Army Ranks

1. Enlisted Ranks

Enlisted ranks are basically the pawns in the army. They are the backbone, doing most of the physical, hands-on work

1. E-1: Private (PVT)

A private is a trainee under supervision or a newcomer who is learning the discipline, physical training, and basic soilder duties. Their pay grade is E-1, or around $1,917. Privates don’t generally have an insignia, which are the badges they have on their uniform.

2. E-2: Private Second Class (PV2)

These soldiers are still learning, but they preform basic jobs under close supervision of the higher class men. Their pay is around $2,149. These guys get their first insignia, which looks like an upturned triangle. 

3. E-3: Private First Class (PFC)

Private first class soldiers start to become more independant. They finish routine tasks and they assist higher ranks in missions. They are eligible for promostion to specialist after six months in rank and 24 months in serving. Their monthly pay goes from around $2,261 - $2435. PFC’s insignia is like a pointy circle.

4. E-4: Specialist (SPC)

Specialists are skilled and are focused on one specific military job. They are not a leader but they are usually more knowledgeable in their field than a Corporal. They may supervise junior soldiers. The insignia has an eagle on an opposite facing looking drop. Their monthly pay is around $2,503 - $2,731

5. E-4: Corporal (CPL)

Corporal leads small fire teams and balances hands-on work while leading. They are basically the team leader for the small army units. They are responsible for individual training, personal hygiene, and cleanliness of their own soldiers. They have an insignia that looks like two curved triangles. They get paid from $2,503 - $2,731, same as a specialist.

6. E-5: Sergeant (SGT)

Sergeants usually leads a team or a section of 8-10 soldiers. These are the leaders who have the most direct impact on soldiers as they watch soldiers on their daily tasks. Their insinia is like 3 curved triangles. They are paid from $2,730 - $3,654.

7. E-6: Staff Sergeant (SSG)

These guys lead squads or sections (8 to 16 soldiers), and help plan missions and enforces standards for soldiers. They also helps develop and train soldiers, also including a few sergeants under their leadership. They are reponsible for making, maintaining, and using the full range of the soldiers potential. They have a insinia that looks like a oval on the bottom and three triangles on top. They earn from $2,980 - $4,616.

8. E-7: Sergeant First Class (SFC)

Sergeant first class soldiers are platoon level leaders and they have the reponsibility of training and caring for their soldiers. They usually have about 10 to 15 years of army experience. It looks like an oval on the bottom and three triangles on the top, but has a base triangle on the bottom (one side). They  earn from $3,445 - $4,533.

9. E-8: Master Sergeant (MSG)

They principal NCO at the battalion and higher. They help advise and plan for operations. Their insignia looks like the SFC’s insignia, but another base bottom, looking like 3 bases on the bottom, three on the top, and a drop shape in the middle. They earn $4,957 - $7,069.

10. E-8 First Sergeant (1SG)

First sergeant soldiers are enlisted as an advisor and they focus on discipline, welfare, and administration. They insctuct other sergeants, advises the commander and helps train enlisted soldiers. They assist 60-200 soldiers. The insignia looks the same as master sergeant, but there is a diamond in the middle of the drop. They earn the same amount of money as the master sergeant.

11. E-9: Sergeant Major (SGM)

They advise commanders and handels unit-wide operations. They are an expert in their field and they help advise for the policy development, analytical review, and guidance. They have the same experience and a commant sergeant major, but thye advise a primary staff officer at the battalio or higher. They assist from 300 to 1,000 soldiers. Their insignia is also the same as a master sergeant, but with a star in the middle of the drop. They earn from $6,055 - $8,033.

12. E-9: Command Sergeant Major (CSM)

They command at the battalion or higher levels. A CSM counsel is expected to be calm and accurate as they recommend certain policies and they carry out standarts while preforming, training, on their appearance, and conduct of enlistes personnel. CSM’s oversees the entire training program and assists around 1,500 - 3,200 soldiers. The insignia is the same as the SGM, but the star is surrounded by a wreath. CSM’s learn about the same as a SGM.

13. E-9: Sergeant Major of the Army (SMA)

There is only one sargeant major of the army and they serve as the senior advisor that consults the chief of staff of the army, who is the four-star general. They shape thee army police and morale. The SMA insignia is the same as the CSM, but instead of the star with the wreath, there is the Amerian symbol with the eagle and everything. They earn around $9,786, even if they are E-9.