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Updated November 30, 2020
Defense Primer: Military Enlisted Personnel
Grade and Rank
Mid-level Noncommissioned Officers (NCOs) (pay
The armed forces are hierarchical organizations with clearly
grades E-5 to E-7). NCOs have significantly more
defined levels of authority. These different levels are called
responsibility than junior enlisted personnel. They lead
grades, while rank refers to the order of precedence among
small units, typically ranging from a few to several dozen
those in different grades and within the same grade (e.g.,
personnel, and serve as technical experts in their
someone who has been a Sergeant for three years outranks
occupational specialties. NCOs at this level translate orders
someone who has been a Sergeant for two years).However,
from their superior officers into action. They make up about
it is common for the term rank to be used as a synonym for
44% of the enlisted workforce.
grade. Pay grade is an administrative classification that
determines certain rates of pay, but it is sometimes used to
Senior Noncommissioned Officers (pay grades E-8 and E-
indicate grade as well. For example, a Staff Sergeant in the
9) typically serve as senior enlisted advisors to commanders
Army may also be referred to as an E-6. See Figure 1. The
or as staff NCOs. They also serve as a channel of support
Service Secretaries manage the accession, promotion, and
for the enlisted force in general. By law, the authorized
assignments of enlisted members under broad statutory
daily average of enlisted personnel in pay grades E-8 and E-
authorities.
9 may not be more than 2.5% and 1.25%, respectively, of
the number of enlisted members in a given Service on the
Numbers and Roles
first day of the fiscal year. If the number of E-9s is below
Enlisted personnel make up about 82% of the armed forces,
the cap, the difference may be applied to increase the
with officers making up the remaining 18%. Enlisted
number of E-8s. The statutory caps can be waived in certain
personnel rank below all officers. Table 1 lists the number
circumstances (10 U.S.C. §517).
of active duty enlisted personnel in each pay grade.
Insignia
Junior enlisted personnel (pay grades E-1 to E-4)
As shown in Figure 1, each enlisted grade in the armed
typically work in small units across the Department of
forces has distinctive insignia, typically worn on the sleeve,
Defense. Individuals normally serve in these grades during
shoulder, collar, and/or headgear (caps, berets, helmets,
their first enlistment term (usually four years). More senior
etc.).
enlisted personnel supervise them. Junior enlisted personnel
make up about 52% of the enlisted workforce.
Table 1. Active Duty Military Enlisted by Pay Grade (as of September 30, 2020)
Services
Pay Grade
Army
Navy
Marine Corps
Air Force
Total
E-9
3,485
2,720
1,577
2,632
10,414
E-8
10,952
7,090
3,952
5,277
27,271
E-7
36,461
22,732
8,216
26,536
93,945
E-6
59,013
51,041
14,846
42,462
167,362
E-5
68,030
71,686
23,813
61,506
225,035
E-4
112,230
59,121
36,190
57,461
265,002
E-3
54,142
41,104
44,057
53,461
192,764
E-2
24,615
16,147
17,807
7,896
66,465
E-1
18,983
14,696
9,050
8,138
50,867
Total
387,911
286,337
159,508
265,369
1,099,125
Source: Department of Defense, Defense Manpower Data Center.
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Defense Primer: Military Enlisted Personnel
Figure 1. Pay Grade, Grade, and Insignia of Enlisted Service Members
Source: CRS adaptation of Department of Defense web page: https://dod.defense.gov/About/Insignias/Enlisted/.
Relevant Statute
Other Resources (continued)
Chapter 31 of Title 10, U.S.C.
NAVPERS 18068F, Volume 1, Manual of Navy Enlisted
Manpower and Personnel Classifications and Occupational
Standards, January 2019.
Air Force Instruction 36-2618, The Enlisted Force Structure,
Other Resources
October 16, 2018.
Army Regulation 600-20, Army Command Policy, November 6,
2014.
Lawrence Kapp, Specialist in Military Manpower Policy
IF10684
https://crsreports.congress.gov
Defense Primer: Military Enlisted Personnel
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