The US military has different military ranks for different branches that make it up. The military ranks as we refer them might be different but there is always an equivalent rank in another branch. The easiest way to understand which rank is higher up is to take a look at the pay grade of that rank. For example, O-4 is always superior to O-2.
In this article, we will explain the military ranks in order for all the branches of the US Armed Forces and show the pay grades.
Air Force Ranks in Order
Enlisted
Rank
Pay Grade
Airman Basic
E-1
Airman
E-2
Airman First Class
E-3
Senior Airman
E-4
Air Force NCO Ranks
Rank
Pay Grade
Staff Sergeant
E-5
Technical Sergeant
E-6
Master Sergeant
E-7
Senior Master Sergeant
E-8
Chief Master Sergeant
E-9
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force
Special
Air Force Warrant Officers
N/A
Air Force Commissioned Officer Ranks
Rank
Pay Grade
2nd Lieutenant
O-1
1st Lieutenant
O-2
Captain
O-3
Major
O-4
Lieutenant Colonel
O-5
Colonel
O-6
Brigadier General
O-7
Major General
O-8
Lieutenant General
O-9
Chief of Staff General Air Force
O-10
Marine Corps Ranks in Order
Enlisted
Rank
Pay Grade
Private
E-1
Private First Class
E-2
Lance Corporal
E-3
Marine Corps NCO Ranks
Rank
Pay Grade
Corporal
E-4
Sergeant
E-5
Staff Sergeant
E-6
Gunnery Sergeant
E-7
Master Sergeant
E-8
Master Gunnery Sergeant
E-9
Marine Corps Warrant Officers Ranks
Rank
Pay Grade
Warrant Officer
W-1
Chief Warrant Officer 2
W-2
Chief Warrant Officer 3
W-3
Chief Warrant Officer 4
W-4
Chief Warrant Officer 5
W-5
Marine Corps Commissioned Officers Ranks
Rank
Pay Grade
2nd Lieutenant
O-1
1st Lieutenant
O-2
Captain
O-3
Major
O-4
Lieutenant Colonel
O-5
Colonel
O-6
Brigadier General
O-7
Major General
O-8
Lieutenant General
O-9
General (Commandant of the Marine Corps)
O-10
Navy Ranks in Order
Enlisted
Rank
Pay Grade
Seaman Recruit
E-1
Seaman Apprentice
E-2
Seaman
E-3
Navy NCO Ranks
Rank
Pay Grade
Petty Officer Third Class
E-4
Petty Officer Second Class
E-5
Petty Officer First Class
E-6
Chief Petty Officer
E-7
Senior Chief Petty Officer
E-8
Master Chief Petty Officer
E-9
Navy Warrant Officer Ranks
Rank
Pay Grade
Warrant Officer 1
W-1
Warrant Officer 2
W-2
Warrant Officer 3
W-3
Warrant Officer 4
W-4
Warrant Officer 5
W-5
Navy Commissioned Officer Ranks
Rank
Pay Grade
Ensign
O-1
Lieutenant Junior Grade
O-2
Lieutenant
O-3
Lieutenant Commander
O-4
Commander
O-5
Captain
O-6
Commodore
O-7
Rear Admiral (Upper Half)
O-8
Vice Admiral
O-9
Chief of Naval Operations
O-10
Army Ranks in Order
Enlisted
Rank
Pay Grade
Recruit Private
E-1
Private
E-2
Private First Class
E-3
Specialist
E-4
Army NCO Ranks
Rank
Pay Grade
Corporal
E-4
Sergeant
E-5
Staff Sergeant
E-6
Sergeant First Class
E-7
Master Sergeant First Sergeant
E-8
Sergeant Major Command Sergeant Major Sergeant Major of the Army
