Within the Air Force, officer ranks follow a clear-cut structure, divided into three categories: company grade, field grade, and general officers. Company grade officers range from O-1 to O-3. Climbing the ranks, next are field grade officers, in the O-4 to O-6 range, taking the helm of mid-level command. Finally, at the top of the hierarchy are general officers, O-7 and above, who oversee strategy.
Air Force Company Grade Officer Ranks
Second Lieutenant (O-1)
The rank of second lieutenant is shown through a single gold bar. Proper forms of address include “second lieutenant” or “lieutenant.” Commissioned airmen sometimes may skip this rank.
First Lieutenant (O-2)
First lieutenants have roughly the same responsibilities as a second lieutenant but receive higher pay and are given more responsibility.
Captain (O-3)
Captains typically are assigned to and have authority over a flight. In such a position, they are referred to as the flight commander.
Air Force Field Grade Officer Ranks
Major (O-4)
A junior field officer rank, majors in the Air Force often operate as main staff officers on brigade-sized forces.
Lieutenant Colonel (O-5)
A lieutenant colonel is responsible for commanding a medical or support group or a squadron; or directing ops in the operations group.
Colonel (O-6)
Colonels in the Air Force serve in a number of different roles. Some command elements of a wing while others serve as heads of staff in different Air Force staff agencies.
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Air Force General Officer Ranks
Brigadier General (O-7)
Becoming a brigadier general is an arduous process. It begins with a board of general officers creating a list of candidates and ends with the president choosing those to be promoted from that pool. Brigadier generals must retire after 30 years of service or after five years in their rank.
Major General (O-8)
A two-star rank in the Air Force, the promotion to major general is mostly similar to the process for becoming a brigadier general.
Lieutenant General (O-9)
Lieutenant generals are picked by the president from the existing pool of Air Force general officers.
General (O-10)
The four-star position of general typically commands major areas of responsibility and holds the highest military positions in the Pentagon.
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