US/UK Armed Forces ranks

I've been watching Band of Brothers over the last few days, and it got me wondering, what ranks are equivalent in the British army and the US army? And then I thought, what about the navy, marines and air force? I've compiled the chart below that shows both non-commissioned (enlisted) and commissioned (officer) ranks are their equivalence to the other armed forces of both their country and the other.

Key below.



Key: Narrow horizontal lines apply to WITHIN a specific force. Thick horizontal lines show equivalence over DIFFERENT forces. For example, the RAF distinguishes between Aircraftman, Leading Aircraftman and Senior Aircraftman. However in the Royal Marines, all three are equivalent to "Marine" rank, or "Private" in the Army. In turn, this is equivalent to "Private" in the US Army, "Basic Airman" in the Air Force and "Recruit" in the Navy. Also notice that the same rank, "Private" is used both in the US Army and Marines Corps, as indicated in the chart.

In my time at the RAF I had to memorize all of the ranks for UK forces.. and we were tested on them...

I prefer the American ranking system, it has more crossover between all three forces, whereas ours are jumbled a bit, no real synchronisation between the forces in the non-comissioned ranks at least.

I don't know there both a bit confusing. But I do agree with Brad on the US system more synchronized.

Thanks for the heads up- will correct ASAP

There is quite a bit of complexity in the American system. I mean, it's quite well organized, but there are some things you have to be aware of.

American Military Ranks

That's the complete list. For the most part, the ranks are equal between most the branches. You will most likely not see an O-10 (four star) or higher (five star) unless it is during a time of conflict or war. This is a list of the currently active highest commanders int he US military, most of them being on the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Marine Corps Generals are almost unheard of. You are more likely to obtain these high ranks while in the Air Force or Navy at least that's my understanding. This is a list of the highest ranking commanders the United States has ever had, with George Washington being the highest of them all, of course. I love military history and when it comes to the rank system, I always love to talk about it and examine how it works and the complexities and organization behind it.

i really have no comment, but i just wanted to post that my dad's a command chief master sergeant in the air force.

yeah

I have 3 friends in the Marines, 1 in the Air Force, and one in the army. All US of course

I love history and I find military history to be the most interesting aspect of it.