Ranks & Insignia
Learn the full Marine Corps rank structure from Private (E-1) through General (O-10), including pay grades, insignia, and the NCO / Staff NCO dividing lines.
What is the pay grade and insignia of a Private?
Pay grade E-1. No insignia — a Private wears no rank insignia.
What is the insignia of a Private First Class (E-2)?
One chevron (a single upward-pointing chevron). Pay grade E-2.
What is the insignia of a Lance Corporal (E-3)?
One chevron with crossed rifles beneath it. Pay grade E-3.
What is the insignia of a Corporal (E-4)?
Two chevrons with crossed rifles beneath them. The first NCO rank. Pay grade E-4.
What is the insignia of a Sergeant (E-5)?
Three chevrons with crossed rifles beneath them. Pay grade E-5.
What is the insignia of a Staff Sergeant (E-6)?
Three chevrons, one rocker, with crossed rifles beneath them. Pay grade E-6.
What is the insignia of a Gunnery Sergeant (E-7)?
Three chevrons, two rockers, with crossed rifles beneath them. Pay grade E-7.
What is the insignia of a Master Sergeant (E-8)?
Three chevrons, three rockers, with crossed rifles beneath them. Technical/occupational career path. Pay grade E-8.
What is the insignia of a First Sergeant (E-8)?
Three chevrons, three rockers, with a lozenge (diamond) between. Command career path. Pay grade E-8.
What is the insignia of a Master Gunnery Sergeant (E-9)?
Three chevrons, three rockers, with four stars between and the Marine Corps emblem above. Technical path. Pay grade E-9.
What is the insignia of a Sergeant Major (E-9)?
Three chevrons, three rockers, with four stars between and the Marine Corps emblem above. Command path. Pay grade E-9.
Who is the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps and what is unique about the rank?
The senior enlisted Marine and advisor to the Commandant. The insignia has four stars and the Marine Corps emblem — unique to this single billet.
What is the insignia of a Second Lieutenant (O-1)?
A single gold bar. Pay grade O-1.
What is the insignia of a First Lieutenant (O-2)?
A single silver bar. Pay grade O-2.
What is the insignia of a Captain (O-3)?
Two silver bars joined. Pay grade O-3. Company-grade officer.
What is the insignia of a Major (O-4)?
A gold oak leaf. Pay grade O-4. First field-grade officer.
What is the insignia of a Lieutenant Colonel (O-5)?
A silver oak leaf. Pay grade O-5.
What is the insignia of a Colonel (O-6)?
A silver eagle (eagle with spread wings). Pay grade O-6.
What is the insignia of a Brigadier General (O-7)?
One silver star. Pay grade O-7. First general officer.
What is the insignia of a Major General (O-8)?
Two silver stars. Pay grade O-8.
What is the insignia of a Lieutenant General (O-9)?
Three silver stars. Pay grade O-9.
What is the insignia of a General (O-10)?
Four silver stars. Pay grade O-10. Highest rank in the Marine Corps in peacetime.
Who is the Commandant of the Marine Corps?
A four-star general who is the highest-ranking officer and head of the Marine Corps, reporting to the Secretary of the Navy.
Describe the Marine Corps emblem (Eagle, Globe, and Anchor).
An eagle perched on a globe, the globe showing the Western Hemisphere, with an anchor behind it; the eagle holds a banner inscribed 'Semper Fidelis'.
What distinguishes an NCO from a Staff NCO (SNCO)?
NCOs are Corporal and Sergeant (E-4 and E-5). Staff NCOs are Staff Sergeant through Sergeant Major (E-6 to E-9). The line is drawn at the E-6 promotion.