A Question About Ranks

[Johnny_Reb_1865]

So for a long time I've seen ranks such as the following when looking into soldiers.

1st Sergeant
2nd Sergeant
3rd Sergeant
4th Sergeant
5th Sergeant
4th Corporal
5th Corporal
6th Corporal

Can anyone educate me on these? What's the significance of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc ?

What were their duties and responsibilities in an artillery company for example?

 

[rpkennedy]

It's based on their seniority in the company.

Ryan

 

[Nathan Stuart]

So for a long time I've seen ranks such as the following when looking into soldiers.

During the Civil War, thought that the enlisted soldier ranking stucture (in descending order) for both sides was as follows:-
Sergeant Major
Quartermaster Sergeant
Ordnance Sergeant
First Sergeant
Corporal
Private

Would think for soldiers of the same ranking (above private), that seniority of enlistment would prevail. (I stand to be corrected).

 

[rpkennedy]

During the Civil War, thought that the enlisted soldier ranking stucture (in descending order) for both sides was as follows:-
Sergeant Major
Quartermaster Sergeant
Ordnance Sergeant
First Sergeant
Corporal
Private

Would think for soldiers of the same ranking (above private), that seniority of enlistment would prevail. (I stand to be corrected).

Sergeant-major, quartermaster sergeant, and ordnance sergeant were field and staff positions at the regimental level. The various numbered sergeant and corporal ranks were at the company level.

Ryan

 

[Nathan Stuart]

Sergeant-major, quartermaster sergeant, and ordnance sergeant were field and staff positions at the regimental level. The various numbered sergeant and corporal ranks were at the company level.

Ryan

I stand corrected. Thanks.

 

[thomas aagaard]

So for a long time I've seen ranks such as the following when looking into soldiers.

1st Sergeant
2nd Sergeant
3rd Sergeant
4th Sergeant
5th Sergeant
4th Corporal
5th Corporal
6th Corporal

Only 1st sergeant , sergeant and corporal are ranks.
The 1st sergeant is usually called "covering sergeant" in the infantry drillbooks.

The rest are job titles... and the internal ranks in the company.

Sergeant-major, quartermaster sergeant, and ordnance sergeant were field and staff positions at the regimental level. The various numbered sergeant and corporal ranks were at the company level.

An artillery company (battery) actually do have a quartermaster sergeant. But you are correct that an infantry company do not.

 

[MikeyB]

Only 1st sergeant , sergeant and corporal are ranks.
The 1st sergeant is usually called "covering sergeant" in the infantry drillbooks.

The rest are job titles... and the internal ranks in the company.


An artillery company (battery) actually do have a quartermaster sergeant. But you are correct that an infantry company do not.

I thought sergeant major was a formal rank, and you get a star with your stripes? First sergeants get the diamond right?

 

[thomas aagaard]

I thought sergeant major was a formal rank, and you get a star with your stripes? First sergeants get the diamond right?

it is... but it is not on the list he posted.

"Kautz NCO" give this list.
1. Cadet and Medical Cadet.
2. Sergeant Major.
3. Regimental Quartermaster, and Commissary Sergeants.
4. Ordnance Sergeants and Hospital Stewards.
5. First Sergeant.
6. Sergeants.
7. Corporals.

 

[rpkennedy]

I thought sergeant major was a formal rank, and you get a star with your stripes? First sergeants get the diamond right?

Union rank insignias

Ryan

 

[Johnny_Reb_1865]

Only 1st sergeant , sergeant and corporal are ranks.
The 1st sergeant is usually called "covering sergeant" in the infantry drillbooks.

The rest are job titles... and the internal ranks in the company.


An artillery company (battery) actually do have a quartermaster sergeant. But you are correct that an infantry company do not.

How would these work? Like a 4th Corporal vs a 5th Corporal?

 

[thomas aagaard]

The drillbooks explain where in the formation the different people are to be posted.

So casey explain where the 1st - 5th sergeant are posted in the formation.
The corporals are placed according to height. in the front ranks on the right and left of the two platoons in the company.

The issue for volunteer regiments is that this only give 1x 1st sergeant, 4x (ordinary) sergeants and 4x corporals.
But unlike in the regular army where this was the legal number, volunteer regiments had 1x 1st sergeant, 5x (ordinary) sergeants and 8x corporals.
(the extra corporals are usually simply also paled in the rear rank)