Grades, Ranks & Pay	 (page 1 of 2)	
What "enlisted grade and rank" is assigned to persons joining the milita
ry?
Person who joins the military signs an enlistment contract with the numb
er of years of active and reserve 
service required for that branch (Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Space Force, Coast Guard).  
Recruits (those who joined military) are assigned an "enlisted grade a
nd rank" depending upon education 
and skills. The Army assigns the lowest grade, E-1 to new recruit who is in basic combat
 training (BCT).  
After BCT, the recruit is promoted to E-2 (called Private 2nd Class). After the recruit receives training, job 
skills, and works in the job, he or she may be promoted to E-3 (Private
 First Class).  If the recruit becomes 
a specialist in technical job area, he or she is promoted to E-4 (Army 
Specialist).  Recruits with advanced 
skills (as mechanics) or college degree, are assigned grade E-4 at enl
istment time.
Is pay connected to rank?
Yes!  The enlistee's monthly paycheck depends on the enlistee's grade, rank, a
nd 
time in the military.  For example, grade E-3 with two years in the military earns 
$2,171 monthly.  Grade E-3 with ten years in the military earns $2,303 monthly.  
Grade E-5 with two years in the military earns $2,634 monthly and with t
en years 
in the military earns $3,481 monthly.  Commissioned officers, non-commissioned 
officers, and warrant officers receive higher pay because they have higher military 
grades and ranks.  Additional pay is received for housing and foreign duty.
  
What is the difference between Commissioned Officer and Non-Commissioned Officer?
Commissioned officers (COs)	 hold a commission (order) from Secretary of Defense on behalf of the 
U.S. 	
President giving him or her authority to command (supervise) both lower-ranking officers and enlisted 
persons.  	Non-commissioned officers (NCOs) 	are given authority by commissioned officers to command 	
(supervise) enlisted persons.  Therefore, commissioned officers receive authority through signed document; 
and, non-commissioned officers receive authority through service time, experience, and recommendation.  
Commissioned officers are promoted from grade O-1 to O-10.  NCOs are promoted from grade E-4 to E-9.   
To receive promotion to non-commissioned officer (NCO), recruit must have two years experience and 
apply for a program that the Army calls STEP (Select, Train, Educate, Promote).  Other military branches 
have programs similar to STEP.  Officers recommend recruits for STEP who prove skills in their job 
area, and are able to serve at next higher grade."  Recruits who do not 
earn required points (do not complete 
training or have low test scores) are dropped from STEP program.  
What is a Warrant Officer?
Warrant officers are "technical and tactical (action plans) experts in the military."  Warrant officers are the 
BEST in their job area and give advice to all military personnel.  Warrant officers specialize in job areas 
such as intelligence specialist, aircraft electrician, special forces co
mmunication specialist, and heavy 
construction equipment operator.  To apply, person must have: 1) 5 years military experience; 2) Technical 
skills; 3) Officer recommendation; 4) Pass warrant officer training course; and 5) Agree to serve in military 
for 6 years.  Warrant officers are promoted from grade WO1 to WO5.  WO2 with 3 years experience earns 
$4,113 monthly. 	
Military Grades, Ranks & Pay
Military service offers good career opportunities but also includes active duty dangers to your life, em
otions, body parts.

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QUICK CHECK:
1. a) Who are recruits?  b) What are they 
 assigned?  c) Depending upon what?
2. Who is assigned the lowest rank, E-1?
3. When is a recruit promoted to:  a) E-2?  b) E-3?  
4. On what 3 things does an enlistee's pay depend?
5. How much more does an E-3 with 10 years in 	
the military earn than an E-3 with two years?	
6. Do higher military grades receive higher pay?
7. a) From who do COs receive their commission?
 b) Who do COs command?  
8. a) From whom are NCOs given authority? 
 b) Who do NCOs command?  c) What are their 	
military grades?	
Grades, Ranks & Pay	 (page 2 of 2)	
For detailed list of grades, ranks, and pay scale for Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, Space Force and Coast 
Guard, go to TodaysMilitary.com.  Here are Army's grades and ranks.  Other branches of the military may 
have the same or different rank names for each grade:
Grade (Rank)	    	
E-1 (Private)     
E-2 (Private 2)
E-3 (Private First Class)
E-4 (Specialist or Corporal)
E-5 (Sergeant)
E-6 (Staff Sergeant)
E-7 (Sergeant First Class)
E-8 (Master Sergeant)
E-9 (Sergeant Major)
W-1 (Warrant Officer)
W-2 (Chief Warrant Officer 2)
W-3 (Chief Warrant Officer 3) 
W-4 (Chief Warrant Officer 4)
W-5 (Chief Warrant Officer 5)
O-1 (Second Lieutenant)
O-2 (First Lieutenant)
O-3 (Captain)
O-4 (Major)
O-5 (Lieutenant Colonel
O-6 (Colonel)
O-7 (Brigadier General)
O-8 (Major General)
O-9 (Lieutenant General)
O-10 (General)	
Military rank	 is more than just who 	
salutes whom.  Military rank is leadership.  
Responsibility for personnel, equipment, 
and mission grows with each increase in 
rank.   	Insignias 	are badges, ribbons, and 	
stripes that are worn with each rank.  The 
placement of insignias on military 
uniforms have strict rules.  Insignias may 
be place on military hats (such as a metal), 
on the front of military shirts (such as pins, 
badges, metals or ribbons), and on the 
sleeves of military shirts (such as bars or 
service stripes).  
Insignias identify ranks in the military, 
and who salutes whom. 	 Saluting is basic 	
form of military courtesy greeting.  Salutes 
must be given and returned to all members 
in uniform.  Salutes are exchanged upon 
meeting, and after conversation is 
completed.  The junior person (of lower 
rank) must salute the senior person (of 
higher rank).  A sloppy salute shows lack 
of personal pride and respect for the 
military.  	
9. a) To become an NCO, for what program must 	
an Army enlistee apply?  b) For what words do 
these letters stand?  c) What 4 types of training 
does this program include?  d) What happens to 
recruits who do not earn the required points?	
10. a) Who are warrant officers?  b) List 6 things a 	
recruit must do to apply for warrant officer.	
11. Visit what website for a list of grades and pay?
12. a) Of what is military rank a mark?  b) What 3 	
things grow with each increase in rank?  	
 c) What are insignias?
13. a) What 2 things do insignias identify?  b) What 	
is saluting?  c) When are salutes exchanged?  	
 d) Who salutes who?  e) Sloppy salute shows?