What is the highest rank that has ever worn the chevrons?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 May 2018 09:57:09 -0400

Our 1SG asked this on a board, and nobody I know, NCOs included, or google has been able to answer this correctly. Any help will be much appreciated!

Thank everyone for their responses! I gave the answer that GySgt Warren supplied, and that was the correct one that he wanted.

Captains, from 1821-1835 wore chevrons as their rank.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made May 16 at 2018 10:19 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 May 2018 10:19:47 -0400

Interesting question. Does chevrons necessarily mean rank insignia. I know in World War 1 they awarded chevrons to people who were wounded. So maybe there is some trickery there.

Maybe some flag-officer was wounded in WW1 and wore it.

Good luck! I am anxious to know the answer.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wound_Chevron

Wound Chevron - Wikipedia

A Wound Chevron was a badge of the United States Army, United States Navy and United States Marine Corps which was authorized for wear on uniforms between the years of 1918 and 1932. The Wound Chevron was a gold metallic-thread chevron on an Olive Drab backing displayed on the lower right cuff of a US military uniform. It denoted wounds which were received in combat against an enemy force or hospitalization following a gassing. Initially...

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 16 at 2018 10:41 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 May 2018 10:41:57 -0400

The Command Chief Petty Major of the Armed Forces!

Seriously though....

Maybe this is what he was referring to..

Between 1821 and 1895, the U.S. Army insignia of rank for enlisted soldiers above the grade of private was the chevron—a "V"-shaped piece of cloth or braid, typically worn on the sleeve. From 1821 until 1847, non-commissioned officers (NCOs)—viz., sergeants and corporals—wore their chevrons point-down, while staff non-commissioned officers (SNCOs)—viz., sergeants major, quartermaster sergeants, drum majors, and trumpet majors, (as well as company grade officers from 1821 until 1836)—wore them point-up.

Response by CSM Chuck Stafford made May 16 at 2018 10:50 AM

CSM Chuck Stafford — Wed, 16 May 2018 10:50:05 -0400

While several Presidents have served as enlisted soldiers, President McKinley wore NCO chevrons...

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 16 at 2018 11:03 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 May 2018 11:03:07 -0400

I appreciate the responses! Thanks to PO1 Keller, I think I have the answer.
Douglas MacArthur, when he was a Brigadier General in WW1, wore both wound chevrons and Overseas service chevrons.
I will talk to my 1SG and will report back.
Thanks again to all responses!

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 16 at 2018 11:24 AM

GySgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 May 2018 11:24:15 -0400

The answer is Captains from 1821-1835

Check out the 1821 Army Regulations.

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=hvd.hxjg8p;view=1up;seq=178

General regulations for the army; or, Military institutes.

If you are not a member of a partner institution, whole book download is not available. (why not?)

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made May 16 at 2018 11:32 AM

SGM Erik Marquez — Wed, 16 May 2018 11:32:44 -0400

My guess is, it was more about how you answered then a "correct" answer.

Unless it is a question specific to your unit history you reasonable should know.

Or you have "One of them" sitting a board.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made May 16 at 2018 4:01 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Wed, 16 May 2018 16:01:20 -0400

Hasn't anyone seen the uniforms Bob Hope wore? More chevrons than a squad put together. Of course that would be the Smart A answer. Asking a question about minute trivia tells me something about the poser. I'm in SGM Erik Marquez camp on this one.

Response by SSG Jeff Hane made May 17 at 2018 12:01 PM

SSG Jeff Hane — Thu, 17 May 2018 12:01:06 -0400

Although usually associated with Non-Commissioned Officers, the chevron was originally used as an insignia to denote General Officer ranks in the British Army, dating back to 1768.

Response by CW5 Ranger Dave made May 17 at 2018 7:54 PM

CW5 Ranger Dave — Thu, 17 May 2018 19:54:34 -0400

I hate “Stump the Chump” or “I have a secret” board questions almost as much as the self indulgent idiot board member that ask them.

Response by Sgt David Hesser made May 18 at 2018 2:54 PM

Sgt David Hesser — Fri, 18 May 2018 14:54:47 -0400

Any 4 star general that was enlisted at one time, I believe the was was has ever.