What is the highest rank a regular enlisted soldier in the Army can achieve?

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Regardless of college experience those enlisted in the army can reach is 3 various versions of Sgt Major. The 3 are Sgt. Major of the Army, Command Sgt. Major, and Sgt. Major. The 3 are different billets with the Sgt. Major of the Army being the highest in responsibility.

There aren't too many who enlist after college, as many become officers. The highest rank of that is a 4 star general....Show more

The Army has three tiers of advancement: Enlisted (E), Warrant Officer (W), and Commissioned Officer (O). When someone refers to E-1, they are telling you Enlisted pay grade 1, which is the lowest enlisted pay grade. W-1 is the lowest Warrant Officer pay grade, and O-1 is the lowest Officer pay grade. When refering to pay soldiers will say their pay grade and then over followed by a number. For example I was an E-4 over 6. What this means is I was in the fourth enlisted paygrade with over six years time in service.

Pay grades are not the same as Rank although they do give a slight indication as to what your rank may be. Below are some examples:
E-4 Specialist or Corporal
E-8 Master Sergeant or 1ST Sergeant
E-9 Sergeant Major, Command Sergeant Major, or Sergeant Major of the Army

The highest pay grade one can achieve if they stay enlisted their entire career is E-9. The highest rank would be Sergeant Major of the Army. There is only one Sergeant Major of the Army at a time.

Enlisted members in most fields that have an expertise in their feild may choose to become Warrant Officers if they qualify. A Warrant Officer is a unique rank, they aren't subject to all the duties that Enlisted members are, but they don't have the generalized knowledge and command authority of a Commissioned Officer either. They are the experts in their field, and all Warrants were Enlisted at one time. The highest Warrant pay grade is W-5, and the highest rank is Cheif Warrant Officer -5.

The highest Officer Pay grade during peacetime is O-10, the Rank is General (4 stars). The highest Pay grade during wartime is O-11 the Rank is General of the Army (5 stars). The only branch that does not have a 5 Star General is the Marine Corp.

The following link will explain Army pay grades in more detail.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pay_grade

This link shows pictures of Enlisted Army rank insignia, with a the Rank and it's three letter abrieviation and a brief description of that rank.
http://www.goarmy.com/about/ranks_and_insignia.jsp

This link does the same as above for Warrant Officers.
http://www.goarmy.com/about/ranks_insignia_warrant_off.jsp

And this link is for Commissioned Officers.
http://www.goarmy.com/about/ranks_insignia_officer.jsp

There are many different career paths in the Army. I served with many enlisted soldiers that had 4 year degrees and even a couple that had doctorates. They usually join as Specialist and make E-5 and E-6 quickly. The only Enlisted members that become Warrant Officers right after training are pilots, all others have to meet the requirements for their MOS (Military Occupational Specialty). The requirements are different for each MOS but most require you to have a certain number of years in that MOS, require you be at least E-5, and you must have at least one Warrant in your MOS sponsor you....Show more

Command Sergent Major of the Army E-10...Show more

An enlistee volunteer who succeeds, stays for 26 years, and attains the rank of E-9 (Sergeant Major, the top NCO rank) receives retirement pay at 75 percent of base salary, or $45,000 per year plus family medical and college benefits for life. This is not bad in today’s market, but our Army needs to retain its NCOs, the backbone of our Army....Show more

It would be: Army- Sergeant Major of the Army

Marines-Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps

Navy-Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy

AirForce-Chief Master Sergeant of the Airforce

CoastGuard-Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard...Show more