The U.S. Air Force Officer Ranks In Order With Insignias 2023
In the previous article, we have already taken an insight into The U.S. Air Force Enlisted Ranks In Order With Insignias. To continue our series of blogs involving Air Force ranks, let us walk you through a list of AF officer ranks now.
The U.S. Air Force Officer Ranks have been divided into three separate sections including company grade (from O-1 to O-3) , field grade (from O-4 to O-6) and general officers (from O–7 to above). Keep reading till the end so as to equip yourself with the useful information!
1. The U.S. Air Force Officer Ranks: Company Grade
1.1. Second Lieutenant (2nd Lt)
- Classification: Commissioned officers
- Yearly basic pay: $41,724.30
- Pay Grade: O-1
In the Air Force, second lieutenant which is the lowest officer rank is the title of most newly commissioned officers. In general, the second lieutenant’s duties and responsibilities consist of supervising flights as deputy commanders or flight commanders. These officers might become pilots, battle managers, or combat system officers if they pass the rated training. Furthermore, as you can see above, the rank of second lieutenant is shown via a single gold bar.
1.2. First Lieutenant (1st Lt)
- Classification: Commissioned officer
- Yearly basic pay: $48,072.50
- Pay Grade: O-2
A first lieutenant is responsible for supervising flights and acting as a flight commander like a second lieutenant. It should be noted that promoted second lieutenants (SLs) might be assigned the first lieutenants who have more experience, responsibility and higher pay than SLs. Additionally, sometimes, 1st Lts also mentor and guide SLs during flight.
1.3. Captain (Capt)
- Classification: Commissioned officers
- Yearly basic pay: $55,632.50
- Pay Grade: O-3
After 4 years of serving as an officer, you might achieve the captain rank. Captains who are experienced officers must lead big flights and be responsible for administrative tasks and group assignments.
In operations groups Senior captains work as flight commanders who have authority over the flight, whereas junior ones take a minor leadership role.
Some captains who are committed to serving longer in the Air Force might advance to field grade officers. Additionally, others are taken on as medical doctors in the Air Force and bestowed higher ranks in commissioning because of their education and expertise alike.
>>> See Also: All crucial enlistment requirements for the U.S. Air Force
2. Air Force Field Grade Officers
2.1. Major (Maj)
- Classification: Field officer
- Yearly basic pay: $63,276.70
- Pay Grade: O-4
The field grade officer’s lowest rank is major. Majors who have been promoted from captains must take on a greater administrative role within the squadron and at the wing level. Working directly for the commander, they must perform the duties of senior staff officers in the unit. When there are unusual jobs for them, they can be a squadron commander and lieutenant in non-flying units during logistics and maintenance.
2.2. Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col)
- Classification: Field officer
- Yearly basic pay: $73,344.20
- Pay Grade: O-5
The central officer rank equivalent to a commander in the Coast Guard and Navy is a lieutenant colonel, which is the middle field grade rank. The majority of them are at the conclusion of their military service. They are in charge of leading squadrons in the non-flying, flying, and medical groups.
Lieutenant colonels are frequently the commanders of training programs. If not, they work as general staff or at the wing level. Finally, they receive reports and advice from majors and senior captains.
2.3. Colonel (Col)
- Classification: Field officer
- Yearly basic pay: $87,984.00
- Pay Grade: O-6
The highest rank for field grade officers is colonel. They frequently serve as wing or group commanders and, for those in their respective positions, can also serve as vice commanders.
There is typically a colonel assigned to each U.S. Air Force base on the continent. The majority of them consistently demonstrate a strong aptitude for leadership. The majority of their time has been devoted to making mission-related decisions, supporting their base’s amenities and services, and instructing ROTC in military colleges. The Air Force employs colonels in a variety of positions. While some serve as the heads of staff in various Air Force staff agencies, others command the various components of a wing.
>>> See Also: Essential U.S. Air Force Height and Weight Requirements
3. Air Force Officer Ranks: General Officers
3.1. Brigadier General (Brig Gen)
- Classification: General officers
- Yearly basic pay: $116,016.40
- Pay Grade: O-7
The brigadier general is the general officer with the lowest rank. They are top-tier officers chosen by people and organizations. They are in charge of all the airmen and operations at their assignment and typically command sizable bases and/or wings.
Additionally, they perform duties from joint bases abroad, the Pentagon, and NORAD, among other high-level positions and services. Brigadier generals serve as junior and senior advisors to political figures when they are not in a commanding position. Finally, they take part in morale-boosting activities like wing and squadron visits and motivational speeches.
It takes a lot of work to become a brigadier general. A board of general officers compiles a list of candidates at the outset, and the president selects those who will be promoted from that group. Generals with the rank of brigadier must retire after 30 years of service or five years.
3.2 Major general (Maj Gen)
- Classification: General officers
- Yearly basic pay: $196,380.60
- Pay Grade: O-8
A two-star general office rank below the lieutenant general is the U.S. Air Force major general. They hold a number of important positions, such as joint force commanders, directors of training initiatives, managers of air operations systems, and others.
They could be vice commanders or senior directors under the lieutenant general. Typically, they are in charge of at least 10,000 airmen. Just like brigadier generals, major generals take part in moral events to represent the Air Force.
Furthermore, the promotion to major general, a two-star rank in the Air Force, is largely comparable to the procedure for becoming a brigadier general.
3.3. Lieutenant general (Lt Gen)
- Classification: General officers
- Yearly basic pay: $197,328.80
- Pay Grade: O-9
A general officer rank with three stars below the general is the Air Force lieutenant general. Less than 25% of general officers with more than two stars are in the U.S. Air Force. Therefore, these are the generals with the highest rank and highest command positions who can lead a MAJCOM and work at the Pentagon. They take part in morale-boosting activities like brigade and major generals events.
The president chooses Lieutenant Generals from the pool of current Air Force general officers.
3.4. General (Gen)
- Classification: General officers
- Yearly basic pay: $203,688.90
- Pay Grade: O-10
The general in the Air Force holds the highest rank and has four stars. They are in charge of the Chief of Staff, Numbered Air Forces, and NATO command positions. They participate in hosting wing/squadron visits and morale days on the case, just like other generals.
3.5. General Of The Air Force (GAF)
- Classification: General officer
- Yearly basic pay: $203,688.90
- Pay Grade: Special
Prior to its retirement, the General of the Air Force (GAF), the highest rank attainable, had five stars. It was established by Congress in 1944, and the first person to hold the rank was H. Arnold. During a war, missions and operations are handled by the GAF. During active duty, no officer wears the five-star rank.
In conclusion, the U.S. Air Force Officer Ranks in order with their insignias have been provided in this paper. Follow our platform to see more informative articles and remember to sit for our Online ASVAB Practice Tests to prepare well for your military entrance exam!