Fact check: Are there any skill level/progression hierarchies used in military forces, particularly for soldiers?

1. Summary of the results

Military forces indeed employ comprehensive and structured skill level/progression hierarchies. These systems are organized into distinct categories:

• Enlisted personnel
• Non-commissioned officers (NCOs)
• Warrant officers
• Commissioned officers ^[1]

Each military branch (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard) maintains its own specific ranking system with clear progression paths ^[2]. The Army specifically utilizes 13 different enlisted ranks divided into three main tiers:

• Junior enlisted
• Noncommissioned officers
• Senior Noncommissioned officers ^[3]

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question overlooks several crucial aspects of military hierarchies:

• Advancement Requirements: Progression is not automatic but depends on multiple factors including:
• Time in service
• Time in grade
• Training completion
• Performance evaluations ^[3]
• Branch-Specific Systems: Each military branch maintains its own distinct ranking system with unique roles and responsibilities ^[4]
• Purpose of Hierarchy: These systems are essential for maintaining order and structure in military organizations ^[4], serving as more than just career progression frameworks

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question's simplistic framing could lead to misconceptions about military hierarchies:

• It doesn't acknowledge that these are not merely "skill levels" but comprehensive command structures that define relationships and authority within armed forces ^[2]
• The term "soldiers" is too narrow, as these systems apply to all service members across different branches, each with their own specialized roles and advancement paths ^[2]
• The question overlooks the fact that progression is based on multiple factors beyond just skills, including leadership qualities and education ^[1]

Note: The analyses about the Illuminati ^{[5] [6]} appear to be unrelated to the question about military hierarchies and were not considered in this assessment.