private first class

noun

1. a soldier ranking above a private and below a corporal or specialist fourth class in the U.S. Army, and above a private and below a lance corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Word History and Origins

Origin of private first class¹

An Americanism dating back to 1910–15

Example Sentences

As a private first class serving in the 603rd Camouflage Engineer Battalion, he created fake shoulder patches that his fellow soldiers wore on their uniforms to impersonate different elements of an infantry division.

From New York Times

Mr. Hamler, a private first class, was not a leader of the unit.

From New York Times

After high school, he went to Parris Island, where — because he was an Eagle Scout — he started at the rank of private first class.

From Los Angeles Times

Private First Class Jaskirat Singh, 21, completed training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego after a federal judge ordered the military service in April to accommodate the recruit’s religious practices.

From Washington Times

An Army private first class, Mr. Barancik served in England and France — where he was not on the front lines, his daughter said, and enjoyed the marching, food and structure of military life — until Germany surrendered.

From New York Times