Air Force Officer Rank Structure

Second Lieutenant (2nd Lt). Rank insignia is one gold bar. Terms of address are "Second Lieutenant" or "Lieutenant."

First Lieutenant (1st Lt). Rank insignia is one silver bar. Terms of address are "First Lieutenant" or "Lieutenant."

Captain (Capt). Rank insignia is two silver bars connected. Term of address is "Captain."

Major (Maj). Rank insignia is a gold oak leaf. Term of address is "Major."

Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col). Rank insignia is a silver oak leaf. Terms of address are "Lieutenant
Colonel" or "Colonel."

Colonel (Col). Rank insignia is a silver eagle. Term of address is "Colonel."

Brigadier General (Brig Gen). Rank insignia is one silver star. Terms of address are "Brigadier General" or "General."

Major General (Maj Gen). Rank insignia is two silver stars in line. Terms of address are "Major General" or "General."

Lieutenant General (Lt Gen). Rank insignia is three silver stars in line. Terms of address are "Lieutenant General" or "General."

General (Gen). Rank insignia is four silver stars in line. Term of address is "General."

A little trick is taught in enlisted basic training to help remember the names of the four general officer ranks (Brigadier General, Major General, Lieutenant General, and General). Memorize the phrase, "Be My Little General."