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). The abbreviation "Pvt" may be used whenever the specific grade of private is immaterial (such as in tables of organization and equipment). United States Marine Corps In the United States Marine Corps, private (Pvt) refers only to the lowest enlisted rank, just below private first class. A Marine Corps private wears no uniform insignia and is sometimes described as having a "slick sleeve" for this reason. Most new, non-officer Marines begin their military career as a private. In the Marine Corps, privates first class are not referred to as "private"; it is more appropriate to use either "private first class" or "PFC". See also List of comparative military ranks References External links U.S. Army Enlisted Rank Insignia – Criteria, Background, and Images Military ranks Military ranks of Australia Military ranks of Canada Military ranks of Ireland Military ranks of Singapore Military ranks of the British Army Military ranks of the United States Army United States military enlisted ranks Military ranks of the United States Marine Corps Military ranks of the Royal Marines