War with Iraq: 27 American soldiers killed. Only 1 private?

Factual Questions
1

I thought that most soldiers were privates (in the army or marines). How is it possible that of the 27 Americans killed so far, 26 were sargeants or higher?

2

I haven’t seen those stats. Do you have a cite?

In any case, there have been a lot of casualties among aircrews. In the army you need to be a warrant officer to be a pilot, and in the other services you need to be an O-1 (ensign or 2nd lieutenant) or better.

3

It’s on The New York Times website. It’s on the first page under “Slide Shows” and “US Soldiers Killed in Battle”. Registration required.

4

Privates get promoted fairly quickly to PFC, and sometimes Lance Corporal even, during their schools after Basic. There are more E-3’s than E-1’s in the Fleet Marine Force, by far.

Here are the services and ranks of those killed.

USN/USMC - Corpsman 3rd Class

USMC - Major
USMC - Captain
USMC - Second Lieutenant
USMC - Second Lieutenant
USMC - Staff Sergeant
USMC - Sergeant
USMC - Sergeant
USMC - Sergeant
USMC - Corporal
USMC - Corporal
USMC - Corporal
USMC - Corporal
USMC - Corporal
USMC - Staff Sergeant
USMC - Lance Corporal
USMC - Lance Corporal
USMC - Lance Corporal
USMC - Lance Corporal
USMC - Lance Corporal

USA - Captain
USA - Specialist
USA - Specialist
USA - Specialist
USA - Private First Class

ANG - Major

USN - Lieutenant

5

A marine corps Lance Corporal is the same rank as the Army’s Private First Class (E-3).

And as has been said above, privates are promoted rather quickly.

6

CNN.com has a list of all current confirmed coalition deaths whose names have been released. Their rank of the 60 service members killed break down as follows (by my count):

Royal Navy:
Lt. - 6
Mechanic 2nd Class *

Royal Marines:
Maj.
Cpt.
Warrant Off. 2nd
Marine *
Unknown *

Royal Air Force:
Flight Lt. - 2

British Army:
Color Sgt.
Staff Sgt.
Sgt. - 2
Cpl. *
Lance Cpl. *
Lance Bombadier *
Sapper *
Trooper *

US Army:
Capt.
Sgt. - 2
Spc. - 4 *
Pfc. - 2 *

US Navy:
Lt. (Serving with RN)
HC3 (Serving with USMC) *

USMC:
Maj. - 2
Capt.
2nd Lt. - 2
Gunnery Sgt.
Staff Sgt. - 2
Sgt. - 3
Cpl. - 5 *
Lance Cpl. - 9 *

USAF:
Maj.

I have identified with a * those ranks that I believe to be at a level below Sgt. and count 29 of the 60.

7

Tying in with Johnny’s comment about aircrews, and Uncle Bill’s mention of advancement, in our more skills-intensive military, many people on the line of fire will necessarily be of NCO (noncommisioned officer: sergeants and Navy Petty Officers) or junior officer rank just by virtue of time in service and the need to reward specialized skills with higher pay and perks – besides with the US having an “up or out” policy, you can’t be a career private. For decades, the Army gave these people “Specialist” ranks, to distinguish them from troop-leading NCOs, but that was abandoned for grades higher than E4 in 1985.

As UncleBill explained, in the US forces advancement through grade E-3 (Army Pvt. 1st Class, Marine Lance Corporal, Navy Seaman, AF Airman 1st Class) is automatic by good time in service and completed training/education (and whole grades can be skipped!). For grade E-4 (Army Specialist, Marine Corporal, Navy PO 3rd Class, AF Senior Airman), once trained in your trade, it can be almost so depending on your circumstances (a soldier enlisting with a college degree enters as E-3, and upon completing MOS training or X number of months in service, becomes an E-4). In the Army, a really hotshot outstanding soldier in the right place/time can make E-5 sergeant in 2 years.

8

As an example of what JRD mentioned, our very own Airman Doors, USAF, currently deployed, was promoted to Senior Airman (E-4) just after tech school, within a year (or less) of going to boot camp. (See these threads.)