Ranks at the United States Military Academy

Colleges and Universities A-Z Military Academy - West Point
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<p>I was quite curious about what the different ranks were at West Point, and I found this page:</p>

<p><a href="http://www2.powercom.net/%7Erokats/usma.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www2.powercom.net/~rokats/usma.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>However, if doesn't seem to reference the following insignia:</p>

<p>/\
/\
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X</p>

<p>Follow the link:
<a href="http://www.usma.edu/Class/2006/graduation/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.usma.edu/Class/2006/graduation/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>The numbers correspond with a specific picture...</p>

<p>486 is weird as well if you look. (A flag)
331 is the Brigade Command Sergent Major from a good view.
398 & 399 you can clearly see the rank I am talking about.
310- guts thats all I can say. In front everyone with so much attention focused. Its got to be amazing.
In 342 she is probably saying, "Sorry, I already have a boyfriend" to the guy with the Gator cap...</p>

<p>Anybody know what that would be, as I have seen it before in pictures.</p>

<p>You gotta admit that the Brigade Command Sergent Major has the best looking rank, haha.</p>

<p>I throw the medal thing out the as well. Is there any particular reason why so many neglect National Service Defense Medal. I mean I imagine its sort of a 'gimme' as just for going to West Point you get it (right now that is), but is there any good reason not to wear it other than being lazy/cheap?</p>

<p>256 has also got the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal ribbon and Army Service Ribbon. Prior service as enlisted I would imagine? Or is there some other way Cadets would come by these honors?
173 has the Army Commendation Medal.
And 353 you will notice is loaded with medals, yet is just a Sergent as a second class...Whats going on there? Bet hes got more medals than some of the Generals out there...</p>

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<p>"but is there any good reason not to wear it other than being lazy/cheap?"</p>

<p>Perhaps they feel they would be more comfortable wearing it once they had actually gone into the field.</p>

<p>353 is prior service and he's not a cdt sgt he's a cdt Lt from the first class.</p>

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<p>Absolutely right. My bad. </p>

<p>I was questioning expressing it that way. And I guess I understand that motivation since it is to some extent a gimme, but I still don't see that as a good reason not wear it. I guess its personal preference. I agree, that medals should be awarded, and it almost seems like that one and a few others are more of handed out.</p>

<p>Another post I read some time ago satirized the situations in each of the armed forces stating somewhere along these lines:</p>

<p>Marines will recieve medals and ribbons for honorable and daring acts that are beyond the call of duty.
Soldiers will now recieve medals and ribbons for every school completed, and every bullet fired.
Navy- will recieve medals as necessary for ceremonial purposes.
Air Force- will be ISSUED all awards and medals upon enlistment as they will probably be awarded to each individual some time in their career anyways...</p>

<p>It was funnier in context, but the one for the Army is quasi-true when you consider good conduct awards and the such.</p>