ROTC RANK STRUCTURE - University of Akron

1 Section1 Key Points1 The Purpose of Army Ranks2 The Cadet Ranks3 The Cadet Unit Structure4 The Cadet Chain of CommandROTC rank STRUCTUREAs the Continental Army have unfortunately no uniforms,and consequently many inconveniences must arise fromnot being able always to distinguish the commissionedofficer from the non-commissioned, and thenoncommissioned from the privates, it is desired thatsome badges of distinction may be immediately instance, that the field officers may have red or pink-colored cockades in their hats , the captains yellow or buffand the subalterns green. They are to furnish themselvesaccordingly. The sergeants may be distinguished by anepaulette or stripe of red cloth sewed upon their rightshoulder; the corporals by one of George WashingtoneOfficership Track8420010_OT1_p120-127 8/15/08 2:39 PM Page 120 Officership TrackIntroductionYour rankshows where you fit in the chain of command, and the chain ofcommand provides the leadership STRUCTURE for military units.

2 As a new Cadet, you are responsible for following the directions, guidance, andexample of those who outrank you. As you advance through rotc , you will have theopportunity to lead progressively larger and more complex organizations, from thesmallest the team through the largest the rotc battalion. Military rank is a critical part of the profession of arms. The Continental Army the army that won independence from Great Britain at first had no uniforms orbadges of rank . The army was made of farmers, laborers, and shopkeepers who woretheir work clothes to drill and battle. Think of the confusion that an army withoutuniforms and rank might experience.

3 The Purpose of Army RanksMilitary ranks identify who is in charge, indicate levels of leadership and responsibility,and support fast and effective decision making and problem Continental Army drew its rank STRUCTURE lieutenant, captain, major, colonel,and general from the traditions of Great Britain, and today s STRUCTURE remains close tothat of the Continental Army. Lieutenants and captains are company grade officers, majorsand colonels are field grade officers, and generals are flag Cadet RanksROTC has six Cadet officer ranks. The ranks themselves come from British tradition, andthe insignia resemble British, European, and colonial second lieutenants the most junior of the officer ranks wear a single discor dot.

4 Cadet first lieutenants wear two discs or dots. Cadet captains wear three discsor insignia changes at major the first of the field-grade officers. Cadet majorswear a single diamond (sometimes called a lozenge), Cadet lieutenant colonels wear twodiamonds, and Cadet colonels wear three recognizes eight Cadet noncommissioned officer (NCO) ranks. The ranks andthe insignia resemble those of the active Army. Cadet corporals the most junior of theNCO ranks wear two chevrons (sometimes called stripes). Cadet sergeants wear threeFigure Officer Ranksrankofficial position or gradechain of commandthe system by whichauthority passes downfrom the top through aseries of military ranksin which each person isaccountable to asuperior the top of thechain of command isthe president of theUnited States, thecommander in chiefunitan Army group ororganization ranging insize from a field army toa squadMilitary ranks haveexisted for thousands ofyears.

5 Attila s horde hadranks. The Romanlegions had ranks. Therank of coloneloriginated in Romantimes: a Roman colonelwas in charge of acolumn in Latin,columna of soldiers. The rank of lieutenantcomes from the Frenchwords lieuand tenant:Lieumeans place (think of in lieuof ).Tenant means holdinga position (think of thelandlord/tenantrelationship). So alieutenant is someoneacting for a superior:someone acting in placeof the person holdingthe position. rotc rank STRUCTURE 1218420010_OT1_p120-127 8/15/08 2:39 PM Page 121chevrons. Cadet staff sergeants wear three chevrons over a bar. Cadet sergeants first classwear three chevrons over two bars, and Cadet master sergeants wear three chevrons overthree first sergeants wear three chevrons over three bars with a diamond betweenthe chevrons and the bars.

6 Cadet sergeants major wear three chevrons over three barswith a star between the chevrons and the bars. Cadet command sergeants major wear threechevrons over three bars with a star circled by a wreath between the chevrons and the recognizes three additional Cadet enlisted ranks, although these are not non-commissioned officer ranks. Basic Cadets wear no insignia. Cadet privates wear one chevron,and Cadet privates first class wear a chevron over a Cadet Unit StructureThe Army is made of small units organizational building blocks which, when combined,create larger units. Within this organizational STRUCTURE , leaders command and controlthe resources necessary to deter conflict and to win when combat is Cadet battalion and subordinate-unit STRUCTURE will vary depending upon thesize, makeup, and location of your school, but throughout Army Cadet Command, theunit structures will resemble that in Figure SECTION 1 Critical ThinkingWhat would be the effectiveness of an army without ranks?

7 How well would itoperate? eFigure NCO RanksNote that the pluralform of sergeant majoris sergeants forArmy Enlisted RanksPVT privatePFC private first classSPC specialistCPL corporalSGT sergeantSSG staff sergeantSFC sergeant first classMSG master sergeant1SG first sergeantSGM sergeant majorCSM commandsergeant major8420010_OT1_p120-127 8/15/08 2:39 PM Page 122 The Cadet Chain of CommandThe Cadet chain of command is formed from the MSL IV class at the beginning of eachschool year. Performance in rotc , performance at the Leader Development and AssessmentCourse (LDAC), academics, and overall accomplishments dictate the appointment Cadet chain of command does two helps the professor of military science (the PMS) and other cadre accomplishbattalion missions and trains and develops Cadet chain of command includes four unit levels.

8 Battalion, company, platoon,and explanation below will include the responsibilities of commanders and staff officers,who help the unit accomplish its the Battalion Level Cadet Battalion the corps of Cadets, sets the example, and leads the with the battalion staff to supervise leadership labs and otherevents to ensure the training is effective, motivating, and meetings and leads battalion formations, such as weekly battaliontraining meetings to coordinate and confirm all training, logistical, andadministrative and evaluates other Cadets officers, NCOs, and enlisted rank STRUCTURE 123 Figure Unit StructureCritical ThinkingWhat advantages and disadvantages are there to the display of rank insignia in acombat zone?

9 E8420010_OT1_p120-127 8/15/08 2:39 PM Page Cadet Battalion Executive Officer (XO) and coordinates all staff the battalion in the absence of the battalion the battalion commander in the performance of his or her the weekly battalion training instruction and evaluation as Cadet Battalion Command Sergeant Major (CSM) the Cadet battalion Cadet accountability during the Cadet NCOs for job knowledge, military appearance, andknowledge of their subordinates strengths and and supervises training to ensure it meets the Cadet battalioncommander s battalion training Cadet Battalion S1 (administrative officer)

10 Responsible for all Cadet administration and Cadet promotions and absences are documented and , publishes, and executes all Cadet social functions and the cadre with sponsorship Cadet status reports at each weekly Cadet training Cadet Battalion S3 (operations officer) responsible for operations and training in the weekly training meetings and publishes weekly training all training with the cadre operations that all instructors conduct rehearsals and back a training status report at each weekly Cadet training with the cadre operations officer for all required MSL IV Cadetevaluations of MSL III all operations orders (OPORDs) and memorandums of instruction(MOIs)