Officer Ranks

Officer Ranks (grade O-1 to O-11) are given to officers of the Army who hold a position of command authority. Commissioned officers are typically the only persons, in a military environment, able to act as the commanding officer of a military unit.

There are several paths to becoming a commissioned officer, including Army ROTC, the United States Military Academy at West Point, or the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, and Officer Candidate School. Certain professionals, such as physicians, nurses, lawyers, and chaplains, are commissioned directly into the Army. Regardless of the path taken, the rank insignias remain the same.

Military Rank is an important part of the hierarchy, and within the Army, these ranks range from Private First Class to General Officers. The Sergeant Major of the Army is the highest enlisted rank, serving as a key advisor to the Army Chief of Staff. Officers also include Field Grade Officers (Majors, Lieutenant Colonels, and Colonels) and General Officers (Brigadier General, Major General, Lieutenant General, and General).

Staff Sergeants and other Noncommissioned Officers (NCOs) play crucial roles in leading and training enlisted personnel. Their ranks are vital for maintaining discipline and operational effectiveness.

In the Air Force, officer ranks and structures are similar but with specific differences in titles and duties. While addressing officers, refer to higher rank individuals as “General (last name)” regardless of the number of stars. Address both Colonels and Lieutenant Colonels as “Colonel (last name)” and first and second lieutenants as “Lieutenant (last name).” Other officer ranks are addressed as “(rank name) (last name)”, such as “Major Payne.” When speaking directly, use “Sir” or “Ma’am.”

Having officers is one requirement for combatant status under the laws of war, though these officers need not have obtained an official commission or warrant.