What is the most respected rank in the military?

There isn't one single "most respected" rank, as respect is earned through actions, but generally, Warrant Officers are revered for deep expertise, while high-ranking officers (Colonels/Generals) command deference, and senior NCOs (Sergeant Major) are highly respected for leadership; ultimately, respect depends on an individual's character and performance, not just their insignia.

What is the most prestigious rank in the military?

Generally, the highest U.S. military rank is O-10, or a four-star general. A five-star rank, created during World War II, was meant to be reserved for wartime or exceptional circumstances. Only nine Americans ever have held this rank. The last living five-star general was Omar Bradley, who died in 1981.

What is the most respected position in the military?

Firstly, Special Forces roles such as Navy SEALs, Green Berets, and Army Rangers are often considered highly respected due to the rigorous selection process and intensive training required. These roles also often involve high-risk, high-stakes mission operations, earning them a level of prestige.

Who is the only 7 star general?

8.0 Introduction. No person have ever been awarded or promoted to a seven-star rank, although some commentators might argue that General George Washington posthumously became a seven-star general in 1976 (see Part Seven).

What is the most powerful military rank?

The "strongest" military rank depends on context (individual vs. national power), but in the U.S., the highest achievable rank is General of the Armies, above the five-star General of the Army, while globally, the United States consistently ranks as the most powerful military nation due to superior spending, tech, and personnel. For an individual, a five-star general (like General of the Army) holds immense strategic authority, but the U.S. has only ever awarded the six-star General of the Armies to John J. Pershing.
 

Active Military Personnel by Country | 1830–2025 Bar Chart Race 🪖📊"

Who is no. 1 in the military?

1. United States. The U.S. continues to dominate as the world's most powerful military. With a budget nearing $900 billion, it invests heavily in advanced warfare systems, from cyber capabilities to space defense.

What is the most feared army ever?

While subjective, the Mongol Empire under Genghis Khan is often cited as history's most feared army due to its rapid conquests, brutal tactics, and massive casualties inflicted, creating widespread terror, with other contenders including the disciplined Wehrmacht (WWII German Army), fearsome Gurkhas, Persian Immortals, Ottoman Janissaries, and the Varangian Guard, each feared for different strengths like discipline, ferocity, or specific tactics.
 

Who was the best US general ever?

There's no single "greatest," but George Washington, Ulysses S. Grant, George S. Patton, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Winfield Scott are consistently ranked among America's top generals for their transformative leadership, battlefield success, and impact on the nation's military history, from founding the Continental Army to commanding Allied forces in World War II.
 

Does an O-1 outrank an E-9?

Yes, formally, an O-1 (Second Lieutenant/Ensign) always outranks an E-9 (Master Sergeant/Chief Petty Officer/etc.), as all officers outrank all enlisted personnel, but in practice, the highly experienced E-9 holds significant informal authority and respect, and a smart O-1 relies on the E-9's expertise rather than strictly "barking orders," understanding the command structure and "soft power" of senior enlisted leaders. 

How much do generals get paid?

U.S. Army Generals' pay varies significantly by rank (O-7 to O-10) and experience, with base pay for a 4-star General (O-10) starting around $18,500 per month ($222,000/year) or more, while a 1-star Major General (O-8) starts lower but increases with service, plus housing allowances (BAH), subsistence (BAS), and other special pays, making total compensation much higher, potentially exceeding $200k-$300k+ annually. 

What jobs make $3,000 a month without a degree?

What jobs make $3,000 a month without a degree?

• Dental Assistant. Dental assisting is one of the best-paying jobs you can start with no degree. ...
• Medical Assistant. ...
• Electrician or HVAC Technician. ...
• Delivery Driver or Courier. ...
• Office or Administrative Assistant. ...
• Security Guard. ...
• Real Estate Agent.

Can you make $100,000 in the military?

At this point, his basic pay is $71,604, his BAH is $33,120 and his BAS is $3,043, for a grand total of $107,767. It should be noted that this is just one of the ways in which someone in the military can achieve a total compensation of $100,000+.

Who gets the most respect in the military?

The Navy is respected for its strategic role in maintaining control of the seas, and the Marine Corps, a part of the Department of the Navy, is often respected for its rigorous training and role as a rapid-response force.

What is the rarest rank in the Army?

The rarest rank in the U.S. Army is arguably Chief Warrant Officer 5 (CW5), as it's the highest technical rank, held by less than 1% of warrant officers who are master-level experts, or ranks that only exist for a single person at a time, like the Sergeant Major of the Army (SMA), a singular position with immense responsibility, or historical/wartime ranks like General of the Armies (six-star), which is rarely bestowed. 

How respected is a sergeant major?

There are no people in the Army more respected than command sergeant majors. They have worked their way up to the very top of the enlisted ranks.

What is the most respected post in the Army?

Field Marshal (Hindi: फ़ील्ड मार्शल, romanized: pheeld maarshal) is a five–star officer rank and the highest attainable in the Indian Army. Created in 1973, it exists as an ceremonial recognition, awarded exclusively to officers deemed to have rendered exceptional service during wartime.

How much does an O-1 get paid?

"O1 Pay" refers to the basic monthly salary for the U.S. military's first officer pay grade, Second Lieutenant (O-1), which starts around $3,998 to $4,000 for less than two years of service in 2025, increasing with experience, plus allowances like BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) and BAS (Basic Allowance for Subsistence). An O-1 with more experience (e.g., 6 years) earns significantly more, and those with prior enlisted time get even higher rates (O-1E).
 

How hard is it to become E9?

Becoming an E-9 (Master Chief/Sergeant Major/Chief Master Sergeant) is extremely difficult, representing the top tier (around 1-2%) of the enlisted force, requiring exceptional performance, extensive experience (often 15+ years), advanced military education (like USASMA), strong leadership, and high-level evaluations. It's a highly selective, board-driven process demanding continuous professional development, specialized schools, and strategic career moves to stand out from peers. 

What rank is 20 years in the army?

After 20 years in the U.S. Army, you'd most likely retire as a Sergeant First Class (E-7), though many can reach Master Sergeant (E-8); however, it's also common to retire at Staff Sergeant (E-6) if promotions stall, while officers often retire as Captains (O-3) or Majors (O-4), depending on their path, with the Army's "up-or-out" system pushing many out if they don't keep advancing, especially past E-6/O-4. 

Who is the only 5 star general?

There have been five 5-star generals: George C. Marshall, Douglas MacArthur, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Henry H. Arnold, and Omar Bradley.

Which general never lost a battle?

Several famous generals are known for never losing a battle, with prominent examples including Alexander the Great, Khalid ibn al-Walid (the "Sword of Allah"), Russia's Alexander Suvorov, and the American Civil War's Union General George H. Thomas (the "Rock of Chickamauga"), highlighting different eras and military traditions. 

Who was the most feared general of WWII?

Patton was, without question, the most aggressive and skillful of the senior US Army generals during the war. It's no accident that he began his drive from the beachhead of Normandy to the far reaches of Germany with 250,000 men under his command in the Third Army.

What is the weakest Army?

There isn't one single "weakest" army, as it depends on criteria, but Somalia, Vatican City, Monaco, Bhutan, Suriname, and Costa Rica are often cited due to tiny forces, lack of heavy equipment (tanks, aircraft), reliance on foreign powers, or no standing army at all, with Somalia often topping lists due to prolonged conflict and lack of conventional defense structure despite some personnel. 

What are the soldiers most afraid of?

Soldiers fear many things, primarily death, severe injury (losing limbs, disfigurement), and capture, but also deeply fear appearing cowardly to comrades, facing artillery/drones due to their impersonal nature, and the emotional toll of losing loved ones back home (like "Dear John" letters). Their greatest anxieties often center on uncontrollable threats and failing to meet peer expectations, even more so than death itself.
 

What military fights the most?

The Army and the Marine Corps are usually the first to be deployed and typically experience the most combat among all branches. However, this doesn't mean that other branches like the Air Force, Navy, or Coast Guard do not see combat. They do, but the nature of their work might be different.