# what cadet rank is that? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 15, 2019, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-cadet-rank-is-that/833982 "2019-05-15T05:05:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2019, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-cadet-rank-is-that/833982/1 "2019-05-15T05:05:58Z")
West Point cadet ranks are a little confusing. Here is a handy guide: [http://uniforminsignia.org/?option=com\_insigniasearch&Itemid=53&result=1268](http://uniforminsignia.org/?option=com_insigniasearch&Itemid=53&result=1268) Ok, but that cadet, first row, second from the left has a upside down rank, which isnt on any site I can find. Any cadets or experts here? > **[Largest ever class of black women graduating from West Point](https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/443668-largest-class-of-african-american-women-graduating-from-west/?fbclid=IwAR0fsgvSksdO-bYjACHZIQOW8zDbkyFmYAFPBNraU6OGKLSF2wbYQiKjuwY)** > > The United States Military Academy at West Point will see an historic number of black women graduate from its institution this year. According to The Philadelphia Tribune, 32 African Amer… Oh, and **congrats Cadets**! ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2019, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-cadet-rank-is-that/833982/2 "2019-05-15T05:33:52Z")
It looks like this one, [Command Sergeant Major](https://picclick.com/US-Military-Academy-West-Point-Cadet-Rank-Insignia-162442015790.html). You’re right that it appears upside down, but I’ve found other pictures of cadets with this rank, and it’s in the same orientation. I haven’t been able to find an explanation for it. ---
**Author:** ![rsat3acr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a3d4f5/32.png) [@rsat3acr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rsat3acr)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2019, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-cadet-rank-is-that/833982/3 "2019-05-15T13:08:57Z")
well it isn’t upside down, look at the star and wreath. That’s all I can tell. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2019, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-cadet-rank-is-that/833982/4 "2019-05-15T13:36:05Z")
> [@Sunny\_Daze](#): > > It looks like this one, [Command Sergeant Major](https://picclick.com/US-Military-Academy-West-Point-Cadet-Rank-Insignia-162442015790.html). > > You’re right that it appears upside down, but I’ve found other pictures of cadets with this rank, and it’s in the same orientation. I haven’t been able to find an explanation for it. Found it! When in doubt, go to the source I suppose. [https://westpoint.edu/sites/default/files/inline-images/centers\_research/center\_for\_faculty\_development/faculty%20dev%20workshop/Cadet%2520Required%2520Knowledge.pdf](https://westpoint.edu/sites/default/files/inline-images/centers_research/center_for_faculty_development/faculty%20dev%20workshop/Cadet%2520Required%2520Knowledge.pdf) It’s the Regimental Command Sergeant Major insignia. Now where that figures into the whole cadet rank system, I’m not exactly sure; there are apparently cadet officers and cadet NCOs, but I haven’t the slightest clue how that actually works. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2019, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-cadet-rank-is-that/833982/5 "2019-05-15T18:51:14Z")
Thanks guys! It being apparently upside down that confused me. ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2019, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-cadet-rank-is-that/833982/6 "2019-05-15T21:41:13Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > West Point cadet ranks are a little confusing. Here is a handy guide: > [http://uniforminsignia.org/?option=com\_insigniasearch&Itemid=53&result=1268](http://uniforminsignia.org/?option=com_insigniasearch&Itemid=53&result=1268) Note that this shows a brigade CSM as one chevron over one rocker … > [@bump](#): > > Found it! When in doubt, go to the source I suppose. > > [https://westpoint.edu/sites/default/files/inline-images/centers\_research/center\_for\_faculty\_development/faculty%20dev%20workshop/Cadet%2520Required%2520Knowledge.pdf](https://westpoint.edu/sites/default/files/inline-images/centers_research/center_for_faculty_development/faculty%20dev%20workshop/Cadet%2520Required%2520Knowledge.pdf) … but this shows a brigade CSM as two arcs over four inverted chevrons. I wonder when (and why) they made the change… ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2019, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-cadet-rank-is-that/833982/7 "2019-05-16T01:01:02Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Thanks guys! It being apparently upside down that confused me. That style evokes the way the chevrons for that appointment were worn in the 19th Century Army – though the other ones use the modern points-up style. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2019, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-cadet-rank-is-that/833982/8 "2019-05-16T02:18:04Z")
As a WAG, having that many chevrons plus that many rockers plus the internal star and leaves, placing the chevrons upward would placed the rockers below the elbow, obscuring them if the arm was bent. Reversing the direction meant that only the tips of a couple of chevrons would be hidden.