USMC Rank Chevrons through the ages..since 1917

[Sgt Leprechaun]

I thought I'd post these since a question was asked. Old Salts by all means chime in where needed!

ALL images are courtesy of Jaroslav Jochman.


Enlisted rank insignia 1912-1917
http://mujweb.atlas.cz/kultura/usmc/imaservice/rank01.gif


Rank description - "Private" has no rank insignia
1. Corporal
2. Sergeant
3. Gunnery Sergeant
4. First Sergeant
5. Quartermaster Sergeant
6. Pay Quartermaster Sergeant
7. Drum Major
8. Sergeant Major
Enlisted rank insignia 1917-1922
http://mujweb.atlas.cz/kultura/usmc/imaservice/rank02.gif


Rank description - "Private" has no rank insignia
1. Private First Class (since 1917)
2. Corporal
3. Sergeant
4. Gunnery Sergeant
5. First Sergeant
6. Quartermaster Sergeant
7. Pay Quartermaster Sergeant
8. Drum Major
9. Sergeant Major
Enlisted rank insignia 1922-1929

http://mujweb.atlas.cz/kultura/usmc/imaservice/rank03.gif


Rank description - "Private" has no rank insignia
1. Private First Class **
2. Corporal
3. Sergeant
4. Gunnery Sergeant
5. First Sergeant
6. Staff Sergeant (since 1923)
7. Drum Major *
8. Supply Sergeant (since 1923)
9. Quartermaster Sergeant
10. Master Technical Sergeant (since 1923)
11. Pay Quartermaster Sergeant
12. Sergeant Major Notice * : in 1922 change of 1912 chevron design
Notice ** : in 1922 change of 1917 chevron design

[Sgt Leprechaun]

Enlisted rank insignia 1929-1937
http://mujweb.atlas.cz/kultura/usmc/imaservice/rank04.gif


Rank description - "Private" has no rank insignia

1. Musician Marine Band
2. Trumpeter (different for right and left sleeve, the trumpet is facing forward)
3. Drummer
4. Assistant Cook
5. Trumpeter First Class
6. Drummer First Class
7. Private First Class
8. Mess Corporal or Field Cook
9. Trumpet Corporal
10. Drum Corporal
11. Corporal
12. Mess Sergeant or Chief Cook
13. Trumpet Sergeant
14. Drum Sergeant
15. Sergeant
16. Platoon Sergeant
17. Staff Sergeant (Mess)
18. Staff Sergeant
19. Technical Sergeant (Mess)
20. Technical Sergeant
21. Drum Major
22. Supply Sergeant
23. Gunnery Sergeant **
24. First Sergeant
25. Master Gunnery Sergeant
26. Paymaster Sergeant
27. Master Technical Sergeant (Mess)
28. Master Technical Sergeant
29. Quartermaster Sergeant
30. Sergeant MajorNotice ** : in 1922 change of 1912 chevron design

Enlisted rank insignia 1937-1944
http://mujweb.atlas.cz/kultura/usmc/imaservice/rank05b.gif


Rank description - "Private" has no rank insignia

1. Musician Marine Band
2. Private First Class or
Assistant Cook **
Trumpeter First Class **
Drummer First Class **
3. Corporal or


Mess Corporal **
Field Cook **
Trumpet Corporal **
Drum Corporal **
4. Sergeant or


Mess Sergeant **
Chief Cook **
Trumpet Sergeant **
Drum Sergeant **
5. Staff Sergeant ** or


Staff Sergeant (Mechanical) **
Staff Sergeant (Mess) **
6. Platoon Sergeant **
7. Technical Sergeant or


Technical Sergeant (Mess) **
Drum Major **
Supply Sergeant **
8. Gunnery Sergeant ** or


First Sergeant **
9. Master Technical Sergeant or


Master Technical Sergeant (Mess) **
Quartermaster Sergeant **
Paymaster Sergeant **
10. Sergeant Major or


Master Gunnery Sergeant **
11. Second Leader, Marine Band Notice ** : in 1937 change of 1922 chevron design

Enlisted rank insignia 1944-1946
http://mujweb.atlas.cz/kultura/usmc/imaservice/rank06b.gif


Rank description - "Private" has no rank insignia
1. Private First Class
2. Corporal
3. Sergeant
4. Staff Sergeant
5. Platoon Sergeant
6. Technical Sergeant
7. Gunnery Sergeant
8. Master Gunnery Sergeant or
Master Technical Sergeant
Quartermaster Sergeant
Paymaster Sergeant
9. Sergeant Major or
First Sergeant ** Notice ** : in 1944 change of 1937 chevron design

[Sgt Leprechaun]

Enlisted rank insignia 1946-1959


http://mujweb.atlas.cz/kultura/usmc/imaservice/rank07b.gif


Rank description - "Private" has no rank insignia
1. Private First Class
2. Corporal
3. Sergeant
4. Staff Sergeant
5. Gunnery Sergeant
6. Master Sergeant
7. First Sergeant
8. Sergeant Major
Enlisted rank insignia 1959-Present

http://mujweb.atlas.cz/kultura/usmc/imaservice/rank08b.gif


Rank description - "Private" has no rank insignia
1. Private First Class
2. Lance Corporal
3. Corporal
4. Sergeant
5. Staff Sergeant
6. Gunnery Sergeant
7. Master Sergeant
8. First Sergeant
9. Sergeant Major
10. Master Gunnery Sergeant
11. Sergeant Major of the Corps (since 1957)

[SGT7477]

Whew you done a job I like our rank structure of today.

[PatriotGirl422]

Wow, I didn't realize how much it's changed over time. I like our current rank structure, seems a lot more simple than some of the past ones.

[LeonardLawrence]

I don't know to be a 1917 PFC with some crossed rifles is pretty slick.

Thanks for the post Sgt. Interesting material.

I will take the crossed rifles over the harp any day ;)

[Sgt Leprechaun]

Imagine reciting the 1929 rank structure in recruit training!

I'll post more of the rank structure history as I come across it.

[Sgt Leprechaun]

Thought I'd post a couple more chevrons here. These are photos, not drawings.

1stSgt. Likely made before 1942.
http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/uploads//monthly_02_2008/post-837-1203041489.jpg

Gunnery Sergeant.
http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/uploads//monthly_02_2008/post-837-1203041592.jpg

[Sgt Leprechaun]

SSgt. WWII era or 1930's

Dress blues:

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/uploads//monthly_02_2008/post-837-1203042698.jpg
Khaki:
http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/uploads//monthly_02_2008/post-837-1203043061.jpg

[Sgt Leprechaun]

Pre WWII 1st Sgt:
(It's reversed, showing the construction)
http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/uploads//monthly_02_2008/post-837-1203043275.jpg




1stSgt, WWII era on khaki:
http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/uploads//monthly_02_2008/post-837-1203043324.jpg

[Sgt Leprechaun]

The latter few pictures came from US Militaria Forums.

[Sgt Leprechaun]

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/uploads//monthly_02_2008/post-837-1203541739.jpg

Courtesy of HH Booker. Love the pay scale. This is a pocket chart, BTW which is why it's so small. Dated 1939.

[SGT7477]

We have come a long way do you have a pay scale of today?

[Sgt Leprechaun]

Yep.

I'm not smart enough to do a 'side by side' but here's the link to the current pay charts:

http://www.dfas.mil/militarypay/militarypaytables/2008MilitaryPayCharts35.pdf

[Sgt Leprechaun]

Couple more before I call it a day:

Corporal, worn on a single sleeve, likely dating from the 1870's.

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/uploads//monthly_02_2008/post-837-1203364391.jpg

Sergeant:

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/uploads//monthly_02_2008/post-837-1203364585.jpg

1st Sgt:

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/uploads//monthly_02_2008/post-837-1203319594.jpg

[Sgt Leprechaun]

Quartermaster Sergeant
http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/uploads//monthly_02_2008/post-837-1203319798.jpg


SgtMaj

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/uploads//monthly_02_2008/post-837-1203319867.jpg

All images courtesy of HH Booker and the US Militaria forum.

[bucksgted]

Speaking of pay, I was just looking at my DD 214 total payment on separation: $151.30 (19 FEB 1960 when I left active duty). $104.10 of that was for mileage from El Toro to Baytown, TX (home of record). I was paid two days lump sum for leave settlement. Now, if my math is correct, that means I was making $28.60 per day as a buck Sergeant in 1960. Nice wages for the dark ages. LMAO

[Ceya]

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/uploads//monthly_02_2008/post-837-1203541739.jpg

Courtesy of HH Booker. Love the pay scale. This is a pocket chart, BTW which is why it's so small. Dated 1939.


This is why they also call MSgt "TOP", Top of the enlisted chain.

I went through this also , meeting Marines from this era.

Charles Nelson (RIP) was one.

S/F<
CEYA!

[Ed Palmer]

Speaking of pay, I was just looking at my DD 214 total payment on separation: $151.30 (19 FEB 1960 when I left active duty). $104.10 of that was for mileage from El Toro to Baytown, TX (home of record). I was paid two days lump sum for leave settlement. Now, if my math is correct, that means I was making $28.60 per day as a buck Sergeant in 1960. Nice wages for the dark ages. LMAO
Ed
I only went 2 miles to school but I think you should chech your math

280.60 a day comes to $858.00 a month
I think I was still a Cpl then and my base pay was only 120.00 a month

Ed

[Ceya]

Ed
I only went 2 miles to school but I think you should chech your math

280.60 a day comes to $858.00 a month
I think I was still a Cpl then and my base pay was only 120.00 a month

Ed

SSgt,

He states 28.60.

S/F,
CEYA!
81s

[Ed Palmer]

SSgt,

He states 28.60.

S/F,
CEYA!
81s
was making $28.60 per day

Ed
28.60 times 30 days equals 858.00 a month I put in an extra 0 and didn't catch it sorry bout that

[bucksgted]

was making $28.60 per day

Ed
28.60 times 30 days equals 858.00 a month I put in an extra 0 and didn't catch it sorry bout that
Not to worry, Ed. I only brought up the salary thing since we were discussing "old" stuff and I can relate. I guess $10,296.00 per year base pay wasn't too bad in 1960, though.

[ExPISCDI83]

AWESOME! I have few questions though:

1. Who came up with the current upward pointing chevron and rocker like we have today? The Marine Corps or army? (Remember that they used to be pointing down until about WWI.)

2. Do they still have left and right chevrons in todays USMC?

Story: Once upon a time (in DI School in 1982) I thought I was A.J. and a Squad Instructor (The DI student's DI) came to me in inspection and gigged me for one of my chevrons being on the wrong sleeve. (HUH?) Well, I asked someone who I thought was "in the know about such things i.e. the Chief Instructor of the PISC DI School who educated me that, although rarely enforced, there was a left and right chevron (or used to be). The difference is the crossed rifles. Evidently, if you look really close, one of the rifles is embroidered on top of the other one, and the top rifle should be pointing forward. Of course I just had to look at the 65+ sets of chevrons that my classmates had on their shirts and sure enough. Some had it right! Some had it wrong like me. This was the first time I had heard of this little tid-bit of Marine Corps Trivia info. I never did look it up since, as far as I was concerned, if the Chief Instructor of the Parris Island DI School said it was so, then that was good enough for me. Since then, each time I got new chevrons, I made sure that the rifles were pointing in the correct direction, even if I had to tear open the packages in the PX and get what I wanted. Sometimes they were packaged correctly, but most of the time they weren't.

Comments??????

Semper Fi and have fun checking your chevrons! :-)

[jerryd6818]

Speaking of pay, I was just looking at my DD 214 total payment on separation: $151.30 (19 FEB 1960 when I left active duty). $104.10 of that was for mileage from El Toro to Baytown, TX (home of record). I was paid two days lump sum for leave settlement. Now, if my math is correct, that means I was making $28.60 per day as a buck Sergeant in 1960. Nice wages for the dark ages. LMAO

According to this pay chart (effective 1June1958) http://www.dfas.mil/militarypay/militarypaytables/militarypaypriorrates/1958.pdf as a Sgt E-4 over three, you were making $160 per month or $5.33 per day for a 30 day month. Considering you had "free" housing, food and transportation, that was a pretty good wage for 1958.

At that time, my dad was supporting a family of four on the same pay (a dollar an hour) and paid for his own housing, food and transportation.

The Few. The Proud.
Jerry D.

[SGT7477]

Not to worry, Ed. I only brought up the salary thing since we were discussing "old" stuff and I can relate. I guess $10,296.00 per year base pay wasn't too bad in 1960, though.
How did that work you made more than I did in the middle 70's?:flag:

[SGT7477]

AWESOME! I have few questions though:

1. Who came up with the current upward pointing chevron and rocker like we have today? The Marine Corps or army? (Remember that they used to be pointing down until about WWI.)

2. Do they still have left and right chevrons in todays USMC?

Story: Once upon a time (in DI School in 1982) I thought I was A.J. and a Squad Instructor (The DI student's DI) came to me in inspection and gigged me for one of my chevrons being on the wrong sleeve. (HUH?) Well, I asked someone who I thought was "in the know about such things i.e. the Chief Instructor of the PISC DI School who educated me that, although rarely enforced, there was a left and right chevron (or used to be). The difference is the crossed rifles. Evidently, if you look really close, one of the rifles is embroidered on top of the other one, and the top rifle should be pointing forward. Of course I just had to look at the 65+ sets of chevrons that my classmates had on their shirts and sure enough. Some had it right! Some had it wrong like me. This was the first time I had heard of this little tid-bit of Marine Corps Trivia info. I never did look it up since, as far as I was concerned, if the Chief Instructor of the Parris Island DI School said it was so, then that was good enough for me. Since then, each time I got new chevrons, I made sure that the rifles were pointing in the correct direction, even if I had to tear open the packages in the PX and get what I wanted. Sometimes they were packaged correctly, but most of the time they weren't.

Comments??????

Semper Fi and have fun checking your chevrons! :-)
I just got some chevrons for the dress blues and they are the same.:flag:

[Sgt Leprechaun]

AWESOME! I have few questions though:

1. Who came up with the current upward pointing chevron and rocker like we have today? The Marine Corps or army? (Remember that they used to be pointing down until about WWI.)

2. Do they still have left and right chevrons in todays USMC?

Story: Once upon a time (in DI School in 1982) I thought I was A.J. and a Squad Instructor (The DI student's DI) came to me in inspection and gigged me for one of my chevrons being on the wrong sleeve. (HUH?) Well, I asked someone who I thought was "in the know about such things i.e. the Chief Instructor of the PISC DI School who educated me that, although rarely enforced, there was a left and right chevron (or used to be). The difference is the crossed rifles. Evidently, if you look really close, one of the rifles is embroidered on top of the other one, and the top rifle should be pointing forward. Of course I just had to look at the 65+ sets of chevrons that my classmates had on their shirts and sure enough. Some had it right! Some had it wrong like me. This was the first time I had heard of this little tid-bit of Marine Corps Trivia info. I never did look it up since, as far as I was concerned, if the Chief Instructor of the Parris Island DI School said it was so, then that was good enough for me. Since then, each time I got new chevrons, I made sure that the rifles were pointing in the correct direction, even if I had to tear open the packages in the PX and get what I wanted. Sometimes they were packaged correctly, but most of the time they weren't.

Comments??????

Semper Fi and have fun checking your chevrons! :-)


An interesting question to be sure.

Chevrons went to the 'up' posistion basically by 'custom' and for several reasons:

1: Economy. It's cheaper and easier to make the smaller chevrons than the large ones.

2: Large chevrons make you a nice target.

**
As to the 'different arms', I have NEVER heard that one. While in WWI chevrons that carried a specific designator did go on different arms (so that eagles or emblems faced the wearers front), modern day chevrons with the crossed rifles were never intended to go on different arms. While the rifles may overlap differently, dollars will get you donuts the 'different arms' question/idea was something that someone came up with in order to 'look more uniform' or something else.

That having been said, I'm willing to eat crow here if someone can show me a Marine Corps Order stating otherwise.

[ssgtedusmc]

Great post Sgt. Leprechaun, thanks!

[JRHD72]

I just sold a set of Dress Blues with the cooks staff sergeant chevrons 3 up with a flat bottom rocker. Inside pocet was marked Kanahoe Bay 1937. But I could not find a name. The legion was gonna throw them out!!!! Stooopid azoles. I held onto them for 15 years. Very nice condition. The person that got them is also a Marine.

[JRHD72]

Interesting area of research. Perusing the casualty list at Pearl I found Marines with , what was to me, wierd rank designatiions. THANKS FOR POSTING!!

[CplKJSpevak]

Sgt....Thanks, Good job,Really cool......Which ones did they wear at the battle of Gettysburg? :)

[Zulu 36]

Sgt....Thanks, Good job,Really cool......Which ones did they wear at the battle of Gettysburg? :)

Check with bucksgted, he might have personal knowledge. :D