ARMY ENLISTED RANKS HOW TO
ARMY ENLISTED RANKS PLUS

Understanding how the roles differ can help you make an informed decision about how to join the military if you choose to do so. While some requirements for joining the United States armed forces are the same for both groups, there are significant differences between these types of military personnel. A seaman has a single V-shaped stripe.All branches of the military employ enlisted service members and commissioned officers. A chief petty officer has three white stripes and a petty officer two. Enlisted personnel in the navy have only three ranks, chief petty officer, petty officer, and seaman. The rank insignia of enlisted naval personnel are indicated by white stripes above the sleeve cuff. The lowest rank for each service, basic private or airman basic (soldado), wears a plain green epaulet. The soldado de prime?a, corresponding to the United States rank of private in the army and airman in the air force, has two short vertical red bars. The next two lowest ranks, sergeant and private 1st class (or corporal specialist), are distinguished by two and one horizontal red bars, respectively. The highest rank, sergeant 1st class (or master sergeant), is recognized by green epaulets with three horizontal red bars. The rank titles and rank insignia for enlisted personnel in the army and air force are the same. Officers of marine infantry units are distinguished by red piping on their insignia of rank.

The sleeve insignia of other officer ranks are similar to those of the corresponding ranks of the United States Navy, except that the upper stripe is looped.

The equivalents of admiral and vice admiral are consolidated.

ARMY ENLISTED RANKS PLUS

The rough equivalents of the United States Navy's ranks of admiral, vice admiral, and rear admiral wear insignia consisting of a wide gold stripe plus narrow and looped stripes. The rank insignia of commissioned naval officers consist of gold stripes above the sleeve cuff, the uppermost stripe incorporating a braided loop. Below these ranks are first lieutenants, with two gold bars, and second lieutenants, identified by a single gold bar. Captains command companies, squadrons, and batteries. First captains wear three gold bars on the epaulet second captains have two-and-one-half gold bars. Other commissioned ranks include first captain and second captain, both comparable to the United States rank of captain. They are identified by a single gold star. Majors sometimes serve as second-in-command of battalions or squadrons, but usually are assigned to personnel management and training. The equivalents of lieutenant colonels, a select few of whom may command a battalion or cavalry squadron but most of whom serve as instructors or administrative aides, wear two gold stars.

Colonels are identified by three gold stars arranged in a triangle on their epaulets. Officers holding the rank of colonel command certain brigades and cavalry regiments, serve as chiefs of staff for military zones, or manage staff directorates. The rank equivalents of major general and brigadier general are distinguished, in addition to the emblem of the gold eagle on their epaulets, by two silver stars and one silver star, respectively. Although there is no difference between the Spanish name for this rank and that held by secretaries of national defense, the officers are separately identified by three stars and an eagle. The next highest rank, open to both army and air force personnel, is the equivalent of lieutenant general. Generals are identified by insignia composed of four silver stars and a gold eagle worn on their epaulets. The only officers with the rank of general are current army officers and former secretaries of national defense. The highest rank within the Secretariat of National Defense is the rough equivalent of a general in the United States Army. With some modifications, it has been retained in the modern armed forces. Mexico originally adopted its system of officer ranks from the Spanish military. General Secretary of the National Defense General Secretario de la Defensa Nacional

Army enlisted ranks