Military rank insignia are integral to Branches Of Us Military Uniforms, serving as a visual language that communicates authority, responsibility, and expertise. More than just symbols on a uniform, these insignia are badges of leadership, reflecting the wearer’s role and years of service within their respective branch. Understanding these ranks is key to comprehending military structure and the chain of command.
It’s important to distinguish between rank and paygrade. While paygrades like E-1, W-2, and O-5 standardize compensation across different military services, rank signifies a service member’s position and responsibilities. For instance, within the E-4 paygrade in the Army, a Corporal holds a higher rank and leadership role compared to a Specialist, despite both receiving the same pay. Similarly, in the Marine Corps, a Sergeant Major outranks a Master Gunnery Sergeant, even though both are classified as E-9s.
This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the rank insignia across the six branches of the U.S. Military: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard. We will explore both enlisted and officer insignia, shedding light on the visual distinctions that define each rank within these esteemed organizations.
Enlisted Rank Insignia: A Branch-by-Branch Breakdown
Enlisted service members, forming the backbone of the U.S. military, progress through a structured rank system marked by distinct insignia on their uniforms. These ranks denote increasing levels of experience, skill, and leadership responsibility. Paygrades E-1 to E-3 generally represent those in training or initial assignments, where they learn fundamental military skills and values. This initial phase includes basic training, immersing recruits in military culture, followed by specialized training focusing on their Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) in the Army and Marine Corps, a Rate in the Navy, or an Air Force Specialty in the Air Force.
Below is a detailed look at enlisted rank insignia by paygrade and branch:
Enlisted Paygrades E-1 to E-3
| Paygrade | Army | Marine Corps | Navy | Air Force | Space Force | Coast Guard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-1 | Private | Private | Seaman Recruit (SR) | Airman Basic | Specialist 1 (Spc1) | Seaman Recruit (SR) |
| E-2 | Private (PV2) | Private First Class (PFC) | Seaman Apprentice (SA) | Airman (Amn) | Specialist 2 (Spc2) | Seaman Apprentice (SA) |
| E-3 | Private First Class (PFC) | Lance Corporal (LCpl) | Seaman (SN) | Airman First Class (A1C) | Specialist 3 (Spc3) | Seaman (SN) |
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E-2 Private Second Class rank insignia US Army
E-2 Private First Class rank insignia US Marine Corps
E-2 Seaman Apprentice rank insignia US Navy
E-2 Airman rank insignia US Air Force
E-2 Specialist 2 rank insignia US Space Force
E-2 Seaman Apprentice rank insignia US Coast Guard
E-3 Private First Class rank insignia US Army
E-3 Lance Corporal rank insignia US Marine Corps
E-3 Seaman rank insignia US Navy
E-3 Airman First Class rank insignia US Air Force
E-3 Specialist 3 rank insignia US Space Force
E-3 Seaman rank insignia US Coast Guard
Enlisted Paygrade E-4
At paygrade E-4, leadership responsibilities begin to increase. This level also introduces distinctions in rank titles and roles across branches. In the Army, both Corporal and Specialist exist at E-4, with Corporals expected to lead. The Navy and Coast Guard at this level begin using the term “Petty Officer,” signifying progression into Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) roles.
| Paygrade | Army | Marine Corps | Navy | Air Force | Space Force | Coast Guard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-4 | Corporal (CPL) Specialist (SPC) | Corporal (Cpl) | Petty Officer Third Class (PO3) | Senior Airman (SrA) | Specialist 4 (Spc4) | Petty Officer Third Class (PO3) |
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E-4 Corporal rank insignia US Army
E-4 Specialist rank insignia US Army
E-4 Corporal rank insignia US Marine Corps
E-4 Petty Officer Third Class rank insignia US Navy
E-4 Senior Airman rank insignia US Air Force
E-4 Specialist 4 rank insignia US Space Force
E-4 Petty Officer Third Class rank insignia US Coast Guard
Mid-Level Enlisted Ranks (E-5 to E-7): Non-Commissioned Officers and Petty Officers
From paygrades E-5 to E-7, leadership responsibility grows significantly. These ranks are formally recognized as Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) in the Army, Marine Corps, and Air Force, and Petty Officers in the Navy and Coast Guard. NCOs and Petty Officers serve as vital links in the military structure, leading junior enlisted personnel and ensuring the effective execution of missions.
| Paygrade | Army | Marine Corps | Navy | Air Force | Space Force | Coast Guard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-5 | Sergeant (SGT) | Sergeant (Sgt) | Petty Officer Second Class (PO2) | Staff Sergeant (SSgt) | Sergeant (Sgt) | Petty Officer Second Class (PO2) |
| E-6 | Staff Sergeant (SSG) | Staff Sergeant (SSgt) | Petty Officer First Class (PO1) | Technical Sergeant (TSgt) | Technical Sergeant (TSgt) | Petty Officer First Class (PO1) |
| E-7 | Sergeant First Class (SFC) | Gunnery Sergeant (GySgt) | Chief Petty Officer (CPO) | Master Sergeant (MSgt) First Sergeant | Master Sergeant (MSgt) | Chief Petty Officer (CPO) |
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E-5 Sergeant rank insignia US Army
E-5 Sergeant rank insignia US Marine Corps
E-5 Petty Officer Second Class rank insignia US Navy
E-5 Staff Sergeant rank insignia US Air Force
E-5 Sergeant rank insignia US Space Force
E-5 Petty Officer Second Class rank insignia US Coast Guard
E-6 Staff Sergeant rank insignia US Army
E-6 Staff Sergeant rank insignia US Marine Corps
E-6 Petty Officer First Class rank insignia US Navy
E-6 Technical Sergeant rank insignia US Air Force
E-6 Technical Sergeant rank insignia US Space Force
E-6 Petty Officer First Class rank insignia US Coast Guard
E-7 Sergeant First Class rank insignia US Army
E-7 Gunnery Sergeant rank insignia US Marine Corps
E-7 Chief Petty Officer rank insignia US Navy
E-7 Master Sergeant rank insignia US Air Force
E-7 First Sergeant rank insignia US Air Force
E-7 Master Sergeant rank insignia US Space Force
E-7 Chief Petty Officer rank insignia US Coast Guard
Senior Enlisted Ranks (E-8 and E-9): Experienced Leadership
Paygrades E-8 and E-9 represent the senior enlisted leadership within each branch. Service members at these levels possess extensive experience (15-30 years) and serve as senior advisors to commanders on enlisted matters. At both E-8 and E-9, some branches have multiple positions at the same paygrade with differing responsibilities. Furthermore, each service has a senior enlisted leader who acts as a spokesperson for the enlisted force at the highest levels.
| Paygrade | Army | Marine Corps | Navy | Air Force | Space Force | Coast Guard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-8 | Master Sergeant (MSG) First Sergeant (1SG) | Master Sergeant (MSgt) First Sergeant | Senior Chief Petty Officer (SCPO) | Senior Master Sergeant (SMSgt) First Sergeant | Senior Master Sergeant (SMSgt) | Senior Chief Petty Officer (SCPO) |
| E-9 | Sergeant Major (SGM) Command Sergeant Major (CSM) | Master Gunnery Sergeant (MGySgt) Sergeant Major (SgtMaj) | Master Chief Petty Officer (MCPO) Fleet/Command Master Chief Petty Officer | Chief Master Sergeant (CMSgt) First Sergeant Command Chief Master Sergeant | Chief Master Sergeant (CMSgt) | Master Chief Petty Officer (MCPO) Fleet/Command Master Chief Petty Officer |
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E-8 Master Sergeant rank insignia US Army
E-8 First Sergeant rank insignia US Army
E-8 Master Sergeant rank insignia US Marine Corps
E-8 First Sergeant rank insignia US Marine Corps
E-8 Senior Chief Petty Officer rank insignia US Navy
E-8 Senior Master Sergeant rank insignia US Air Force
E-8 First Sergeant rank insignia US Air Force
E-8 Senior Master Sergeant rank insignia US Space Force
E-8 Senior Chief Petty Officer rank insignia US Coast Guard
E-9 Sergeant Major rank insignia US Army
E-9 Command Sergeant Major rank insignia US Army
E-9 Master Gunnery Sergeant rank insignia US Marine Corps
E-9 Sergeant Major rank insignia US Marine Corps
E-9 Master Chief Petty Officer rank insignia US Navy
E-9 Fleet Command Master Chief Petty Officer rank insignia US Navy
E-9 Chief Master Sergeant rank insignia US Air Force
E-9 First Sergeant rank insignia US Air Force
E-9 Command Chief Master Sergeant rank insignia US Air Force
E-9 Chief Master Sergeant rank insignia US Space Force
E-9 Master Chief Petty Officer rank insignia US Coast Guard
E-9 Command Master Chief Petty Officer rank insignia US Coast Guard
Senior Enlisted Advisors (E-9)
| Paygrade | Army | Marine Corps | Navy | Air Force | Space Force | Coast Guard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-9 | Sergeant Major of the Army (SMA) | Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps (SgtMajMC) | Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) | Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force (CMSAF) | Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force (CMSSF) | Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard (MCPOCG) |
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E-9 Sergeant Major of the Army rank insignia US Army
E-9 Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps rank insignia US Marine Corps
E-9 Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy rank insignia US Navy
E-9 Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force rank insignia US Air Force
E-9 Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force rank insignia US Space Force
E-9 Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard rank insignia US Coast Guard
Enlisted Rank Insignia Notes:
- Army: Specialist ranks below Corporal in precedence within the Army. Service-wide precedence is determined by paygrade.
- Navy / Coast Guard: A specialty mark on the rating badge indicates the wearer’s rating. Gold stripes on Navy and Coast Guard Petty Officer insignia denote 12+ years of good conduct. Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy and Fleet/Command Master Chief Petty Officers are distinct senior ranks. Command Master Chief Petty Officers wear silver stars, while Master Chief Petty Officers wear silver stars and silver specialty rating marks.
- Coast Guard: In peacetime, the Coast Guard is part of the Department of Homeland Security; in wartime, it falls under the Navy. Coast Guard rank insignia mirror Navy insignia, differing mainly in color and the Seaman Recruit rank, which features one stripe.
Officer Rank Insignia: Warrant, Commissioned, and General Officers
Officer ranks in the U.S. Military are divided into Warrant Officers and Commissioned Officers, each with distinct roles and insignia. Warrant Officers are specialists in specific military technologies, holding warrants from their service secretary. Commissioned Warrant Officers (Chief Warrant Officer 2 to Chief Warrant Officer 5) receive presidential commissions, holding authority from the same source as other commissioned officers but remaining specialists. Commissioned Officers, on the other hand, are generalists, holding presidential commissions confirmed by the Senate. The Air Force and Space Force do not utilize Warrant Officers.
Commissioned Officers are further categorized: Company Grade Officers (O-1 to O-3) in the Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, Field Grade Officers (O-4 to O-6), and General Officers (O-7 and higher). The Navy equivalent groupings are Junior Grade, Mid-Grade, and Flag Officers. Navy officers utilize different rank devices depending on the uniform, including collar insignia pins for khakis, shoulder board stripes for whites, and sleeve stripes for blues.
Warrant Officer Rank Insignia
| Paygrade | Army | Marine Corps | Navy | Air Force | Space Force | Coast Guard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W-1 | Warrant Officer 1 WO1 | Warrant Officer 1 WO | USN Warrant Officer 1 WO1 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| W-2 | Chief Warrant Officer 2 CW2 | Chief Warrant Officer 2 CWO2 | USN Chief Warrant Officer 2 CWO2 | N/A | N/A | Chief Warrant Officer 2 CWO2  W-2 Chief Warrant Officer 2 |
| W-3 | Chief Warrant Officer 3 CW3 | Chief Warrant Officer 3 CWO3 | USN Chief Warrant Officer 3 CWO3 | N/A | N/A | Chief Warrant Officer 3 CWO3  W-3 Chief Warrant Officer 3 |
| W-4 | Chief Warrant Officer 4 CW4 | Chief Warrant Officer 4 CWO4 | USN Chief Warrant Officer 4 CWO4 | N/A | N/A | Chief Warrant Officer 4 CWO4  W-4 Chief Warrant Officer 4 |
| W-5 | Chief Warrant Officer 5 CW5 | Chief Warrant Officer 5 CWO5 | USN Chief Warrant Officer 5 CWO5 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
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W-1 Warrant Officer 1 rank insignia US Army
W-1 Warrant Officer 1 rank insignia US Marine Corps
W-1 Warrant Officer 1 rank insignia US Navy
W-2 Chief Warrant Officer 2 rank insignia US Army
W-2 Chief Warrant Officer 2 rank insignia US Marine Corps
W-2 Chief Warrant Officer 2 rank insignia US Navy
W-2 Chief Warrant Officer 2 rank insignia US Coast Guard
W-3 Chief Warrant Officer 3 rank insignia US Army
W-3 Chief Warrant Officer 3 rank insignia US Marine Corps
W-3 Chief Warrant Officer 3 rank insignia US Navy
W-3 Chief Warrant Officer 3 rank insignia US Coast Guard
W-4 Chief Warrant Officer 4 rank insignia US Army
W-4 Chief Warrant Officer 4 rank insignia US Marine Corps
W-4 Chief Warrant Officer 4 rank insignia US Navy
W-4 Chief Warrant Officer 4 rank insignia US Coast Guard
W-5 Chief Warrant Officer 5 rank insignia US Army
W-5 Chief Warrant Officer 5 rank insignia US Marine Corps
W-5 Chief Warrant Officer 5 rank insignia US Navy
Commissioned Officer Rank Insignia (O-1 to O-3): Company Grade / Junior Grade Officers
| Paygrade | Army | Marine Corps | Navy | Air Force | Space Force | Coast Guard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| O-1 | Second Lieutenant 2LT | Second Lieutenant 2ndLt | Ensign ENS | Second Lieutenant 2d Lt | Second Lieutenant 2d Lt | Ensign ENS |
| O-2 | First Lieutenant 1LT | First Lieutenant 1stLt | Lieutenant Junior Grade LTJG | First Lieutenant 1st Lt | First Lieutenant 1st Lt | Lieutenant Junior Grade LTJG |
| O-3 | Captain CPT | Captain Capt | Lieutenant LT | Captain Capt | Captain Capt | Lieutenant LT |
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O-1 Second Lieutenant rank insignia US Army
O-1 Second Lieutenant rank insignia US Marine Corps
O-1 Ensign rank insignia US Navy
O-1 Second Lieutenant rank insignia US Air Force
O-1 Second Lieutenant rank insignia US Space Force
O-1 Ensign rank insignia US Coast Guard
O-2 First Lieutenant rank insignia US Army
O-2 First Lieutenant rank insignia US Marine Corps
O-2 Lieutenant Junior Grade rank insignia US Navy
O-2 First Lieutenant rank insignia US Air Force
O-2 First Lieutenant rank insignia US Space Force
O-2 Lieutenant Junior Grade rank insignia US Coast Guard
O-3 Captain rank insignia US Army
O-3 Captain rank insignia US Marine Corps
O-3 Lieutenant rank insignia US Navy
O-3 Captain rank insignia US Air Force
O-3 Captain rank insignia US Space Force
O-3 Lieutenant rank insignia US Coast Guard
Commissioned Officer Rank Insignia (O-4 to O-6): Field Grade / Mid-Grade Officers
| Paygrade | Army | Marine Corps | Navy | Air Force | Space Force | Coast Guard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| O-4 | Major MAJ | Major Maj | Lieutenant Commander LCDR | Major Maj | Major Maj | Lieutenant Commander LCDR |
| O-5 | Lieutenant Colonel LTC | Lieutenant Colonel LtCol | Commander CDR | Lieutenant Colonel Lt Col | Lieutenant Colonel Lt Col | Commander CDR |
| O-6 | Colonel COL | Colonel Col | Captain CAPT | Colonel Col | Colonel Col | Captain CAPT |
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O-4 Major rank insignia US Army
O-4 Major rank insignia US Marine Corps
O-4 Lieutenant Commander rank insignia US Navy
O-4 Major rank insignia US Air Force
O-4 Major rank insignia US Space Force
O-4 Lieutenant Commander rank insignia US Coast Guard
O-5 Lieutenant Colonel rank insignia US Army
O-5 Lieutenant Colonel rank insignia US Marine Corps
O-5 Commander rank insignia US Navy
O-5 Lieutenant Colonel rank insignia US Air Force
O-5 Lieutenant Colonel rank insignia US Space Force
O-5 Commander rank insignia US Coast Guard
O-6 Colonel rank insignia US Army
O-6 Colonel rank insignia US Marine Corps
O-6 Captain rank insignia US Navy
O-6 Colonel rank insignia US Air Force
O-6 Colonel rank insignia US Space Force
O-6 Captain rank insignia US Coast Guard
Commissioned Officer Rank Insignia (O-7 to O-10 & O-11): General / Flag Officers
| Paygrade | Army | Marine Corps | Navy | Air Force | Space Force | Coast Guard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| O-7 | Brigadier General BG | Brigadier General BGen | Rear Admiral Lower Half RDML | Brigadier General Brig Gen | Brigadier General Brig Gen | Rear Admiral Lower Half RDML |
| O-8 | Major General MG | Major General MajGen | Rear Admiral Upper Half RADM | Major General Maj Gen | Major General Maj Gen | Rear Admiral Upper Half RADM |
| O-9 | Lieutenant General LTG | Lieutenant General LtGen | Vice Admiral VADM | Lieutenant General Lt Gen | Lieutenant General Lt Gen | Vice Admiral VADM |
| O-10 | General GEN | General Gen | Admiral ADM | General Gen | General Gen | Admiral ADM |
| O-11 | General of the Army (Reserved for wartime only) | N/A | Fleet Admiral (Reserved for wartime only) | General of the Air Force (Reserved for wartime only) |
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O-7 Brigadier General rank insignia US Army
O-7 Brigadier General rank insignia US Marine Corps
O-7 Rear Admiral Lower Half rank insignia US Navy
O-7 Brigadier General rank insignia US Air Force
O-7 Brigadier General rank insignia US Space Force
O-7 Rear Admiral Lower Half rank insignia US Coast Guard
O-8 Major General rank insignia US Army
O-8 Major General rank insignia US Marine Corps
O-8 Rear Admiral Upper Half rank insignia US Navy
O-8 Major General rank insignia US Air Force
O-8 Major General rank insignia US Space Force
O-8 Rear Admiral Upper Half rank insignia US Coast Guard
O-9 Lieutenant General rank insignia US Army
O-9 Lieutenant General rank insignia US Marine Corps
O-9 Vice Admiral rank insignia US Navy
O-9 Lieutenant General rank insignia US Air Force
O-9 Lieutenant General rank insignia US Space Force
O-9 Vice Admiral rank insignia US Coast Guard
O-10 General rank insignia US Army
O-10 General rank insignia US Marine Corps
O-10 Admiral rank insignia US Navy
O-10 General rank insignia US Air Force
O-10 General rank insignia US Space Force
O-10 Admiral rank insignia US Coast Guard
O-11 General of the Army rank insignia US Army
O-11 Fleet Admiral rank insignia US Navy
O-11 General of the Air Force rank insignia US Air Force
O-11 Fleet Admiral rank insignia US Coast Guard
Officer Rank Insignia Notes:
- Air Force & Space Force: Do not have Warrant Officer ranks.
- O-11 Ranks: General of the Army, Fleet Admiral, and General of the Air Force are reserved for wartime use. The Marine Corps and Space Force do not have an O-11 equivalent.
Understanding the branches of US military uniforms is incomplete without recognizing the significance of rank insignia. This guide provides a foundational understanding of these symbols, crucial for anyone interested in military culture, history, or for those who serve. From the junior enlisted ranks to the highest officers, each insignia represents a journey of dedication, leadership, and service to the nation.
