Air Force Enlisted Rank Structure

Airman Basic (AB). Airmen Basics have no rank insignia. The official term of address is “airman basic” or “airman.”

Airmen (Amn) wear a chevron of one stripe with a silver star in the center. The official term of address is “airman.”

Airman First Class (A1C) wear a chevron of two stripes with a silver star in the center. The official term of address is “airman first class” or “airman.”

Senior Airmen (SrA) wear a chevron of three stripes with a silver star in the center. The official term of address is “senior airman” or “airman.”

Staff Sergeants (SSgt) wear a chevron of four stripes with a silver star in the center. The official term of address is “staff sergeant” or “sergeant.”

Technical Sergeants (TSgt) wear a chevron of five stripes with a silver star in the center. The official term of address is “technical sergeant” or “sergeant.”

Master Sergeants (MSgt) wear a chevron of six stripes with a silver star in the center. The official term of address is “master sergeant” or “sergeant.”

Senior Master Sergeants (SMSgt) wear a chevron of seven stripes with a silver star in the center. Two of the seven stripes are in an inverted position above the star. The official term of address is “senior master sergeant” or “sergeant.”

Chief Master Sergeants (CMSgt) wear a chevron of eight stripes with a silver star in the center. Three of the eight stripes are in an inverted position above the star. The official term of address is “chief master sergeant” or “chief.”

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."