Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 2: Identifying Private and NCOs
• Method 2 of 2: Determining Officer Ranks
• Tips

The uniform and items of equipment of the US Army may vary depending on the rank and the event taking place. The easiest way to determine rank is to look at the decals that each member of the army has on the uniform. Each rank will have its own unique insignia, and the symbols of the captain or officer will clearly differ from the rank and file. Check out these differences to learn how to quickly identify the ranks of members of the army.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Identifying Private and NCOs

1. 1 You must know where to look for insignia. The enlisted and non-commissioned uniform includes the field uniform (ACU), which is usually made of camouflage-colored fabric, and the “green” uniform, which usually consists of a tunic and trousers or a skirt made of rough cloth. Decals are located in different places, depending on the type of form:
   • Take a look at the field uniform cap. For privates and sergeants, insignia are located in the center of the cap. [1]
   • Badges with insignia will be located in the chest area of ​​the field uniform.
   • On the "green" uniforms of privates and sergeants, insignia with insignia are located on the upper part of the sleeves. [2]
   • Privates and sergeants do not display their insignia on berets. Instead, their unit is indicated on the front of the beret. [3]
2. 2 Find out the decals of the rank and file recruits.[4] [5] The lowest rank (E-1) for recruits in basic combat training has no insignia. For E-2 recruits, rank is identified by a single yellow square (chevron) patch. For privates first class (PFC, E-3), the chevron symbol is rounded at the bottom, framing a green field.
3. 3 E-4 rank soldier insignia. [6] [7] Specialists (SPCs) wear a green triangular insignia with a rounded top and a golden eagle in the middle. Corporals (CPL), however, carry the insignia consisting of two chevrons.
4. 4 Definition of insignia of sergeants.[8] [9] There are several types of NCOs in the US Army, both enlisted and non-enlisted. You can tell them apart by paying close attention to the insignia.
   • The sergeant's insignia (SGT, E-5) is very similar to the corporal's insignia, but instead of two chevrons, there are three.
   • For the Staff Sergeant (SSG, E-6), the insignia consists of three connected chevrons with a rounded end that frames the green field.
   • Sergeant First Class (SFC, E-7) has the same insignia as Staff Sergeants, but with two roundings on the bottom.
   • The Master Sergeant (MSG, E-8) has the same insignia as the First Class Sergeant, but with three roundings on the bottom.
   • The First Sergeant (1-SG, E-8) has the same insignia as the Master Sergeant, but with the addition of a small yellow diamond in the middle.
   • The Chief Sergeant (SGM, E-9) has the insignia of the First Sergeant, but instead of a diamond in the middle there is a star.
   • The Chief Sergeant of Command (CSM, E-9) has the insignia of the First Sergeant, but instead of a diamond, there is a star in the center surrounded by two ears of wheat.
   • The sergeant major (E-9) has the insignia of the first sergeant, but instead of a robe in the middle there is a golden eagle and two stars.

Method 2 of 2: Determining Officer Ranks

1. 1 You must know where to look for insignia. The officer's uniform includes a field garment (ACU), which is usually made from camouflage-colored fabric, and a “green” uniform, which usually consists of a tunic and trousers or a skirt made of rough fabric. Decals are located in different places, depending on the type of form:
   • The distinctive mark of the rank is located in the center of the field cap. [10]
   • The insignia may also be located in the chest area of ​​the field uniform.
   • On the "green" uniform of officers, the insignia are located on the shoulders. [eleven]
   • If an officer puts on a beret, his insignia will be indicated in the center. [12]
   • The officer's “green” uniform has black stripes on the outside of each leg and a black tape on each sleeve just above the cuff. [13]
2. 2 Determination of insignia of lieutenant and captain. [14] [15] Second Lieutenant (2LT, O-1), First Lieutenant (1LT, O-2) and Captain (CPT, O-3) have rectangular insignia. The Second Lieutenant has one golden rectangle, and the First Lieutenant has one silver rectangle. The Captain's Insignia (CPT, O-3) is two silver rectangles.
3. 3 Identification of insignia of major and lieutenant colonel.[16] [17] Both of these titles bear leaf insignia. However, the Major (MAJ, O-4) has a gold leaf, while the Lieutenant Colonel (LTC, O-5) has a silver leaf.
4. 4 Studying the insignia of the colonel.[18] [19] Colonel (COL, O-6) is the last rank before general. His insignia is a silver eagle with outstretched wings.
5. 5 Determination of the insignia of generals.[20] [21] There are 5 ranks of general in the US Army. Each rank has a distinctive silver star, but note the difference.
   • The Brigadier General (BG, O-7) has one silver star.
   • The Major General (MG, O-8) has an insignia - two silver stars located in the same row.
   • The Lieutenant General (LTG, O-9) has the insignia of three silver stars located in one row.
   • General (GEN, O-10) has an insignia consisting of 4 silver stars located in one row.
   • The General of the Army (GOA, O-11) has an insignia of 5 stars forming a pentagon. This title is used only during certain periods of the war.
6. 6 Definition of insignia of warrant officers.[22] [23] The decals of all warrant officers in the US Army consist of black blocks within silver rectangles. Insignia can be determined depending on the type and number of blocks.
   • Warrant Officer Class 1 Insignia (WO1, W-1) - One small black block in the center of a silver rectangle.
   • Senior Warrant Officer Class 2 Insignia (CW2, W-2) two black blocks in the center of a silver rectangle.
   • Senior Warrant Officer Class 3 Insignia (CW3, W-3) three black blocks in the center of a silver rectangle.
   • Senior Warrant Officer Class 4 Insignia (CW4, W-4) four black blocks in the center of a silver rectangle.
   • The Insignia for Senior Warrant Officer Grade 5 (CW5, W-5) is one long black block in the center of a silver rectangle.

Tips

• There are many other decals, badges, medals, and other items that are used by the US Army. They indicate certain abilities, rewards, time spent in battle, unit, etc. [24]