us army ranks in order
US Army Ranks in Order
If you find the rank structure followed by the US Army, or any other branch of the armed forces for that matter, confusing, we have it covered for you in this article.
One of the most powerful armies in the world belongs to the United States. Getting enlisted in the US army is an honorable accomplishment. One not only gets to serve the nation, but also makes oneself as well his friends and family proud. It is not a piece of cake to join the US army though.
US Army Ranks: Lowest to Highest
Joining the military school is a tough decision that will change your life for good. Honor, discipline, integrity, and the courage to give your life for your country will be instilled in your mind. Here's a list of US army ranks starting from the lowest, to help you get a better idea of the hierarchy followed in the army.
Enlisted Officers- Private
- Private First Class
- Specialist
- Corporal
- Sergeant
- Staff Sergeant
- Sergeant First Class
- Master Sergeant
- First Sergeant
- Sergeant Major
- Command Sergeant Major
- Sergeant Major of the Army
- Warrant Officer 1 (WO1)
- Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CW2)
- Chief Warrant Officer 3(CW3)
- Chief Warrant Officer 4 (CW4)
- Chief Warrant Officer 5 (CW5)
- Second Lieutenant
- First Lieutenant
- Captain
- Major
- Lieutenant Colonel
- Colonel
- Brigadier General (1 star)
- Major General (2 star)
- Lieutenant General (3 star)
- General (4 star)
- General of the Army
Other Branches
The United States military also includes Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guards. Each of these have a specific rank structure.
Air Force
Enlisted Officers- Airman Basic
- Airman
- Airman First Class
- Senior Airman
- Staff Sergeant
- Technical Sergeant
- Master Sergeant
- Senior Master Sergeant
- Chief Master Sergeant
- Command Chief Master Sergeant
- Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force
- Second Lieutenant
- First Lieutenant
- Captain
- Major
- Lieutenant Colonel
- Colonel
- Brigadier General (1 star)
- Major General (2 star)
- Lieutenant General (3 star)
- General (4 star)
- General of the Air Force
Navy
Enlisted Officers- Seaman Recruit E-1
- Fireman Recruit E-1
- Airman Recruit E-1
- Construction man Recruit E-1
- Seaman Apprentice E-2
- Fireman Apprentice E-2
- Airman Apprentice E-2
- Construction man Apprentice E-2
- Seaman E-3
- Fireman E-3
- Airman E-3
- Construction man E-3
- Petty Officer Third Class
- Petty Officer Second Class
- Petty Officer First Class
- Chief Petty Officer
- Senior Chief Petty Officer
- Master Chief Petty Officer
- Command Master Chief Petty Officer
- Fleet/Force Master Chief Petty Officer
- USN Warrant Officer 1 (WO1)
- USN Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CWO2)
- USN Chief Warrant Officer 3(CWO3)
- USN Chief Warrant Officer 4 (CWO4)
- USN Chief Warrant Officer 5 (CWO5)
- Ensign
- Lieutenant-Junior Grade
- Lieutenant
- Lieutenant Commander
- Commander
- Captain
- Rear Admiral-Lower Half
- Rear Admiral
- Vice Admiral
- Admiral
- Fleet Admiral
Marines
Enlisted Officers- Private
- Private First Class
- Lance Corporal
- Corporal
- Sergeant
- Staff Sergeant
- Gunnery Sergeant
- Master Sergeant
- First Sergeant
- Master Gunnery Sergeant
- Sergeant Major
- Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps
- Warrant Officer 1 (WO1)
- Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CW2)
- Chief Warrant Officer 3(CW3)
- Chief Warrant Officer 4 (CW4)
- Chief Warrant Officer 5 (CW5)
- Second Lieutenant
- First Lieutenant
- Captain
- Major
- Lieutenant Colonel
- Colonel
- Brigadier General (1 star)
- Major General (2 star)
- Lieutenant General (3 star)
- General (4 star)
Coast Guards
Enlisted Officers- Seamen Recruit E-1
- Seaman Apprentice E-2
- Fireman Apprentice E-2
- Airman Apprentice E-2
- Seaman E-3
- Fireman E-3
- Airman E-3
- Petty Officer Third Class
- Petty Officer Second Class
- Petty Officer First Class
- Chief Petty Officer
- Senior Chief Petty Officer
- Master Chief Petty Officer
- Command Master Chief Petty Officer
- Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard
- Warrant Officer 1 (WO1)
- Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CW2)
- Chief Warrant Officer 3(CW3)
- Chief Warrant Officer 4 (CW4)
- Chief Warrant Officer 5 (CW5)
- Ensign
- Lieutenant-Junior Grade
- Lieutenant
- Lieutenant Commander
- Commander
- Captain
- Rear Admiral-Lower Half
- Rear Admiral
- Vice Admiral
- Admiral