U.S. Army Enlisted Rank Insignia

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SERGEANT MAJOR OF THE ARMY

• There's only one Sergeant Major of the Army

• Epitome of what it means to be a Sergeant and oversees all Non-Commissioned Officers

• Advisor and consultant to the Chief of Staff of the Army (a four-star General)

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COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR (CSM)

• (Addressed as "Command Sergeant Major")

• A CSM's counsel is expected to be calm, settled, and accurate

• Supplies recommendations to the commander and staff with unflagging enthusiasm

• Sets standards on performance, training, appearance, and conduct of enlisted personnel

• Assists Officers at the brigade level (3,000 to 5,000 Soldiers)

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SERGEANT MAJOR (SGM)

• (Addressed as "Sergeant Major")

• SGMs experience and abilities are equal to that of the CSM

• Leadership is generally limited to those directly under his charge

• Assists Officers at the battalion level (300 to 1,000 Soldiers)

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FIRST SERGEANT (1SG)

• (Addressed as "First Sergeant")

• Principal NCO and life-blood of the company; provider, disciplinarian, and wise counselor

• Instructs other SGTs, advise the Commander and helps train all enlisted Soldiers

• Assists Officers at the company level (62 to 190 Soldiers)

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MASTER SERGEANT (MSG)

• (Addressed as "Sergeant")

• Principal NCO at the battalion level and often higher

• Not charged with all the leadership responsibilities of a 1SG

• Expected to dispatch leadership and other duties with the same professionalism

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SERGEANT FIRST CLASS (SFC)

• (Addressed as "Sergeant")

• Key assistant and advisor to the platoon leader

• Generally has 15 to 18 years of Army experience

• Makes quick, accurate decisions in the best interests of Soldiers and country

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STAFF SERGEANT (SSG)

• (Addressed as "Sergeant")

• Also commands a squad (9 to 10 Soldiers)

• Often has one or more SGTs under their leadership

• Develops, maintains, and utilizes the full range of his Soldier's potential

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SERGEANT (SGT)

• (Addressed as "Sergeant")

• Typically commands a squad (9 to 10 Soldiers)

• Has greatest impact on Soldiers because SGTs oversee daily tasks

• SGTs set an example and the standard for Privates to look up to and live up to

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CORPORAL (CPL)

• (Addressed as "Corporal")

• The base of the Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) ranks

• CPLs serve as team leader of the smallest Army units

• Responsible for individual training, personal appearance, and cleanliness of Soldiers

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SPECIALIST (SPC)

• (Addressed as "Specialist")

• Can manage other enlisted Soldiers of lower rank

• Served a minimum of two years and attended a training for promotion

• People with a four year college degree can enter as a Specialist

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PRIVATE FIRST CLASS (PFC)

• (Addressed as "Private")

• Promoted to this level after one year or earlier by request of supervisor

• Begins BCT at this level with experience or prior military training

• Carries out orders issued to them to the best of his/her ability

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PRIVATE (PVT/PV2)

• (Addressed as "Private")

• Lowest Rank. A trainee who's starting Basic Combat Training (BCT)

• Carries out orders issued to them to the best of his/her ability

• (PVT does not have an insignia)

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U.S. Army Warrant Officer Insignia

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The Army Warrant Officer is an adaptive technical expert, combat leader, trainer, and advisor. Through progressive levels of expertise in assignments, training, and education, the Warrant Officer administers, manages, maintains, operates, and integrates Army systems and equipment across the full spectrum of Army operations. Warrant Officers are formally addressed as either Mr. or Ms.

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CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER 5 (CW5)

• Master-level technical and tactical experts

• Support battalion, brigade, division, corps, and major command operations

• Provide leadership development, mentorship, advice, and counsel to WOs and officers

• Special WO leadership and representation responsibilities within their commands

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CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER 4 (CW4)

• Senior-level experts in their chosen field

• Primarily support battalion, brigade, division, corps, and echelons above corps operations

• Mentorship responsibilities and provide essential advice to commander on WO issues

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CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER 3 (CW3)

• Advanced-level experts who perform primary duties of a technical and tactical leader

• Provide direction, guidance, resources, assistance, and supervision as necessary

• Primarily support operations levels from team or detachment through brigade

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CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER 2 (CW2)

• Commissioned officers as provided by the President of the United States

• Intermediate level technical and tactical experts

• Performs duties and responsibilities at the detachment through battalion levels

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WARRANT OFFICER 1 (WO1)

• Appointed by the Secretary of the Army

• Technically and tactically proficient

• Duties are technical leader, trainer, operator, manager, maintainer, sustainer, and advisor