Ever wonder about the Marine Corps ranks? Or the difference between an officer and an enlisted Marine?
Also Read: Remembering 250 years of Marine Corps Commandants
Well, this guide is for you.
How Are Marine Ranks Earned?
How does a Marine advance to the next rank? Well, that depends on whether you’re an officer or enlisted. Let’s break it down. Regardless, a service member achieves a rank as their responsibility and contribution to the mission increases.
How to Become an Officer
There are many paths to becoming a Marine Corps officer, and all have benefits.
A candidate might go to a traditional college for four years, be part of the ROTC program, and then commission as a second lieutenant when they get out.
Or they might decide that even with a college degree, they want to be an enlisted Marine first and then become an officer. The Marine Enlisted Commissioning Program offers enlisted service members a chance to do just that in Officer Candidates School (OCS).
Marines who enter the Corps with an associate degree (or 75 credit hours) can participate in the Meritorious Commissioning Program, which offers them the chance to attend OCS.
The Enlisted Commissioning Educational Program gives Marines ranked corporal and above a chance to earn a college degree and commission as an officer. Once accepted, a Marine goes to OCS, then to a college that has an ROTC program and finally the Basic School.
TBS is six months long and helps new second lieutenants understand the basics of officership, leadership, and Marine Corps ethics.
Marine Officer Ranks: Officers and Generals
Officer ranks are divided into two categories: officers and generals.
O-1 Second Lieutenant (2ndLt): This is the rank a new college graduate receives after commissioning.
O-2 First Lieutenant (1stLt): After serving two years, this O-2 promotion is usually automatic.
O-3 Captain (Capt): Captains are company commanders in charge of a company’s tactical and everyday operations.
O-4 Major (Maj): Majors are junior field-grade officers. Marines who hold this rank have been in service for about 10-12 years.
O-5 Lieutenant Colonel (LtCol): A lieutenant colonel will command anywhere from 300 to 1,000 Marines at any given time. Often, O-4s and senior O-3s will assist with this as well as a sergeant major.
O-6 Colonel (Col): After 22-ish years, a Marine who’s hit all of their marks will probably be a colonel. Colonels generally attend a War College, and it’s the final step before becoming a general.
General Ranks
0-7 Brigadier General (BGen): This is the lowest Marine general rank. One-star generals lead 10,000 to 15,000 Marines and are in charge of coordinating ops and the tactical planning that goes with those operations.
O-8 Major General (MajGen): A two-star general earns this rank via multiple nominations and extensive reviews. An O-8 has to retire after five years if they don’t pick up another star.
O-9 Lieutenant General (LtGen): This three-star general is a kind of temporary rank, because LtGens generally have to retire after 28 years of service or a month after turning 64.
O-10 General (Gen): A four-star general is the highest Marine in the branch. However, the USMC can only have 64 general officers at any given time. The president nominates an O-10, who is then confirmed by the Senate. Retirement after 40 years is mandatory.
Enlisted Marine Ranks
Enlisted Marine ranks are divided into three levels: junior enlisted, noncommissioned officers, and staff NCOs.
E1-E3
These junior enlisted ranks are all about learning skills and developing the ability to lead and follow.
E-1 Private: After graduating from basic training, a private is generally promoted in about six months. Privates need to follow orders and learn how to contribute to the Corps.
E-2 Private First Class (PFC): This second Marine rank shows that the service member has become an integral part of the Corps.
E-3 Lance Corporal (LCpl): Marines have to demonstrate they’re capable of handling the demands of leadership and applying technical training.
E4-E5
Welcome to the world of noncommissioned officers. NCOs are corporals and sergeants who are responsible for the lives of their unit both in and out of combat. Specific duties of NCOs vary by your primary job function. That said, you’ll be expected to train subordinates, be accountable, and enforce the USMC’s standards.
E-4 Corporal (Cpl): This junior NCO Marine rank is required to exercise maturity, leadership, and professionalism.
E-5 Sergeant (Sgt): E-5 duties are close to those of corporals. The difference here is that sergeants are in daily contact with many Marines. They usually have equipment and property to maintain as well.
E6-E9
Staff NCOs have not only proven their commitment to the mission but to the Corps as well.
E-6 Staff Sergeant (SSgt): This Marine rank means that a SSgt generally has at least one Sgt working under their direct leadership. They are responsible for the continual and successful development of these sergeants.
E-7 Gunnery Sergeant (GySgt): GySgts bring their years of experience to this role and execute quick, accurate decisions. Gunnies train and motivate their subordinates and supervise, control, and discipline as necessary.
E-8 First Sergeant and Master Sergeant (1stSgt and (MSgt): These are both E-8 positions, but they have different responsibilities. A 1stSgt is the primary enlisted advisor to the unit commander. A MSgt is the technical expert in their field. When it’s time for promotion, a 1stSgt will move on to be a sergeant major while a MSgt will track to be a master gunnery sergeant.
E-9 Sergeant Major and Master Gunnery Sergeant (SgtMaj and MGySgt): Like a 1stSgt, a SgtMaj serves as a principal adviser to unit commanders. Meanwhile, a MGySgt is the foremost expert in their MOS field. They serve as the enlisted assistant to the commander in all admin, tech, and tactical responsibilities.
Commandant and Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps
The Commandant of the Marine Corps is a four-star general and usually the highest-ranking officer in the USMC. They are members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and report directly to the secretary of the Navy. Commandants are president-appointed duties and require Senate confirmation. As of April 2026, a total of 39 men have served as Commandants. The first was in 1775.
Established in 1957, the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps is the highest enlisted rank a Marine can achieve. They serve as the senior most adviser to the commandant. The Marine Corps commandant selects the SMMC. Then, the sergeant major usually serves a four-year term alongside the commandant.
Want to find out more about the Marines? Here’s why the Corps’ Security Force Regiment is so badass.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Rank Is a Marine After 4 Years?
After four years, an enlisted Marine is probably a lance corporal or corporal, provided they are doing all they can to advance their skills.
What Rank Do Most Marines Retire at?
There’s no one-age-fits-all for retirement.
What Is the First Rank of a Marine?
An enlisted Marine enters boot camp and receives the rank of private.
How Long Is Marine Boot Camp?
Boot camp is 13 weeks long. Find out more about the process here.
