| To begin, there are nine levels of enlisted rank in the | | | | NCO. |
| United States Army. Rank begins with the Private, | | | | Sergeant First Class, SFC, E7 - The Sergeant First |
| and ends with the Sergeant Major of the Army. | | | | Class wears insignia of three chevrons and two |
| Along with each proper rank name, is an abbreviated | | | | rockers. The Sergeant First Class is the first rank |
| rank identifier and an enlisted grade, or pay grade. | | | | designated as a Senior NCO. The ranks of E8 and E9 |
| The enlisted grades also start at E1 and end at E9. | | | | are also Senior NCO's. |
| Four grades, E4, E7, E8 and E9, are distinguished | | | | Platoon Sergeant, PSG, E7 - The rank of the Platoon |
| because they each have multiple ranks associated | | | | Sergeant is the same as the Sergeant First Class. |
| with them. | | | | There may be more than one Sergeant First Class in |
| People usually recognize that soldiers wear 'stripes' on | | | | a platoon, but there is only one Platoon Sergeant. |
| their sleeves and collars. There are two types of | | | | The Platoon Sergeant is the primary assistant and |
| stripes that are used with one another. The stripes | | | | advisor to the Platoon Leader, who is usually a |
| that point up are called chevrons. The lower stripes | | | | Lieutenant, and therefore the Platoon Sergeant has |
| that attach to the chevrons are called arcs or | | | | authority over any other E7's in his platoon. |
| rockers. | | | | Master Sergeant, MSG, E8 - The Master Sergeant |
| Private, PV1, E1 - This is a basic recruit rank and | | | | wears insignia of three chevrons and three rocker. |
| grade. The private wears no insignia. His sleeve and | | | | The Master Sergeant works in a staff position, such |
| collar are bare. | | | | as Operations. |
| Private, PV2, E2 - The Private wears the insignia of | | | | First Sergeant, 1SG, E8 - The First Sergeant wears |
| one chevron on his sleeves and collar. Advancement | | | | insignia of three chevrons and three rocker. A First |
| to the rank of E2 is usually automatic upon | | | | Sergeant and Master Sergeant both earn equal pay, |
| completion of six months service. | | | | but the First Sergeant is the highest ranking enlisted |
| Private First Class, PFC, E3 - The Private First Class | | | | soldier in a company, and therefore, has more |
| wears insignia of one chevron and one rocker. | | | | authority than the Master Sergeant. A small diamond |
| Advancement to the rank of E3 is usually automatic | | | | resides within the space of the chevrons and rockers. |
| upon completion of 12 months service. The E1, E2 | | | | Sergeant Major, SGM, E9 - The Sergeant Major |
| and E3 are all addressed as 'Private'. | | | | wears insignia of three chevrons and three rocker. A |
| Specialist 4, SP4, E4 - The Specialist is a somewhat | | | | small five pointed star resides within the space of the |
| unique rank. This is the only enlisted rank that does | | | | chevrons and rockers. Typically, the Sergeant Major |
| not bear chevrons or rockers. Instead, the Specialist | | | | is found in battalion level or higher units. |
| rank looks like a solid shield with an eagle centered on | | | | Command Sergeant Major, CSM, E9 - A small five |
| it. The Specialist has been trained in a military | | | | pointed star with a wreath resides within the space |
| occupational specialty (MOS), his Army job, and has | | | | of the chevrons and rockers. The Command |
| some amount of experience in the service. | | | | Sergeant Major is the senior enlisted advisor to the |
| Corporal, CPL, E4 - The Corporal wears the insignia | | | | commanding officer. His duties carry certain |
| of two chevrons. The Corporal is the first rank in the | | | | ceremonial functions such as caring for the unit's |
| US Army identified as a non-commissioned officer, or | | | | colors, as well as serving as a monitor for, and |
| NCO. The Corporal and the Specialist both make the | | | | advocate of, the enlisted men in the command. |
| same amount of pay, but the Corporal outranks the | | | | Sergeant Major of the Army, SMA, E9 - The |
| Specialist because of his NCO status. Also, the | | | | Sergeant Major of the Army is the highest enlisted |
| Corporal is the first rank designated as a 'Junior | | | | rank. There is only one Sergeant Major of the Army |
| non-commissioned officer', or Junior NCO. | | | | at any one time. He represents all Army enlisted |
| Sergeant, SGT, E5 - The Sergeant wears the insignia | | | | soldiers. The eagle from the Great Seal of the United |
| of three chevrons. This rank is sometimes referred | | | | States is centered between two five-pointed stars |
| to as a 'Buck Sergeant'. A Sergeant may serve as a | | | | centered horizontally between the chevrons and |
| squad leader in the absence of a Staff Sergeant. The | | | | rockers. |
| Sergeant is a Junior NCO. | | | | Each of the aforementioned ranks is special in its |
| Staff Sergeant, SSG, E6 - The Staff Sergeant wears | | | | own way, and holds a valuable place in the military |
| insignia of three chevrons and one rocker. The Staff | | | | hierarchy. Though their ranks, duties and |
| Sergeant is generally placed in charge of one of the | | | | responsibilities may vary, soldiers serving at every |
| platoons four squads, but Staff Sergeants can also | | | | level of the military order are equally as important as |
| act as a Platoon Sergeant in the absence of a | | | | their fellow service members. |
| Sergeant First Class. The Staff Sergeant is a Junior | | | | |