Italian Army enlisted military ranks

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NATO Code	OR-9			OR-8	OR-7	OR-6	OR-5	OR-4		OR-3		OR-2	OR-1
Image:Flag of Italy.svg Italy (Edit)	Image:IT-Army-OR9a.gif		Image:IT-Army-OR9b.gif	Image:IT-Army-OR8.gif	Image:IT-Army-OR7.gif	Image:IT-Army-OR6.gif	Image:IT-Army-OR5.gif	Image:IT-Army-OR4a.gif	Image:IT-Army-OR4b.gif	Image:IT-Army-OR3.gif		Image:IT-Army-OR2.gif	No Insignia
Image:Flag of Italy.svg Italy (Edit)	Sergente Maggiore Capo OR6		Sergente Maggiore OR6	Sergente OR5	Caporal Maggiore Capo Scelto OR4	Caporal Maggiore Capo OR4	Caporal Maggiore Scelto OR4	1° Caporal Maggiore	Caporal Maggiore	Caporale Scelto		Caporale	Soldato
Abbreviation	SMC	Sgt.Magg.		Sgt.	CMCS	CMC	CMS	1°CM	CM	C.le Sc.	C.le		Sold.
Pay grade	E-6			E-5	E-4	E-4	E-4	E-4		E-3		E-2	E-1

This chart represents the Italian Army enlisted rank insignia with seniority decreasing left-to-right inside a given pay grade. All ranks of sergente or higher are considered as Under-Officers. Airborne units personnel wear the chevrons on a blue base.

[edit] History

Enlisted insignia saw no significant changes until 1973 when the chevrons were moved from the sleeve to the epaulette. In 1997 the new ranks from 1°CM to CMCS were created for permanent service enlisted personnel, and the new insignia were created. in the same year, the rank of C.le Sc. was created as top rank for conscript personnel, and the new insignia was created.

[edit] Current usage

The rank of Caporale and of Caporale Scelto are not command grades and only result in a higher paygrade, and may be attained by conscript personnel. The ranks until Caporal Maggiore may be attained by temporary service personnel. Higher Ranks may only be attained by permanent service personnel. Sergeants generally have team command tasks, and are appointed in the rank only after several months training course. The rank of Soldato is used only for recruits and is substituted by the following, depending on the branch or service: