military ranks
Army position titles
Military ranks are the hierarchical titles that indicate a service member's position and authority within armed forces.
Ranks establish chains of command and determine responsibilities, from enlisted personnel through noncommissioned officers to commissioned officers.
Systems vary by country and branch—navy ranks differ from army ranks—but most follow similar structures: She rose through the ranks to become a general.
The phrase pull rank means to use one's superior position to get one's way.
Widespread, not specialized
- colonelSenior military officer
- majorOf chief importance
- captainOne who commands
- lieutenantJunior commissioned officer
sergeant · admiral · commander · marshal · brigadier · commodore · ensign · corporal
Formal authority hierarchy
- promotionRank increase or publicity
- demotionReduction in status
- seniorityRank from length of service
- subordinateOne lower in rank
superior · commissioned · non-commissioned · enlisted · officer · ranking · authority · echelon
Voluntary entry into service
- deploymentOrganized distribution of resources
- commissionPayment for services rendered
- dischargeRelease of substance outward
- veteranExperienced former soldier
active duty · reserve · tour · posting · assignment · drill · basic training · ceremony
Parallel linear markings
- starsLuminous celestial bodies
- barsRods, taverns, or measures
- eaglesLarge predatory birds
- chevronsV-shaped rank markings
oak leaf · anchor · wings · epaulettes · shoulder boards · collar pins · badge · patch
Small working group
- platoonSmall infantry formation
- companyCommercial enterprise or guests
- battalionMid-sized military unit
- regimentColonel-led military unit
brigade · division · corps · army · squadron · fleet · wing · detachment
Boldness before danger
- courageFortitude facing danger
- heroismExceptional courage under duress
- gallantryCourage, especially in combat
- honorHigh regard, moral dignity
duty · sacrifice · purple heart · distinguished service · commendation · citation · decoration · meritorious
general
Widespread, not specialized
lieutenant · sergeant · admiral · commander · marshal · brigadier · commodore · ensign · corporal · private
chain of command
Formal authority hierarchy
subordinate · superior · commissioned · non-commissioned · enlisted · officer · ranking · authority · echelon · pecking order
enlistment
Voluntary entry into service
- deploymentOrganized distribution of resources
- commissionPayment for services rendered
- dischargeRelease of substance outward
veteran · active duty · reserve · tour · posting · assignment · drill · basic training · ceremony · salute
stripes
Parallel linear markings
chevrons · oak leaf · anchor · wings · epaulettes · shoulder boards · collar pins · badge · patch · ribbon
squad
Small working group
- platoonSmall infantry formation
- companyCommercial enterprise or guests
- battalionMid-sized military unit
regiment · brigade · division · corps · army · squadron · fleet · wing · detachment · garrison
bravery
Boldness before danger
- courageFortitude facing danger
- heroismExceptional courage under duress
- gallantryCourage, especially in combat
honor · duty · sacrifice · purple heart · distinguished service · commendation · citation · decoration · meritorious · silver star
- Military Affairsdefense secretary, War Department, defense strategy, congressional oversight, commander in chief
- U.S. MilitaryArmy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, Pentagon
- US MilitaryArmy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Pentagon, West Point
- armiesdivisions, battalions, corps, soldiers, platoons
- Formal Structureshierarchy, bureaucracy, government, corporation, committee
- hierarchiestier, tiers, level, levels, rank
military rankshonorary titles
Designations conferring prestige, not authority
military, ranks, militarism, militaristic, nonmilitary, militarize, militarily, paramilitary, militarization