Air National Guard Ranks And Insignia Guide

The Air National Guard (ANG) is a reserve component of the United States Air Force, comprising approximately 105,000 personnel. As a reserve component, the ANG plays a critical role in supporting both state and federal missions. Understanding the rank structure and insignia of the ANG is essential for both its members and those interested in joining the organization.

The ANG rank structure is similar to that of the active-duty Air Force, with some minor differences. In this article, we will explore the various ranks and insignias of the Air National Guard, from the lowest enlisted rank to the highest officer rank.

Enlisted Ranks

Air National Guard Enlisted Ranks

The enlisted ranks in the ANG are divided into three categories: Airman, Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO), and Senior NCO. Here are the enlisted ranks in the ANG, from lowest to highest:

Airman (E-1 to E-3)

The Airman category includes the lowest three enlisted ranks in the ANG. These ranks are:

Airman Basic (AB) - E-1
Airman (AMN) - E-2
Airman First Class (A1C) - E-3

Non-Commissioned Officer (E-4 to E-6)

The NCO category includes ranks that denote a higher level of responsibility and leadership. These ranks are:

Senior Airman (SrA) - E-4
Staff Sergeant (SSgt) - E-5
Technical Sergeant (TSgt) - E-6

Senior Non-Commissioned Officer (E-7 to E-9)

The Senior NCO category includes the highest enlisted ranks in the ANG. These ranks are:

Master Sergeant (MSgt) - E-7
Senior Master Sergeant (SMSgt) - E-8
Chief Master Sergeant (CMSgt) - E-9

Officer Ranks

Air National Guard Officer Ranks

The officer ranks in the ANG are divided into two categories: Company Grade and Field Grade. Here are the officer ranks in the ANG, from lowest to highest:

Company Grade (O-1 to O-3)

The Company Grade category includes the lowest three officer ranks in the ANG. These ranks are:

Second Lieutenant (2d Lt) - O-1
First Lieutenant (1st Lt) - O-2
Captain (Capt) - O-3

Field Grade (O-4 to O-6)

The Field Grade category includes ranks that denote a higher level of responsibility and leadership. These ranks are:

Major (Maj) - O-4
Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) - O-5
Colonel (Col) - O-6

General Officer Ranks

Air National Guard General Officer Ranks

The General Officer ranks in the ANG are the highest ranks in the organization. These ranks are:

Brigadier General (Brig Gen) - O-7

The Brigadier General rank is the lowest General Officer rank in the ANG.

Major General (Maj Gen) - O-8

The Major General rank is the second-highest General Officer rank in the ANG.

Lieutenant General (Lt Gen) - O-9

The Lieutenant General rank is the highest General Officer rank in the ANG.

Insignia

The insignia worn by ANG members denote their rank and branch of service. The insignia are worn on the uniform and are an essential part of the ANG's visual identity.

Enlisted Insignia

The enlisted insignia are worn on the sleeve of the uniform and consist of chevrons and stripes.

Officer Insignia

The officer insignia are worn on the shoulder of the uniform and consist of bars and leaves.

General Officer Insignia

The General Officer insignia are worn on the shoulder of the uniform and consist of stars and leaves.

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding the rank structure and insignia of the Air National Guard is essential for both its members and those interested in joining the organization. The ANG's rank structure is similar to that of the active-duty Air Force, with some minor differences. The insignia worn by ANG members denote their rank and branch of service and are an essential part of the ANG's visual identity.

Gallery of Air National Guard Images