Which category includes the pay grades O-1 through O-3?

• A. Company Grade
• B. Field Grade
• C. Senior NCO
• D. General Officers

Answer: (A)

Pay grade categories map to levels of command and responsibility, and O-1 through O-3 are the junior officer group known as company grade officers. These officers typically command at the platoon level or serve on company-level staffs, and they include ranks like Second Lieutenant, First Lieutenant, and Captain. They sit below field grade officers (O-4 to O-6), who handle Battalion-level and higher responsibilities, and well below general officers (O-7 and above), who hold the highest command roles. Senior NCOs are enlisted leaders, not officers, so they aren’t part of the officer pay-grade categories.