USMA Cadet Rank Structure (I'm Confused)

[polokevinn]

Greetings. In preparation for the next four years of my life, I have decided to begin learning West Point's cadet rank structure. I already know the Army NCO and officer rank structures, and how they correlate with positions. However, looking at this:



I am confused by several things. I am trying to find a correlation between the number of bars on the collar and the rank level at the chain of command. For example, a CDR at battalion level has five bars, but an adjutant at the brigade level has four?

Am I over thinking this? Please advise. Thank you.

 

[Goarmy85]

Commanders should be compared to commanders by level (Company vs Battalion vs Regiment vs Brigade). Other positions are more nuanced but generally should have similar rank differences by level.

 

[jl123]

Cadet ranks are confusing. The number of chevrons (stripes on top) equals the number of bars on the collar and indicates the rank - Captain (4 or more bars), Lieutenant (3 bars), Sergeant (2 bars). The stripes or insignia below the chevrons indicate the function - Supply, Activities, Adjutant, etc.

As a general rule, a commander is senior to a staff officer. But this will vary depending on level of the organization - Company, Battalion, Regiment, Brigade. For example:

• A Regimental Commander (6 bars) is senior to a Regimental Supply Officer (3 bars)
• A Brigade Activities Officer (4 bars) is equivalent to a Company Commander (4 bars)
• A Battalion Commander (5 bars) is senior to a Brigade Athletic Officer (4 bars)

Some find it easier to remember by understanding the system, others find it easier to just memorize each one.

 

[Wishful]

"If it moves, salute it, if it doesn't move, pick it up, if you can't pick it up, paint it".

 

[DrMom]

This is something you will learn--and it will be easy once you are there and are part of the culture. I would not put too much effort into it now.

 

[prospective2019]

Generally:
3 or more bars = Sir/Ma'am
2 bars = Sergeant
2 or more bars + star = Sergeant Major
2 bars + diamond = First Sergeant
1 bar = Corporal
0 bars = Private

That's all I'd be concerned with going into Beast.