responsibilities may vary, soldiers serving at all levels of the military order are just as important as their fellow service members.