USMC Rank Chevrons through the ages..since 1917 - Marine Corps Community for USMC Marine Veterans

Sgt Leprechaun · 02-15-08, 04:48 PM

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

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

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

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 · 02-15-08, 04:55 PM

Enlisted rank insignia 1929-1937

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 Major

Notice ** : in 1922 change of 1912 chevron design

Enlisted rank insignia 1937-1944

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

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 · 02-15-08, 05:04 PM

Enlisted rank insignia 1946-1959

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

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 · 02-15-08, 05:34 PM

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

PatriotGirl422 · 02-15-08, 08:16 PM

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 · 02-15-08, 09:46 PM

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 · 02-16-08, 08:22 AM

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 · 02-18-08, 04:16 PM

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

1stSgt. Likely made before 1942.

Gunnery Sergeant.

Sgt Leprechaun · 02-18-08, 04:17 PM

SSgt. WWII era or 1930's

Dress blues:

Khaki:

Sgt Leprechaun · 02-18-08, 04:18 PM

Pre WWII 1st Sgt:
(It's reversed, showing the construction)

1stSgt, WWII era on khaki:

Sgt Leprechaun · 02-28-08, 04:21 PM

The latter few pictures came from US Militaria Forums.

Sgt Leprechaun · 02-28-08, 04:24 PM

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

SGT7477 · 02-28-08, 04:26 PM

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

Sgt Leprechaun · 02-28-08, 04:34 PM

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/mili...ayCharts35.pdf

Sgt Leprechaun · 02-28-08, 04:35 PM

Couple more before I call it a day:

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

Sergeant:

1st Sgt:



02-15-08, 04:48 PM	#1
Sgt Leprechaun Moderator Platinum Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Home Posts: 12,912 Credits: 13,047 Images: 2	USMC Rank Chevrons through the ages..since 1917 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 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 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 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 __________________ "Many Americans are beginning to pick up the strange vibe that for Barack Obama, governing America is 'an interesting sociological experiment'. ... He's the first president to give off the pronounced whiff that he's condescending to the job -- that it's really too small for him, and he's just killing time until something more commensurate with his stature comes along." --columnist Mark Steyn ** The Malignant Leprechaun



02-15-08, 04:55 PM	#2
Sgt Leprechaun Moderator Platinum Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Home Posts: 12,912 Credits: 13,047 Images: 2	USMC Rank Chevrons 1929-1946 Enlisted rank insignia 1929-1937 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 Major Notice : in 1922 change of 1912 chevron design Enlisted rank insignia 1937-1944 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 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 __________________ "Many Americans are beginning to pick up the strange vibe that for Barack Obama, governing America is 'an interesting sociological experiment'. ... He's the first president to give off the pronounced whiff that he's condescending to the job -- that it's really too small for him, and he's just killing time until something more commensurate with his stature comes along." --columnist Mark Steyn ** The Malignant Leprechaun



02-15-08, 05:04 PM	#3
Sgt Leprechaun Moderator Platinum Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Home Posts: 12,912 Credits: 13,047 Images: 2	1946-Present day Enlisted rank insignia 1946-1959 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 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) __________________ "Many Americans are beginning to pick up the strange vibe that for Barack Obama, governing America is 'an interesting sociological experiment'. ... He's the first president to give off the pronounced whiff that he's condescending to the job -- that it's really too small for him, and he's just killing time until something more commensurate with his stature comes along." --columnist Mark Steyn **** The Malignant Leprechaun



02-15-08, 09:46 PM	#6
LeonardLawrence Marine Free Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,078 Credits: 10,001 Images: 3	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 __________________ What doesn't kill you...only hurts....and that's what gets results!



02-16-08, 08:22 AM	#7
Sgt Leprechaun Moderator Platinum Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Home Posts: 12,912 Credits: 13,047 Images: 2	Imagine reciting the 1929 rank structure in recruit training! I'll post more of the rank structure history as I come across it. __________________ "Many Americans are beginning to pick up the strange vibe that for Barack Obama, governing America is 'an interesting sociological experiment'. ... He's the first president to give off the pronounced whiff that he's condescending to the job -- that it's really too small for him, and he's just killing time until something more commensurate with his stature comes along." --columnist Mark Steyn **** The Malignant Leprechaun



02-15-08, 05:34 PM	#4
SGT7477 Marine Free Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Bismarck Posts: 3,298 Credits: 11,012	Whew you done a job I like our rank structure of today.



02-15-08, 08:16 PM	#5
PatriotGirl422 Marine Free Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 584 Credits: 9,901	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.



02-18-08, 04:16 PM	#8
Sgt Leprechaun Moderator Platinum Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Home Posts: 12,912 Credits: 13,047 Images: 2	A few more Thought I'd post a couple more chevrons here. These are photos, not drawings. 1stSgt. Likely made before 1942. Gunnery Sergeant. __________________ "Many Americans are beginning to pick up the strange vibe that for Barack Obama, governing America is 'an interesting sociological experiment'. ... He's the first president to give off the pronounced whiff that he's condescending to the job -- that it's really too small for him, and he's just killing time until something more commensurate with his stature comes along." --columnist Mark Steyn **** The Malignant Leprechaun



02-18-08, 04:17 PM	#9
Sgt Leprechaun Moderator Platinum Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Home Posts: 12,912 Credits: 13,047 Images: 2	SSgt. WWII era or 1930's Dress blues: Khaki: __________________ "Many Americans are beginning to pick up the strange vibe that for Barack Obama, governing America is 'an interesting sociological experiment'. ... He's the first president to give off the pronounced whiff that he's condescending to the job -- that it's really too small for him, and he's just killing time until something more commensurate with his stature comes along." --columnist Mark Steyn **** The Malignant Leprechaun



02-18-08, 04:18 PM	#10
Sgt Leprechaun Moderator Platinum Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Home Posts: 12,912 Credits: 13,047 Images: 2	Pre WWII 1st Sgt: (It's reversed, showing the construction) 1stSgt, WWII era on khaki: __________________ "Many Americans are beginning to pick up the strange vibe that for Barack Obama, governing America is 'an interesting sociological experiment'. ... He's the first president to give off the pronounced whiff that he's condescending to the job -- that it's really too small for him, and he's just killing time until something more commensurate with his stature comes along." --columnist Mark Steyn **** The Malignant Leprechaun



02-28-08, 04:21 PM	#11
Sgt Leprechaun Moderator Platinum Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Home Posts: 12,912 Credits: 13,047 Images: 2	The latter few pictures came from US Militaria Forums. __________________ "Many Americans are beginning to pick up the strange vibe that for Barack Obama, governing America is 'an interesting sociological experiment'. ... He's the first president to give off the pronounced whiff that he's condescending to the job -- that it's really too small for him, and he's just killing time until something more commensurate with his stature comes along." --columnist Mark Steyn **** The Malignant Leprechaun



02-28-08, 04:24 PM	#12
Sgt Leprechaun Moderator Platinum Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Home Posts: 12,912 Credits: 13,047 Images: 2	Courtesy of HH Booker. Love the pay scale. This is a pocket chart, BTW which is why it's so small. Dated 1939. __________________ "Many Americans are beginning to pick up the strange vibe that for Barack Obama, governing America is 'an interesting sociological experiment'. ... He's the first president to give off the pronounced whiff that he's condescending to the job -- that it's really too small for him, and he's just killing time until something more commensurate with his stature comes along." --columnist Mark Steyn **** The Malignant Leprechaun



02-28-08, 04:26 PM	#13
SGT7477 Marine Free Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Bismarck Posts: 3,298 Credits: 11,012	We have come a long way do you have a pay scale of today?



02-28-08, 04:34 PM	#14
Sgt Leprechaun Moderator Platinum Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Home Posts: 12,912 Credits: 13,047 Images: 2	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/mili...ayCharts35.pdf __________________ "Many Americans are beginning to pick up the strange vibe that for Barack Obama, governing America is 'an interesting sociological experiment'. ... He's the first president to give off the pronounced whiff that he's condescending to the job -- that it's really too small for him, and he's just killing time until something more commensurate with his stature comes along." --columnist Mark Steyn **** The Malignant Leprechaun



02-28-08, 04:35 PM	#15
Sgt Leprechaun Moderator Platinum Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Home Posts: 12,912 Credits: 13,047 Images: 2	Couple more before I call it a day: Corporal, worn on a single sleeve, likely dating from the 1870's. Sergeant: 1st Sgt: __________________ "Many Americans are beginning to pick up the strange vibe that for Barack Obama, governing America is 'an interesting sociological experiment'. ... He's the first president to give off the pronounced whiff that he's condescending to the job -- that it's really too small for him, and he's just killing time until something more commensurate with his stature comes along." --columnist Mark Steyn **** The Malignant Leprechaun

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