U.S. Marine Corps Enlisted and Officer Ranks

US Marine Corps Enlisted Insignias by Rank

Insignia: Private First Class Rank Insignia Lance Corporal Rank Insignia Corporal Rank Insignia Sergeant Rank Insignia Staff Sergeant Rank Insignia Gunnery Sergeant Rank Insignia Master Sergeant Rank Insignia First Sergeant Rank Insignia Master Gunnery Sergeant Rank Insignia Sergeant Major Rank Insignia Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Rank Insignia
Title: Private First Class Lance Corporal Corporal Sergeant Staff Sergeant Gunnery Sergeant Master Sergeant First Sergeant Master Gunnery Sergeant Sergeant Major Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps

US Marine Corps Officer Insignias by Rank

Insignia: Second lieutenant Rank Insignia First lieutenant Rank Insignia Captain Rank Insignia Major Rank Insignia Lieutenant colonel Rank Insignia Colonel Rank Insignia Brigadier general Rank Insignia Major general Rank Insignia Lieutenant general Rank Insignia General Rank Insignia
Title: Second lieutenant First lieutenant Captain Major Lieutenant colonel Colonel Brigadier general Major general Lieutenant general General
Marine Corps Ranks

The USMC Warrant Officers (O-1 to O-5) are highly skilled and technical individuals. To apply for an O-1, they must first serve 8 years enlisted in the Marine Corps and have reached the rank of Sergeant. A college degree is not required, but since these positions are based on the most qualified, exceeding the basic requirements is encouraged. Acting as problem solvers, a Warrant Officer leads Enlisted Soldiers in all situations.

Their are 3 different ways an individual can become a Commissioned Marine Corp Officer. Earning a 4 year college degree, attending one of the several Military Academies, or transitioning from an Enlisted military member to an Officer are each qualified paths to becoming an Officer. The USMC Officer division is broken into two sections: Officer and General. The Officer section includes Second Lieutenant (O-1), First Lieutenant (O-2), Captain (O-3), Major, (O-4) Lieutenant Colonel (O-5), and Colonel (O-6). Reaching Captain to Major rank requires a three in grade and 9 to 11 years in service. If working in mission support, a Major's role is usually squadron commanders. For General ranks, they are as follows: Brigadier General (O-7) Major General (O-8), Lieutenant General (O-9), and General (O-10). It is extremely difficult to reach O-7 to O-10 status as these positions are limited and must be nominated by the U.S. Senate.

Ranks E-1 through E-9 make up the Marine Corps Enlisted members. Monthly salaries are dependent on the servicemember's service time and grade. E-3 or Lance Corporal with less than 2 years of service has a monthly salary of $1876.00, while the same ranked individual with more than 3 years service receives a monthly salary of $2,115.00. To graduate to a higher rank that comes with added responsibilities, a marine's time in service, time in grade, and personal conduct are considered.

"Often referred to as the backbone of the Corps, enlisted Marines with pay grades of E-4 and E-5 are non-commissioned officers (NCOs). Staff NCOs are career Marines serving in grades E-6 through E-9. Together they are responsible to the commanding officer for the welfare, morale, discipline, and efficiency of Marines in their charge. The ranks of E-8 and E-9 each have two ranks per pay grade, with distinct responsibilities. Gunnery sergeants (E-7) indicate their preferred promotional track on their annual evaluations. First sergeants (E-8) and sergeants major (E-9) serve as senior enlisted advisors assisting the commanding officer in matters of discipline, administration, and the morale and welfare of the unit. First sergeants serve as the senior enlisted Marine in a company, battery, or other unit at similar echelon, while sergeants major serve the same role in battalions, squadrons, or larger units. Master sergeants (E-8) and master gunnery sergeants (E-9) provide technical leadership as occupational specialists in their specific MOS."

Marines.mil - http://www.marines.mil/Marines/Ranks.aspx