Ranks and Ratings

There are three types of officer - commissioned officers, warrent officers, and noncommissioned officers.

Commissioned officers are those from full general down to second lieutenant, who have been commissioned by the President, acting as Commander-in-Chief of the Army. Male officers are addressed as "Sir," Wac officers as "Ma'am."

Warrent officers, senior and junior grade, hold warrants of their rank issued by the Secretary of War. They rank between commissioned officers and noncommissioned officers. They rate salutes. Make warrant officers are addressed as "Mister," and Wac warrant officers as "Miss."

Noncommissioned officers, from master sergeants to corporals, are appointed by their supperiors when they have proved themselves worthy. They do not rate salutes.

Privates, first class, are not considered noncommissioned officers, although promotions to this rank are awarded as in the cases of the latter.

Insignia

From the Ordinance Soldiers Guide

CHAIN OF COMMAND extends from the corpora lwho leads a squad, through the sergeants and officers ln command of the larger units, to the President of the United States, the commander-in-chief of our armed forces. Tactical Unit Approx. No. of Men Commander Squad 12 Corporal Platoon 50 Lieutenant Company 200 Captain Battalion (Inf.) 900 Major Regiment (Inf.) 3,200 Colonel Division 15,000 Major General Corps 75,000 Lt. General Army 300,000 General