US Military (All Branches) OFFICER RANKS Explained - What is an Officer?

It was a privilege to have served my entire career as a commissioned officer, leading some of the best men and women of the Army and Special Operations Community. Although I retired a Lieutenant Colonel… and made my largest contribution to Global Security as a Major, I had the most fun as a Captain and would love to be given an opportunity to go back to do it all again.

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Thanks for watching,

Christopher Littlestone
Life is a Special Operation
Are You Ready for It?

[LifeisaSpecialOperation]

What do you think is the best Officer Rank?

[Dfdgh]

US military: let's name our officer levels same across all branches so it's easy to understand and the hierarchy is clear for everyone.
Navy: nah, I don't feel like it

[javierheng]

US Military : How much do you want your rank names to stand out?
Navy : Yes

[carlodino]

Information delivered clear, concise and straightforward. A real serviceman.

[johnharris]

"If you have a question ask an Officer. An Officer will always answer your question. If you want the right answer to your question ask your NCO." Something my Aunt, a retired Navy Nurse and Commander, once said to the Corpsmen she was training.

[jhamezsky]

"We salute the rank not the man." - Major Winters.

[thebestisyettocome]

Seen 13 December 2019
Thank you for your service. 🇺🇸
Retired USN Chaplin's Corp. WW2
Age 98. Still going, one day at a time. You do the same. Thank you

[bigmanjohnson]

Something i learned as a kid about the General's ranking. Its easy to remember.

Brigadier G (1 star)= (B)e
Major G (2 star) = (M)y
Lieutenant G (3 star)= (L)ittle
General (4 star) = (G)eneral

[garywinters]

Just a "FYI", the US Coast Guard also uses the same rank structure as the Navy. Thank you.

[camryndaggs]

In bootcamp, we had to memorize all ranks enlisted and officer, of all branches. At first, it was difficult to memorize what order the Generals went in, so our MTI's taught us "Be My Little General" (BMLG) 1. Brigadier General, Major General, Lieutenant General, and (4 star) General. Hope this helps anyone wanting to know!

[KidsToysPlayChannel]

When did the USN rename the rank of Commodore, and why? Navies are usually all about tradition.

[uncbadguy]

What did the smartest Lieutenant in the Army say?
"Show me how to to that, Sarge."

[davidlanham]

I just made General of the Space Force (GSF), I got my fifth silver saturn so you all better watch it!

[americanoutdoorsman_]

Retired LTC US Army 13ALPHA Field Artillery 1997-2017! My best time was when I was a Captain as Battery Commander loved the assignment, staff and crew under my command!!!

[JAG]

During WW2, my father rose to the Naval rank of Captain. If you knew my father, you'd be surprised that he advanced so far. I guess advancement was a lot easier in WW2.

[thebeast]

Proud to say my grandpa retired as a Colonel from the Air Force! He was a Vet of the Korean and Vietnam war. Colonel Donell Montoya!

[richarda.d.]

Thank you for the rundown. If you do one of these again in the future, it would be good to know WHAT they command & the general responsibilities of the different ranks vs the basic hierarchy.

[geofffleming]

Thank you for this, Colonel. I'm a civilian working with a defense contractor and would like to be respectful of rank at every level of service. I've had a fairly good understanding of the progression of both enlisted and commissioned rank for a while, but recognizing insignia swiftly enough to show that respect has been tricky. Maybe you could make us some flash cards, sir.

[davidshepard]

O3 was the most fun. I knew the business and, as a prior enlisted, felt finally useful. The Captain's Mafia was the most fun. O4 was good fun as well.

[cscam]

Excellent summary. And like all summaries, there are nuances to issues like promotion and longevity at the ranks. I enlisted in the Coast Guard (sadly missing from your list of Services) and was promoted in due course to an E-6, Petty Officer First Class. In my day, the CG selected around 12 enlisted persons a year (each had to be at least an E-5 with at least 4 years of active service) to attend OCS. I will never know how I was selected but I was. As an officer I served in a variety of posts from operational command to staff/support work. In the CG, we typically go from an operational job to a shore/staff job and then back to operations (an afloat assignment, a Sector or Group assignment [being in charge of several multi-mission stations and patrol craft, or some similar operational support command]). I was lucky enough to get two command jobs. Unfortunately, with too few command opportunities available, even in my small service, most don't get the chance for a command. I retired as an O-6, Captain, after 36 years of active service. Very proud to be one of the 45, 000 men and women who get to serve in an organization that never has a dull day.