Rank (Halo 3)

This page lists the ranks that are used in Halo 3's Matchmaking and also shown in Custom Games, Forge and Theater.

Overview
Players are given a military rank based upon their Skill and EXP level.

The player has both a Global (main) Rank, which is the Rank that is shown in custom games, forge and on the service record, and a separate rank for each individual playlist.

Playlist rank is made up of the EXP you have gained in that single playlist, while the Global rank is made up of all of the EXP gained in all of the playlists (plus more if the player has had the Gamertag before the TU2 update).

Do note that Global Ranks (and only Global ranks) can be skipped. For example you can go straight from Gunnery Sergeant Grade 2 to Lieutenant Grade 1, missing out Gunnery Sergeant Grade 3 if your highest skill and EXP meet the criteria to do so.

Bungie.net tracks your rank history, providing information on when you obtained a rank and details any ranks you have skipped.

Global Ranks
The ranks and requirements of Global ranks.

Playlist Ranks
The ranks and requirements of playlist ranks, which will only show up at that Playlist and Bungie.net.

Trivia

 * Beyond the rank of Lieutenant, rank does not benefit players because there are no more armor permutations or achievements left to earn.
 * Players began having individual ratings for each playlist after the auto update (TU2).
 * If a player achieves the rank of a Lieutenant in an individual playlist, they will unlock the Lightswitch Vidmaster Achievement.
 * This system appears to be based off of the United States Army and Marine ranking systems. The major notable differences are the lack of Warrant Officer and the difference between a Brigadier and one-star General.