Chain of Command & NCO Support Channel

Chain of Command

The chain of command is the succession of commanders superior to subordinates through which command is exercised. It goes from the President of the United States (Commander in Chief) down to the individual Soldier.

• Key positions (top down):
• President of the United States (Commander in Chief)
• Secretary of Defense
• Secretary of the Army
• Chief of Staff of the Army
• Your Corps/Division/Brigade/Battalion/Company Commanders down to Platoon Leader

NCO Support Channel

The NCO Support Channel parallels and complements the chain of command. It is the channel of communication that reinforces the chain of command.

• Sergeant Major of the Army (SMA)
• Command Sergeant Major (CSM)
• First Sergeant (1SG)
• Platoon Sergeant (PSG)
• Squad Leader (SL)
• Team Leader (TL)

The NCO Support Channel is NOT a separate chain of command. NCOs receive orders through the chain of command and execute through the NCO support channel.

Rank Structure – Enlisted

• E-1: Private (PV1) — no insignia
• E-2: Private (PV2) — one chevron
• E-3: Private First Class (PFC) — one chevron, one rocker
• E-4: Specialist (SPC) or Corporal (CPL)
• E-5: Sergeant (SGT)
• E-6: Staff Sergeant (SSG)
• E-7: Sergeant First Class (SFC)
• E-8: Master Sergeant (MSG) / First Sergeant (1SG)
• E-9: Sergeant Major (SGM) / Command Sergeant Major (CSM) / Sergeant Major of the Army (SMA)

Rank Structure – Officer

• O-1: Second Lieutenant (2LT)
• O-2: First Lieutenant (1LT)
• O-3: Captain (CPT)
• O-4: Major (MAJ)
• O-5: Lieutenant Colonel (LTC)
• O-6: Colonel (COL)
• O-7: Brigadier General (BG)
• O-8: Major General (MG)
• O-9: Lieutenant General (LTG)
• O-10: General (GEN)
• General of the Army (5-star, wartime only)

Board Tips

KNOW YOUR CHAIN OF COMMAND by name, from your team leader all the way up to the President. The board WILL ask you this and will be disappointed if you can't name every person. Practice this daily before your board.