Senior Member Ranks

The rank insignia detailed below can be seen on the ABU, the corporate field uniform, and the flight duty uniform (note: NCOs do not wear chevrons on the FDU, nor do senior members without grade wear the cloth "CAP" letters). For examples of epaulets go to the Vanguard page. 

Often in Civil Air Patrol, the term grade is thrown around a lot, when what is actually meant is rank. Grade in the military refers to "pay grade" and in certain cases in the two service members can be the same pay grade but a different rank. See U.S. Military Rank Insignia for further explanation and examples of all the services' enlisted and officer ranks. 

In Civil Air Patrol I am a First Lieutenant. That is to say that my rank is 1st Lt, but my [pay] grade would be O-2. - SQ/CC