This article primarily covers the existing ranks and insignia.
Line corps officers wore gold and blue shoulder boards on the dress uniform, staff corps officers white and blue.
The rank of Hai Jun Yi Ji Shang Jiang (First Class Admiral) was never held and was abolished in 1994.
[1] Unlike NATO countries, new recruits of the People's Liberation Army have no military ranks before the boot camp is completed, and they will be awarded the rank of Private/Seaman Apprentice/Airman (all collectively called "Private" or "Lie Bing" in the Chinese language) after they have graduated from the boot camp.
[2] According to Article 16 of Chapter 3 of the "Regulations on the Service of Active Soldiers of the Chinese People's Liberation Army" (Chinese: 中国人民解放军现役士兵服役条例), "The lowest enlisted rank is Private".