United States Army enlisted rank insignia

The chart below represents the current enlisted rank insignia of the United States Army.

This chart represents the United States Army enlisted rank insignia with seniority increasing left-to-right inside a given pay grade. All enlisted ranks of corporal and higher are considered non-commissioned officers (NCOs).

The rank of specialist is a soldier of pay grade E-4 who has not yet attained non-commissioned officer status. It is common that a soldier may never be a corporal and will move directly from specialist to sergeant, attaining NCO status at that time.

From the creation of the United States Army to 1820, enlisted rank was distinguished by worsted epaulettes. An infantry corporal wore one epaulette on his left shoulder, a sergeant wore one on his right, while Quartermaster sergeants and sergeants major wore two epaulettes.

The original Revolutionary War enlisted or NCO uniform jacket was dark blue with state-specific facing colors. This was worn with a white waistcoat and breeches and black shoes. Officers wore fawn-colored breeches and a crimson waist-sash under their swordbelt. All ranks wore a black tricorne hat with a black cockade, later a white cockade was inset to represent the American alliance with Bourbon France. From 1782 Regulars used red facings. Foot regiments (Infantry, Artillery, and the Support Arms) and General officers wore gold-metal buttons and lace. Horse regiments (Cavalry, Light Dragoons, and Horse Artillery) and Staff officers wore white-metal buttons and lace.

From 1810 the uniform changed to follow European trends. The tight-fitting and short-skirted double-breasted coatee replaced the single-breasted coat and the waistcoat was discontinued. Militia wore gray coatees (still worn as a ceremonial uniform at West Point today) and Regulars wore National Blue (dark-blue) coatees (except for musicians, who wore reversed red coatees with blue facings). For enlisted and NCO ranks the coatee was worn with a black stovepipe shako, white or gray trousers with matching button-up spats, and black short boots. Officers wore bicorne hats, fawn-colored trousers, and either black high boots (for Foot Troops and Subaltern Officers) or riding boots (for Horse Troops and Field Officers). Facings and buttonhole trim were discontinued in 1813.

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