US Army enlisted rank is shown on the sleeve with chevrons, which are the stripe-shaped insignia commonly called stripes, along with arcs and other devices on some grades. Reading a chevron correctly means knowing the grade system, the uniform it is on, and the period it comes from. Chevron designs, colors and grade names have changed over time, so a sleeve insignia should always be checked against a dated reference.
How enlisted rank is shown
In the US Army, enlisted chevrons are worn point up on the sleeve. The Navy used a different system, with petty officers’ chevrons on a rating badge, as US Navy WWII uniforms and insignia explains. More chevrons generally mean a higher grade, but the number of chevrons is only part of the picture. Senior grades also add arcs (sometimes called rockers) and other devices, and the combination identifies the grade.
The current Army enlisted grades run from E-1 to E-9. The grade names, not the insignia, are as follows:
- E-1: Private
- E-2: Private
- E-3: Private First Class
- E-4: Corporal or Specialist (two titles for the same pay grade, with different insignia)
- E-5: Sergeant
- E-6: Staff Sergeant
- E-7: Sergeant First Class
- E-8: Master Sergeant or First Sergeant
- E-9: Sergeant Major, Command Sergeant Major or Sergeant Major of the Army
Job or skill badges are a separate kind of insignia. They show a soldier’s specialty and are not the same as rank.
How to read a chevron on a uniform
Work through these checks in order:
- Orientation. Chevrons are worn point up. A chevron worn the other way round is worth checking more closely, since it may point to a reproduction, a modified uniform or a different country’s system.
- Count and combination. Count the chevrons, then look for arcs, stars or other devices that change the grade.
- Uniform and placement. Note whether the insignia is on a dress, service or field uniform, and whether it is on the upper sleeve where it belongs.
- Color and finish. Compare the color against the period. Some chevrons were made in colors matched to the branch or the uniform, and subdued versions use low-contrast colors on modern field uniforms.
- Period. The grade names, numbering and insignia all changed over time, so date the uniform before you read the chevron.
Count and color alone will not settle the grade. Use the complete set of clues, then confirm against a chart for the period.
Changes over time: WWII, specialist grades and subdued insignia
The Army’s grade structure has changed several times, and chevrons go back well before WWII (see Civil War military insignia). A few changes matter most for collectors:
- WWII grade numbers differed. Period charts show a different link between grade names and pay-grade numbers than the current system. Do not apply a modern E-number to a WWII uniform without checking the period.
- Technician grades. During WWII, technician grades (such as T/3 through T/5) existed alongside the sergeant and corporal grades, and they used distinct insignia.
- Specialist grades. Specialist grades above E-4 were used for a period and then phased out over the 1960s and 1980s. Specialist 4 remains in use today.
- Colors and subdued insignia. Chevron colors and materials changed across eras, and modern field uniforms use subdued chevrons that are much harder to see.
These changes are why a period chart is essential. A chevron that looks familiar may belong to a different system.
Where to check the official rules
For the current Army rules on rank display, check Army Regulation 670-1, which governs the wear and appearance of Army uniforms and insignia, along with its companion guide, Army Pamphlet 670-1. For historical insignia and its design history, the US Army Institute of Heraldry at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, is the official source. Period charts from collector references can help, but confirm grade names and insignia against an official source before you state a specific rank.
This article describes the system and the reading method. It does not list the chevron count and arc arrangement for every grade, because those details differ by period and uniform and should be checked against the current or period chart.
Collecting and care
Keep sleeve insignia flat and dry, in acid-free sleeves, and away from direct light. Do not remove or re-stitch chevrons to make a piece look more complete. Changing a sewn insignia can damage the fabric and reduce the piece’s value to other collectors.
For the other ways rank and unit status are shown on a uniform, see the guide to epaulettes and shoulder boards. For WWII unit patches worn on the sleeve, see the guide to WWII US Army division patches. For the wider family of insignia, see the guide to military patches, badges and insignia.