How To Identify Military Rank Us Army 10 Steps With Pictures

Look on the cap of an ACU. Enlisted soldiers display their rank insignia in the center of their caps. [1] X Research source A rank insignia patch will be sewn on the chest area of an ACU. The “Green” uniforms of enlisted soldiers have a rank insignia patch on the upper sleeves. [2] X Research source Enlisted soldiers do not display their rank insignia on their berets. Instead, the insignia of their unit will show on the front of the beret. [3] X Research source

A Sergeant’s (SGT, E-5) insignia is very similar to a corporal’s, but shows three chevrons instead of two. A Staff Sergeant’s (SSG, E-6) insignia shows three chevrons closed by a rounded bar at the bottom, enclosing a green field. The insignia of a Sergeant First Class (SFC, E-7) is like a Staff Sergeant’s, but with two rounded bars at the bottom. A Master Sergeant’s (MSG, E-8) insignia is like a Sergeant First Class’, but with three rounded bars at the bottom. A First Sergeant’s (1-SG, E-8) is like a Master Sergeant’s, with the addition of a small yellow diamond in the middle. A Sergeant Major (SGM, E-9) is like a First Sergeant’s, with a star in the middle instead of a diamond. A Command Sergeant Major (CSM, E-9) is like a First Sergeant’s, but two sheaves of wheat surrounding a star in the center instead of a diamond. The Sergeant Major of the Army’s (E-9) insignia is like a First Sergeant’s, but with a golden eagle and two stars in the middle instead of a diamond.

Rank insignia is displayed in the center of an ACU cap. [10] X Research source A rank insignia patch will also be sewn on the chest area of an ACU. The “Green” uniforms of officers will show rank insignia on the shoulders. [11] X Research source An officer’s rank insignia will be displayed in the center of his or her beret, when one is worn. [12] X Research source Officer’s “Green” uniforms will have a black stripe on the outside of each trouser leg, as well as a black band on each sleeve just above the cuff. [13] X Research source

A Brigadier General’s (BG, O-7) insignia is a single silver star. A Major General’s (MG, O-8) insignia is two silver stars side-by-side. A Lieutenant General’s (LTG, O-9) insignia is made of three silver stars side-by-side. A General’s (GEN, O-10) insignia is made of four silver stars side-by-side. General of the Army (GOA, O-11) insignia is made up of five stars arranged in a pentagon pattern. This rank is only used during certain wartime periods.

The insignia of a Warrant Officer 1 (WO1, W-1) is a single small black block in the center of a silver bar. The insignia of a Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CW2, W-2) is two black blocks in the center of a silver bar. The insignia of a Chief Warrant Officer 3 (CW3, W-3) is three black blocks in the center of a silver bar. The insignia of a Chief Warrant Officer 4 (CW4, W-4) is four black blocks in the center of a silver bar. The insignia of a Chief Warrant Officer 5 (CW5, W-5) is a single long black block running down the center of a silver bar.