Marine Corps Ranks and Insignia

Private

E-1Pvt

Private (Pvt) is the entry-level rank in the United States Marine Corps. Privates are the lowest enlisted rank and are responsible for learning basic military skills and following orders from their superiors.

There is no insignia for the rank of Private.

Other services at E-1Army —PV1PrivateNavy —SRSeaman RecruitAir Force —ABAirman BasicCoast Guard SRSeaman RecruitSpace Force Spc1Specialist 1

Private First Class

E-2PFC

Private First Class (PFC) is the second enlisted rank in the United States Marine Corps, above private and below lance corporal. PFCs begin to learn leadership skills and take on more responsibilities within their units.

The insignia consists of one chevron.

Other services at E-2Army PV2PrivateNavy SASeaman ApprenticeAir Force AmnAirmanCoast Guard SASeaman ApprenticeSpace Force Spc2Specialist 2

Lance Corporal

E-3LCpl

Lance Corporal (LCpl) is the third enlisted rank in the United States Marine Corps, above private first class and below corporal. LCpls are responsible for leading small teams and performing more advanced tasks.

The insignia consists of one chevron with crossed rifles underneath.

Other services at E-3Army PFCPrivate First ClassNavy SNSeamanAir Force A1CAirman First ClassCoast Guard SNSeamanSpace Force Spc3Specialist 3

Corporal

E-4Cpl

Corporal (Cpl) is the fourth enlisted rank in the United States Marine Corps, above lance corporal and below sergeant. Corporals are non-commissioned officers (NCOs) responsible for leading squads and sections.

The insignia consists of two chevrons with crossed rifles underneath.

Other services at E-4Army SPCSpecialistCPLCorporalNavy PO3Petty Officer Third ClassAir Force SrASenior AirmanCoast Guard PO3Petty Officer Third ClassSpace Force Spc4Specialist 4

Sergeant

E-5Sgt

Sergeant (Sgt) is the fifth enlisted rank in the United States Marine Corps, above corporal and below staff sergeant. Sergeants are NCOs who lead squads or sections and provide training and discipline to their Marines.

The insignia consists of three chevrons with crossed rifles underneath.

Other services at E-5Army SGTSergeantNavy PO2Petty Officer Second ClassAir Force SSgtStaff SergeantCoast Guard PO2Petty Officer Second ClassSpace Force SgtSergeant

Staff Sergeant

E-6SSgt

Staff Sergeant (SSgt) is the sixth enlisted rank in the United States Marine Corps, above sergeant and below gunnery sergeant. Staff sergeants are senior NCOs responsible for leading platoons and providing mentorship.

The insignia consists of three chevrons, one rocker, and crossed rifles in the center.

Other services at E-6Army SSGStaff SergeantNavy PO1Petty Officer First ClassAir Force TSgtTechnical SergeantCoast Guard PO1Petty Officer First ClassSpace Force TSgtTechnical Sergeant

Gunnery Sergeant

E-7GySgt

Gunnery Sergeant (GySgt) is the seventh enlisted rank in the United States Marine Corps, above staff sergeant and below master sergeant and first sergeant. Gunnery sergeants are senior non-commissioned officers (SNCOs) responsible for overseeing equipment, operations, and personnel.

The insignia consists of three chevrons, two rockers, and crossed rifles in the center.

Other services at E-7Army SFCSergeant First ClassNavy CPOChief Petty OfficerAir Force MSgtMaster SergeantFSFirst SergeantCoast Guard CPOChief Petty OfficerSpace Force MSgtMaster Sergeant

Master Sergeant

E-8MSgt

Master Sergeant (MSgt) is the eighth enlisted rank in the United States Marine Corps, above gunnery sergeant and below master gunnery sergeant and sergeant major. Master sergeants are senior SNCOs responsible for leading large units and providing expert technical knowledge.

The insignia consists of three chevrons, three rockers, and crossed rifles underneath.

Other services at E-8Army MSGMaster Sergeant1SGFirst SergeantNavy SCPOSenior Chief Petty OfficerCMDCSCommand Senior Chief Petty OfficerAir Force SMSgtSenior Master SergeantFSFirst SergeantCoast Guard SCPOSenior Chief Petty OfficerSpace Force SMSgtSenior Master Sergeant

First Sergeant

E-81stSgt

First Sergeant (1stSgt) is the eighth enlisted rank in the United States Marine Corps, parallel to master sergeant but with different duties. First sergeants are senior SNCOs responsible for company-level leadership and administration.

The insignia consists of three chevrons, three rockers, and a diamond in the center.

Other services at E-8Army MSGMaster Sergeant1SGFirst SergeantNavy SCPOSenior Chief Petty OfficerCMDCSCommand Senior Chief Petty OfficerAir Force SMSgtSenior Master SergeantFSFirst SergeantCoast Guard SCPOSenior Chief Petty OfficerSpace Force SMSgtSenior Master Sergeant

Master Gunnery Sergeant

E-9MGySgt

Master Gunnery Sergeant (MGySgt) is the ninth enlisted rank in the United States Marine Corps, above master sergeant and below sergeant major. MGySgts are senior SNCOs with technical expertise and leadership responsibilities in large units.

The insignia consists of three chevrons, four rockers, and a bursting bomb in the center.

Other services at E-9Army SGMSergeant MajorCSMCommand Sergeant MajorSMASergeant Major of the ArmySEASenior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief of the National Guard BureauSEACSenior Enlisted Advisor to the ChairmanNavy MCPOMaster Chief Petty OfficerCMDCMCommand Master Chief Petty OfficerFLTCM/FORCMFleet/Force Master Chief Petty OfficerMCPONMaster Chief Petty Officer of the NavySEACSenior Enlisted Advisor to the ChairmanAir Force CMSgtChief Master SergeantFSFirst SergeantCCMCommand Chief Master SergeantSEANGBSenior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief of the National Guard BureauCMSAFChief Master Sergeant of the Air ForceSEACSenior Enlisted Advisor to the ChairmanCoast Guard MCPOMaster Chief Petty OfficerCMCCommand Master Chief Petty OfficerDMCPOCGDeputy Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast GuardMCPOCGMaster Chief Petty Officer of the Coast GuardSpace Force CMSgtChief Master SergeantCMSSFChief Master Sergeant of the Space ForceSEACSenior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman

Sergeant Major

E-9SgtMaj

Sergeant Major (SgtMaj) is the ninth enlisted rank in the United States Marine Corps, above first sergeant and below sergeant major of the Marine Corps. Sergeant majors are senior SNCOs responsible for advising commanders and leading large units.

The insignia consists of three chevrons, four rockers, and a star in the center.

Other services at E-9Army SGMSergeant MajorCSMCommand Sergeant MajorSMASergeant Major of the ArmySEASenior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief of the National Guard BureauSEACSenior Enlisted Advisor to the ChairmanNavy MCPOMaster Chief Petty OfficerCMDCMCommand Master Chief Petty OfficerFLTCM/FORCMFleet/Force Master Chief Petty OfficerMCPONMaster Chief Petty Officer of the NavySEACSenior Enlisted Advisor to the ChairmanAir Force CMSgtChief Master SergeantFSFirst SergeantCCMCommand Chief Master SergeantSEANGBSenior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief of the National Guard BureauCMSAFChief Master Sergeant of the Air ForceSEACSenior Enlisted Advisor to the ChairmanCoast Guard MCPOMaster Chief Petty OfficerCMCCommand Master Chief Petty OfficerDMCPOCGDeputy Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast GuardMCPOCGMaster Chief Petty Officer of the Coast GuardSpace Force CMSgtChief Master SergeantCMSSFChief Master Sergeant of the Space ForceSEACSenior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman

Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps

E-9SMMC

Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps (SMMC) is the highest enlisted rank in the United States Marine Corps. The SMMC is the senior enlisted advisor to the Commandant of the Marine Corps and serves as a spokesperson for enlisted Marines.

The insignia consists of three chevrons, four rockers, an eagle, globe, and anchor, flanked by two stars.

Other services at E-9Army SGMSergeant MajorCSMCommand Sergeant MajorSMASergeant Major of the ArmySEASenior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief of the National Guard BureauSEACSenior Enlisted Advisor to the ChairmanNavy MCPOMaster Chief Petty OfficerCMDCMCommand Master Chief Petty OfficerFLTCM/FORCMFleet/Force Master Chief Petty OfficerMCPONMaster Chief Petty Officer of the NavySEACSenior Enlisted Advisor to the ChairmanAir Force CMSgtChief Master SergeantFSFirst SergeantCCMCommand Chief Master SergeantSEANGBSenior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief of the National Guard BureauCMSAFChief Master Sergeant of the Air ForceSEACSenior Enlisted Advisor to the ChairmanCoast Guard MCPOMaster Chief Petty OfficerCMCCommand Master Chief Petty OfficerDMCPOCGDeputy Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast GuardMCPOCGMaster Chief Petty Officer of the Coast GuardSpace Force CMSgtChief Master SergeantCMSSFChief Master Sergeant of the Space ForceSEACSenior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman

Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman

E-9SEAC

Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman (SEAC) is the highest-ranking enlisted member in the United States Armed Forces. The SEAC serves as the principal advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on all matters involving enlisted personnel.

Other services at E-9Army SGMSergeant MajorCSMCommand Sergeant MajorSMASergeant Major of the ArmySEASenior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief of the National Guard BureauSEACSenior Enlisted Advisor to the ChairmanNavy MCPOMaster Chief Petty OfficerCMDCMCommand Master Chief Petty OfficerFLTCM/FORCMFleet/Force Master Chief Petty OfficerMCPONMaster Chief Petty Officer of the NavySEACSenior Enlisted Advisor to the ChairmanAir Force CMSgtChief Master SergeantFSFirst SergeantCCMCommand Chief Master SergeantSEANGBSenior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief of the National Guard BureauCMSAFChief Master Sergeant of the Air ForceSEACSenior Enlisted Advisor to the ChairmanCoast Guard MCPOMaster Chief Petty OfficerCMCCommand Master Chief Petty OfficerDMCPOCGDeputy Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast GuardMCPOCGMaster Chief Petty Officer of the Coast GuardSpace Force CMSgtChief Master SergeantCMSSFChief Master Sergeant of the Space ForceSEACSenior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman

Warrant Officer 1

W-1WO

Warrant Officer 1 (WO1) is the entry-level rank for Warrant Officers in the United States Marine Corps. Warrant Officers are technical experts who serve in highly specialized fields.

The WO1 insignia features a single gold bar with two red squares.

Other services at W-1Army WO1Warrant Officer 1Navy WO1Warrant Officer 1Air Force WO1Warrant Officer 1

Chief Warrant Officer 2

W-2CWO2

Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CWO2) is the second level of Warrant Officers in the United States Marine Corps, above WO1 and below CWO3. They continue to develop their technical expertise and leadership skills.

The CWO2 insignia features a single gold bar with three red squares.

Other services at W-2Army CW2Chief Warrant Officer 2Navy CWO2Chief Warrant Officer 2Air Force CWO2Chief Warrant Officer 2Coast Guard CWO2Chief Warrant Officer 2

Chief Warrant Officer 3

W-3CWO3

Chief Warrant Officer 3 (CWO3) is a mid-level rank for Warrant Officers in the United States Marine Corps, above CWO2 and below CWO4. They are recognized as seasoned technical experts and leaders.

The CWO3 insignia features a single silver bar with two red squares.

Other services at W-3Army CW3Chief Warrant Officer 3Navy CWO3Chief Warrant Officer 3Air Force CWO3Chief Warrant Officer 3Coast Guard CWO3Chief Warrant Officer 3

Chief Warrant Officer 4

W-4CWO4

Chief Warrant Officer 4 (CWO4) is a senior-level rank for Warrant Officers in the United States Marine Corps, above CWO3 and below CWO5. They are highly experienced and serve as senior technical experts and leaders.

The CWO4 insignia features a single silver bar with three red squares.

Other services at W-4Army CW4Chief Warrant Officer 4Navy CWO4Chief Warrant Officer 4Air Force CWO4Chief Warrant Officer 4Coast Guard CWO4Chief Warrant Officer 4

Chief Warrant Officer 5

W-5CWO5

Chief Warrant Officer 5 (CWO5) is the highest Warrant Officer rank in the United States Marine Corps. They are the top technical experts and leaders in their fields.

The CWO5 insignia features a single silver bar with a single horizontal red stripe.

Other services at W-5Army CW5Chief Warrant Officer 5Navy CWO5Chief Warrant Officer 5Air Force CWO5Chief Warrant Officer 5

Gunner

A Gunner in the United States Marine Corps is a Chief Warrant Officer who specializes in infantry weapons and tactics. Gunners are recognized for their expertise in the operation and maintenance of infantry weapons and serve as advisers to commanders on all matters related to weapons and tactics.

The Gunner insignia features a bursting bomb in place of the typical Warrant Officer insignia squares, symbolizing their specialized role and expertise.

Second Lieutenant

O-12ndLt

Second Lieutenant (2ndLt) is the entry-level rank for commissioned officers in the United States Marine Corps, equivalent to an O-1 pay grade. Second Lieutenants typically serve as platoon commanders, leading 16-44 Marines in infantry, artillery, and other divisions.

The insignia for a Second Lieutenant consists of a single gold bar.

Other services at O-1Army 2LTSecond LieutenantNavy ENSEnsignAir Force 2d LtSecond LieutenantCoast Guard ENSEnsignSpace Force 2d LtSecond Lieutenant

First Lieutenant

O-21stLt

First Lieutenant (1stLt) is the second-lowest officer rank in the United States Marine Corps, equivalent to an O-2 pay grade. First Lieutenants typically serve as executive officers of companies or as platoon commanders, often taking on more responsibility than Second Lieutenants.

The insignia for a First Lieutenant consists of a single silver bar.

Other services at O-2Army 1LTFirst LieutenantNavy LTJGLieutenant (Junior Grade)Air Force 1st LtFirst LieutenantCoast Guard LTJGLieutenant (Junior Grade)Space Force 1st LtFirst Lieutenant

Captain

O-3Capt

Captain (Capt) is the third officer rank in the United States Marine Corps, equivalent to an O-3 pay grade. Captains generally serve as company commanders, leading a company of 100-200 Marines, or as staff officers in battalion-level commands.

The insignia for a Captain consists of two silver bars.

Other services at O-3Army CPTCaptainNavy LTLieutenantAir Force CaptCaptainCoast Guard LTLieutenantSpace Force CaptCaptain

Major

O-4Maj

Major (Maj) is a mid-level officer rank in the United States Marine Corps, equivalent to an O-4 pay grade. Majors often serve as executive officers of battalions or as operations officers, responsible for planning and executing military operations.

The insignia for a Major consists of a gold oak leaf.

Other services at O-4Army MAJMajorNavy LCDRLieutenant CommanderAir Force MajMajorCoast Guard LCDRLieutenant CommanderSpace Force MajMajor

Lieutenant Colonel

O-5LtCol

Lieutenant Colonel (LtCol) is a senior officer rank in the United States Marine Corps, equivalent to an O-5 pay grade. Lieutenant Colonels typically serve as battalion commanders, responsible for leading a battalion of 300-1,200 Marines, or as senior staff officers.

The insignia for a Lieutenant Colonel consists of a silver oak leaf.

Other services at O-5Army LTCLieutenant ColonelNavy CDRCommanderAir Force Lt ColLieutenant ColonelCoast Guard CDRCommanderSpace Force Lt ColLieutenant Colonel

Colonel

O-6Col

Colonel (Col) is a senior officer rank in the United States Marine Corps, equivalent to an O-6 pay grade. Colonels typically serve as regimental or brigade commanders, overseeing several battalions, or as senior staff officers in higher command echelons.

The insignia for a Colonel consists of a silver eagle.

Other services at O-6Army COLColonelNavy CAPTCaptainAir Force ColColonelCoast Guard CAPTCaptainSpace Force ColColonel

Brigadier General

O-7BGen

Brigadier General (BGen) is the first general officer rank in the United States Marine Corps, equivalent to an O-7 pay grade. Brigadier Generals typically serve as deputy commanders of divisions or as commanding generals of smaller units.

The insignia for a Brigadier General consists of one silver star.

Other services at O-7Army BGBrigadier GeneralNavy RDMLRear Admiral (Lower Half)Air Force Brig GenBrigadier GeneralCoast Guard RDMLRear Admiral (Lower Half)Space Force Brig GenBrigadier General

Major General

O-8MajGen

Major General (MajGen) is the second general officer rank in the United States Marine Corps, equivalent to an O-8 pay grade. Major Generals usually serve as division commanders, overseeing 10,000-15,000 Marines, or as senior staff officers in larger commands.

The insignia for a Major General consists of two silver stars.

Other services at O-8Army MGMajor GeneralNavy RADMRear Admiral (Upper Half)Air Force Maj GenMajor GeneralCoast Guard RADMRear Admiral (Upper Half)Space Force Maj GenMajor General

Lieutenant General

O-9LtGen

Lieutenant General (LtGen) is the third general officer rank in the United States Marine Corps, equivalent to an O-9 pay grade. Lieutenant Generals often serve as corps commanders or as senior staff officers in major commands.

The insignia for a Lieutenant General consists of three silver stars.

Other services at O-9Army LTGLieutenant GeneralNavy VADMVice AdmiralAir Force Lt GenLieutenant GeneralCoast Guard VADMVice AdmiralSpace Force Lt GenLieutenant General

General

O-10Gen

General (Gen) is the highest general officer rank in the United States Marine Corps, equivalent to an O-10 pay grade. Generals typically serve as commandants of the Marine Corps or in other top leadership positions within the Department of Defense.

The insignia for a General consists of four silver stars.

Other services at O-10Army GENGeneralNavy ADMAdmiralAir Force GenGeneralCoast Guard ADMAdmiralSpace Force GenGeneral