The United States Air Force (USAF) uses a structured rank system for its personnel, divided into enlisted, warrant officer, and commissioned officer ranks. These ranks determine authority, responsibility, and leadership within the Air Force. Below is the breakdown of all ranks in the United States Air Force, grouped by their categories:
Enlisted personnel make up the majority of the Air Force workforce and are responsible for executing day-to-day operations, technical expertise, and leadership within their ranks.
Airman Basic (AB) (E-1)
Entry-level rank for new Airmen.
Airman (AMN) (E-2)
Airmen learning their basic technical training and preparing for mission requirements.
Airman First Class (A1C) (E-3)
Begins taking on technical responsibilities and mission readiness.
Senior Airman (SrA) (E-4)
Intermediate enlisted rank with increasing leadership responsibilities.
Staff Sergeant (SSgt) (E-5)
Entry-level Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) responsible for team leadership and supervising small groups.
Technical Sergeant (TSgt) (E-6)
Senior NCO with advanced leadership and specialized technical expertise.
Master Sergeant (MSgt) (E-7)
Senior leadership with experience in mission planning, logistics, and advising.
Senior Master Sergeant (SMSgt) (E-8)
A highly experienced enlisted leader overseeing large operational groups and advising senior officers.
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force (CMSAF) (E-9)
The highest enlisted rank in the Air Force. Represents enlisted personnel and serves as a senior advisor to leadership.
Commissioned officers lead, strategize, and oversee military operations, decision-making, and mission success.
Company Grade Officers (O-1 to O-3)
These officers typically command small groups and perform leadership roles in mission planning and operational execution:
Second Lieutenant (2Lt) (O-1)
Entry-level officer, leading small groups or technical specialists.
First Lieutenant (1Lt) (O-2)
Leads team missions, supervises enlisted personnel, and supports operational strategy.
Captain (Capt) (O-3)
Commands units or leads sections of Air Force operations.
Field-Grade Officers (O-4 to O-6)
These officers manage larger organizational groups and mission planning. They hold senior operational and leadership responsibilities:
4. Major (Maj) (O-4)
Field-grade officer leading specific wings, squadrons, or specialized operations.
Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) (O-5)
Commands squadrons and operational units or serves as senior staff leaders.
Colonel (Col) (O-6)
Commands wings, directs operations, or oversees strategic mission areas.
General Officers (O-7 to O-10)
These are the most senior military leaders in the Air Force, overseeing entire commands and strategic objectives:
7. Brigadier General (Brig Gen) (O-7)
The first rank in the general officer tier. Leads large-scale operational commands.
Major General (Maj Gen) (O-8)
Commands divisions and serves at high-level strategic operations.
Lieutenant General (Lt Gen) (O-9)
Oversees multi-service operations or global Air Force missions.
General (Gen) (O-10)
The highest rank in the Air Force. Responsible for strategic and global leadership and mission success.
Rank Category
Enlisted Ranks
Commissioned Officer Ranks
Entry-Level Ranks
Airman Basic (E-1)
Second Lieutenant (O-1)
Junior Ranks
Airman (E-2)
First Lieutenant (O-2)
Intermediate Ranks
Senior Airman (E-4)
Captain (O-3)
Non-Commissioned Officers
Staff Sergeant (E-5)
Major (O-4)
Senior NCO Ranks
Technical Sergeant (E-6)
Lieutenant Colonel (O-5)
Top Leadership (Senior NCOs)
Master Sergeant (E-7)
Colonel (O-6)
Senior Leadership Roles
Senior Master Sergeant (E-8)
Brigadier General (O-7)
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force (E-9)
Major General (O-8)
Lieutenant General (O-9)
General (O-10)
Enlisted personnel are responsible for technical expertise, leadership, and operations at the tactical level.
Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) lead enlisted personnel and are vital for mentoring, discipline, and technical expertise.
Commissioned officers lead operational planning, strategic objectives, and decision-making.
The Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force (CMSAF) serves as the senior enlisted advisor to the Air Force leadership and provides guidance on enlisted matters.
General officers are senior leaders and typically command at the major command, joint command, and strategic level.
Let me know if you need more information about the responsibilities or roles associated with these ranks or specialized career fields in the Air Force!