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U.S. Army Rank Insignia Identification Guide

This is an identification guide for the Officer and Enlisted rank insignia and shoulder patches used by the U.S. Army from 1902 to date. To the best of our knowledge, all the examples shown are original manufacture. If anyone has questions or suggestions, please contact Vern@GermanDaggers.com.

© 2000, 2015, 2018 by GermanDaggers.com

1902-1926.


Officers Rank Insignia. Metal pinback or embroidered insignia became standart for all uniforms except the Blue Mess Uniform.





2nd Lieutenant



1st Lieutenant



Captain



Major



Lieutenant Colonel



Colonel



Brigadier General



Major General



Lieutenant General



General of the Army - authorized in 1918


Officers Insignia. Blue Mess Uniform shoulder bars. The 1902 regulations eliminated the Blue Mess uniform. The regulation was modified to continue the uniform until existing stock was issued. It was finally discontinued in 1917.





2nd Lieutenant - Infantry



1st Lieutenant - Medical Corps



Captain - Quartermaster Corps



Major - Infantry



Lieutenant Colonel - Artillery



Colonel - Cavalry



Brigadier General



Major General



Lieutenant General



General - discontinued in 1888














Enlisted Patches. A system of enlisted rank patches was established in 1902. Initially, 13 pay grades were established for enlisted men. An additional 2 grades were added in 1903. Private and Private 1st Class did not have a shoulder patch, but the Career/Speciality Patch when worn alone was recognized as being a grade of Private 1st Class. By 1907, 45 different rank patches had been authorized. This trend continued until by 1919, some 128 different rank patches were in use, necessatating a conplete re-organization of enlisted ranks. The changes began in 1920 by eliminating the Lance Corporal grade and using the chevron for the grade of Private 1st Class. As Collar Discs became readily available, the Branch/Specialty patches were phased out.


Dress Uniform Sergeant Patches by service branch color. Base color could be blue. white. or khaki depending on the uniform color.





Infantry - Infantry Blue



Cavalry - Yellow



Artillery - Scarlet



Corps of Engineers - Scarlet/White



Medical Department - Maroon/White



Ordnance - Black Scarlet (later changed)



Quartermaster Corps - Buff



Signals Service - Orange/White






Enlisted Patches by Grade.





Regimental Sergeant Major - 1st Grade



Regimental Supply Sergeant - 2nd Grade



Battalion Sergeant Major - 3rd Grade



Battalion Supply Sergeant - 4th Grade - 1903



Staff Sergeant - 4th Grade - 1903



Color Sergeant - 4th Grade



First Sergeant - 5th Grade



Commissary Sergeant - 6th Grade



Stable Sergeant - 7th Grade



Company Supply Sergeant - 8th Grade



Sergeant - 9th Grade



Corporal - 10th Grade



Lance Corporal - 11th Grade






Enlisted Rank Patches with Branch/Specialty Insignia. Unofficial insignia have been observed.





Master Band Leader



Assistant Band Leader



Master Drum Major



Drum Major Sergeant



Sergeant Bugler



Hospital Sergeant - Medical Branch



Sergeant 1st Class - Medical Branch



Sergeant - Medical Branch



Corporal - Medical Branch



Sergeant 1st Class - Corps of Engineers



Sergeant 1st Class - Signals Corps



Sergeant - Signals Corps



Corporal - Signals Corps



Master Ordnance Sergeant



Ordnance Sergeant 1st Class



Ordnance Sergeant



Ordnance Corporal



Master Quartermaster Sergeant



Quartermaster Sergeant 1st Class



Quartermaster Sergeant



Quartermaster Corporal



Coastal Artillery Master Electrician 1st Class



Coastal Artillery Master Electrician 2nd Class



Coastal Artillery Electrician Sergeant 1st Class



Avaition Sergeant 1st Class



Avaition Sergeant



Avaition Corporal



Transportation Sergeant 1st Class



Transportation Sergeant



Transportation Corporal



Mess Sergeant



Sergeant Band Member








Enlisted Specialist Patches. These carry the rank of Sergeant and are further divided into Senior and Junior grades.





Master Hospital Sergeant



Master Engineer Sergeant - Senior Grade



Master Engineer Sergeant - Junior Grade



Master Signals Sergeant



Master Signals Electrician Sergeant



Quartermaster Sergeant - Senior Grade



Quartermaster Sergeant - Junior Grade



Field Artillery Chief Mechanic



Coastal Artillery Engineer - Senior Grade



Coastal Artillery Engineer - Junior Grade



Coastal Artillery Master Gunner



Coastal Artillery Master Electrician



Master Armor Mechanic - 1st pattern



Master Armor Mechanic - 2nd pattern



Master Avaition Electrician



Master Transportation Sergeant



Master Band Leader - Senior Grade



Master Band Leader - Junior Grade






Enlisted Branch/Specialty Patches. These patches indicated that the wearer had completed training for his branch of service or career specialty. They carried a rank of Private 1st Class. Collar discs were introduced in October 1907. By 1926, the Branch/Specialty patches were phased out. Unofficial insignia have been observed.





Infantry



Cavalry



Artillery



Quartermaster



Signal Corps



Aviation



Aviation Mechanic



Corps of Engineers



Medical Service



Chemical Warfare - 1st pattern



Chemical Warfare - 2nd pattern



Armor - 1st pattern



Armor - 2nd pattern



Armor - 3rd pattern



Motor Transport



Wagoneer



Mess Cook



Ordnance Corps



Saddler



Bugler



Farrier



Farrier/Blacksmith



Artiticer



Electrician



Recuiting Service



Musician



Coastal Artillery - Gunner 1st Class



Coastal Artillery - Gunner 2nd Class



Coastal Artillery - Gun Commander



Coastal Artillery - Gun Pointer



Coastal Artillery - Mine Chief Planter



Coastal Artillery - Mine Planter



Coastal Artillery - Mine Loader



Coastal Artillery - Coxswain



Coastal Artillery - Gunnery Excellence - "1"



Coastal Artillery - Gunnery Excellence - "E"



Coastal Artillery - Observer 1st Class



Coastal Artillery - Observer 2nd Class



Coastal Artillery - Plotter





Rifle - Expert



Rifle - Sharpshooter



Rifle - Marksman



Pistol - Expert



Pistol - Marksman








1927-1954.


Officers Rank Insignia. Metal pinback insignia became more simplified. Warrant Officer Ranks were formalized in 1942.





2nd Lieutenant



1st Lieutenant



Captain



Major



Lieutenant Colonel



Colonel



Brigadier General



Major General



Lieutenant General



General



General of the Army





Chief Warrant Officer - 1942-1954



Warrant Officer Junior Grade - 1942-1954



Flight Warrant Officer - 1942-1947


Enlisted Rank Patches to 1948.





First Sergeant - 1st Grade



Master Sergeant - 1st Grade



Technical Sergeant - 2nd Grade



Staff Sergeant - 3rd Grade



Technician 3rd (T/3) - 3rd Grade



Sergeant - 4th Grade



Technician 4th (T/4) - 4th Grade



Corporal - 5th Grade



Technician 5th (T/5) - 5th Grade



Private 1st Class - 6th Grade


WW2 Enlisted Rank Patch variations. Rank patches were produced in colors for wear with specific uniforms.





WW2 Patch Color Variations


Enlisted Rank Patches from 1948 until 1954.





First Sergeant - E8



Master Sergeant - E7



Technical Sergeant - E6



Staff Sergeant - E5



Sergeant - E4



Corporal - E3



Private 1st Class - E2








Enlisted Rank Patch variations. Rank patches were produced in colors for wear in specific Situations.





Korean War Patch Color Variations


1954 to Date.


Officers Rank Insignia. Insignia is also available in a Subdued (darkened) finish. Subdued Rank Pins were authorized for the Battle Dress Uniform in 1981.





2nd Lieutenant



1st Lieutenant



Captain



Major



Lieutenant Colonel



Colonel



Brigadier General



Major General



Lieutenant General



General



General of the Army





Major - Subdued Finish



Lieutenant Colonel - Subdued Finish



Colonel - Subdued Finish


Officers Insignia. Blue Mess Uniform shoulder bars. The Blue Mess Uniform (dressed blues) was authorized for private purchase in 1954.





2nd Lieutenant - Infantry



1st Lieutenant - Medical Corps



Captain - Quartermaster Corps



Major - Infantry



Lieutenant Colonel - Artillery



Colonel - Cavalry



Brigadier General



Major General



Lieutenant General



General



General of the Army












Warrant Officers Insignia. Warrant Officer Ranks were expanded in 1954. Silver insignia is also available in a Subdued (darkened) finish. Uniform insignia and Blue Mess Uniform shoulder bars are shown.





Warrant Officer - W-1



Chief Warrant Officer - W-2



Chief Warrant Officer - W-3



Chief Warrant Officer - W-4



Chief Warrant Officer - W-5



Warrant Officer - W-1



Chief Warrant Officer - W-2



Chief Warrant Officer - W-3



Chief Warrant Officer - W-4



Chief Warrant Officer - W-5








Enlisted Rank Patch changes.





Patch Color Changes


Enlisted Rank Patches after 1954.





Sergeant Major of the Army - E9



Command Sergeant Major - E9



Sergeant Major - E9



1st Sergeant - E9



Specialist 9 - E9 - Discontinued 1965



Master Sergeant - E8



Specialist 8 - E8 - Discontinued 1965



Sergeant 1st Class - E7



Specialist 7 - E7 - Discontinued 1978



Staff Sergeant - E6



Specialist 6 - E6 - Discontinued 1985



Sergeant - E5



Specialist 5 - E5 - Discontinued 1985



Corporal - E4



Specialist 4 - E4



Private 1st Class - E3



Private - E2








Enlisted Rank Pins authorized in 1979. Subdued Rank Pins were authorized for the Battle Dress Uniform in 1981.





Command Sergeant Major - E9



Sergeant Major - E9



1st Sergeant - E8



Master Sergeant - E8



Sergeant 1st Class - E7



Staff Sergeant - E6



Sergeant - E5



Corporal - E4



Technical Specialist - E4



Private 1st Class - E3



Private - E2





Staff Sergeant - E6 - Subdued Finish



Technical Specialist - E4 - Subdued Finish



Private 1st Class - E3 - Subdued Finish


Battle Dress Uniform Camouflage Patches.





BDU Camouflage Patch Colors.