Private (rank)

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This article is about the military rank of private. For alternative meanings see: Private.

A private is a military soldier of the lowest military rank (equivalent to Nato Rank Grades OR-1 to OR-3 depending on the force served in). The term dates from the Middle Ages where privates were known as "private soldiers" who were either hired, conscripted, or feudalized into service by a nobleman forming an army. The usage of private as a military rank dates from the 18th century, when the army of Napoleon Bonaparte first established the permanent rank of private.

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Australia

In the Australian Army, a soldier of a Private rank has no insignia [1].

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Canada

Image:CA-Army-OR3.gif

In the Canadian Forces there are three levels of Private; Private (Recruit), Private (Basic), and Private (Trained). All persons holding the rank of Private are referred to as such and the qualifier as shown previously in brackets is used on employment records only. A Private is considered an "apprentice" in their trade, and there are no pay raises between the various levels of private except for time in rank raise. The Canadian Army and Air Force have an identical rank structure. Image:Canadaprivate.jpg

  • Private (Recruit) or Pte(R) - Self explanatory.
  • Private (Basic) or Pte(B) - After finishing recruit training, a member becomes a Private (Basic). This rank is continued through trades training and beyond.
  • Private (Trained) or Pte(T) - A Private (Basic) becomes a Private (Trained) after 2 1/2 years of service, and completion of their trade's Qualification Level 4 OJT package. A Private (Trained) is the only "Private" to wear rank insignia, a single chevron.

An Army Private may also be known by other titles, depending on unit and/or branch:

In terms of authority and responsibilities, the rank of corporal is often seen as equivalent in the post-Unification armed forces, and the term "Corporal/Private" is often used. Corporals no longer require leadership training for promotion to that rank, and that grade now represents a private with additional trades training and time in rank but no leadership responsibilities (though he may in practice be given minor leadership tasks).

The Canadian Navy's equivalents are as follows:

  • Ordinary Seaman or OS - Private (Recruit/Basic)
  • Able Seaman or AB - Private (Trained)

Before Unification of the Armed Forces, a private wore no insignia regardless of level of training, but could be appointed Lance Corporal, for which he wore one chevron. A corporal at that time was the equivalent of today's sergeant in that he required leadership training for promotion and was considered sufficiently trained and experienced to command a section of infantry (or equivalent in other branches).

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Germany

Image:GermanPrivate.gif The German rank of private (PV1) is known as Schütze. The rank of Schütze has existed as a military rank since at least the 18th century and the term has been used since the Middle Ages. As in the British army, different names for this lowest rank are in use in the German army, for example Pionier (engineer), Kanonier (gunner) or Fallschirmjäger (paratrooper).

The Naval equivalent is known as Matrose, the Luftwaffe (air force) equivalent is Flieger.

According to the NATO rank code, the rank of Gefreiter is also private (PV2 or NATO OR-2).

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Ireland

Image:IE-Army-OR3.png

Private (Pte.), (Saighdiúr Singil in Gaeilic), is the lowest enlisted rank in the Irish Army. Soldiers enlist as recruits then undergo a basic course of instruction. There are 2 grades of Private in the Army, After Basic training the Soldier is upgraded (Note: Not Promoted) to Private 2 Star (Pte 2*). (Saighdiúr Singil, 2 Réalta). After more Corps Specific Training (Usually 8 Weeks) the Soldier is upgraded to Private 3 Star (Pte 3*) (Saighdiúr Singil, 3 Réalta) or more usually just addressed as 'Private'.

In Corps Units the rank designation changes. In Artillery the Rank is known as Gunner (Gnr.) but usually only after completion of a 'Gunners Course' and in Cavalry as Trooper (Tpr.) Communications and Information Services privates are known as Signalman or Signalwoman. Medics are sometimes referred to as Medic however this can apply to Pte's and Corporals.

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United Kingdom and Commonwealth

In the British and other Commonwealth armies, many regiments and corps have distinctive (and descriptive) names for this rank. Very few, if any, of them have rank insignia for Privates:

In the Royal Marines the equivalent rank is Marine.

Template:UK enlisted ranks

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United States

Image:USAr.insignia.e2.wag2.png

In the U.S. Army, private refers to the two lowest enlisted ranks, just below Private First Class. The lowest rank (officially known as Private E-1 and sometimes referred to as recruit) wears no uniform insignia, while the second (Private E-2) wears the insignia shown here. Advancement to the higher version of private (with insignia) is currently automatic after six months time in service, but may get shortened to four months if given a waiver (but an automatic pay raise takes effect after four months of service, even absent advancement to Private E-2, meaning that the rank of Private E-1 has two separate pay grades).

In the U.S. Marine Corps, private refers to the lowest Marine Corps enlisted rank, just below Private First Class. A Marine Corps private wears no uniform insignia. Most new, non-officer marines begin their military career as a private.

Image:Flag of the United States.svg

U.S. military enlisted ranks

  E-1 E-2 E-3 E-4 E-5 E-6 E-7 E-8 E-9
Air Force: AB Amn A1C SrA SSgt TSgt MSgt SMSgt CMSgt -

CCM - CMSAF

Army: PV1 PV2 PFC SPC -

CPL

SGT SSG SFC MSG -

1SG

SGM -

CSM - SMA

Marine Corps: Pvt PFC LCpl Cpl Sgt SSgt GySgt MSgt -

1st Sgt

MGySgt -

SgtMaj - SMOMC

Navy: SR SA SN PO3 PO2 PO1 CPO SCPO MCPO -

CMCPO - MCPON

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See also

de:Private (Militärdienstgrad) no:Menig (grad) nn:Utskriven meinig fi:Sotamies sv:Menig

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