Military Rank to Education Crosswalk
C A T E G O R Y GRADES
R A N K S Junior Enlisted
E-1 to E-4
Airman
Airman Basic
Airman First Class
Corporal
Lance Corporal
Petty Officer (3rd Class)
Private First Class
Noncommissioned Officer (NCO)
E-5 to E-6
Petty Officer (2nd Class)
Petty Officer (1st Class)
Sergeant
Staff Sergeant
Technical Sergeant
Senior Noncommissioned Officer (SNCO)
E-7 to E-9
Chief Petty Officer
Chief Master Sergeant
First Sergeant
Gunnery Sergeant
Senior Chief Petty Officer
Senior Master Sergeant
Sergeant First Class
Sergeant Major
Master Chief Petty Officer
Master Gunnery Sergeant
Master Sergeant
E-9
Chief Master Sergeant
of the Air Force
Master Chief Petty Officer
of the Navy
Sergeant Major of the Army
Sergeant Major of the
Marine Corps
Junior Enlisted progress from entry-level positions
to become technicians in their field. They have a high
school diploma, are individual contributors and will
get the opportunity to lead or supervise a small team.
They receive technical training and introductory
leadership training.
NCOs are strong technicians who have advanced
technical training as well as leadership training. They
will manage or supervise small teams and direct dayto-day work activity. Generally, NCOs will be in the
process of earning college degrees.
These are experienced people managers and technical
experts, most of whom have college degrees and are
mentors to junior officers. They manage leaders who
manage teams. They set work priorities for teams to
achieve mission success.
Specialized E-9 Ranks
These are the strategic leaders of the enlisted force,
whose focus is on enterprise-level activities. Most are
leaders focused on employee needs, resources, and
welfare, and all will have college degrees.
Warrant Officer
W-1 to W-5
Chief Warrant Officer
Warrant Officer
Company Grade Officer
O-1 to O-3
Captain
Lieutenant
First Lieutenant
Warrant Officers are seasoned performers, technical
leaders, and experienced supervisors and trainers.
Although Warrant Officers are not required to have
a degree, most will have degrees and nearly all have
completed some college classes.
(1-10 Years of Experience)
Company Grade Officers start in entry-level college
graduate positions and grow to manage people and
programs. It is common for them to oversee 50-150
people, and they may manage million-dollar programs and assets. They train their support staff in
leadership and operations.
Military Rank to Education Crosswalk
Seaman
Seaman Apprentice
Seaman Recruit
Senior Airman
Specialist
Private
Lieutenant Junior
Grade (JG)
Second Lieutenant
Ensign
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Military Rank to Education Crosswalk continued
C A T E G O R Y GRADES
R A N K S Field Grade Officer
O-4 to O-6
Captain
Colonel
Commander
Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant Commander
Major
Flag Officer
O-7 to O-10
Admiral
General
Vice Admiral
Lieutenant General
Rear Admiral
Major General
Rear Admiral (Lower Half)
Brigadier General
(12-30 Years of Experience)
These are seasoned managers and strategic leaders.
They manage large organizations with thousands
of people and millions or even billions of dollars in
assets and facilities. They have experience formulating and executing policy. Most will have advanced degrees, and all will have extensive leadership training.
(18-35 Years of Experience)
Flag or General Officers are strategic executive leaders.
They have executive management training and advanced degrees and lead complex, large organizations
(thousands of people, billions of dollars in facilities
and equipment) in multiple geographic locations. They
determine strategy and set policy for their enterprise.
Military Rank to Education Crosswalk
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