Marine Corps Officer Ranks

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General Robert B. Neller, 37th Commandant of the Marine Corps, passes the Marine Corps Battle Color to Gen. David H. Berger, 38th Commandant of the Marine Corps, during a passage of command ceremony at Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., July 11, 2019. (U.S. Marine Corps/Pfc. Allen Sanders)
General Robert B. Neller, 37th Commandant of the Marine Corps, passes the Marine Corps Battle Color to Gen. David H. Berger, 38th Commandant of the Marine Corps, during a passage of command ceremony at Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., July 11, 2019. (U.S. Marine Corps/Pfc. Allen Sanders)

Marine Corps ranks for officers are split into two tiers: officer and general.

Commissioned officers do not enlist. They serve indefinitely at the pleasure of the president of the United States. They hold a commission charging them with the duties and responsibilities of their specific rank. Marine officer ranks consist of commissioned officers and general officers. Promotion of officers are confirmed by the Senate.

Marine Corps Ranks: Officers

 

Second Lieutenant (2LT) (O1) insignia

Second Lieutenant (2ndLt)(O1)

Second lieutenant is the first rank a commissioned officer makes when joining the U.S. Marine Corps. Due to their inexperience, they often are guided by senior officers or warrant officers. Nicknames for second lieutenant include "nugget" and "butterbar," because their insignia is a single gold bar.

 

First Lieutenant (1LT) (O2) insignia

First Lieutenant (1stLt)(O2)

The rank of first lieutenant is attained usually automatically after a Marine has served for two years as a 2ndLt. Promotion to first lieutenant generally leads to bigger paychecks, more responsibility and future chances for promotion.

 

Captain (CPT) (O3) insignia

Captain (Capt)(O3)

Captains in the Marine Corps are responsible for individual companies and act as company commander for 62-190 Marines. Captains generally are  promoted from lieutenants. They are in charge of the tactical and everyday operations of their company and often are assisted by junior commissioned and non-commissioned officers.

 

Major (MAJ)(O4) insignia

Major (Maj)(O4)

Majors in the U.S. Marine Corps typically are recruited from the rank of captain. They are considered to be a field grade.

 

Lieutenant Colonel insignia

Lieutenant Colonel (LtCol)(O5)

Lieutenant colonels are the second field officer grade in the U.S. Marine Corps. They command from 300-1,000 Marines at a given time and are assisted by one major, junior commissioned officers and one command sergeant major as an enlisted adviser. It typically takes 16-22 years to reach the rank of lieutenant colonel.

 

Colonel (COL) (O6) insignia

Colonel (Col)(O6)

Colonels in the Marine Corps typically go to the Army War College in Pennsylvania or the Marine Corps War College in Virginia. It typically takes 21-23 years to reach this rank, and it is considered to be the final step before reaching the general officer ranks.

Marine Corps Ranks: Generals

 

Brigadier General (BG) (O7) insignia

Brigadier General (BGen)(O7)

The lowest of the general officer ranks, Brigadier generals in the Marine Corps are one-star general officers. They preside over 10,000 to 15,000 Marines and are in charge of tactical planning and coordination of operations. Brigadier generals must retire five years after achieving the rank or once 30 years of cumulative service has been reached, whichever comes first. The only exception to this rule is to receive a promotion.

 

Major General (MG) (O8) insignia

Major General (MajGen)(O8)

A two-star general, major generals are promoted via a strict process of multiple nominations and reviews. Major generals must retire after five years in the rank or after 35 years of service unless they are promoted.

 

Lieutenant General (LTG) (O9) insignia

Lieutenant General (LtGen)(O9)

Considered a temporary rank, lieutenant generals retire once their active tour of duty or service comes to an end. They must retire after 38 years in the service or a month after turning 64. Lieutenant generals can extend their status only through an act of Congress.

 

General (GEN) (O10) insignia

General (Gen)(O10)

Generals in the Marine Corps are the highest-ranking officers in the branch. The Marine Corps can have a maximum of 60 general officers, and only three may be four-star generals. Generals are nominated by the president and are confirmed by the Senate. They must retire after 40 years of service or after they turn 64.

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