Sailor_Joe
09-22-2010, 06:39 PM
Inspired by the flow chart posted in this forum on Cobra Rank Structure, I decided to put this up. I actually posted this on another thread. There's a huge list in cyber-land that contains a list of every Joe and their rank. This isn't that but more an understanding on how military rank works.
G.I. Joe
Rank structure is defined much similar to the real life military. Although promotion standards vary upon branch of service, they are usually given depending on military performance and specialty knowledge.
Officers
Rank: O-1 through O-10
Role: College trained leaders. Officers are commissioned rather than enlisted. The difference, that they are appointed rather the "signed up". These are the upper echelon of the command structure. "Zeroes" rarely ever see battlefield time and are usually specialized in a certain field (such as pilot, leadership, engineering). Certain specialties, such as doctors or pilots, don't contain alot of leadership responsibility outside the rank until they reach higher grades. And even then, they are usually in charge of a "corps de esprit" (particular type of unit).
Becoming and officer: You can become an officer by either enrolling in a military academy (Air Force, Army, Navy), graduating with a 4 year degree while in ROTC (Reserve Officers Training Corps), or enlisting and applying for a commission. The third option is often the hardest but is often the most revered by the non-commissioned troops.
Warrant Officers
Rank: C/WO-1 through C/WO-4
Role: Warrant Officers are specialized officers who are appointed as such through merit and accomplishment in their field. While they are specialized in certain fields, they are often tasked to take on leadership roles beyond their actual specialties. "WOs" are often placed in charge of units such and take on much of the on-hand leadership roles without all the desk work of being a fully commission officer.
Becoming a Warrant Officer: To become a WO varies from branch-to-branch of service. Unlike commissioned officers, WOs are not required to have college degrees. They are appointed by their own request and are awarded the rank by merit. WOs are also called "Mustangs" as to be a Warrant Officer, you would have to have been enlisted.
Non-Commission Officers
Rank: E-4 through E-9
Role: Field Leadership. In the US Navy NCOs are called Petty Officers (or Chief Petty Officers for E-7 and above). These are the middle management of the military. They are out in the trenches and fighting the fight day in and day out. They are well experienced and have the most on-hand knowledge of their jobs. NCOs, while often trained in a particular field (called MOS or Ratings) are often called upon to do the jobs of others and are trained to handle many different situations.
Becoming an NCO: Simply put, doing the time. While the promotion of enlisted forces differ between branches, most NCOs have at least 4 years experience in their field and have a diverse record of applied assignments. Enlisted personnel are promoted through good merit and military performance. Since promotion is rigorous in some occasions, any rank between E-6 through E-9 is highly regarded as well as respected.
Specialists
Rank: SPC-4 through SPC-9
Role: Non-Commissioned Officers who are (as their rank implies) are specialized in a particular field. These are often medics, intelligence, or technicians. Currently only the US Army has ranking Specialists while the Navy has secondary NECs (Navy Enlistment Codes) that are attached to their ratings to signify the specialty. Example: AB/F Rating - Aircraft Boatswain Mate/Fueler.
Becoming a Specialist: Standard NCOs simply further their training and become specialized in a certain field. Once completing their training they are awarded the classification of specialist.
Junior Enlisted:
Rank: E-1 through E-3
Role: The "grunts" of most military forces, the junior enlisted are often still in their learning phases. Rarely do they take on leadership roles and are hardly ever asked to make crucial decisions. Their job is to simply get the job done and follow orders. Since most junior enlisted personnel lack experience, they are often called upon in support roles of the NCOs.
Becoming a Junior Enlisted: Just sign up. But expect to do all the dirty work with little credit. But if you follow orders and do your job well, your chances of becoming an NCO are great.
G.I. Joe
Rank structure is defined much similar to the real life military. Although promotion standards vary upon branch of service, they are usually given depending on military performance and specialty knowledge.
Officers
Rank: O-1 through O-10
Role: College trained leaders. Officers are commissioned rather than enlisted. The difference, that they are appointed rather the "signed up". These are the upper echelon of the command structure. "Zeroes" rarely ever see battlefield time and are usually specialized in a certain field (such as pilot, leadership, engineering). Certain specialties, such as doctors or pilots, don't contain alot of leadership responsibility outside the rank until they reach higher grades. And even then, they are usually in charge of a "corps de esprit" (particular type of unit).
Becoming and officer: You can become an officer by either enrolling in a military academy (Air Force, Army, Navy), graduating with a 4 year degree while in ROTC (Reserve Officers Training Corps), or enlisting and applying for a commission. The third option is often the hardest but is often the most revered by the non-commissioned troops.
Warrant Officers
Rank: C/WO-1 through C/WO-4
Role: Warrant Officers are specialized officers who are appointed as such through merit and accomplishment in their field. While they are specialized in certain fields, they are often tasked to take on leadership roles beyond their actual specialties. "WOs" are often placed in charge of units such and take on much of the on-hand leadership roles without all the desk work of being a fully commission officer.
Becoming a Warrant Officer: To become a WO varies from branch-to-branch of service. Unlike commissioned officers, WOs are not required to have college degrees. They are appointed by their own request and are awarded the rank by merit. WOs are also called "Mustangs" as to be a Warrant Officer, you would have to have been enlisted.
Non-Commission Officers
Rank: E-4 through E-9
Role: Field Leadership. In the US Navy NCOs are called Petty Officers (or Chief Petty Officers for E-7 and above). These are the middle management of the military. They are out in the trenches and fighting the fight day in and day out. They are well experienced and have the most on-hand knowledge of their jobs. NCOs, while often trained in a particular field (called MOS or Ratings) are often called upon to do the jobs of others and are trained to handle many different situations.
Becoming an NCO: Simply put, doing the time. While the promotion of enlisted forces differ between branches, most NCOs have at least 4 years experience in their field and have a diverse record of applied assignments. Enlisted personnel are promoted through good merit and military performance. Since promotion is rigorous in some occasions, any rank between E-6 through E-9 is highly regarded as well as respected.
Specialists
Rank: SPC-4 through SPC-9
Role: Non-Commissioned Officers who are (as their rank implies) are specialized in a particular field. These are often medics, intelligence, or technicians. Currently only the US Army has ranking Specialists while the Navy has secondary NECs (Navy Enlistment Codes) that are attached to their ratings to signify the specialty. Example: AB/F Rating - Aircraft Boatswain Mate/Fueler.
Becoming a Specialist: Standard NCOs simply further their training and become specialized in a certain field. Once completing their training they are awarded the classification of specialist.
Junior Enlisted:
Rank: E-1 through E-3
Role: The "grunts" of most military forces, the junior enlisted are often still in their learning phases. Rarely do they take on leadership roles and are hardly ever asked to make crucial decisions. Their job is to simply get the job done and follow orders. Since most junior enlisted personnel lack experience, they are often called upon in support roles of the NCOs.
Becoming a Junior Enlisted: Just sign up. But expect to do all the dirty work with little credit. But if you follow orders and do your job well, your chances of becoming an NCO are great.