United States Army enlisted rank insignia

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The chart below shows the current enlisted rank insignia of the United States Army, with seniority, and pay grade, increasing from right to left. The enlisted ranks of corporal (E-4) and higher are considered non-commissioned officers (NCOs). The rank of specialist is also in pay grade E-4, but does not hold non-commissioned officer status; it is common that a soldier may never hold the rank of corporal, and instead be promoted from specialist to sergeant, attaining junior NCO status at that time.

US DoD pay grade	Special		E-9		E-8		E-7	E-6	E-5	E-4		E-3	E-2	E-1
NATO code	OR-9				OR-8		OR-7	OR-6	OR-5	OR-4		OR-3	OR-2	OR-1
Uniform insignia														No insignia
Title	Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman	Sergeant Major of the Army	Command sergeant major	Sergeant major	First sergeant	Master sergeant	Sergeant first class	Staff sergeant	Sergeant	Corporal	Specialist	Private first class	Private	Private
Abbreviation	SEAC	SMA	CSM	SGM	1SG[a]	MSG	SFC	SSG	SGT	CPL	SPC[b]	PFC	PV2[c]	PV1

In the beginning, U.S. Army enlisted rank was indicated by colored epaulets. The use of chevrons came into being in 1821, with the orientation changing over time from point-down to point-up and back again, to the point-down orientation seen in the American Civil War. Around the turn of the 20th century, point-up wear of chevrons returned and has remained so.