Ranks in order
.Private (E-1)
Private (PVT), the lowest Army rank, is normally only held by new recruits while at Basic Combat Training (BCT), but the rank is occasionally assigned to soldiers after a disciplinary action has been taken. The Army Private (E-1) wears no uniform insignia Private 2nd Class (E-2) Private 2nd Class (PV2) is the first promotion most enlisted Soldiers can earn after completing basic combat training (BCT). The Private's job is be to apply the new skills and knowledge learned during basic training and to continue to learn how to follow orders given by higher-ranked supervisors. Private First Class (E-3) Private First Classes (PFC) are the basic workforce strength and rank of the U.S. Army. PFC is the point in which junior enlisted soldiers begin the transition from apprentice to journeyman by developing technical and leadership skills. Army Specialist (E-4) Specialist (SPC) is considered one of the junior enlisted ranks in the U.S. Army. Ranked above Private First Class (E-3) and holding the same pay grade as the Corporal, the Specialist is not considered an NCO. The Specialist's job is focused on technical expertise and they normally have less personnel leadership responsibilities than Corporals. they are often promoted to the E-4 pay grade due to enlisting. Those enlisting with a four year college degree or who have certain specialized civilian skills or training can enter BCT as a Specialist. ARMY NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS (E-4 TO E-6)Like nearly all the other branches of the Armed Forces, the United States Army consider all ranks E-4 and above to be NCOs. Corporals (E-4) are referred to as junior NCOs, however, they are given the same respect as any other NCO. Corporal (E-4) The rank of corporal was established in 1775 with the birth of the Army and the NCO Corps. Along with the rank of sergeant, the corporal is the only rank which has never disappeared from the NCO Corps. The rank of corporal has always been placed at the base of the NCO ranks. For the most part, corporals have served as the smallest unit leaders in the Army: principally, leaders of teams. Like the grade of sergeant, corporals are responsible for individual training, personal appearance and cleanliness of their soldiers. As the command sergeant major is known as the epitome of success in the NCO Corps, the corporal is the beginning of the NCO Corps. As the NCO Corps is known as the backbone of the Army, the corporal is the backbone of the NCO Corps. Information Courtesy of the U.S. Army Moving up the Army ranks: Normally, unit commanders may advance PFCs to Corporal once they have met the following qualifications:
Sergeant (E-5) Sergeants (SGT) operate in an environment where the sparks fly - where the axe meets the stone. Although not the lowest level of rank where command is exercised, this level is the first at which enlisted soldiers are referred to as sergeant, and of all the grades of the NCO, this one, very possibly, has the greatest impact on the lower ranking soldiers. Privates, who are the basic manpower strength and grade of the Army, generally have sergeants as their first NCO leader. It is the grade sergeant that the privates will look to for example. Like the next grade, the staff sergeant, the sergeant is responsible for the individual training, personal appearance and the cleanliness of their soldiers. The sergeant is also responsible for insuring that
The rank of sergeant is not a position for learning how to become a leader, no apprenticeship here. While certainly the new sergeant will be developing new skills, strengthening old ones and generally getting better, he is a sergeant!!! and is therefore, no less a professional than those grades of rank to follow. Moving up the Army ranks: Unlike the promotion processes for Privates, Specialists, and Corporals, promotions to Sergeant (SGT) and Staff Sergeant (SSG) is based on an Army-wide competition. The competition is based on a point system which grants points for firing range scores, performance evaluations, physical fitness, education level, awards and promotion board ranking. Corporals and Specialists must meet the following basic eligibility criteria to compete:
Staff Sergeant (E-6) The Staff Sergeant rank closely parallels that of the sergeant in duties and responsibilities. In fact, the basic duties and responsibility of all the NCO ranks never change, but there are significant differences between this step in the NCO structure and the preceding one. The major difference between the staff sergeant and the sergeant is not, as often mistakenly believed, authority, but rather sphere of influence. The staff sergeant is in daily contact with large numbers of soldiers and generally has more equipment and other property to maintain. The SSG often has one or more sergeants who work under their direct leadership. The SSG is responsible for the continued successful development of sergeants as well as the soldiers in their section, squad or team. Moving up the Army ranks: SSG candidates must meet the following basic eligibility criteria to compete:
Although there are only three pay grades, the SNCO ranks actually cover six separate ranks or designations – Sergeant First Class (Platoon Sergeant), Master Sergeant, First Sergeant, Sergeant Major, Command Sergeant Major, and the Sergeant Major of the Army. Unlike the promotion processes for Private through Staff Sergeant, unit commander have little to do with the promotion process to the SNCO ranks. These promotions are completely centralized at the Head Quarters of the Department of the Army (HQDA). There is no minimum time-in-grade (TIG) requirement for promotion to the Army SNCO ranks, but candidates must meet the following minimum time-in-service (TIS) requirements to be eligible for promotion:
Sergeant First Class (Platoon Sergeant) (E-7) The SFC is the first level at which the term senior NCO properly applies. The platoon sergeant or sergeant first class generally has 15 to 18 years or more of military experience and is rightfully expected to bring that experience to bear in quick, accurate decisions that are in the best interest of the mission and the soldier. Depending on experience and billet assignments, the SFC's role may be that of platoon sergeant or NCOIC (NCO in Charge) of the section. 'Platoon Sergeant' is a duty position, not a rank, the platoon sergeant is the primary assistant and advisor to the platoon leader, with the responsibility of training and caring for soldiers. The platoon sergeant takes charge of the platoon in the absence of the platoon leader. Platoon sergeants teach collective and individual tasks to soldiers in their squads, crews or equivalent small units. The position title of platoon sergeant is considered key in the command structure of the Army. The platoon sergeant generally has several staff sergeants who work under his direct leadership. During the Vietnam era, the platoon sergeant was affectionately referred to as the "Plat-Daddy", and although the term has since faded, the role remains that of the "Father of the Platoon." Information Courtesy of U.S. Army Master Sergeant and First Sergeant (E-8) The Master Sergeant's Roles and Responsibilities - The Master Sergeant is the principal NCO at the battalion level, and often higher. Not charged with all the leadership responsibilities of a First Sergeant, but expected to dispatch leadership and other duties with the same professionalism. The Sergeant First Class's Roles and Responsibilities - When you are talking about the first sergeant you are talking about the life-blood of the Army. When 1SGs are exceptional, their units are exceptional, regardless of any other single personality involved. Perhaps their rank insignia should be the keystone rather than the traditional one depicted here. It is the first sergeant at whom almost all unit operations merge. The first sergeant holds formations, instructs platoon sergeants, advises the Commander, and assists in training of all enlisted members. The 1SG may swagger and appear, at times, somewhat of an exhibitionist, but he is not egotistical. The first sergeant is proud of the unit and, understandably, wants others to be aware of his unit's success. The title of address for this grade is not sergeant, but first sergeant! There is a unique relationship of confidence and respect that exists between the first sergeant and the Commander not found at another level within the Army. In the German Army, the first sergeant is referred to as the "Mother of the Company." The first sergeant is the provider, the disciplinarian, the wise counselor, the tough and unbending foe, the confidant, the sounding board, everything that we need in a leader during our personal success or failure. The Mother of the Company... Information Courtesy of U.S. Army Sergeant Major and Command Sergeant Major (E-9) The Sergeant Major's Roles and responsibilities - The SGM is the key enlisted member of staff elements at levels higher than battalion. The sergeant major's experience and ability are equal to that of the command sergeant major, but the sphere of influence regarding leadership is generally limited to those directly under his charge. The Command Sergeant Major's Roles and Responsibilities - Enlisted soldiers who attain the distinction of being selected by the Department of the Army for participation in the command sergeants major program are the epitome of success in their chosen field, in this profession of arms. There is no higher grade of rank, except Sergeant Major of the Army, for enlisted soldiers and there is no greater honor. The command sergeant major carries out policies and standards of the performance, training, appearance, and conduct of enlisted personnel. The command sergeant major advises and initiates recommendations to the commander and staff in matters pertaining to the local NCO support channel. Perhaps slightly wiser and more experienced than the first sergeant, the CSM is expected to function completely without supervision. Like the old sage of times past, the command sergeant major's counsel is expected to be calm, settled and unequivocally accurate, but with an energy and enthusiasm that never wanes, even in the worst of times. Assignable to any billet in the Army, the CSM is all those things, and more, of each of the preceding grades of rank. Information Courtesy of U.S. Army The Sergeant Major of the Army (E-9S) The Sergeant Major of the Army (SMA) is a rank held by only one enlisted Soldier at a time. The holder of this rank is the most senior enlisted member in the Army. The SMA's primary function is to address the issues of enlisted soldiers at the Army's highest levels. The SMA is the senior enlisted advisor to the Army Chief of Staff and is selected based on his (or her) outstanding leadership, extensive experience, and ability to communicate both up and down the Army chain of command. The SMA is giving the highest level of honor and respect of any other enlisted Soldier. Each SMA's duties are determined by the current Chief of Staff. However, as a rule the SMA serves as the Army hierarchy's eyes and ears keeping the Chief of Staff abreast on virtually any subject that affects enlisted Soldiers and their families. https://www.military.com/army/enlisted-ranks.html |