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Air Force & AFJROTC RankAir Force & AFJROTC Rank

TOOTLIFESTTOOTLIFEST

Demonstrate recognition of rank and paygrade Demonstrate recognition of rank and paygrade of ALL Enlisted and Officer Rank Active Duty of ALL Enlisted and Officer Rank Active Duty and Cadetand Cadet– Given a picture of ranks students will demonstrate knowledge Given a picture of ranks students will demonstrate knowledge

by successfully identifying them and their paygrade.by successfully identifying them and their paygrade.– Rank knowledge is required to be considered for promotion.Rank knowledge is required to be considered for promotion.

11stst Year Cadets are required to miss no more than 25 questions on Year Cadets are required to miss no more than 25 questions on PFEPFE

Returning Cadets are required to miss no more than 15 questions on Returning Cadets are required to miss no more than 15 questions on PFEPFE

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AF Grade InsigniaAF Grade Insignia

The Air Force grade insignia system is broken down into twoThe Air Force grade insignia system is broken down into two““general” categories: general” categories:

Officer grades Officer grades – O-1 through O-10 are the pay grades. O-1 through O-10 are the pay grades. – Remember “O” is for OfficerRemember “O” is for Officer

Enlisted gradesEnlisted grades– E-1 through E-9 are the pay grades.E-1 through E-9 are the pay grades.– Remember “E” is for EnlistedRemember “E” is for Enlisted

An An insigniainsignia is a badge or mark of office or honor. Insignia identify is a badge or mark of office or honor. Insignia identify The rank of each member of the Armed Forces. There is different The rank of each member of the Armed Forces. There is different but distinctive insignia for each AF rank, enlisted and officer. but distinctive insignia for each AF rank, enlisted and officer.

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AF Airmen (E-1 to E-4)AF Airmen (E-1 to E-4) Airman Basic (AB).Airman Basic (AB). The AB is an apprentice. Airmen Basics The AB is an apprentice. Airmen Basics

have no rank insignia. The official term of address is “airman have no rank insignia. The official term of address is “airman basic” or “airman.” (Unofficially called: ‘Slick sleeves’)basic” or “airman.” (Unofficially called: ‘Slick sleeves’)

Airmen (Amn)Airmen (Amn) wear a chevron of one stripe with a silver star wear a chevron of one stripe with a silver star in the center. Pay grade is E-2. An Amn is an apprentice in the center. Pay grade is E-2. An Amn is an apprentice (learning their job). The official term of address is “airman.”(learning their job). The official term of address is “airman.”

Airman First Class (A1C)Airman First Class (A1C) wear a chevron of two stripes with wear a chevron of two stripes with a silver star in the center. Pay grade is E-3. An A1C complies a silver star in the center. Pay grade is E-3. An A1C complies with Air Force standards and is a role model for subordinates. with Air Force standards and is a role model for subordinates. The official term of address is “airman first class” or “airman.”The official term of address is “airman first class” or “airman.”

Senior Airmen (SrA)Senior Airmen (SrA) wear a chevron of three stripes with a wear a chevron of three stripes with a silver star in the center. Pay grade is E-4. Personnel serving silver star in the center. Pay grade is E-4. Personnel serving as SrA are in a transition period from journeyman/worker to as SrA are in a transition period from journeyman/worker to NCO. The official term of address is “senior airman” or NCO. The official term of address is “senior airman” or “airman.” “airman.”

No Insignia

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AF Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) (E-5 to E-6)AF Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) (E-5 to E-6)

Staff Sergeants (SSgt)Staff Sergeants (SSgt) wear a chevron of wear a chevron of four stripes with a silver star in the center. Pay four stripes with a silver star in the center. Pay grade is E-5. SSgts are primarily craftsmen grade is E-5. SSgts are primarily craftsmen with certain NCO supervisory responsibilities. with certain NCO supervisory responsibilities. The official term of address is “staff sergeant” The official term of address is “staff sergeant” or “sergeant.” or “sergeant.”

Technical Sergeants (TSgt)Technical Sergeants (TSgt) wear a chevron wear a chevron of five stripes with a silver star in the center. of five stripes with a silver star in the center. Pay grade is E-6. TSgts hold a 7-skill level (or Pay grade is E-6. TSgts hold a 7-skill level (or technician) and are qualified to perform highly technician) and are qualified to perform highly complex technical duties and they also complex technical duties and they also provide supervision. The official term of provide supervision. The official term of address is “technical sergeant” or “sergeant.” address is “technical sergeant” or “sergeant.”

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AF Senior NCOs – “Top 3” (E-7 to E-9)AF Senior NCOs – “Top 3” (E-7 to E-9) Master Sergeants (MSgt)Master Sergeants (MSgt) wear a chevron of six stripes with a wear a chevron of six stripes with a

silver star in the center. One of the six stripes is in an inverted V silver star in the center. One of the six stripes is in an inverted V position above the star. Pay grade is E-7. MSgts function position above the star. Pay grade is E-7. MSgts function primarily in craftsman and supervisory positions as they prepare primarily in craftsman and supervisory positions as they prepare for more advanced leadership and management positions. The for more advanced leadership and management positions. The official term of address is “master sergeant” or “sergeant.” official term of address is “master sergeant” or “sergeant.”

Senior Master Sergeants (SMSgt)Senior Master Sergeants (SMSgt) wear a chevron of seven wear a chevron of seven stripes with a silver star in the center. Two of the seven stripes stripes with a silver star in the center. Two of the seven stripes are in an inverted position above the star. Pay grade is E-8. are in an inverted position above the star. Pay grade is E-8. SMSgts perform as superintendents or managers. The official SMSgts perform as superintendents or managers. The official term of address is “senior master sergeant” or “sergeant.” term of address is “senior master sergeant” or “sergeant.”

Chief Master Sergeants (CMSgt)Chief Master Sergeants (CMSgt) wear a chevron of eight wear a chevron of eight stripes with a silver star in the center. Three of the eight stripes stripes with a silver star in the center. Three of the eight stripes are in an inverted position above the star. Pay grade is E-9. The are in an inverted position above the star. Pay grade is E-9. The rank of CMSgt is the highest Air Force enlisted rank, with the rank of CMSgt is the highest Air Force enlisted rank, with the exception of the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force exception of the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force (CMSAF). CMSgts are superintendents and managers who (CMSAF). CMSgts are superintendents and managers who provide senior enlisted leadership. The official term of address is provide senior enlisted leadership. The official term of address is “chief master sergeant” or “chief.” “chief master sergeant” or “chief.”

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First SergeantFirst Sergeant In the In the United States Air Force, First , First

Sergeant is not a rank, but a special Sergeant is not a rank, but a special duty held by a senior enlisted member duty held by a senior enlisted member of a military unit who reports directly to of a military unit who reports directly to the the unit commander. This billet is held . This billet is held by individuals of ranks by individuals of ranks Master Sergeant, , Senior Master Sergeant and and Chief Master Sergeant, and is denoted , and is denoted on the rank insignia by a French on the rank insignia by a French lozenge. The first sergeant is . The first sergeant is responsible for the morale, welfare, and responsible for the morale, welfare, and conduct of all the enlisted members in a conduct of all the enlisted members in a squadron and is the chief adviser to the and is the chief adviser to the squadron commander concerning the squadron commander concerning the enlisted force. enlisted force.

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Command Chief Master SergeantCommand Chief Master Sergeant

The position of The position of Command Chief Command Chief Master SergeantMaster Sergeant was created in was created in November 1998. Formerly titled November 1998. Formerly titled Senior Enlisted AdvisorSenior Enlisted Advisor, , Command Chief Master Command Chief Master Sergeants serve as senior Sergeants serve as senior advisors to commanders at advisors to commanders at Wing, Numbered Air Force Wing, Numbered Air Force (NAF), Field Operating Agency (NAF), Field Operating Agency (FOA), and Major Command (FOA), and Major Command (MAJCOM) levels. (MAJCOM) levels.

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Chief Master Sergeant of the AFChief Master Sergeant of the AF

Chief Master Sergeant of the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James A. RoyAir Force James A. Roy

– Holds highest position of Holds highest position of

any AF enlisted personnelany AF enlisted personnel

– Acts as personal advisor to Acts as personal advisor to Air Force Chief of Staff and Air Force Chief of Staff and Secretary of the Air ForceSecretary of the Air Force

– Provides information about Provides information about welfare, effectiveness, and welfare, effectiveness, and progress of enlisted forceprogress of enlisted force

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AF & AFJROTC Enlisted Ranks AF & AFJROTC Enlisted Ranks “The Differences”“The Differences”

For enlisted grades, there are For enlisted grades, there are only slight differences between only slight differences between active duty insignia and Junior active duty insignia and Junior ROTC insignia.ROTC insignia.– AF: Star inside a circleAF: Star inside a circle– ROTC: torch of knowledge ROTC: torch of knowledge

inside a shield and inside a shield and shape of the shape of the

stripesstripes Key Point!Key Point! The number of The number of

stripes are the same for all of the stripes are the same for all of the enlisted ranks.enlisted ranks.

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Historical Footnote #1Historical Footnote #1

The current Air Force officer The current Air Force officer rank names and insignia were rank names and insignia were borrowed from the borrowed from the Army upon upon the establishment of the Air the establishment of the Air Force as a separate service Force as a separate service in 1947. This explains why in 1947. This explains why the Air Force has the Air Force has brigadier generals but no but no brigades. The insignia have . The insignia have been essentially unchanged been essentially unchanged since then, except for a brief since then, except for a brief period during the 1990s.period during the 1990s.

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Company Grade Officers (O-1 to O-3)Company Grade Officers (O-1 to O-3)

Second Lieutenant (2nd Lt).Second Lieutenant (2nd Lt). Rank insignia is one gold bar. Rank insignia is one gold bar. Pay grade is O-1 The "O" stands for officer. You address Pay grade is O-1 The "O" stands for officer. You address them as "Second Lieutenant" or "Lieutenant." (or ‘Butter them as "Second Lieutenant" or "Lieutenant." (or ‘Butter bars’)bars’)

First Lieutenant (1st Lt).First Lieutenant (1st Lt). Rank insignia is one silver bar. Pay Rank insignia is one silver bar. Pay grade is O-2. You address them as "First Lieutenant" or grade is O-2. You address them as "First Lieutenant" or "Lieutenant." "Lieutenant."

Captain (Capt).Captain (Capt). Rank insignia is two silver bars connected. Rank insignia is two silver bars connected. Pay grade is O-3. You address them as "Captain." Pay grade is O-3. You address them as "Captain."

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Historical Footnote #2Historical Footnote #2

"Lieutenant" comes from the "Lieutenant" comes from the French "lieu" meaning "place" French "lieu" meaning "place" and "tenant" meaning "holding." and "tenant" meaning "holding." Literally, lieutenants are place Literally, lieutenants are place holders. A Lieutenant "holds the holders. A Lieutenant "holds the place" (Latin: “place" (Latin: “locum tenens”locum tenens”) for, ) for, represents, the superior officer represents, the superior officer (normally the Captain). (normally the Captain).

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Field Grade Officers (O-4 to O-6)Field Grade Officers (O-4 to O-6)

Major (Maj).Major (Maj). Rank insignia is a gold oak leaf. Pay Rank insignia is a gold oak leaf. Pay grade is O-4. You address them as "Major."grade is O-4. You address them as "Major."

Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col).Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col). Rank insignia is a silver Rank insignia is a silver oak leaf. Pay grade is O-5. You address them as oak leaf. Pay grade is O-5. You address them as "Lieutenant Colonel" or "Colonel." "Lieutenant Colonel" or "Colonel."

Colonel (Col).Colonel (Col). Rank insignia is a silver eagle. Rank insignia is a silver eagle.

Paygrade is O-6. You address them as "Colonel."Paygrade is O-6. You address them as "Colonel."

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Historical Footnote #3, Part 1Historical Footnote #3, Part 1

Our present system of officers’ Our present system of officers’ grade insignia began on 18 June grade insignia began on 18 June 1780 when it was prescribed that 1780 when it was prescribed that Major Generals would wear two Major Generals would wear two stars and Brigadier Generals one stars and Brigadier Generals one star on each epaulette. In 1832, star on each epaulette. In 1832, the Colonel’s eagle was initiated the Colonel’s eagle was initiated and in 1836, leaves were adopted and in 1836, leaves were adopted for Lieutenant Colonels and for Lieutenant Colonels and Majors, while Captains received Majors, while Captains received two bars and one bar was two bars and one bar was prescribed for First Lieutenant. prescribed for First Lieutenant. Second Lieutenants did not Second Lieutenants did not receive the gold bar until receive the gold bar until December 1917.December 1917.

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Historical Footnote #3, Part 2Historical Footnote #3, Part 2 Gold is worth more than silver, but Gold is worth more than silver, but

silver outranks gold. This is silver outranks gold. This is because the Army decreed in 1832 because the Army decreed in 1832 that infantry colonels would wear that infantry colonels would wear gold eagles on an epaulette of gold eagles on an epaulette of silver and all other colonels would silver and all other colonels would wear silver eagles on gold. When wear silver eagles on gold. When majors and lieutenant colonels majors and lieutenant colonels received the leaves, this tradition received the leaves, this tradition could not continue. So silver leaves could not continue. So silver leaves represented lieutenant colonels represented lieutenant colonels and gold, majors. The case of and gold, majors. The case of lieutenants is different: First lieutenants is different: First lieutenants had been wearing silver lieutenants had been wearing silver bars for 80 years before second bars for 80 years before second lieutenants had any bars at all.lieutenants had any bars at all.

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Historical Footnote #3, Part 3Historical Footnote #3, Part 3

Other than the dates of Other than the dates of authorization, nothing has been authorization, nothing has been located as to why the leaf and bar located as to why the leaf and bar was selected for officer’s insignia. was selected for officer’s insignia. Military routinely incorporate the Military routinely incorporate the design representing their country design representing their country in their insignia and the eagle with in their insignia and the eagle with shield, arrows and olive leaves shield, arrows and olive leaves was taken from the Coat of Arms was taken from the Coat of Arms of the United States.of the United States.

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General Officer (0-7 to O-10)General Officer (0-7 to O-10)

Brigadier General (Brig Gen).Brigadier General (Brig Gen). Rank insignia Rank insignia is one silver star. Pay grade is O-7. Terms of is one silver star. Pay grade is O-7. Terms of address are "Brigadier General" or "General." address are "Brigadier General" or "General."

Major General (Maj Gen).Major General (Maj Gen). Rank insignia is Rank insignia is two silver stars in line. Pay grade is O-8. two silver stars in line. Pay grade is O-8. Terms of address are "Major General" or Terms of address are "Major General" or "General." "General."

Lieutenant General (Lt Gen).Lieutenant General (Lt Gen). Rank insignia Rank insignia is three silver stars in line. Pay grade is O-9. is three silver stars in line. Pay grade is O-9. Terms of address are "Lieutenant General" or Terms of address are "Lieutenant General" or "General." "General."

General (Gen).General (Gen). Rank insignia is four silver Rank insignia is four silver stars in line. The pay grade is O-10. Term of stars in line. The pay grade is O-10. Term of address is "General." address is "General."

1919

Historical Footnote #4Historical Footnote #4

While majors outrank lieutenants: While majors outrank lieutenants: lieutenant generals outrank major lieutenant generals outrank major generals. This comes from British generals. This comes from British tradition: Generals were appointed tradition: Generals were appointed for campaigns and often called for campaigns and often called "captain generals." Their "captain generals." Their assistants were, naturally, assistants were, naturally, "lieutenant generals." At the same "lieutenant generals." At the same time, the chief administrative time, the chief administrative officer was the "sergeant major officer was the "sergeant major general." Somewhere along the general." Somewhere along the way, "sergeant" was dropped from way, "sergeant" was dropped from the title.the title.

2020

General of the Air ForceGeneral of the Air Force In the United States Air Force, In the United States Air Force, General of General of

the Air Forcethe Air Force is the highest rank, is the highest rank, equivalent to a five star General. The rank equivalent to a five star General. The rank has only been held by one person in has only been held by one person in history: history: Henry H. ArnoldHenry H. Arnold..

The insignia for General of the Air Force The insignia for General of the Air Force has never been worn by an officer of the has never been worn by an officer of the modern Air Force on active duty. Arnold modern Air Force on active duty. Arnold was a General of the Army and retired was a General of the Army and retired before the Air Force was made a separate before the Air Force was made a separate service, but on May 7, 1949 he was service, but on May 7, 1949 he was awarded the rank of awarded the rank of General of the Air General of the Air ForceForce after his retirement, and was after his retirement, and was photographed in an Air Force uniform photographed in an Air Force uniform wearing the insignia of that rank.wearing the insignia of that rank.

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AF & AFJROTC Officer Ranks AF & AFJROTC Officer Ranks DifferencesDifferences

For officer grades, active duty For officer grades, active duty grade insignia are very different grade insignia are very different from cadet grade insigniafrom cadet grade insignia

– AF: bars, oak leafs, eagle AF: bars, oak leafs, eagle and starsand stars

– ROTC: look like houses with ROTC: look like houses with stripes inside of them; the stripes inside of them; the stripes can be thin or thickstripes can be thin or thick

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AFJROTC Officer RankAFJROTC Officer Rank

Cadet 2Cadet 2ndnd Lieutenant – one thin Lieutenant – one thin stripestripe

Cadet 1Cadet 1stst Lieutenant – two thin Lieutenant – two thin stripesstripes

Cadet Captain – three thin stripesCadet Captain – three thin stripes

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AFJROTC Officer RankAFJROTC Officer Rank

Cadet Major – one thick stripeCadet Major – one thick stripe

Cadet Lieutenant Colonel – one thin Cadet Lieutenant Colonel – one thin stripe and one thick stripestripe and one thick stripe

Cadet Colonel – two thin stripes and Cadet Colonel – two thin stripes and one thick stripeone thick stripe

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Visual Cues for Identifying RankVisual Cues for Identifying Rank

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Ways to Identify an OfficerWays to Identify an Officer