closeup of person in military uniform with insignia

Most of us are aware that different military ranks are used to identify and define a service member’s authority and responsibilities in the military. But what’s less familiar is where each rank falls in the chain of command, leading to countless questions about rank. Sergeants, majors, colonels – how do they all stand within military rank? What is a corporal in the Marines?

What’s higher: captain or major? Learn more about military rank in our guide!

Pay Grade Classifications

Different military ranks are often attached to letter and number classifications, such as E-1. This refers to pay grade – not rank. These are administrative classifications used to standardize compensation across branches. The “E” stands for enlisted, the “W” stands for warrant officers, and the “O” stands for commissioned officers. The numbers attached (1 to 9) indicate the pay grade for that position.

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