One of the proudest aspects of the 29th Infantry Division is that ever member has started out the same way. We have all enlisted as a Private, gone through Basic Combat Training, and worked our way up the ranks. Everyone from Squad Leaders to Platoon Leaders to Company Commanders to the Battalion Commander has, at one time, been a Private, and you can check their Tour of Duty for proof.

If you are seeking information on rank organization you can find it here.

Below are the ranks of the 29th Infantry Division and what they mean.

Privates

Private (Pvt.)

Once cadets graduate basic combat training, they receive the 29th ID shoulder patch and serve to carry out orders to the best of their ability.

Private, First Class (PFC)

This rank is awarded to Privates who have become valuable to the Squad Leaders. They assist in drills, showing other Privates the ropes, and are next in line for leadership positions.

Non-Commissioned Officers

NCOs are the backbone of the army. Their role is to enforce policies and regulations set by the officers, as well as to lead groups of soldiers in combat.

Corporal (E-5, Cpl.)

The entry-level NCO rank, a corporal is a PFC who has proven themself in Leadership training and is capable of leading other soldiers. Usually does not discipline the men as much as a higher NCO, but acts as a team leader.

  • Asst. Squad Leader
  • Can lead squads if necessary

Sergeant (E-4, Sgt.)

A Sergeant is a seasoned Corporal who demonstrates a perfect example of an NCO in leadership, organization, and attitude.

  • Squad Leader

Staff Sergeant (E-3, SSgt.)

A proven Sergeant who has been given the opportunity to lead at platoon-level, with other NCOs reporting to them.

  • Platoon Sergeant

Technicians

These are NCOs who serve in positions which require skills of a technical nature such as clerks who handle the unit’s paperwork, engineers who develop custom content for the games we play, or certain weapon specialists.

They are still NCOs, and as such can exercise the same authority over other soldiers. They generally do not serve in leadership positions because they are occupied with other important responsibilities. Each Technician rank has an NCO equivalent, and they should be addressed as such verbally.

Technician, 5th Grade (E-5, T/5)

  • Verbally addressed as “Corporal”

Technician, 4th Grade (E-4, T/4)

  • Verbally addressed as “Sergeant”

Technician, 3rd Grade (E-3, T/3)

  • Verbally addressed as “Staff Sergeant”

Senior Non-Commissioned Officers

SNCOs are NCOs who have been promoted up through the ranks due to their dedication and experience. They will generally serve as advisors to the officers, and will oversee the NCOs under their command to make sure the Officers’ policies are enforced. They will lead men in combat as well.

Technical Sergeant (E-2, TSgt.)

A Technical Sergeant is a seasoned leader who typically serves as platoon sergeant, and can hold a Company HQ position.

  • Platoon Sergeant
  • Can serve as Company Sergeant if necessary

First Sergeant (E-1, FSgt.)

A key advisor to the Commander, the First Sergeant is often the most respected enlisted member of the company, and known as the “Company Boss.” Helps run the company and has a wealth of experience under his belt.

  • Company Sergeant

Master Sergeant (E-1, MSgt.)

Typically found only once in a battalion, and assists in the Battalion HQ. Also fulfilling the job of a First Sergeant, the Master Sergeant can assist in running a company.

  • Battalion Sergeant
  • Company Sergeant

Warrant Officers

Designated an officer by Battalion HQ Warrant Officers are classified as officers but are distinguished from a Commissioned Officer by not having completed the special training or OCS program. The duties performed by Warrant Officers encompass the same jobs performed by Commissioned Officers but are usually only held in an interim period until a Commissioned Officer is available.

Warrant Officer One (W-1, WO1)

The entry-level Warrant Officer rank, who typically leads a platoon under the Company HQ’s command.

  • Platoon Leader

Chief Warrant Officer Two (W-2, CW2)

Usually the Executive Officer (XO) of a Company, the Chief Warrant Officer Two is second in command and executes orders from the Captain, but can be the Commanding Officer in absence of a Captain, or can lead a platoon if necessary.

  • Company Executive Officer (XO)
  • Can serve as Platoon Leader if necessary

Chief Warrant Officer Three (W-3, CW3)

The Chief Warrant Officer Three commands a Company, and is also referred to as the Company’s Commanding Officer (CO).

  • Company Commander

Chief Warrant Officer Four (W-4, CW4)

The Chief Warrant Officer Four can be the Executive Officer (XO) of the Battalion, but can be the Commanding Officer in absence of a Lieutenant Colonel.

  • Battalion Executive Officer (XO)
  • Can serve as Company Commander if necessary

Chief Warrant Officer Five (W-5, CW5)

Typically a Chief Warrant Officer Five would serve as a technical leader, manager, integrator, and advisor for specific areas defined by Bn. HQ. The Chief Warrant Officer Five may command an entire Battalion in the absence of a Maj. or LTC or server as as the Bn. XO if needed.

  • technical leader, manager, integrator, and advisor
  • Battalion Executive Officer (XO)
  • Can serve as Battalion Commander if necessary

Commissioned Officers

The highest ranking members of the Unit are the officers. They have gone through special training to perform their jobs, set policy, and oversee large groups of soldiers. These are the only members who are to be saluted.

Second Lieutenant (O-1, 2Lt.)

The entry-level Officer rank, who typically leads a platoon under the Company HQ’s command.

  • Platoon Leader

First Lieutenant (O-2, 1Lt.)

Usually the Executive Officer (XO) of the company, the First Lieutenant is second in command and executes orders from the Captain, but can be the Commanding Officer in absence of a Captain, or can lead a platoon if necessary.

  • Company Executive Officer
  • Can serve as Platoon Leader if necessary

Captain (O-3, Cpt.)

The Captain commands a Company, and is also referred to as the Company’s Commanding Officer (CO).

  • Company Commander

Major (O-4, Maj.)

The Major is usually the Executive Officer of the Battalion, but can be the Commanding Officer in absence of a Lieutenant Colonel.

  • Battalion Executive Officer
  • Can serve as Battalion Commander if necessary

Lieutenant Colonel (O-5, Lt. Col.)

The Lieutenant Colonel commands the entire Battalion, and is the highest rank in the unit.

  • Battalion Commander