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US Army Enlisted Grade Consolidation of 1920

The expansion of the army during the First World War led to a proliferation of enlisted grades, some from the formation of new branches and some from the adoption of new technologies. Some steps were taken to simplify the grades and insignia in 1918 and 1919, but it became obvious that a complete overhaul was in order. In June of 1920, the Army Reorganization Act consolidated all enlisted ranks into seven pay grades. Army General Order 36 of June 19, 1920¹ specified a single title for each grade, except for the second pay grade, which was shared by first sergeants and techincal sergeants. War Department Circular No. 303 of August 5, 1920² announced the new insignia to reflect the reorganization. Unlike the shades of olive drab that had been used before, the new chevrons would be set on a contrasting dark blue background.This system of grades and insignia was still used by the army when the US entered World War II.

The "old" insignia in the following table are representative, but there were many variations in the shade and material of different components. In 1920 colored wreaths and devices began to be used on some insignia, but because they were in the early stages of issue when the new-pattern chevrons were authorized, they are not shown in the table.

See also: U.S. Army Enlisted Rank Insignia of World War I

Interim Insignia

The War Department still had large stockpiles of World War I insignia when the 1920 changes went into effect. To avoid this stock going to waste, regulations allowed insignia of the old pattern to be used in conjunction with the new grade system. Corps or branch devices would be removed from insignia that had used them.³

Master Sergeant
First Sergeant
Technical Sergeant
Staff Sergeant
Sergeant
Corporal
Private First Class

All text and images © Justin T. Broderick, 2013-2019 unless otherwise indicated.