From the pecking order of chickens to the size of children, groups have a way of lining up. Here, in order of importance, are some titles used in various organizations.

U.S. Government (In Order of Presidential Succession)

President Obama

1. President
2. Vice President
3. Speaker of the House of Representatives
4. President Pro Tempore of the Senate
5. Secretary of State
6. Secretary of the Treasury
7. Secretary of Defense
8. Attorney General
9. Secretary of the Interior
10. Secretary of Agriculture
11. Secretary of Commerce
12. Secretary of Labor
13. Secretary of Health and Human Services
14. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
15. Secretary of Transportation
16. Secretary of Energy
17. Secretary of Education
18. Secretary of Veterans Affairs
19. Secretary of Homeland Security

U.S. Army

• General of the Army, 5 Stars
• General, 4 Stars
• Lieutenant General, 3 Stars
• Major General, 2 Stars
• Brigadier General, 1 Star
• Colonel, Silver Eagle Pin
• Lieutenant Colonel, Silver Oak Leaf Pin
• Major, Gold Oak Leaf Pin
• Captain, 2 Silver Bars
• 1st Lieutenant, 1 Silver Bar
• 2nd Lieutenant, 1 Gold Bar

U.S. Navy

• Fleet Admiral, 5 Stars
• Admiral, 4 Stars
• Vice Admiral, 3 Stars
• Rear Admiral, 2 Stars
• Rear Admiral (lower half), 1 Star
• Captain, 4 Stripes or Silver Eagle
• Commander. 3 Stripes or Silver Oak Leaf
• Lieutenant Commander, 2¹/2 Stripes (two wide with a narrow one between them) or Bronze Oak Leaf
• Lieutenant. 2 Stripes or 2 Silver Bars
• Lieutenant Junior Grade, 1¹/2 Stripes (one wide, one narrow) or 1 Silver Bar
• Ensign, 1 Stripe or 1 Gold Bar

Angel Hierarchy

• Seraphim
• Cherubim
• Thrones
• Dominions
• Virtues
• Powers
• Principalities
• Archangels
• Angels

Royal and Noble Hierarchy

• Emperor, Empress
• King, Queen
• Prince, Princess
• Duke, Duchess
• Marquess, Marquessa
• Earl or Count/Countess
• Viscount/Viscountess
• Baron/Baroness

See also Royal title hierarchy.

Academic Rank

• Professor
• Associate Professor
• Assistant Professor
• Instructor or Lecturer

U.S. Scouting Ranks

• Eagle Palms
• Eagle Rank
• Life Rank
• Star Rank
• First Class Rank
• Second Class Rank
• Tenderfoot Rank
• Scout Badge

Classification of Living Organisms

• Kingdom
• Phylum
• Class
• Order
• Family
• Genus
• Species