How would you explain military ranks to a civilian?

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 22:16:40 -0400

I need to provide a very generalized explanation of rank structure for the military which includes the difference between officers and enlisted. Ideally in 3-4 sentences. Your feedback is appreciated.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 2 at 2015 10:23 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 22:23:18 -0400

Ma'am. I actually had this conversation with my brother last time I was home. Easiest way for me was to compare it to his job. He's a shift supervisor in a distro center. By the time we figured it out he would be working for me...lol.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 2 at 2015 10:34 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 22:34:22 -0400

Ma'am: All branches of the military have both enlisted and officer ranks. Members in both categories are promoted to the next highest rank based on merit. Enlisted members are trained in a military specialty along with officers. Officers receive additional leadership training. and act as managers.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Oct 2 at 2015 10:39 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 22:39:45 -0400

Officers are Executives & Managers.
Warrant Officers are Subject Matter Experts & Technical Advisers.
NCOs are Middle Management & Supervisors.
Non-NCOs are the Workforce.

Response by CPO Emmett (Bud) Carpenter made Oct 2 at 2015 10:42 PM

CPO Emmett (Bud) Carpenter — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 22:42:34 -0400

Pettyofficers and NCOs are the supervisors,officers are the big bosses, E1-E3 are the worker bees

Response by Cpl James Waycasie made Oct 2 at 2015 11:23 PM

Cpl James Waycasie — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 23:23:58 -0400

E-1 through E-9 is enlisted ranks and everyone a rank or higher above you can give you orders. 01- 010 is Officer Ranks, the guys you have to salute and they give orders to anybody below their rank. They are normally in charge of Platoons, companies, battalions,and regiments of enlisted men and lower ranking Officers.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 3 at 2015 8:04 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 08:04:19 -0400

Comparing it to a company in the civilian world. The enlisted side is the workforce with NCOs as the team leaders, floor supervisors and so on. And the you have the officers who are the admin portion of the company, and the managers of different sections or in the case of a COL (BDE CDR) different stores.