Corporal

Corporal is a military rank (equivalent to NATO Rank Code OR-4) in use by several militaries of the world. It is known by several different names depending upon the language of the military service in which the term is used. Beside the English term Corporal, the rank is also known as Gefreiter, Capo, Rav-Turai, alikersantti, and Rikushi.

U.S. Armed Forces

In the U.S. Army a Corporal is the fourth enlisted rank, the first three being forms of Private. A Corporal ranks above a Private First Class and below a Sergeant, and has the same pay grade as a Specialist.

Related Topics:
U.S. Army - Private - Private First Class - Sergeant - Specialist

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Unlike a Specialist, a Corporal is a non-commissioned officer and may direct the activities of other soldiers, including Specialists. Corporal is the most junior non-commissioned officer rank. A promotion from Specialist to Corporal is a lateral promotion; an increase in rank but not in pay grade.

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It is common for a Corporal to lead a fireteam; however, if a soldier is promoted to Corporal and there are too many soldiers of that rank, the new Corporal will stay in his current position.

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Corporal is the fourth enlisted rank in the U.S. Marine Corps as well, ranking immediately above Lance Corporal and immediately below Sergeant. Corporal is the lowest grade of non-commissioned officer in the U.S. Marine Corps, as it is in the U.S. Army.

Related Topics:
U.S. Marine Corps - Lance Corporal - Sergeant - Non-commissioned officer

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