The Marine Ranks, Explained

by S. Tompkins [1/9MAR] Tue May 14, 2013 8:17 am

ENLISTED

Rank Insignia	Name	Description
	Private ( E-1 )	Private Entry (Pvt.) Prerequisites: None Private Entry is the direct entry rank for all civilians. All civilians upon acceptance by recruiting staff will be assigned this rank and given the 0300 MOS (Basic Infantryman). The rank of Private Entry holds no authority or title of any sort and is junior to marines holding the rank of Private. Civilians holding this appointment are accepted into the unit but receive no penalty if they decide to remove themselves from training. Marines holding the rank of Private Entry will complete the 1/9 Military Enlistment Training (MET) and throughout this learn the basics of what it means to be a United States Marine. Recruits who successfully complete MET will be assigned 0311 MOS (Rifleman) and be promoted to the rank of Private Private (Pvt.) Prerequisites: Privates are marines who have finished the 1/9th MET and are now qualified members. They have completed the basic training requirements of both practical and theory and have the skills it takes to be able to participate within the unit and hold a position in a fireteam. Trained Privates hold no authority or title but are considered to be of superior position to Private Entries. Privates are eligible for a fireteam billet only and follow the orders given to them by superiors. Privates are eligible for promotion to the rank of Private First Class
	Private First Class ( E-2 )	Private First Class (PFC.) Prerequisites: Private First Class is the first senior enlisted rank within 1/9th Marines. A member obtaining this rank has shown promise of gaining the fundamental skills that is required to perform not only direct combat billets but also staff jobs. . It is at this rank that members of the unit must begin to decide their path within the unit. As a Private First Class, members of the unit must now begin the pathway they wish to follow. PFC may choose whether to focus a leadership pathway, apply for a position as a speciality MOS school or pursue a staff career within 1/9th. Private First Class are eligible for promotion to the rank of Corporal
	Lance Corporal ( E-3 )	Lance Corporal (LCpl.) Prerequisites: Lance Corporal is the senior enlisted rank for the Marine Corps. Lance Corporals are tasked with conducting their duties within a combat or staff billet and can provide leadership of fireteams or assistant leadership to a corporal. They are advanced marines with an expert knowledge in the basics of how a marine fireteam operates or the administration of a department. A Lance Corporal is not classed as a Non Commissioned Officer but can provide leadership and training for low level organisations (fireteams, staff sections). They are role models for all enlisted soldiers and are eligible to follow a Combat or Staff position. Lance Corporals are all required to complete the Corporals Course no matter the destined designation. Lance Corporals are eligible for promotion to the rank of Corporal

NON-COMMISIONED OFFICERS

Rank Insignia	Name	Description
	Corporal ( E-4 )	Corporal (Cpl.) Prerequisites: Corporal is the entry level NCO rank for the Marine Corps. Corporals conduct basic level leadership and staff duties. They are role models for all enlisted soldiers and are entrusted with training and discipline at lower levels (fireteams). Marines reaching the rank of corporal now are gaining more responsibilities and must decide the path they wish to take in the unit. As a non-commissioned officer they will conduct themselves accordingly and utilise all the skills they have gained to lead those under their command. Corporals are eligible for promotion to the rank of Sergeant.
	Sergeant ( E-5 )	Sergeant (Sgt.) Prerequisites: Sergeant is a NCO rank tasked with the command of larger contingents of marines and special duty billets. A Sergeant is a position for experienced marines who have the ability to place the unit before themselves. Sergeants are tasked with the command of their squad or staff billet and present themselves as squared away marines. As a squad leader Sergeants liaise with Platoon Command and tasked with the management and training for their fireteam leaders. Sergeants have the ability to submit promotion recommendations and participate in NCO meetings and activities. Sergeants are eligible for promotion to the rank of Staff Sergeant.

SENIOR NON-COMMISIONED OFFICERS

Rank Insignia	Name	Description
	Staff Sergeant ( E-6 )	Staff Sergeant (SSgt.) Prerequisites: Staff Sergeant is a NCO rank within 9th Marines. Staff Sergeants are found acting in the billet of Platoon Sergeant, specialised detachments or in staff positions within the unit. They act with honesty and integrity and provide the backbone leadership for the platoon or unit they are assigned to. They assist their Platoon or Company commanders to their upmost ability and provide positions as training instructors. A Staff Sergeant is always found leading their men through example and providing a strong basis for junior marines to follow. Staff Sergeants are eligible for to apply for Senior Leadership Course (SLC -> GySgt),Warrant Officer Candidate School (WOCS -> Technical) or Officer Candidate School (OCS). Staff Sergeants are eligible for promotion to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant (SLC), Candidate (WOCS) or Officer Cadet (OCS).
	Gunnery Sergeant ( E-7 )	Gunnery Sergeant (GySgt.) Prerequisites: Gunnery Sergeant is an upper echelon NCO rank. Gunnery Sergeants are tasked with the senior command of a Platoon or Company position and assist more Senior NCO’s, Warrant Officers and Officers in conducting training, leadership and staff duties. As a GySgt a marine is tasked with a senior advisory role that entails high levels of commitment and awareness to unit situations and operations. Gunnery Sergeants may either fill a leadership or staff appointment while mainly focusing on the former. A marine who has opted to follow a pathway to GySgt now have reach the point where they are able to follow a purely leadership position as a NCO, Technical Leadership as a Staff NCO or specialty command as a WO (WOCS) or Officer (OCS). Gunnery Sergeants are eligible for promotion to First Sergeant or Master Sergeant
	Master Sergeant ( E-8 )	Master Sergeant (MSgt) Prerequisites: First Sergeant or Master Sergeant are senior NCO ranks. While both of these ranks are considered to be the same pay grade a 1stSgt is tasked with the sole leadership position within a company as Company Senior NCO while a Master Sergeant is a senior technical billet that is available at Battalion Level. Individuals who want to conduct a more physical technical role or are not eligible for WOCS normally follow the Master Sergeant pathway compared due to its position as hands on training or administration position for Battalion level. First Sergeants/Master Sergeants are eligible for promotion to Sergeant Major or Master Gunnery Sergeant (Currently Closed)
	First Sergeant ( E-8 )	First Sergeant (1stSgt) Prerequisites: First Sergeant or Master Sergeant are senior NCO ranks. While both of these ranks are considered to be the same pay grade a 1stSgt is tasked with the sole leadership position within a company as Company Senior NCO while a Master Sergeant is a senior technical billet that is available at Battalion Level. Individuals who want to conduct a more physical technical role or are not eligible for WOCS normally follow the Master Sergeant pathway compared due to its position as hands on training or administration position for Battalion level. First Sergeants/Master Sergeants are eligible for promotion to Sergeant Major or Master Gunnery Sergeant (Currently Closed)
	Sergeant Major ( E-9 )	Sergeant Major (SgtMaj) Prerequisites: Sergeant Major/Master Gunnery Sergeant is a senior NCO rank position at Battalion level. They are the final NCO ranks within the chain of command and are mainly the highest rank an enlisted soldier will see. This position is very selective and allows for the most dedicated members to perform in the position of Battalion SNCO (Sergeant Major) or Battalion Clerk (MGySgt). Members holding either of these ranks no matter the appointment are usually unable to apply for WOCS or OCS except on special occasions as they become integral members and perform extremely sensitive duties.

WARRANT OFFICERS

Rank Insignia	Name	Description
	Warrant Officer (W1)	Warrant Officer (WO) Prerequisites: Warrant Officer is the entry warrant rank for marines who have successfully passed WOCS and been given an official marine warrant. Warrant Officers are tasked to perform specific technical speciality billets or detachment commands. A marine with this rank has chosen a technical or command specific pathway Warrant Officers are eligible for promotion to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 2.
	Chief Warrant Officer 2 (W2)	Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CWO2) Prerequisites: Chief Warrant Officer 2’s are the second highest Warrant Officer rank. They are experienced WO’s with positions of command over departments and speciality courses. They provide expert technical advice/assistance at Company and Battalion Level to NCO’s and officers alike. The position of CWO2 places a marine in direct responsibility over all marines within their assigned department and can be placed as OIC of all technical billets. Chief Warrant Officer 2’s are eligible for promotion to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 3.
	Chief Warrant Officer 3 (W3)	Chief Warrant Officer 3 (CWO3) Prerequisites: Chief Warrant Officer 3’s are the highest Warrant Officer rank that is employed within 9th Marines. They are veteran WO’s with the position of command over whole staff billets of the Battalion. A CWO3 is the senior most WO within the Battalion providing a large sphere of technical advisory not just in their specific MOS. As this position is reserved for one specific senior WO anyone who ends up with a position as a CWO3 will most likely end up retiring on this rank due to the arduous nature of achieving this position. They are respected by NCO’s and Officers alike and provide direct assistance to Battalion command.

OFFICERS

Rank Insignia	Name	Description
	Second Lieutenant (O-1)	Second Lieutenant (2nd Lt) Prerequisites: The Second Lieutenant is the entry commissioned officer within the USMC. The primary duty of a 2nd Lt is to be in command of a rifle or weapons platoon and conduct leadership over this group. He performs duties including discipline, admin and training while in his billet and may recommend NCO’s for promotions. As a leader within 1/9th he is tasked with the clear defined and concise leadership of his platoon in combat and non-combat scenarios.
	First Lieutenant (O-2)	First Lieutenant (1st Lt) Prerequisites: The First Lieutenant is the second commissioned officer rank within the USMC and is placed at Platoon or Company level. They perform the duties that are required of the 2nd Lt but have more experience or assist in the command of a Company. The 1st Lt is tasked with leading the company upon absence of the Company Commander but has a place in company meetings and is authorised to recommend and promote enlisted and WO ranks. The 1st Lt liases with his staff departments to make sure that the Company runs smoothly and performs its duties.
	Captain (O-3)	Captain (Capt.) Prerequisites: Captain is the highest company level officer available and the third commissioned officer rank within the USMC. They are tasked with the command at Company level and are responsible with the leadership of the company in the billet of Company Commander. He is tasked with the management of all soldiers below him and to make sure the unit is run accordingly. The Captain can promote all enlisted, warrant officer and officer marines and has the primary role of leading the company and its operations.
	Major (O-4)
	Lieutenant Colonel (O-5)