Page 153 - A Soldiers Exposition

MILITARY RANKS AND APPOINTMENTS

My Enlisted and Non-Commissioned Officer Ranks (1967-1976)

Private Private Specialist Sergeant Specialist Sergeant Staff
First Class Fourth Class Fifth Class Sergeant
E2 E3 E4 E5 E5 E5 E6

Private E1 does not have a rank insignia.
This soldier is commonly referred to as a “slick sleeve” or a recruit.
I served as a Sergeant twice – The E5 rank was very much associated with my MOS.

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My Warrant Officer Ranks (1976-1990)

Chief Chief
Warrant Warrant Warrant
Officer Officer Officer
WO1 CWO3 CWO2

Warrant Officers are highly skilled, single-track specialty officers.

The Warrant Officer ranks are authorized by Congress, with each branch selecting, managing, and
utilizing all Warrant Officer Personnel on an as-needed basis.

The secretary of the Army approves the appointments to Warrant Officer One (W1).
As a side-note: A W1 is commonly and respectfully referred to as a “wobbly one” until gaining experience
and being promoted to Chief Warrant.

For Chief Warrant Officer ranks (W2 to W5), Warrant Officers are commissioned by the President of the
United States and take the same oath as regular commissioned officers.

Warrant officers can and do command detachments, units, activities, vessels, aircraft, and armored
vehicles as well as lead, coach, train, and counsel subordinates. However, the warrant officer's primary
task as a leader is to serve as a technical expert, providing valuable skills, guidance, and expertise to
commanders and organizations in their particular field.