Military ranks in order

ENLISTED MEN (US Forces)

Private (no stripes)

Private First Class (1 stripe)

Corporal (2 stripes) *

Sergeant (3 stripes) *

Staff Sergeant *

Technical Sergeant

Master Sergeant

Sergeant Major

OFFICERS

Second Lieutenant

First Lieutenant

Captain

Major

Lieutenant-Colonel

Colonel

GENERAL OFFICERS

Brigadier General (1 star)

Major General

Lieutenant General

General

General of the Army

• There was also a technical ranks of Tech-3, Tech-4, Tech-5, which were a rank above the ranks noted(*) but without the command responsibilities. These Techincal ranks were distinguished by a "T" under the stripes.

Titles:

NCO or Non-Commissioned Officers is any enlisted sergeant.

"First Sergeant" was the highest ranking NCO in a unit.

This is US forces, other countries have slightly different names for rankings though essentially all armies are similar.