In some smaller units, with more tight-knit squads, soldiers might call their squad leader "Boss", or a similar respectful term. In Field Artillery, a Platoon Sergeant (usually an E-7) is referred to as "Smoke", and squad leaders (usually an E-6) are called "Chief" (some squad leaders discourage this, as "Chief" is also a common term of address for Warrant Officers). "Top" is commonly used by NCOs as an informal address to First Sergeants, or anyone serving as a Company 1st Sergeant. Privates First Class and Privates can all be addressed as Privates. Corporals and Specialists are addressed by their rank. For the Armor, the Abrams Main Battle Tank (M1A2) is commanded by a Captain, Lieutenant, Sergeant First Class or Staff Sergeant, the gunner is a Staff Sergeant or Sergeant, the driver is a Specialist, Private First Class, PV2 or PV1, and the loader is a Specialist or below.įormal terms of address specified in Army Regulation 600-20 "Army Command Policy" are "Sergeant Major" for all Sergeant Major ranks, "First Sergeant" for First Sergeants, and "Sergeant", for Master Sergeants, Sergeants First Class, Staff Sergeants, and Sergeants. For personnel in US Army mechanized infantry, a Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle (M2A2) is commanded by a Staff Sergeant, the gun is manned by a Specialist or Sergeant and the driver is Specialist or below. In terms of command, the rank of a person typically determines what job and command the Soldier has within a unit. The rank of sergeant major is usually carried by the senior enlisted person of the S-3 staff section in a battalion or a brigade, and in most staff sections in larger units. In a battalion or larger unit, the senior enlisted Soldier is a Command Sergeant Major. This position is known as the " First Sergeant", though the person carrying that title does not have to be the rank of first sergeant (it is the highest ranking enlisted person in the company). In each command of company-sized units, there is assigned a senior enlisted who is the monitor and advocate of the enlisted personnel to the commanding officer. In 1985, the ranks of Specialist 5 and Specialist 6 were discontinued. In 1979 the rank of Sergeant Major of the Army was established. In 1978, the rank of Specialist 7 was discontinued. In 1968, the rank of Command Sergeant Major was established. In 1965, the ranks of Specialist 8 and Specialist 9 were discontinued. E-8, which included First Sergeant and Specialist 8 and E-9, which included Sergeant Major and Specialist 9. In 1958, as part of a rank restructuring, two pay grades and four ranks were added. A Master Specialist (E-7), Specialist 1st Class (E-6), Specialist 2nd Class (E-5), and Specialist 3rd Class (E-4). In 1955 (dated 2 July 1954), new grade structures were announced reactivating the specialist rank. In 1951, the pay grade was reversed and the rank of Master Sergeant became E-7 instead of E-8. 1948, saw more changes including the deletion of the Technicians rank. The rank of third, fourth, and fifth grade technician was added with a "T" placed at the bottom. In 1942, there were several changes in rank order and color. On 22 July 1919, the military approved "an arc of one bar" for a private first class. The War Department Circular 61 of 1905, directed that the points be placed up and designated certain colors for each branch of the military for uniformity. From 1903 to 1905 there was some confusion and rank could be worn with the point either up or down. From 1820 to 1903 the insignia was worn with the point down. The mark of rank used by the military, worn on the shoulder or lapel, is the chevron. An infantry corporal wore one epaulette on his left shoulder, a sergeant wore one on his right, whilst Quartermaster Sergeants and Sergeants Major wore two epaulettes. It is common that a soldier may never be a Corporal and will move directly from Specialist to Sergeant, attaining NCO status at that time.įrom the creation of the United States Army to 1820, enlisted rank was distinguished by worsted epaulettes. The rank of Specialist is a soldier of pay grade E-4 who has not yet attained non-commissioned officer status. All enlisted ranks of Corporal and higher are considered non-commissioned officers (NCOs). This chart represents the United States Army enlisted rank insignia with seniority increasing left-to-right inside a given pay grade. The chart below represents the current enlisted rank insignia of the United States Army.ġ SP4 is no longer an acceptable abbreviation for Specialist.
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