Posted on Feb 27, 2015
SFC Michael Jackson, MBA
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Ranks
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Is it time to unify the rank structure of the armed forces? I worked with a Navy Captain. After serving in the Army and referring to "full birds" as Colonels, it's a little uncomfortable to call as O-6 a Captain when that's rank of O-3 in the Army. Likewise, we have ranks with the same title, but different grades. For example, a master sergeant is E-7 in the USAF and E-8 is USMC. Since we use the same pay charts, wouldn't make since to unify the ranks so say a staff sergeant is an E-6 is all branches? Would are your thoughts?
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SGM Mikel Dawson
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In 2001 I was the SNCO of the USNSE in Pristina where I worked with all ranks of all branches. Yes I had to get use to a Navy Captain, learn the different Air Force ranks, but in the end, it's nothing but a thing. To combine ranks would take away the heritage of the Branch of Service. In the words of an old but good saying - "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". Nothing here to fix.
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
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I'd love to say I support it, but I can't, and there's a few reasons.

First is the Constitutional reason. Congress has a Constitutional Obligation to MAINTAIN a Navy, but only a Requirement to RAISE an Army.

Despite our jokes about being the "Men's Department," the Marine Corps is a member of the Naval Services. Much like the Air Force has it's roots in the Army Air Corps.

That leads me to tradition. Each Service has tradition tied to their ranks. What would the Marines be without our "Gunny's," or the Navy & Air Force without their "Chiefs."

The officer ranks are very delineated, with 3 of the 7 uniformed services using "ground" ranks, while remaining 4 use "naval" ranks (and uniforms). The enlisted ranks are very similar as well, however the introduction of the E-8 & E-9 with the military pay act of 1958, that things became "skewed."

Personally, I do agree about Sergeant (E5), Staff Sergeant (E6), and Master Sergeant (E8) being the same however. That's just a personal preference though.
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GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad
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If we are going to do this, we may as well decide on a uniform to be worn by all branches too. Hell, for that matter, let's make it even easier and do away with the different branches too! We can just be one "unified armed force" . . . why not?
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SGT Tyler G.
SGT Tyler G.
>1 y
I swear I'm like the only one who finds the digital blue came to look awesome. But my favorite color is blue, so I guess that biases my opinion on the matter.
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GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad
GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad
>1 y
No, you're not the only one --- my wife thinks they look pretty awesome too!
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CW3 Network Architect
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>1 y
Sure they do...as pajamas. But who am I to talk, I have to wear ACUs.....
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CPO Emmett (Bud) Carpenter
CPO Emmett (Bud) Carpenter
>1 y
I’m glad I’m retired and don’t have to wear it.
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Should we unify and have one rank structure? Why or Why not?
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COL Charles Williams
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No. Although this can be confusing, it is also a tradition, which is important to these respective branches.
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CPO Emmett (Bud) Carpenter
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No! Because I like being called by my first name.... Chief
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CW3 Network Architect
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>1 y
Here's a story you'll find amusing. I was deployed to Kabul, and worked with another CW2 and a CPO. We all went to the DFAC on Camp Phoenix together. There was a Marine behind the counter for headcount.

The other CW2 went first, and the Marine greeted him with "Good evening, Chief"

The CPO went next, and the Marine greeted him with "Good evening, Real Chief"

They had to pick me up off the floor I was laughing so hard.....
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CPO Emmett (Bud) Carpenter
CPO Emmett (Bud) Carpenter
>1 y
that's funny
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Lt Col Aerospace Planner
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I would not change it, not just because of tradition. In a practical matter, in almost every modern Navy, the Captain is universally a senior officer. Their insignia of 4 braids is almost universally recognized as well,
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MAJ Knowledge Management Specialist
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While I agree in principle that the ranks ought to be the same across the services, there is too much tradition with each rank for any of the services to give them up.  I know this from servicing in two joint commands with other services.

Also, since this is part of US Code Title 10, it would take an act of Congress and approval from the President to enact this change.  

I don't see this happening within my lifetime.
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MSgt Michael Durkee
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Edited >1 y ago
I think the Enlisted Ranks are already fairly established, but it is frustrating to look at a Navy Lt's bars and have to remember that they are not a Captain, or seeing Oak Leafs and focusing on the Lt Commander and not a Major thing :D
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SCPO Ron Chandler
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Navy Chief, Senior Chief, and Master Chief Petty Officers differ from every other service. Also, the Naval Officer Rank structure is steeped in tradition and is in line with other navies that share the same heritage.
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SFC Michael Jackson, MBA
SFC Michael Jackson, MBA
>1 y
How do they differ?
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SCPO Ron Chandler
SCPO Ron Chandler
>1 y
I think I might have a more clear perspective on this than most as I was active duty Army for 4 years and then went Navy. In my time in the Army I witnessed the progression of my maintenance sergeant go from SSG to SFC which was an event that was basically the same type of promotion ceremony that I had from PFC to SP4. The advancement of Petty Officer First Class to Chief Petty Officer is a significant process, too lengthy to type out here, but during that process one is prepared to be held accountable to a much higher standard. Not only does our responsibility lie in training and looking out for the welfare of our junior sailors, it increases to training junior officers to be leaders up to and through O-3. We provide the deckplate leadership required to effectively support the day to day operations allowing the junior officers to learn how to fight the ship and learn their craft that will propel them through O-4 and beyond.
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Cpl Bo Dronet
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The branches are like different worlds and bringing them together would ruin he history behind them all.
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