Ever had that moment when you tried to figure out which military rank is higher than another? It’s a good thing to know, especially if you’re thinking about joining the military. Not only will it help you figure out the chain of command, it will also help you figure out how to plan your military career. Use this military rank chart to answer your questions and help you decide how far up the military career ladder you want to climb.
Enlisted Personnel of the Army, Marines and Air Force
Enlisted military personnel are those who have joined the military without attending a commissioning program. To become enlisted, you need a high school diploma (GEDs are not widely accepted). Many enlisted personnel have Associate degrees or Bachelor’s degrees. Enlisted personnel do the work of the military by becoming specialists in certain areas. They form the backbone of the military and have the option of promotion to warrant officer with enough experience and training.
Army ranks, Marine Corps ranks and Air Force ranks for enlisted personnel:
Within these ranks, enlisted personnel can get special status. This is known as “non-commissioned officer�? status (NCO). For the Army and Air Force, this status is given to those in the ranks of E-5 through E-9. Personnel with the ranking of E-7 through E-9 are given Senior NCO status. Some E-4s can be promoted laterally to Corporal in the Army and receive the status of NCO.
The Marines give NCO status to those ranking E-4 through E-9. They give Staff NCO status to those ranking E-6 through E-9.
Enlisted Personnel of the Navy and Coast Guard
The Navy and Coast Guard do not refer to it as rank, but rather as “rate.�? Below are the Coast Guard and Navy rates:
Navy and Coast Guard personnel are also given special status dependent on their ratings. Personnel with rates of E-4 through E-9 are known as Petty Officers. Those with rates of E-7 through E-9 are given the status of Chief Petty Officer.
Warrant Officers of the Army, Marines and Navy/Coast Guard
Warrant Officers are chosen out of the ranks of the enlisted for their skills and their experience. They are highly specialized and remain in their specialty. They share their knowledge with enlisted personnel, other warrant officers and commissioned officers. To become a Warrant Officer, enlisted personnel must have several years experience. They must also be recommended by their commander and get approval from a selection board. The Air Force does not have a warrant officer class. All warrant officers outrank enlisted personnel.
The warrant officer ranking/rating for the Army, Marines and Navy/Coast Guard is as follows:
Commissioned Officers of the Military
Commissioned officers provide management and leadership in their branches and areas of expertise. To become a commissioned officer, you must have at least a Bachelor’s degree. If you want to be promoted, a Master’s degree is necessary. You must also go through a commissioning program at one of the military academies (U.S. Military Academy, Naval Academy, Air Force Academy or Coast Guard Academy), Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), Officer Candidate School (OCS) or Officer Training School (OTS – Air Force only). All commissioned officers outrank enlisted personnel and warrant officers. Commissioned officers also include doctors, nurses, pilots, lawyers and clergy.
The commissioned officer ranking/rating for the military is as follows:
Military Careers
If you’re considering a military career, you need to make your decisions based on your goals in the military. If you just want to serve one tour of duty for the experience and benefits, then enlistment is a perfect fit for you. However, if you want to make your service into a military career, then you should consider furthering your education and enrolling in a commissioning program. Serving our country is a great way to get education, training, leadership skills – and a career that really makes a difference.
