A Civilian’s Primer on Military Rank and Insignia

The insignia of a military rank is used as a visual identifier for that individual’s status and position in the chain of command. By understanding what these symbols mean, you can see how they have evolved over time.

The “military chevrons” are a type of badge that is worn on the uniform to indicate rank. They are also known as “chevrons”. The military chevrons come in three types: Officer, Warrant Officer, and Enlisted.

If you’re a regular ol’ civilian like me, you may appreciate the military, but you have little knowledge of military culture. For instance, consider military rank. I’d picked up a little about how ranking works in the different branches of the military services thanks to television, books, and movies, as well as just collecting information from the ether by living in America my whole life. But I just had a rudimentary understanding of the subject. I could tell you that a general’s shoulder was marked with stars, and that a single chevron on the sleeve indicated a private, but that’s about it.

You might think that knowing military rank isn’t necessary if you’re not in the military, but as someone who reads a lot of biographies and military history books, I’ve found myself befuddled by the various ranks thrown around, the significance of moving from one rank to the next, and the authority that a certain figure had or didn’t have over another.

So I decided to do some research and learn about the various ranks in the United States Armed Forces, their corresponding insignia, and where to look on uniforms to find this insignia. I’ve got to admit, it’s been one of the most useful, knowledge-building activities I’ve done in a long time; my historical reading is already paying off. It’s also reassuring to know that if I come across a member of the military, I’ll be able to tell where they belong in the chain of command at a look.

During my investigation, I noticed that there wasn’t a ranking guide out there that I considered to be sufficiently thorough and informative. As a result, I decided to make my own and share it with all of you ignorant citizens. Ten-hut! Also, do some research.

Ranks and Insignia of the United States Army

What to Look For

The placement of rank insignia on the body in all branches of the military is determined by two factors: 1) the kind of uniform (combat, dress, etc.) and 2) whether the person is an enlisted or an officer.

In terms of both factors, all of the branches follow a similar pattern, although there are some minor variances.

Uniform for Combat

On a battle uniform, the Soldier’s rank will be shown on a patch in the centre of the chest, whether he is an officer or an enlisted soldier.

Uniform for the Service

Both sleeves have been enlisted.

Shoulders, officers. The Army, like the Navy, employs shoulder boards to denote officer rank, but the Marines and Air Force use pins on the shoulders of their uniforms to signify officer rank. They’re cloth pieces with the officer’s rank sewn on them.

Ranks and Insignia for Army Enlisted Personnel (from lowest to highest)

Rank	Insignia
Private
First-Class Private
Specialist
Corporal (All levels below corporal are considered non-commissioned officers.) Unlike commissioned officers, who are given power by the President via a commission, non-commissioned officers are given authority only by their rank.)
Sergeant
Sergeant on Staff
First Class Sergeant
Major Sergeant
Sergeant 1st
Major Sergeant
Major Command Sergeant
Army Major Sergeant Sergeant Major Sergeant Major Sergeant Major Sergeant Major Sergeant Major

Ranks and Insignia of Army Officer-in-Charges

Warrant officers are professionals and technical leaders. Intelligence, aviation, and military police all have warrant officers. They take the same oath as commissioned officers, although they are not rated as high as them.

Rank	Insignia
Officer-in-Charge
Two Chief Warrant Officers
Three Chief Warrant Officers
Fourth Chief Warrant Officer
5th Chief Warrant Officer

Ranks and Insignia for Commissioned Officers in the Army

Commissioned officers are sworn in by the President of the United States and undertake executive leadership training.

It’s worth noting that the Army’s highest rank, Army Chief of Staff, or “five-star general,” is only available during warfare. It is no longer used in the United States military and hasn’t been held since the mid-twentieth century. The Air Force Chief of Staff and the Admiral of the Fleet of the United States Navy are in the same boat.

Rank	Insignia	Board for the Shoulders
Lieutenant 2nd class
Lieutenant (First)
Captain
Major
Colonel-in-waiting
Colonel
General Brigadier
General Major
General Lieutenant
General
General of the Army

Ranks and Insignia of the United States Marine Corps

What to Look For

Uniform for Combat

Collar for enlisted and officers. The rank insignia is put on the collar of the battle uniform for both enlisted and officers. The rank insignia for enlisted soldiers is black metal. In garrison, officer rank insignia are polished pins; in the field, they are muted black.

Uniforms for Service

Both sleeves have been enlisted.

Pins on both jacket epaulets and/or both shirt collars for officers.

Blue dress, blue-white dress, red dress, and evening dress uniforms all follow the same routine. Officers wear pins on their shoulders, while enlisted Marines wear emblems on their sleeves.

Ranks and Insignia for Marine Enlisted Personnel (from lowest to highest)

Rank	Insignia
First-Class Private
Corporal Lance
Sergeant on Staff (From here on out, all ranks are considered non-commissioned officers.)
Sergeant
Staff Sergeant
Sergeant of Gunnery
Sergeant Major
Sergeant 1st
Sergeant Master Gunnery
Sergeant Major
Marine Corps Sergeant Major (Sgt. Maj.)

Ranks and Insignia of Marine Warrant Officers

Rank	Insignia
Warrant Officer
Two Chief Warrant Officers
Three Chief Warrant Officers
Fourth Chief Warrant Officer
5th Chief Warrant Officer

Ranks and Insignia of Marine Commissioned Officers

Rank	Insignia	Strap over the shoulders
Lieutenant 2nd class
Lieutenant (First)
Captain
Major
Colonel-in-waiting
Colonel
General Brigadier
General Major
General Lieutenant
General

Ranks and Insignia of the United States Air Force

What to Look For

Uniform for Air Combat

Enlisted: A black embroidered patch denoting the enlisted Airman’s rank will be sewn onto both sleeves.

Officer: Both sides of the collar have embroidered rank insignia.

Uniform for the Service

Both sleeves have been enlisted. A blue and white patch may be seen on both upper sleeves of the outfit.

Shoulder pins for officers.

Ranks and Insignia for Air Force Enlisted Personnel (from lowest to highest)

Rank	Insignia
Airman
First Class Airman
Air Force Senior Airman
Sergeant on Staff (From here on out, all ranks are considered non-commissioned officers.)
Sergeant-Technician
Sergeant Major
Master Sergeant Senior
Sergeant Major-General
Chief Master Sergeant of the Command
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force is a position in the United States Air Forces.

Ranks and Insignia of Air Force Warrant Officers

The Warrant Officer rank was abolished by the Air Force in 1958.

Ranks and Insignia of Commissioned Officers in the Air Force

Rank	Insignia	Strap over the shoulders
Lieutenant 2nd class
Lieutenant (First)
Captain
Major
Colonel-in-waiting
Colonel
General Brigadier
General Major
General Lieutenant
General
General of the Air Force

Rates and Insignia of the United States Navy

What to Look For

The Navy has several slight variances in how it displays rank, notably on the dress uniforms of officers, because to its strong maritime tradition.

Working Uniform for the Navy

Patch in the middle of the breast for enlisted and officers. An emblem patch is sewed into the middle of the breast of both enlisted Sailors and officers’ working uniforms.

Service Uniform for the Navy

Pin shirt collars on enlisted and officers. When in service uniform, both enlisted Seamen and officers wear their rank on the collar of their shirt.

Blue Service/Full Dress

Patch on the left sleeve for enlistees.

Patch on the left sleeve for Chief Petty Officers.

Stripes on the bottom of both jacket sleeves for officers.

White Service/Full Dress

Enlisted: Enlisted patch on upper left sleeve.

Pins on both sides of the collar, Chief Petty Officer.

Officers: Shoulder boards.

Enlisted Rates and Insignia in the Navy (from lowest to highest)

Rank	Insignia on the Sleeve	Collar Bracelet
Apprentice Seaman
Seaman
Third-class petty officer (All ranks are considered non-commissioned officers from here on out.)
Second Class Petty Officer
First Class Petty Officer
Petty Officer 1st Class (Chief Petty Officers are non-commissioned officers who serve in the Navy as a distinct group.) Before a Seaman may become a Chief Petty Officer, he or she must pass a series of specialist examinations, a peer review procedure, and even congressional approval.)
Chief Petty Officer Senior
Petty Officer-in-Charge
Senior Chief Petty Officer (Command)
Master Chief Petty Officer (Command Master Chief Petty Officer)
Master Chief Petty Officer, Fleet/Force
The Navy’s Master Chief Petty Officer

Rates and Insignia for Navy Warrant Officers

Rank	Insignia	Board for the Shoulders
Two Chief Warrant Officers
Three Chief Warrant Officers
Fourth Chief Warrant Officer
5th Chief Warrant Officer

Rates and Insignia for Navy Commissioned Officers

Rank	Insignia	Board for the Shoulders (Dress White)	Cuffs on the sleeves (Dress Blues)
Ensign
Lieutenant 1st Class
Lieutenant
Commander, Lieutenant
Commander
Captain
Admiral Rear (lower half)
Admiral Rear
Admiral (Vice)
Admiral
Fleet Admiral

Ranks and Insignia of the United States Coast Guard

It’s extremely similar to the Navy’s insignia and grades, with a few stylistic differences to distinguish the two branches.

The “how to address navy ranks” is a primer on military rank and insignia. The article includes how to address the ranks of officers in the United States Navy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you get military rank on insignia?

A: The rank of military insignia is what you would expect. Its a representation of the persons position in their particular branch of service. Some ranks are also given as higher than others, so it got that sort of hierarchy too.

What are the symbols for army ranks?

What does rank insignia mean?

A: Rank insignia are the little yellow and blue triangles above your avatars head in Beat Saber. They indicate to other players how well you have been doing on a song. In general, they go from one color (yellow) to three colors (blue.)