Private first class

Private First Class (PFC) is a military rank held by junior enlisted persons.

Singapore
The rank of private first class in the Singapore Armed Forces lies between the ranks of private (PTE) and lance-corporal (LCP). It is usually held by conscript soldiers midway through their national service term. Privates first class wear a rank insignia consisting of a single chevron pointing down.

United States Army
In the United States Army, recruits usually enter service as a private, in pay grade E-1. Private (E-2), designated by a single chevron, is typically an automatic promotion after six months of service, or for those who have achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts or have been awarded the Girl Scout Gold Award in the Girl Scouts of the USA. Private first class (E-3), equivalent to NATO grade OR-3, is designated by a single chevron and a rocker stripe and is more common among soldiers who have served in the U.S. Army for one year or more. Soldiers with prior military training such as JROTC, Sea Scouting or similar program, or who have achieved an associate degree or its equivalent, are entitled to enter the army at this pay grade. Advancement from private first class is typically to specialist, although occasionally it may be to corporal.

The rank of private first class has existed since 1866 and, prior to 1919, its insignia consisted of the the branch of service insignia without any arcs or chevrons. The Secretary of War approved "an arc of one bar" for privates first class on 22 July 1919. From August 5, 1920 to May 28, 1968, the rank insignia for private first class was a single chevron, per War Department Circular No. 303. On May 28, 1968, the insignia for private first class was changed to its current form, consisting of a single chevron with one rocker.

United States Marine Corps


In the United States Marine Corps, the rank of private first class is the second lowest, just under lance corporal and just above private, equivalent to NATO grade OR-2, being pay grade E-2. It was established on June 3, 1916 to match the already existing army rank, primarily due to the fact that US Marine units were "often called upon to serve" with US Army organizations, such as in in the American Expeditionary Force that served in Europe during WWI (e.g. 2nd Marine Brigade of the US Army 2nd Infantry Division). At the time the two ranks were directly equivalent. However, since 1968 when the US Army redesignated the E-3 paygrade as PFC (eliminating lance corporal) and created two grades of private (PV1 and PV2), the USMC rank of PFC is one grade lower (E-2) than the similarly titled US Army rank. Enlistees that complete USMC boot camp, and had obtained the rank of Young Marine sergeant or above in the Young Marines, will graduate from USMC boot camp with the rank of PFC.

Vietnam
In the Vietnam People's Army, private first class (binh nhất) is the highest junior enlisted rank. Private first class is below corporal and above private second class.