Do You Know What The Army’s Enlisted Soldiers Are Really Made Of?

The U.S. Army is made up of a diverse group of men and women who boast different ranks and responsibilities. Army ranks include the categories of enlisted personnel, warrant officers, and commissioned officers, with each of those categories subsequently having its own ranking system.

There are 13 ranks alone for enlisted personnel, which roughly break down into three groups: Junior Enlisted, Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs), and Senior Non-Commissioned Officers (Senior NCOs).

Here’s a quick rundown of the different ranks, responsibilities, and privileges for enlisted soldiers.


A brand-spanking new soldier immediately joins the rank of private, which may also be referred to as an E-1. Privates are primarily responsible to carry out orders that are issued to them.

Private Second Class

A soldier is promoted to become a Private Second Class upon completion of basic combat training. Despite the pay raise, their duties are very much like that of a private: to follow orders.

Private First Class

A Private First Class soldier further develops their chosen skill and applies those abilities to their work. Private First Class soldiers also begin learning to lead other soldiers.

Corporal and Specialist

An Army Specialist and Corporal have the same rank of E-4, although their jobs differ. Basically, the Corporal is a Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) who leads teams, while the Specialist is among the Junior Enlisted ranks with a job focused on their specialized technical abilities.

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