Pay Grade, Abbreviation, Rank, and Nickname for Rank, if Applicable

ENLISTED

Junior Enlisted









Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO's)






Staff Non-Commissioned Officers (SNCO's)













Why are there two ranks each for E8 and E9?  Because when your Marine get to
that level, they have the option of staying on the technical side with their MOS, or
going over to more of an administrative position.  Master Sergeant and Master
Gunnery Sergeant are the technical side.  First Sergeant and Sergeant Major are
more administratively oriented.  Also, First Sergeant and Sergeant Major are job
positions as much as they are a rank.  A unit will have one First Sergeant and one
Sergeant Major.  


WARRANT OFFICER













OFFICER

COMPANY GRADE OFFICER










FIELD GRADE OFFICER








GENERAL OFFICER










Why are there two names for General?  Because one, like First Sergeant and
Sergeant Major above, is a position.  But there's only one.  He's the big boss, the
top of the food chain.

Note:  An officer who was formerly enlisted is referred to as a "Mustang".

Thanks to Anna for help with this section!
Ranks and Pay Grades
E1
 Pvt
 Private
  
E2
 PFC
 Private First Class
 PFC
E3
 LCpl
 Lance Corporal
  
E4
 Cpl
 Corporal
  
E5
 Sgt
 Sergeant
  
E6
 SSgt
 Staff Sergeant
  
E7
 GySgt
 Gunnery Sergeant
 Gunny
E8
 MSgt
or
1stSgt
 Master Sergeant

First Sergeant
 Top

First Shirt
E9
 MGySgt
or
Sgt Maj
 Master Gunnery Sergeant

Sergeant Major
 Master Guns
W1
 WO
 Warrant Officer 1
  
W2
 CWO
 Chief Warrant Officer 2
  
W3
 CWO3
 Chief Warrant Officer 3
  
W4
 CWO4
 Chief Warrant Officer 4
  
W5
 CWO5
 Chief Warrant Officer 5
  
O1
 2ndLt
 Second Lieutenant
 Butterbar (considered a rude
nickname)
O2
 1stLt
 First Lieutenant
  
O3
 Cpt
 Captain
  
O4
 Maj
 Major
  
O5
 LtCol
 Lieutenant Colonel
 Light Colonel (considered a
rude nickname)
O6
 Col
 Colonel
  
O7
 BGen
 Brigadier General
  
O8
 MajGen
 Major General
  
O9
 LtGen
 Lieutenant General
  
O10
 Gen
 General or Commandant