Military Glossary
Army Troop Organization
Squad -- The smallest military unit, it usually consists of 10 to 11 soldiers.
Platoon -- A platoon is usually four squads. Platoons are usually led by lieutenants, with
sergeants serving as their second-in-command.
Company -- Companies consist of four platoons, a headquarters and some logistical staff.
They are normally commanded by captains.
Battalion -- A battalion is usually made up of four to five companies, including a support
company and a headquarters company.
Brigade -- A brigade is a collection of battalions, usually 2,000 to 3,000 troops. Brigades are
most often commanded by a colonel.
Division -- There are at least three brigades in a division. They are usually commanded by a
major general.
Corps -- Made up of two to five divisions, corps are the largest tactical units in the U.S.
Army.
Marine Organization
The Marine Corps, a branch of the Navy, has some unit classifications that are unique.
Marine Expeditionary Force -- An expeditionary force is made up of two or three divisions
of Marines. The force is usually deployed on helicopter carriers or amphibious assault ships.
Its equipment and weaponry includes tanks, artillery, Harrier jump jets and attack helicopters.
Marine Expeditionary Unit -- Each marine division is known separately as a Marine
Expeditionary Unit. The unit usually includes a battalion landing team, helicopter squadron
and support unit.
Military Slang And Jargon
APC -- Armored personnel carrier, a tanklike vehicle that carries troops
BDUs -- Battle Dress Uniforms, what soldiers and marines wear on the battlefield
CO -- Commanding Officer
Frag, Fragging -- To murder a fellow soldier. From 'fragmentation grenade.'
GPS -- Global Positioning System. A satellite triangulated 'compass' that gives the GPS's
location
Humvee -- High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle, the military's current version of
the Jeep. Also called a 'hummer.'
Kevlar -- Protective material capable of stopping small caliber bullets and shrapnel. Troops
wear Kevlar vests with a ceramic front plate capable of stopping larger caliber rifle rounds.
Military helmets are also lined with Kevlar.
LZ -- Landing zone, where troops are deposited by helicopter or land after parachuting from
a plane.
MRE -- Meals Ready to Eat, packaged food carried by troops for their own consumption.
NBC -- Nuclear, Biological, Chemical. Often used to describe equipment and training related
to those battlefield threats.
NCO -- Non-Commissioned Officer, usually refers to sergeants.
OPSEC -- Operational Security.
POW -- Prisoner Of War.
PsyOps -- Psychological Operations. The production and distribution of media in native
languages with the intent of informing the locals of American actions, desires and views,
usually with the hope of producing a desired action.
RPG -- Rocket-Propelled Grenade.
SAW -- Squad Automatic Weapon, a light machine gun
SOP -- Standard Operating Precedure
TOW -- A heavy antitank missile. Its name is derived from its description as a Tubelaunched, Optically tracked, Wire-guided missile.
XO -- Executive Officer. The second-highest ranking soldier in a unit.
Enlisted Rank
Army
Navy
Marines
Air Force
Private
Seaman Recruit
Private
Airman Basic
Private E-2
Seaman Apprentice
Private First Class
Airman
Private First Class
Seaman
Lance Corporal
Airman First Class
Corporal | Specialist
Petty Officer Third
Class
Corporal
Senior Airman
Sergeant
Petty Officer Second
Class
Sergeant
Staff Sergeant
Staff Sergeant
Petty Officer First
Class
Staff Sergeant
Technical Sergeant
Sergeant First Class Chief Petty Officer
Gunnery Sergeant
Master Sergeant | First
Sergeant
Master Sergeant |
First Sergeant
Senior Chief Petty
Officer
Master Sergeant |
First Sergeant
Senior Master Sergeant
| First Sergeant
Sergeant Major
Master Chief Petty
Officer
Sergeant Major
Chief Master Sergeant
Warrant Officer
Warrant Officer (no
longer in use)
Warrant Officer
N/A
Chief Warrant
Officer
Chief Warrant Officer
Chief Warrant
Officer
N/A
Second Lieutenant
Ensign
Second Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
First Lieutenant
Lieutenant Junior
Grade
First Lieutenant
First Lieutenant
Captain
Lieutenant
Captain
Captain
Major
Lieutenant
Commander
Major
Major
Lieutenant Colonel
Commander
Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant Colonel
Colonel
Captain
Colonel
Colonel
Brigadier General
Rear Admiral Lower
Half
Brigadier General
Brigadier General
Major General
Rear Admiral Upper
Half
Major General
Major General
Lieutenant General
Vice Admiral
Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General
General
Admiral
General
General