Links to comparison charts can be found below. Several of these lists mention nato reference codes these are the nato rank reference codes used for easy comparison among nato countries. Comparisons are made between the different systems used by nations to categorize the hierarchy of an armed force compared to another.
This article is a list of various states armed forces ranking designations. It is common that a soldier may never be a corporal. The rank of specialist is a soldier of pay grade e 4 who has not yet attained non commissioned officer status.
The chart below shows the current enlisted rank insignia of the united states army with seniority and pay grade increasing from right to left enlisted ranks of corporal and higher are considered non commissioned officers ncos. Ranked above private first class e 3 and holding the same pay grade as the corporal the. Army specialist e 4 specialist spc is considered one of the junior enlisted ranks in the u s.
At the start of the american revolutionary war in 1775 the continental army s lack of standardized uniforms and insignia proved confusing for soldiers in the field. The structure of united states military ranks had its roots in british military traditions adopting the same or similar ranks and titles. Until 26 january 1950 when india became a republic the indian army utilised the british pattern rank badges of the british indian army upon independence in 1947 india became a dominion within the british commonwealth of nations but the old rank insignia incorporating the tudor crown and four pointed bath star pip was retained as george vi remained commander in chief of the.
The highest rank attainable in the army is the five star general of the army. The next notable advancement is to a noncommissioned officer. After completing basic training the enlisted recuits advances to private first class.
An enlisted member enters the army as a private.