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Quizzes > History

Army Ranks Quiz: Military rank test from Private to General

Quick, free military rank quiz. Instant results and score tracking.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Alan YoungUpdated Aug 25, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration of military rank insignia on coral background quiz to identify ranks from private to general

This military rank test helps you identify Army ranks by insignia and place them in the right order, with instant feedback to see where you stand. For extra practice, try our army insignia quiz, explore the JROTC ranks quiz, or switch branches with the Air Force rank quiz.

What is the lowest enlisted rank in the U.S. Army?
Private (E-2)
Private (E-1)
Private First Class
Specialist
The U.S. Army's lowest enlisted pay grade is E-1, and soldiers at that level hold the rank of Private. They wear no rank insignia on their uniform. As they advance, they earn chevrons indicating higher enlisted ranks.
Which rank is immediately above Staff Sergeant (E-6)?
Master Sergeant (E-8)
Sergeant Major (E-9)
Sergeant First Class (E-7)
First Sergeant (E-8)
The rank above Staff Sergeant (E-6) is Sergeant First Class, the first of the senior noncommissioned officer grades at E-7. It reflects increased leadership responsibilities at the platoon level. Subsequent ranks require more experience and leadership expertise.
What rank corresponds to pay grade O-10 in the U.S. Army?
General
Major General
Brigadier General
Lieutenant General
In the U.S. Army, O-10 is the pay grade for a full four-star General. Officers at this level typically serve in the Army's highest leadership positions. Lower general officer ranks correspond to O-7 through O-9.
What insignia indicates the rank of Corporal in the U.S. Army?
Two chevrons
Three chevrons
Three chevrons with a rocker
One chevron
A Corporal in the U.S. Army wears two chevrons pointing upward. This rank, E-4, is the first level of noncommissioned officer status and requires leadership responsibilities. Private First Class and Specialist also use different insignia.
Which rank is represented by three chevrons above two rockers?
Sergeant First Class
First Sergeant
Staff Sergeant
Master Sergeant
First Sergeants wear three chevrons above two rockers with a diamond in the center, denoting E-8. They serve as the senior noncommissioned officer in a company-sized unit. Sergeant First Class and Master Sergeant have different insignia configurations.
What pay grade is associated with the rank of Sergeant (SGT)?
E-6
E-7
E-5
E-4
Sergeant (SGT) holds the pay grade E-5 in the U.S. Army, ranking above Corporal (E-4) and below Staff Sergeant (E-6). Sergeants typically lead a squad or section of soldiers. Pay grades increase with responsibility and experience.
Which of these is the junior commissioned officer rank?
First Lieutenant
Major
Second Lieutenant
Captain
Second Lieutenant (O-1) is the entry-level commissioned officer rank in the U.S. Army. They often serve as platoon leaders under the mentorship of more senior officers. First Lieutenant and higher ranks follow with greater command duties.
What is the rank title for an E-4 who does not hold a leadership position?
Private First Class
Specialist
Technician
Corporal
An E-4 without formal leadership duties is titled "Specialist." Corporals (also E-4) serve as junior noncommissioned officers. The Specialist rank focuses on technical expertise rather than command.
Which rank uses a silver eagle as its central insignia?
Major
Colonel
Lieutenant Colonel
Brigadier General
Colonels (O-6) wear a silver eagle as their rank insignia. Lieutenant Colonels use a silver oak leaf, and Majors use a gold oak leaf. Brigadier Generals display one silver star.
What rank comes directly after Warrant Officer 1 (WO1)?
Warrant Officer 2 (WO2)
Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CW2)
Chief Warrant Officer 3 (CW3)
Warrant Officer 3 (WO3)
After Warrant Officer 1 (WO1), the next rank is Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CW2) in the U.S. Army's warrant officer progression. WO2 was replaced by CW2 in 1918, and each CW rank denotes increasing specialization.
What is the highest enlisted rank in the U.S. Army?
Sergeant Major of the Army
Master Sergeant
Sergeant Major
Command Sergeant Major
The Sergeant Major of the Army is the senior enlisted advisor to the Army Chief of Staff and holds a unique position above all other enlisted ranks at E-9. Command Sergeant Majors also hold E-9 but serve at unit levels.
Which pay grade corresponds to a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army?
O-3
O-1
O-4
O-2
First Lieutenants hold the pay grade O-2 in the U.S. Army, one step above Second Lieutenants (O-1) and below Captains (O-3). This rank typically indicates about two years of commissioned service.
Which rank carries the pay grade O-3?
Captain
Major
First Lieutenant
Lieutenant Colonel
Captains in the U.S. Army are O-3 and typically command companies or serve as staff officers. First Lieutenants are O-2, and Majors are O-4. Promotion to Captain generally occurs after four years of service.
Which noncommissioned officer rank is just below Sergeant Major of the Army?
Command Sergeant Major
Sergeant Major
Master Sergeant
First Sergeant
Command Sergeant Majors (CSM) are senior enlisted leaders at brigade level and hold E-9, directly below the unique position of Sergeant Major of the Army. They advise commanders on enlisted matters.
Which of these is not a commissioned officer rank?
Colonel
Warrant Officer 1
First Lieutenant
General
Warrant Officers are specialists who fall between enlisted ranks and commissioned officers; they are appointed by warrant. First Lieutenant, Colonel, and General are all commissioned officer ranks.
In NATO rank codes, which code corresponds to a U.S. Army Captain?
OF-3
OF-4
OF-1
OF-2
Under NATO rank standardization, a U.S. Army Captain is classified as OF-2. Second Lieutenant and First Lieutenant fall under OF-1, while Major is OF-3. This system ensures interoperability among allied forces.
Which rank is typically considered senior between Master Sergeant and First Sergeant?
Sergeant Major
Master Sergeant
They are equal in pay grade
First Sergeant
Master Sergeant and First Sergeant both hold the E-8 pay grade, but First Sergeants have a positional leadership role at the company level, making them senior in that context. Master Sergeants serve in staff roles without the diamond device.
Which insignia represents a Chief Warrant Officer 5 in the U.S. Army?
Single silver bar with a black square
Single gold bar with one black stripe
Single silver bar with two black squares
Single silver bar with one black stripe
Chief Warrant Officer 5 (CW5) wears a single silver bar with a black square in the center. CW2 through CW4 have gold bars with varying numbers of black stripes. This bar denotes the highest warrant officer grade.
What pay grade is assigned to the five-star rank of General of the Army?
O-12
Special grade
O-10
O-11
General of the Army, the five-star rank created during World War II, is designated pay grade O-11. Four-star Generals are O-10. O-11 is reserved for wartime only and has been held by very few individuals.
Which obsolete rank was once used in the U.S. Army but abolished in 1948?
Technician Fourth Grade
Specialist Fourth Class
Corporal First Class
Junior Sergeant
Technician Fourth Grade (T/4) was an E-4 rank used during World War II that distinguished technical specialists. It was abolished in 1948 and merged into the Specialist and Corporal ranks.
Which insignia features a single gold bar?
Captain
Second Lieutenant
Warrant Officer 1
First Lieutenant
Second Lieutenants wear a single gold bar as their insignia and hold the pay grade O-1. First Lieutenants use a single silver bar, and Captains wear two silver bars. Warrant Officer 1 uses a different warrant insignia.
Which rank is the highest possible during wartime, denoted by five stars?
Supreme Allied Commander
General of the Army
Field Marshal
General of the Armies
General of the Army is the five-star rank used by U.S. Army officers in World War II. General of the Armies is a distinct title held only by John J. Pershing and posthumously by George Washington. Field Marshal is not a U.S. rank.
What additional device appears on a First Sergeant's insignia that a Master Sergeant's does not have?
A star
A disc
A diamond
A wreath
A First Sergeant's insignia includes a diamond (lozenge) centered between three chevrons and three rockers. Master Sergeants have the same chevrons and rockers but no diamond. The device distinguishes the company-level senior NCO.
Which unique rank title exists above General of the Army and has been held only by John J. Pershing and posthumously by George Washington?
Supreme General
General Supreme
Field Marshal of the United States
General of the Armies
General of the Armies is the highest rank in U.S. Army history, senior to five-star General of the Army. It was awarded to John J. Pershing in 1919 and posthumously to George Washington in 1976. No other officer has held this rank.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Army Rank Titles -

    Complete the military rank quiz to accurately name and sequence army ranks from private through general.

  2. Differentiate Enlisted and Officer Levels -

    Distinguish between enlisted personnel and commissioned officer ranks, understanding their distinct duties and status.

  3. Recognize Rank Insignia -

    Match visual insignia to the correct titles, reinforcing your ability to spot rank symbols quickly during the army rank test.

  4. Apply Hierarchical Knowledge -

    Use your understanding of rank structures to interpret chain-of-command scenarios in real-world and historical contexts.

  5. Assess Personal Expertise -

    Receive instant feedback on your performance in the military rank test, helping you gauge proficiency and pinpoint areas for improvement.

  6. Reinforce Historical Context -

    Learn how rank evolution reflects changes in military organization, adding depth to your knowledge beyond the free army rank quiz.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Enlisted vs. Officer Hierarchy -

    Understanding the split between enlisted (E-1 to E-9) and commissioned officers (O-1 to O-10) is key for any military rank quiz; enlisted personnel focus on technical skills while officers lead units. Official U.S. Army Regulation AR 600-20 outlines duties and responsibilities within each pay grade. For example, a Sergeant Major (E-9) advises commanders, whereas a Captain (O-3) commands a company of 100 - 200 soldiers.

  2. Insignia Recognition Techniques -

    Insignia shapes and colors distinguish ranks at a glance: chevrons for junior enlisted, rockers and stars for senior NCOs and generals, and bars or oak leaves for officers. The U.S. Army's Institute of Heraldry provides detailed images and descriptions for each rank insignia. A quick mnemonic: "Chevrons Cheer, Rockers Rule, Leaves Lead, Stars Shine" helps cement visual cues.

  3. Pay Grade Mapping -

    Connecting each rank to its pay grade (e.g., Private = E-1, Second Lieutenant = O-1) simplifies study for army rank tests and military rank tests. The Department of Defense publishes an annual pay chart showing exact grades and corresponding salaries. Remember "E before O" when you see an enlisted (E) rank listed prior to any officer (O) rank.

  4. Warrant vs. Commissioned Officers -

    Warrant officers (W-1 to W-5) bridge enlisted expertise and commissioned leadership, specializing in technical fields such as aviation or intelligence. The official U.S. Army Warrant Officer Career Guide details their unique path and responsibilities. Think of warrant officers as "subject-matter guardians" who rank above NCOs but below traditional officers.

  5. NATO Rank Codes and History -

    Familiarizing yourself with NATO's STANAG 2116 codes (e.g., OR-1 to OR-9 for other ranks, OF-1 to OF-10 for officers) helps when comparing allied forces during a military rank quiz. NATO documents and the Library of Congress archives offer historical context on how ranks evolved across nations. A simple trick: "OR" stands for "Other Ranks" and "OF" for "Officer Forces."

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