United States Army enlisted rank insignia of World War I

The United States Army's enlisted rank insignia that was used during World War I differs from the current system. The color scheme used for the insignia's chevron was olive drab for field use uniforms or one of several colors (depending on the corps) on dress uniforms. The chevron system used by enlisted men during World War I came into being in 1895, and was changed to a different system in 1919. Specification 760, which was dated May 31, 1905 contained 45 different enlisted insignia that varied designs and titles by different corps of the army. General Order Number 169, which was enacted on August 14, 1907, created an even larger variety of enlisted rank insignia. Pay grades were not yet in use by the U.S. Army. The pay system identified the job assignment of the soldier. By the end of World War I, the system contained 128 different insignia designs.

Other Rank Insignia
Other ranks/pay grades that held distinctive insignia not shown here included:

Medical Department

 * Sergeant First Class
 * Sergeant
 * Corporal
 * Lance Corporal
 * Private

Ordnance Department

 * Sergeant
 * Corporal
 * Lance Corporal
 * First Class Private