when do you become a private in the army
Private (rank)
In the U.S. Army , private is used for the two lowest enlisted ranks , just below private first class . The lowest rank is `` private E-1 '' ( PV1 ) and sometimes referred to as recruit , but also held by some soldiers after punishment through the Uniform Code of Military Justice or prisoners after conviction until they are discharged . A PV1 wears no uniform insignia ; since the advent of the Army Combat Uniform , the term `` fuzzy '' has come into vogue , referring to the blank velcro patch on the ACU where the rank would normally be placed . The second rank , private E-2 ( PV2 ) , wears a single chevron , known colloquially as `` mosquito wings '' . Advancement to the PV2 is automatic after six months ' time in service , but may get shortened to four months if given a waiver . A person who earned the Eagle Scout award , the Gold Award , or completed at least two years of JROTC may enlist at any time at the rank of PV2 . The term of address , `` Private '' , may be properly applied to any Army soldier E-1 ( PV1 ) to E-3 ( PFC ) . It should also be noted that while a soldier is currently in Initial Enlistment Training , he or she will often be referred to as `` Private '' by the training cadre , regardless of actual rank , even if the soldier enlisted as a Specialist / E-4 . 
In the U.S. Army , private is used for the two lowest enlisted ranks , just below private first class . The lowest rank is `` private E-1 '' ( PV1 ) and sometimes referred to as recruit , but also held by some soldiers after punishment through the Uniform Code of Military Justice or prisoners after conviction until they are discharged . A PV1 wears no uniform insignia ; since the advent of the Army Combat Uniform , the term `` fuzzy '' has come into vogue , referring to the blank velcro patch on the ACU where the rank would normally be placed . The second rank , private E-2 ( PV2 ) , wears a single chevron , known colloquially as `` mosquito wings '' . Advancement to the PV2 is automatic after six months ' time in service , but may get shortened to four months if given a waiver . A person who earned the Eagle Scout award , the Gold Award , or completed at least two years of JROTC may enlist at any time at the rank of PV2 . The term of address , `` Private '' , may be properly applied to any Army soldier E-1 ( PV1 ) to E-3 ( PFC ) . It should also be noted that while a soldier is currently in Initial Enlistment Training , he or she will often be referred to as `` Private '' by the training cadre , regardless of actual rank , even if the soldier enlisted as a Specialist / E-4 .
The lowest rank is `` private E-1 '' ( PV1 ) and sometimes referred to as recruit , but also held by some soldiers after punishment through the Uniform Code of Military Justice or prisoners after conviction until they are discharged .  Advancement to the PV2 is automatic after six months ' time in service , but may get shortened to four months if given a waiver . A person who earned the Eagle Scout award , the Gold Award , or completed at least two years of JROTC may enlist at any time at the rank of PV2 .It should also be noted that while a soldier is currently in Initial Enlistment Training , he or she will often be referred to as `` Private '' by the training cadre , regardless of actual rank , even if the soldier enlisted as a Specialist / E-4 .
The lowest rank is `` private E-1 '' ( PV1 ) and sometimes referred to as recruit , but also held by some soldiers after punishment through the Uniform Code of Military Justice or prisoners after conviction until they are discharged . Advancement to the PV2 is automatic after six months ' time in service , but may get shortened to four months if given a waiver . A person who earned the Eagle Scout award , the Gold Award , or completed at least two years of JROTC may enlist at any time at the rank of PV2 . It should also be noted that while a soldier is currently in Initial Enlistment Training , he or she will often be referred to as `` Private '' by the training cadre , regardless of actual rank , even if the soldier enlisted as a Specialist / E-4 .