United States Army Enlisted Rank Insignia - History

History

From the creation of the United States Army to 1820, enlisted rank was distinguished by worsted epaulettes. An infantry corporal wore one epaulette on his left shoulder, a sergeant wore one on his right, whilst Quartermaster Sergeants and Sergeants Major wore two epaulettes.

The mark of rank used by the military, worn on the shoulder or lapel, is the chevron. From 1820 to 1903 the insignia was worn with the point down. From 1903 to 1905 there was some confusion and rank could be worn with the point either up or down. The War Department Circular 61 of 1905, directed that the points be placed up and designated certain colors for each branch of the military for uniformity. On 22 July 1919, the military approved "an arc of one bar" for a private first class. In 1942, there were several changes in rank order and color. The rank of third, fourth, and fifth grade technician was added with a "T" placed at the bottom. 1948, saw more changes including the deletion of the Technicians rank. In 1951, the pay grade was reversed and the rank of Master Sergeant became E-7 instead of E-8. In 1955 (dated 2 July 1954), new grade structures were announced reactivating the specialist rank. A Master Specialist was an E-7, specialist 1st class was an E-6, 2nd class was an E-5, and 3rd class was a corporal. In 1958, the addition of four more ranks, E-8 along with specialist 8, E-9 along with specialist 9, and a restructuring of titles. In 1965, the specialists 8 and 9 were discontinued. In 1968, Command Sergeant Major was added. In 1978, Specialist seven was discontinued. In 1979 the rank of Sergeant Major of the Army was added and in 1985, Specialist 5 and 6 was discontinued.