Enlisted Ranks

United States Army Ranks: A Comprehensive Guide

Enlisted Ranks

The United States Army has twenty-nine grades of enlisted soldiers, with most soldiers enlisting at the entry-level rank of Private (PVT), paygrade E-1. The highest enlisted rank is Sergeant Major of the Army (SMA), paygrade E-9.

Officers' Ranks

There are also twenty-nine grades of officers in the US Army, with the most junior being Second Lieutenant (2LT), paygrade O-1. The highest officer rank is General of the Army (GA), paygrade O-10. While not currently in use, special insignia were authorized by Congress for ten general officers who were promoted to GA during World War II.

Insignia and Pay Grades

The chart below shows the current enlisted rank insignia of the United States Army, with seniority and pay grade increasing from right to left. The insignia for officers is similar, but with different symbols to represent their rank.

Special Ranks

In addition to the regular enlisted and officer ranks, there are also a number of special ranks in the US Army. These include the Adaptive Technical Expert (ATE), Combat Leader Trainer (CLT), and Advisor (ADV). These ranks are awarded to soldiers who have demonstrated exceptional expertise in their respective fields.

Promotion

Promotion to higher ranks in the US Army is based on a combination of factors, including time in service, performance, and education. Soldiers must meet certain requirements before they can be promoted to the next rank.