How Do Military Ranks Work?

Military ranks can be confusing for people who have never enlisted in the military. A military rank signifies a badge of leadership. A higher rank means a higher level of responsibility. Enlisted personnel perform specific specialties in the military. Warrant officers are highly trained specialists. Commissioned officers provide management and leadership. 

• Military ranks should not be confused with pay grades, such E-1, W-4 and O-10. Pay grades are classifications used to standardize compensation. For example, in E-4, the “E” stands for enlisted and the “4” stands for the pay grade. The “W” stands for warrant officers and “O” for commissioned officers.


• Enlisted personnel in pay grades E-1 through E-3 are usually in training. Responsibility increases in the mid-level enlisted ranks, and recognition is given with terms such as noncommissioned officer (NCO) and petty officer. NCO ranks include Army sergeant, Air Force staff sergeant and Marine corporal.


• Enlisted personnel at the E-9 level are the senior advisers or spokespersons of the enlisted force. Some of these include sergeant major of the Army, sergeant major of the Marine Corps, chief petty officer of the Navy, and the chief master sergeant of the Air Force chief.


• The commissioned officers hold the highest ranks in the military. They hold presidential commissions and are confirmed by the Senate.


• Pay grades O-1 to O-3 are for company grade officers of the Army, Air Force and Marine Corps; O-4 to O-6 are field grade officers; and O-7 and up are general grade officers. In the Navy, these officer groups are called junior grade, mid-grade and flag.


• Warrant officers are specialists or experts in military technologies and capabilities. Upon promotion to chief warrant officer 2, they receive commissions from the president. The Air Force does not have warrant officers.


• A general is the highest-ranking officer in the Army, Air Force and Marine Corps, and the admiral is the highest-ranking officer in the Navy.