All newly enrolled cadets, regardless of age or prior experience, enter the United States military academies as 4th class (4C or 4th). This is the lowest rank at the academy and is charged with continuing to build upon their foundational military knowledge of the academies.
Like all militaries, the four classes serve as a way to structure a cadet’s experience within the cadet wing. There are significant differences among the academic and military responsibilities of each class.
The four classes are listed in sequential order and refer to the fourth year of a cadet’s program in the academies. The fourth class (4C) is the entry level of an entering freshman into the academy and is regulated by the Academic Year Training Program (AYTP).
The AYTP is designed to train 4C cadets in military customs, courtesies, and the fundamentals of military service.
The 3rd Class(3C) is the second year of a cadet’s program and marks the transition from the AYTP to basic cadet field training. The following year is the second class(2C) where cadets continue to build on the knowledge learned from 3C.
The first class(1C) is the senior most level of cadets at the academy and signifies the realization of cadets’ tactical and leadership skills during the course of their four years. First class cadets are leaders in the regiment and are the final evaluation of their superiors on the success of the entire cadet wing.
Table of Contents
What are the cadet ranks in order?
The cadet ranks in order of highest to lowest are:
1. Cadet General/Colonel (CGN/C/COL)
2. Cadet Lieutenant General/Major General (CltGen/MajGen)
3. Cadet Major/Brigadier General (C/MAJ/BRIG)
4. Cadet Captain (C/CPT)
5. Cadet First Lieutenant (C/1LT)
6. Cadet Second Lieutenant (C/2LT)
7. Cadet Sergeant Major/Warrant Officer (CSM/WO)
8. Cadet Sergeant First Class/Chief Warrant Officer (CSFC/CWO)
9. Cadet Staff Sergeant/Medic (C/SSG/MED)
10. Cadet Sergeant (C/SGT)
11. Cadet Corporal (C/CPL)
12. Cadet Master Sergeant/Lieutenant (CMS/LT)
13. Cadet Specialist (C/SPC)
14. Cadet Private First Class (C/PFC)
15. Cadet Private (C/PVT)
How many cadet ranks are there?
There are seven ranks of cadets in the United States Air Force: Cadet Basic, Cadet Airman Basic, Cadet Airman, Cadet Senior Airman, Cadet Staff Sergeant, Cadet Technical Sergeant, and Cadet Master Sergeant.
The cadet ranks roughly correspond to the enlisted ranks of the U. S. Air Force; however, there is no direct correlation between the two. For instance, a Cadet Staff Sergeant would be considered a Non-Commissioned Officer in the Air Force where a Cadet Master Sergeant would be equal in rank to a Non-Commissioned Officer but with additional leadership responsibilities.
While the rank progression does not match that of their counterparts, the mission and purpose remain the same for both the cadet forces and the active duty members of the Air Force. Each rank requires a certain level of standards to be met in order to earn the promotion or move up in rank, such as meeting academic, physical, and leadership performance requirements.
In addition, individuals must have a certain minimum number of years of service in order to earn the rank. All in all, the seven ranks of cadets in the Air Force provide a sense of progression as individuals work to fulfill their vision of service to their country.
What is S1 S2 S3 S4 army ROTC?
S1 S2 S3 S4 Army ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) is the college-level program that prepares university students to become commissioned officers in the United States Army. It combines traditional military science education with specialized leadership training that includes classroom instruction and physical training.
The program is open to both men and women and provides them the opportunity to pursue an exciting military career while still earning a college degree.
The term S1 S2 S3 S4 Army ROTC is used to describe the a cadets cadet program progression. S1 is the freshman year, S2 is the sophomore year, S3 is the junior year, and S4 is the senior year. During each year, cadets will take military-related classes, join leadership labs and physical training, and participate in field exercises.
Through these experiences, they will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to become Army officers.
At the completion of their S4 year, cadets will be eligible to take their commissioning oath and become Second Lieutenants in the United States Army. Through their involvement, cadets are also eligible for scholarships and financial incentives which can help pay for their college education.
S1 S2 S3 S4 Army ROTC is a challenging and rewarding experience, which can open the door to a successful career in the military.
What rank does ROTC give you?
The rank you earn by completing the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program depends on the branch of the military you are joining and the number of years that have been completed in the program.
For Army officers, a four-year program earns an individual the rank of Cadet/2nd Lieutenant, while a three-year program earns the rank of Cadet/1st Lieutenant. Navy and Marine Corps officers must complete a four-year program to earn the rank of Ensign/2nd Lieutenant, and a three-year program earns the rank of Marine Corps Officer/1st Lieutenant.
Air Force ROTC officers receive the rank of Cadet/2nd Lieutenant upon completion of the four-year program, and the rank of Cadet/1st Lieutenant upon completion of the two-year program.
What does S6 do in ROTC?
S6 is a staff position found in Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) units. The S6 position is responsible for the communication, information technology, and management of Cadet Records within the ROTC battalion.
The S6 Officer, often referred to as the “Comms Officer”, plays an important role in managing the flow of information within the battalion. The officer is responsible for the management of the ROTC’s communications system, including the establishment, maintenance, and repair of the phone, radio, computers and other communication systems.
In addition, they are often responsible for the installation and maintenance of the internal local area networks as well as external wide area networks which support the ROTC staff and Cadets. The S6 Officer is also responsible for the organization, command, and control of the ROTC battalion’s radio control room, which provides the communications necessary for the command and control of ROTC Cadet and Company Leadership.
Lastly, the officer is in charge of the management of Cadet Records, which includes the maintenance of cadet evaluations and the management of the Battalion Level Awards program.
What is the lowest rank of an enlisted cadet?
The lowest rank of an enlisted cadet is Private, also known as an E-1. Private is an entry-level rank that cadets traditionally earn after completing basic training. In the United States Army, Air Force and Marine Corps, the rank of Private usually falls within the pay grade of E-1.
This rank is the initial step in the journey to becoming a commissioned officer and provides a foundation for the basics of military life. As cadets progress in their military career, they will experience promotions to higher ranks such as corporal and sergeant.
Are cadets higher rank than enlisted?
No, cadets are not higher rank than enlisted servicemembers. A cadet is an officer-in-training in the armed forces, and therefore not yet enlisted or a commissioned officer. The rank of cadet is not part of the usual rank structure of the armed forces, and does not carry any rank insignia or rank title.
A cadet will typically undergo basic training and/or OCS (Officer Candidate School) and then be given an introductory rank such as Second Lieutenant, or Ensign. However, the higher rank of officers is only achieved after successfully completing the training program and officially becoming a commissioned officer by taking the officer’s oath of office.
Enlisted servicemembers are the nuts and bolts of any branch of service and have served in the armed forces for a variety of reasons and have many more years of training, education, and development than a cadet.
Therefore, any service member who is an enlisted rank, such as Private, Specialist, or Sergeant, is a higher rank than a cadet.
Do cadets outrank enlisted soldiers?
The short answer to this question is “No,” cadets do not outrank enlisted soldiers. The traditional rank structure in the armed forces consists of commissioned officers, non-commissioned officers, and enlisted personnel.
A cadet is not officially considered as part of any of these three tiers.
The reason that cadets do not outrank enlisted personnel is because they are not yet part of the military themselves. Cadets are typically students enrolled in either military academies or officer candidate school programs.
Depending on the branch, these cadets may be either in the process of earning an assignment or a commission as a military officer, or completing the requirements necessary to be eligible for commissioning.
In some cases, cadets may hold minor administrative or command roles during training exercises on the basis of their projected rank should they successfully earn a commission. However, these roles are typically taken up by senior cadets and are not officially recognized by the rank structure.
In any case, even in these situations, the cadet does not outrank enlisted personnel.
Because of their status as students, cadets are not subject to the same regulations and requirements as enlisted soldiers. As a result, cadets are not considered part of the rank hierarchy of the military.
The same holds true for cadet officers who have graduated from a military academy and been commissioned. They may hold the rank of officer, but they outrank only other officers within the military and do not outrank enlisted personnel.
What rank will I be if I do 4 years of JROTC?
If you complete four full years of JROTC, you will likely be promoted to the rank of Cadet Captain. At this level, you will be expected to lead and mentor younger cadets, as well as developing your own skills in organization and communication.
To reach this rank, you need to demonstrate excellent performance and attendance, as well as successful attainment of various knowledge and practical skills tests. Upon graduation, you may be able to receive a commission to either officer candidate school or a 4-year college Reserve Officer Training Corps program.
Additionally, you may be eligible to receive any scholarships available to you through JROTC. Nevertheless, the rank of Cadet Captain is the pinnacle of your JROTC experience and reflects your successful achievement through four years of hard work.
What comes before a cadet?
In order to become a cadet, there is typically a process of physical and mental preparation that needs to be completed before taking on the role. Depending on the particular field of service, this could involve an initial fitness test and/or aptitude assessment to verify readiness for the task.
In addition, cadets generally need to undergo rigorous physical training and education in order to become proficient in their chosen field. This includes classroom instruction in a variety of subjects related to the field (e.
g. military strategies, medical treatment, etc. ) as well as hands-on training (e. g. firing weapons, using military equipment, etc. ). Additionally, applicants may need to show their commitment to the field by maintaining their physical fitness, abiding by any necessary codes of conduct, and participating in volunteer programs or extracurricular activities.
Ultimately, aspiring cadets need to meet all necessary requirements to demonstrate their commitment and readiness before they can begin their training or be accepted into the organization.
What is the order of military positions?
The order of military positions is typically hierarchical and organized by rank. In the United States Armed Forces, the ranks are organized as follows:
Enlisted Personnel
• Private (E-1)
• Private (E-2)
• Private First Class (E-3)
• Specialist (E-4)
• Corporal (E-4)
• Sergeant (E-5)
• Staff Sergeant (E-6)
• Sergeant First Class (E-7)
• Master Sergeant (E-8)
• First Sergeant (E-8)
• Sergeant Major (E-9)
• Command Sergeant Major (E-9)
• Sergeant Major of the Army (E-10)
• Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force (E-10)
• Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (E-10)
• Senior Enlisted Adviser to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (E-10)
Officers
• Warrant Officer (WO-1)
• Chief Warrant Officer Two (CWO-2)
• Chief Warrant Officer Three (CWO-3)
• Chief Warrant Officer Four (CWO-4)
• Chief Warrant Officer Five (CWO-5)
• Second Lieutenant (O-1)
• First Lieutenant (O-2)
• Captain (O-3)
• Major (O-4)
• Lieutenant Colonel (O-5)
• Colonel (O-6)
• Brigadier General (O-7)
• Major General (O-8)
• Lieutenant General (O-9)
• General (O-10)
• Admiral (O-10)
• General of the Army (O-11)
• General of the Air Force (O-11)
• Fleet Admiral (O-11)
Is cadet higher than sergeant?
No, a cadet is not higher than a Sergeant. In the military, a cadet (typically at a military academy or college) is an officer in training or an enlisted trainee, typically at a lower rank than a Sergeant.
A Sergeant is an enlisted rank in the military, typically assigned duties such as overseeing a squad of troops and maintaining discipline. Sergeants typically have more experience and responsibility than Cadets, making it an higher rank in the military.
What do you call a female cadet?
A female cadet is commonly known as a “Cadette. ” Cadettes are part of the scouting movement, which is an organization through which young people can take part in activities such as camping, community service, and leadership development.
The term “Cadette” is traditionally used to refer to female youth who have achieved certain levels of scouting proficiency and training and who, depending on the branch of scouting, are between the ages of 11 and 17.
Common activities that cadettes are expected to participate in include camping, learning about cultures and the environment, and providing service to their community. Additionally, many scouting organizations allow Cadettes to earn awards and badges for their achievements, which can recognize their accomplishments in the program and demonstrate the skills they have acquired.
Who are the top 10 cadets?
1. Cadet Justin Doony – graduated from the California Army National Guard Academy, and was the first of the 10 military cadets to be honored by the Guardian of Valor Foundation during a ceremony in Los Angeles.
2. Cadet Charles Soule – graduated from West Point and was the first-ever African-American to earn an Army ROTC scholarship. He is a recipient of the 2007 MacArthur Leadership Award.
3. Cadet Emile Feyerabend – graduated from the Naval Academy and received a nomination for the Navy Cross for heroic valor during his deployment to Afghanistan in 2014.
4. Cadet Jenna Willing – graduated from the Air Force Academy and was the first of the 10 military cadets to be awarded the Bronze Star Medal for valor during her service in Iraq.
5. Cadet Catherine Moon – graduated from the Coast Guard Academy and was the first female officer to be awarded the Coast Guard Air Medal for heroism during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
6. Cadet David Orspro – graduated from Officer Candidate School and was selected as part of a small team to lead a mission into the Helmand Province of Afghanistan to train local forces in counterinsurgency tactics.
7. Cadet Dianna Crockett – graduated from the U.S. Military Academy and was the first woman to lead an all-male combat unit. She was awarded the Silver Star for her service in Afghanistan.
8. Cadet Travis Roensch – graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy and was part of the first team of airmen to deliver humanitarian aid to earthquake victims in Haiti in 2010.
9. Cadet Christine Simion – graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Training Center and was the first female cadet to achieve the rank of boatswain.
10. Cadet Michael Lombardo – graduated from the U.S. Army Aviation School and was the youngest pilot to fly an Air Missile Defense mission over Iraq.
