So what rank were you?

[DrFaroohk]

Sometimes when I meet an ex-military person or something, in the course of the conversation I usually wind up asking them what rank they were.

As far as I know, this is not a major faux pas. As far as I know, its not a huge secret.

The answer I always get is like "Oh, I was an XJ-5." Or "I was a Class 3.2 CL10 dash Neutral Zero."

What ever happened to "I was a Captain." or "I was an Admiral."

[Hobbs]

In the different branches of services, there are different names for each rank. Also, certain special duties will give you a paygrade that is different from your rank. The basic definitions are "E" and "O" classes. E= enlisted and O= officer.

Therefore, if a solder (US Army) says, "I'm an E-2." You can determine that he is the same rank as Airman (USAF) and Private First Class (USMC).

If an Air Force officer says he's an "O-3" that means he is the same rank as a Lieutenant (USN) or Captain in the Army or Marines.

If, when I graduate I say I'm an O-1, then I am the same rank as Ensign in USN.

It's more noticable in the Enlisted ranks. Also, note that Government officers recieve a "G" rating. Don't ask, b/c I don't know civilian pay grades.

Here's a helpful link: http://www.defense.gov/specials/insignias/enlisted.html

[jackfaire]

In other words telling you their Pay grade and security clearance level instead of actually what their rank is. Captain, Admiral are ranks.

[Greenday]

In other words telling you their Pay grade and security clearance level instead of actually what their rank is. Captain, Admiral are ranks.

It's so if they are talking to someone in another branch, they know where on the rank chart the person falls.

Civilian paygrades use the GS scale which is basically determined by what job you have, then you just get upped until a certain point where you have to wait longer between promotions or actually do stuff.

[jackfaire]

It's so if they are talking to someone in another branch, they know where on the rank chart the person falls.

Meh guess I wasn't in long enough to run into that everytime I saw two people from different branches encounter each other they used paygrades to determine what their rank was the equivilant of.

[DrFaroohk]

I guess I understand what all the letter codes mean now, but still...if it's just a civilian asking to make conversation, couldn't you just say "I was a Major." I don't think joe blow off the street is interested in your paygrade.

Unless it IS considered rude to ask, and if that's the case I shall cease and desist asking.

[Greenday]

I guess I understand what all the letter codes mean now, but still...if it's just a civilian asking to make conversation, couldn't you just say "I was a Major." I don't think joe blow off the street is interested in your paygrade.

Unless it IS considered rude to ask, and if that's the case I shall cease and desist asking.

I doubt most civilians know the letter system at all. And as far as I'm aware, it's not a rude question.

[lordlundar]

I guess I understand what all the letter codes mean now, but still...if it's just a civilian asking to make conversation, couldn't you just say "I was a Major." I don't think joe blow off the street is interested in your paygrade.

Maybe not, butr you have to consider that most civilians don't know the ranks beyond what they see in the media, which is nowhere near representative. For the most part, most people would give as much of a blank look at Master Gunnery Sergeant as they would E 9. Or wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a Navy Master Sergeant or an army Master Sergeant. As well, acronyms are a big thing in the armed forces, which tend to get a deer in the headlights look from civilians.

In short, civilians are going to be confused, so might as well confuse them as much as possible.

[Hobbs]

Maybe not, butr you have to consider that most civilians don't know the ranks beyond what they see in the media, which is nowhere near representative. For the most part, most people would give as much of a blank look at Master Gunnery Sergeant as they would E 9. Or wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a Navy Master Sergeant or an army Master Sergeant. As well, acronyms are a big thing in the armed forces, which tend to get a deer in the headlights look from civilians.

In short, civilians are going to be confused, so might as well confuse them as much as possible.

Point of order, the USN doesn't have Sergeants. They have Chiefs.

[lordlundar]

Point of order, the USN doesn't have Sergeants. They have Chiefs.

<smacks forehead with hand> Do'h! I meant to say Air Force.

[Hobbs]

<smacks forehead with hand> Do'h! I meant to say Air Force.

That's ok. God only made Air Force pilots perfect