The Respect of Soldier's Rank
In the U.S. Military services, rank determines who gets to tell whom what to do. The higher one 's rank the more authority (and responsibility) they have. U.S. Military personnel fall into one of three categories: (1) enlisted members, (2) warrant officers, and (3) commissioned officers. Warrant officers outrank all enlisted members, and commissioned officers outrank all warrant officers and enlisted members.
"Rank" and "pay grade" are closely associated terms, but not quite the same. "Pay grade" is an administrative classification, associated with a member 's pay. "Rank" is a title and denotes the member 's level of authority and responsibility. An E-1 is the lowest enlisted pay grade. That person 's "rank" is a "Private" in the Army and Marine Corps, an "Airman Basic" in the Air Force, and a "Seaman Recruit" in the Navy and Coast Guard. I should also probably note here that in the Navy and Coast Guard, the term "rank" is not used among enlisted Sailors. The proper term is "rate."
Through the ages, the badge of ranks have included such symbols as feathers, sashes, stripes and showy uniforms. Even carrying different weapons has signified rank. The badges of rank have been worn on hats, shoulders and around the waist and chest.The American military adapted most of its rank insignia from the British. Before the Revolutionary War, Americans drilled with militia outfits based on the British tradition. Sailors followed the example of the most successful navy of the time -- the Royal Navy.So, the Continental Army had privates, sergeants, lieutenants, captains, colonels, generals, and several now-obsolete ranks like coronet, subaltern and ensign. One thing the Army didn 't have was enough money to buy uniforms.T o solve this, Gen. George Washington wrote, "As the Continental Army has unfortunately no uniforms, and consequently many inconveniences must arise from not being able to distinguish the commissioned officers from the privates, it is desired that some badge of
"Rank" and "pay grade" are closely associated terms, but not quite the same. "Pay grade" is an administrative classification, associated with a member 's pay. "Rank" is a title and denotes the member 's level of authority and responsibility. An E-1 is the lowest enlisted pay grade. That person 's "rank" is a "Private" in the Army and Marine Corps, an "Airman Basic" in the Air Force, and a "Seaman Recruit" in the Navy and Coast Guard. I should also probably note here that in the Navy and Coast Guard, the term "rank" is not used among enlisted Sailors. The proper term is "rate."
Through the ages, the badge of ranks have included such symbols as feathers, sashes, stripes and showy uniforms. Even carrying different weapons has signified rank. The badges of rank have been worn on hats, shoulders and around the waist and chest.The American military adapted most of its rank insignia from the British. Before the Revolutionary War, Americans drilled with militia outfits based on the British tradition. Sailors followed the example of the most successful navy of the time -- the Royal Navy.So, the Continental Army had privates, sergeants, lieutenants, captains, colonels, generals, and several now-obsolete ranks like coronet, subaltern and ensign. One thing the Army didn 't have was enough money to buy uniforms.T o solve this, Gen. George Washington wrote, "As the Continental Army has unfortunately no uniforms, and consequently many inconveniences must arise from not being able to distinguish the commissioned officers from the privates, it is desired that some badge of