Cadet Corps Ranks-Cadets, Sergeant, and Senior Sergeant Ranks

In the Cadet Corps, cadets, sergeants, and senior sergeants closely follow “enlisted” soldiers in the US Army. Similarly, chevrons are used to identify classes of ranks. One stripe (chevron) denotes a Cadet, two stripes denote a Corporal, and three stripes denotes Sergeant.   Rockers, which are the straight lines on Class-A or Class-B shoulder marks, or u-shaped lines on Class-C, metal, pin on rank are displayed underneath chevrons and indicate various levels of each of the three classes.  Thus, a Cadet First Class, has one chevron plus one rocker and a Staff Sergeant, which is the first rank after Sergeant, has 3 chevrons plus one rocker.

 

Cadets (Entry Level)

Recruits wear the uniform without any rank.

RCT - Cadet Recruit  
(Addressed as "Cadet") 
Lowest rank: a “Recruit” who’s in their first semester of CACC. Primary role is to carry out orders issued to them to the best of his/her ability. 
Squad member.

 

CDT - Cadet  
(Addressed as "Cadet")
RCTs are advanced to this level after one semester of CACC (or earlier) and passing their PTA. Carries out orders issued to them to the best of his/her ability.
Squad member.

 

CFC - Cadet First Class  
(Addressed as "Cadet") 
CDTs are advanced to this level after their second semester of CACC (or earlier) and passing their PTA. Carries out orders issued to them to the best of his/her ability.
Squad member.
 
 

C/CPL - Cadet Corporal  
(Addressed as "Corporal") 
CFCs are advanced to this level after their third semester of CACC (or earlier) and passing their PTA. Carries out orders issued to them to the best of his/her ability.
Squad member.
 

Sergeants

C/SGT - Cadet Sergeant  
(Addressed as "Sergeant") 
CPLs are promoted to this level after taking the C/SGT exam and passing their PTA. This is the first official leadership position. Considered to have the greatest impact on Cadets because SGTs oversee them in their daily tasks.  SGTs set an example and the standard for Entry-Level Cadets to look up to, and live up to.
Assistant Squad Leader (5-11 Cadets).


C/SSG - Cadet Staff Sergeant
(Addressed as "Sergeant") 
SGTs are promoted to this level after taking the C/SSG exam and passing their PTA.

Also, commands a squad (9 to 10 Cadets). Often has one or more SGTs under their leadership. 
Squad Leader (5-11 cadets), Company Clerk/Guidon Bearer, Battalion Staff NCO.

 


C/SFC - Cadet Sergeant First Class  
(Addressed as "Sergeant") 
SSGs are promoted to this level after passing a promotion board and completing their PTA. 

SFCs are key to staff function and advising the platoon leader.


Platoon Sergeant, Company Supply Sergeant, Battalion Staff NCO, Regimental Staff NCO


C/MSG - Cadet Master Sergeant  
(Addressed as "Sergeant") 
SFCs are promoted to this level after passing a promotion board and completing their PTA. 

Principal NCO at the Battalion, and all staff levels. 

Battalion/Regimental/Brigade/10th Corps Staff NCO

Senior Sergeants

C/1SG - Cadet First Sergeant
(Addressed as "First Sergeant") 
SFCs or MSGs are promoted to this level after passing a promotion board and completing the MSG PTA and being assigned to the First Sergeant Position.  Principal NCO and life-blood of the company: the trainer, tutor, and wise counselor. Instructs other SGTs, advises the Commander and helps train Cadets.
Company First Sergeant, HHC First Sergeant

C/SGM - Cadet Sergeant Major 
(Addressed as " Sergeant Major ") 
1SGs or MSGs are promoted to this level after passing a promotion board. SGMs experience and abilities are equal to that of the CSM, but the sphere of influence regarding leadership is generally limited to those directly under his charge.
Battalion Operations NCO, Regimental/Brigade/10th Corps Staff NCO

 

C/CSM - Cadet Command Sergeant Major  
(Addressed as "Command Sergeant Major") 
SGMs are promoted to this level after passing a promotion board. 

CSMs normally serve at the Brigade level and above.

Battalion/Regiment/Brigade/10th Corps Command Sergeant Major