Intro
Discover the US Marine Corps ranks in order, from lowest to highest, and understand the roles and responsibilities of each rank. Learn about the different enlisted, warrant officer, and officer ranks, including Private, Sergeant, Lieutenant, and General, and how they contribute to the Marine Corps mission and structure.
The United States Marine Corps is a prestigious branch of the US Armed Forces, known for its elite fighting force and rich history. With a total of 13 enlisted ranks and 11 officer ranks, the Marine Corps has a well-defined rank structure that reflects a Marine's level of experience, leadership, and technical expertise. In this article, we will explore the US Marine Corps ranks in order, from lowest to highest, and explain the responsibilities and requirements associated with each rank.
Enlisted Ranks
The enlisted ranks in the Marine Corps are divided into three categories: junior enlisted, non-commissioned officers (NCOs), and staff non-commissioned officers (SNCOs).
Junior Enlisted Ranks
The junior enlisted ranks in the Marine Corps are the entry-level positions for new recruits.
Private (Pvt)
- Rank insignia: None
- Pay grade: E-1
- Time in service: 0-1 year
- Responsibilities: The lowest rank in the Marine Corps, Privates are new recruits who are still in training.
Private First Class (PFC)
- Rank insignia: One stripe
- Pay grade: E-2
- Time in service: 1-2 years
- Responsibilities: PFCs are junior Marines who have completed basic training and are learning their Military Occupational Specialty (MOS).
Lance Corporal (LCpl)
- Rank insignia: Two stripes
- Pay grade: E-3
- Time in service: 2-3 years
- Responsibilities: LCpls are junior NCOs who are learning leadership skills and taking on more responsibilities.
Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs)
NCOs are the backbone of the Marine Corps, providing leadership and technical expertise to junior Marines.
NCO Ranks
Corporal (Cpl)
- Rank insignia: Two stripes with a chevron
- Pay grade: E-4
- Time in service: 3-5 years
- Responsibilities: Corporals are senior NCOs who lead teams and provide technical guidance to junior Marines.
Sergeant (Sgt)
- Rank insignia: Three stripes with a chevron
- Pay grade: E-5
- Time in service: 5-7 years
- Responsibilities: Sergeants are senior NCOs who lead squads and provide leadership guidance to junior Marines.
Staff Sergeant (SSgt)
- Rank insignia: Three stripes with a diamond
- Pay grade: E-6
- Time in service: 7-10 years
- Responsibilities: Staff Sergeants are senior NCOs who lead platoons and provide technical expertise in their MOS.
Staff Non-Commissioned Officers (SNCOs)
SNCOs are senior NCOs who have achieved a high level of technical expertise and leadership ability.
SNCO Ranks
Gunnery Sergeant (GySgt)
- Rank insignia: Three stripes with a bursting bomb
- Pay grade: E-7
- Time in service: 10-15 years
- Responsibilities: Gunnery Sergeants are senior SNCOs who lead companies and provide technical expertise in their MOS.
Master Sergeant (MSgt)
- Rank insignia: Three stripes with a star
- Pay grade: E-8
- Time in service: 15-20 years
- Responsibilities: Master Sergeants are senior SNCOs who lead battalions and provide leadership guidance to junior Marines.
First Sergeant (1stSgt)
- Rank insignia: Three stripes with a diamond and a star
- Pay grade: E-8
- Time in service: 15-20 years
- Responsibilities: First Sergeants are senior SNCOs who lead companies and provide leadership guidance to junior Marines.
Master Gunnery Sergeant (MGySgt)
- Rank insignia: Three stripes with a bursting bomb and a star
- Pay grade: E-9
- Time in service: 20+ years
- Responsibilities: Master Gunnery Sergeants are the highest rank in the SNCO category, providing technical expertise and leadership guidance to junior Marines.
Officer Ranks
The officer ranks in the Marine Corps are divided into two categories: company-grade officers and field-grade officers.
Company-Grade Officer Ranks
Company-grade officers are junior officers who lead platoons and companies.
Second Lieutenant (2ndLt)
- Rank insignia: One gold bar
- Pay grade: O-1
- Time in service: 0-2 years
- Responsibilities: Second Lieutenants are junior officers who lead platoons and provide leadership guidance to junior Marines.
First Lieutenant (1stLt)
- Rank insignia: One silver bar
- Pay grade: O-2
- Time in service: 2-4 years
- Responsibilities: First Lieutenants are junior officers who lead companies and provide leadership guidance to junior Marines.
Captain (Capt)
- Rank insignia: Two silver bars
- Pay grade: O-3
- Time in service: 4-6 years
- Responsibilities: Captains are company-grade officers who lead companies and provide leadership guidance to junior Marines.
Field-Grade Officer Ranks
Field-grade officers are senior officers who lead battalions and regiments.
Field-Grade Officer Ranks
Major (Maj)
- Rank insignia: One gold oak leaf
- Pay grade: O-4
- Time in service: 6-10 years
- Responsibilities: Majors are field-grade officers who lead battalions and provide leadership guidance to junior Marines.
Lieutenant Colonel (LtCol)
- Rank insignia: One silver oak leaf
- Pay grade: O-5
- Time in service: 10-15 years
- Responsibilities: Lieutenant Colonels are field-grade officers who lead regiments and provide leadership guidance to junior Marines.
Colonel (Col)
- Rank insignia: One eagle
- Pay grade: O-6
- Time in service: 15-20 years
- Responsibilities: Colonels are senior field-grade officers who lead regiments and provide leadership guidance to junior Marines.
Brigadier General (BGen)
- Rank insignia: One star
- Pay grade: O-7
- Time in service: 20+ years
- Responsibilities: Brigadier Generals are one-star generals who lead brigades and provide leadership guidance to junior Marines.
Major General (MajGen)
- Rank insignia: Two stars
- Pay grade: O-8
- Time in service: 20+ years
- Responsibilities: Major Generals are two-star generals who lead divisions and provide leadership guidance to junior Marines.
Lieutenant General (LtGen)
- Rank insignia: Three stars
- Pay grade: O-9
- Time in service: 20+ years
- Responsibilities: Lieutenant Generals are three-star generals who lead corps and provide leadership guidance to junior Marines.
General (Gen)
- Rank insignia: Four stars
- Pay grade: O-10
- Time in service: 20+ years
- Responsibilities: Generals are the highest rank in the Marine Corps, providing leadership guidance to the entire organization.
Gallery of US Marine Corps Ranks
US Marine Corps Ranks Image Gallery
We hope this article has provided a comprehensive overview of the US Marine Corps ranks in order. From the lowest rank of Private to the highest rank of General, each rank has its own unique responsibilities and requirements. Whether you're a new recruit or a seasoned veteran, understanding the rank structure of the Marine Corps is essential to advancing your career and leading with honor.