Military Ranks: Lowest to Highest

The US military is a prestigious and the most powerful organization in the world. There are many young US citizens who dream of a career in the military. This article is written with the aim to introduce the various military ranks, lowest to highest in the US armed forces. The most common three words that you will hear are the rank, rate and grade in the military school. The army and the air force use 'rank' to determine the status and authority of the military member. Similarly, the navy/ coast guard use 'rate'. Personnel and pay functions are determined using 'grade'. Know more on top 10 military powers of the world

Did know that there were medieval military ranks lowest to highest. During the medieval days the basic unit of an army was known as company. They were a band of soldiers who were raised by a vassal lord on behalf of the king. The command of the company was held by a commissioned officer on the rank of captain. The commissioned officer who assisted the captain was called the lieutenant. When the lieutenant commanded a unit, it was called a platoon. The commissioned officer who carried the company flag was the ensign. All men did not receive a commission form the King. Some men with certain expertise were granted a warrant. These warrant officers assisted the commissioned officers and were given ranks above the non-commissioned officers. The non-commissioned officers did not receive their orders from the king, but from their superiors. The highest rank among them was of Sergent. He commanded a squad and became a staff officer on promotion. A corporal commanded a squad and assisted the lancepesades. These lancepesades were veteran soldiers who were experienced privates. Thus, the post of a lance corporal came into being by combining lancepesade and corporal. Know more on military of ancient China.

Today, military ranks are divided into 3 categories, starting with the highest in order, commissioned officers. A commissioned officer is the member of the armed force who holds a position of authority. They derive their powers from a sovereign power and hold a commission that gives them duties and responsibilities of a specific office and position. They are followed by warrant officers that are members of a military organization that holds a specific group of ranks. The air force does not have warrant officers in their organization. Then comes the enlisted officers who are are non-commissioned officers and are appointed from the list of enlisted personnel. Let us understand all the military ranks of United States of America. Read more on:

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Army Military Ranks Lowest to Highest ~ Enlisted Officers

• Private
• Private First Class
• Specialist
• Corporal
• Sergeant
• Staff Sergeant
• Sergeant First Class
• Master Sergeant
• First Sergeant
• Sergeant Major
• Command Sergeant Major
• Sergeant Major of the Army

Army Military Ranks Lowest to Highest ~ Warrant Officers

• Warrant Officer 1 (WO1)
• Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CW2)
• Chief Warrant Officer 3(CW3)
• Chief Warrant Officer 4 (CW4)
• Chief Warrant Officer 5 (CW5)

Army Military Ranks Lowest to Highest ~ Commissioned Officers

• Second Lieutenant
• First Lieutenant
• Captain
• Major
• Lieutenant Colonel
• Colonel
• Brigadier General (1 star)
• Major General (2 star)
• Lieutenant General (3 star)
• General (4 star)
• General of the Army

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Air Force Military Ranks Lowest to Highest ~ Enlisted Officers

• Airman Basic
• Airman
• Airman First Class
• Senior Airman
• Staff Sergeant
• Technical Sergeant
• Master Sergeant
• Senior Master Sergeant
• Chief Master Sergeant
• Command Chief Master Sergeant
• Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force

Air Force Military Ranks Lowest to Highest ~ Commissioned Officers

• Second Lieutenant
• First Lieutenant
• Captain
• Major
• Lieutenant Colonel
• Colonel
• Brigadier General (1 star)
• Major General (2 star)
• Lieutenant General (3 star)
• General (4 star)
• General of the Air Force

Navy Military Ranks Lowest to Highest ~ Enlisted Officers

• Seaman Recruit E-1
• Fireman Recruit E-1
• Airman Recruit E-1
• Constructionman Recruit E-1
• Seaman Apprentice E-2
• Fireman Apprentice E-2
• Airman Apprentice E-2
• Constructionman Apprentice E-2
• Seaman E-3
• Fireman E-3
• Airman E-3
• Constructionman E-3
• Petty Officer Third Class
• Petty Officer Second Class
• Petty Officer First Class
• Chief Petty Officer
• Senior Chief Petty Officer
• Master Chief Petty Officer
• Command Master Chief Petty Officer
• Fleet/Force Master Chief Petty Officer

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Navy Military Ranks Lowest to Highest ~ Warrant Officers

• USN Warrant Officer 1 (WO1)
• USN Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CWO2)
• USN Chief Warrant Officer 3(CWO3)
• USN Chief Warrant Officer 4 (CWO4)
• USN Chief Warrant Officer 5 (CWO5)

Navy Military Ranks Lowest to Highest ~ Commissioned Officers

• Ensign
• Lieutenant-Junior Grade
• Lieutenant
• Lieutenant Commander
• Commander
• Captain
• Rear Admiral-Lower Half
• Rear Admiral
• Vice Admiral
• Admiral
• Fleet Admiral

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Marines Military Ranks Lowest to Highest ~ Enlisted Officers

• Private
• Private First Class
• Lance Corporal
• Corporal
• Sergeant
• Staff Sergeant
• Gunnery Sergeant
• Master Sergeant
• First Sergeant
• Master Gunnery Sergeant
• Sergeant Major
• Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps

Marines Military Ranks Lowest to Highest ~ Warrant Officers

• Warrant Officer 1 (WO1)
• Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CW2)
• Chief Warrant Officer 3(CW3)
• Chief Warrant Officer 4 (CW4)
• Chief Warrant Officer 5 (CW5)

Marines Military Ranks Lowest to Highest ~ Commissioned Officers

• Second Lieutenant
• First Lieutenant
• Captain
• Major
• Lieutenant Colonel
• Colonel
• Brigadier General (1 star)
• Major General (2 star)
• Lieutenant General (3 star)
• General (4 star)

Coast Guards Military Ranks Lowest to Highest ~ Enlisted Officers

• Seamen Recruit E-1
• Seaman Apprentice E-2
• Fireman Apprentice E-2
• Airman Apprentice E-2
• Seaman E-3
• Fireman E-3
• Airman E-3
• Petty Officer Third Class
• Petty Officer Second Class
• Petty Officer First Class
• Chief Petty Officer
• Senior Chief Petty Officer
• Master Chief Petty Officer
• Command Master Chief Petty Officer
• Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard

Coast Guard Military Ranks Lowest to Highest ~ Warrant Officers

• Warrant Officer 1 (WO1)
• Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CW2)
• Chief Warrant Officer 3(CW3)
• Chief Warrant Officer 4 (CW4)
• Chief Warrant Officer 5 (CW5)

Coast Guard Military Ranks Lowest to Highest ~ Commissioned Officers

• Ensign
• Lieutenant-Junior Grade
• Lieutenant
• Lieutenant Commander
• Commander
• Captain
• Rear Admiral-Lower Half
• Rear Admiral
• Vice Admiral
• Admiral

These are the military ranks list lowest to highest. These military ranks in order are followed in every service mentioned. The stripes and stars, the crisp starched uniforms, the disciplined life and a command of respect can be achieved only after serving in the military. The US military is the best career option for those with a dream of earning respect and creating a niche for themselves. It's not just about becoming a soldier or officer, it's making your family, friends and more over your country, proud. I hope these military ranks: lowest to highest have proved useful to those looking for a brilliant and courageous career in the US military.