SERGEANT MAJOR OF THE ARMY

• There's only one Sergeant Major of the Army

• Epitome of what it means to be a Sergeant and oversees all Non-Commissioned Officers

• Advisor and consultant to the Chief of Staff of the Army (a four-star General)

COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR (CSM)

• (Addressed as "Command Sergeant Major")

• A CSM's counsel is expected to be calm, settled, and accurate

• Supplies recommendations to the commander and staff with unflagging enthusiasm

• Sets standards on performance, training, appearance, and conduct of enlisted personnel

• Assists Officers at the brigade level (3,000 to 5,000 Soldiers)

SERGEANT MAJOR (SGM)

• (Addressed as "Sergeant Major")

• SGMs experience and abilities are equal to that of the CSM

• Leadership is generally limited to those directly under his charge

• Assists Officers at the battalion level (300 to 1,000 Soldiers)

FIRST SERGEANT (1SG)

• (Addressed as "First Sergeant")

• Principal NCO and life-blood of the company; provider, disciplinarian, and wise counselor

• Instructs other SGTs, advise the Commander and helps train all enlisted Soldiers

• Assists Officers at the company level (62 to 190 Soldiers)

MASTER SERGEANT (MSG)

• (Addressed as "Sergeant")

• Principal NCO at the battalion level and often higher

• Not charged with all the leadership responsibilities of a 1SG

• Expected to dispatch leadership and other duties with the same professionalism

SERGEANT FIRST CLASS (SFC)

• (Addressed as "Sergeant")

• Key assistant and advisor to the platoon leader

• Generally has 15 to 18 years of Army experience

• Makes quick, accurate decisions in the best interests of Soldiers and country

STAFF SERGEANT (SSG)

• (Addressed as "Sergeant")

• Also commands a squad (9 to 10 Soldiers)

• Often has one or more SGTs under their leadership

• Develops, maintains, and utilizes the full range of his Soldier's potential

SERGEANT (SGT)

• (Addressed as "Sergeant")

• Typically commands a squad (9 to 10 Soldiers)

• Has greatest impact on Soldiers because SGTs oversee daily tasks

• SGTs set an example and the standard for Privates to look up to and live up to

CORPORAL (CPL)

• (Addressed as "Corporal")

• The base of the Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) ranks

• CPLs serve as team leader of the smallest Army units

• Responsible for inpidual training, personal appearance, and cleanliness of Soldiers

SPECIALIST (SPC)

• (Addressed as "Specialist")

• Can manage other enlisted Soldiers of lower rank

• Served a minimum of two years and attended a training for promotion

• People with a four year college degree can enter as a Specialist

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS (PFC)

• (Addressed as "Private")

• Promoted to this level after one year or earlier by request of supervisor

• Begins BCT at this level with experience or prior military training

• Carries out orders issued to them to the best of his/her ability

PRIVATE (PVT/PV2)

• (Addressed as "Private")

• Lowest Rank. A trainee who's starting Basic Combat Training (BCT)

• Carries out orders issued to them to the best of his/her ability

• (PVT does not have an insignia)