Can you remember the military ranks of these classic TV characters?

Let's salute the TV characters who served.

The military has also been a popular setting for television shows, from Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. to NCIS. Even surreal sitcoms like I Dream of Jeannie had a military setting. Dobie Gillis joined the Army. Gilligan was once in the Navy. Several cowboys on Westerns were veterans of the Civil War.

In many cases, their ranking were part of their character names — like Captain James T. Kirk or Colonel Potter. We've got some of those in this quiz. But it gets a little tougher, digging into plots and backstories. 

Your mission is to put your TV military trivia to the test! It certainly helps if you know the uniforms.
  1. Gomer never earned a promotion in five seasons of 'Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.' What was his rank?
  2. On 'M*A*S*H' was was the rank of Hawkeye Pierce?
  3. How about Hogan on 'Hogan's Heroes'?
  4. Now to the other side of 'Hogan's Heroes.' What was the rank of Schultz?
  5. How about man of action Don West on 'Lost in Space'?
  6. Time for some Starfleet ranks. What was Riker's rank on 'The Next Generation' as seen here?
  7. Let's go back to 'The Original Series.' What was the rank of Sulu?
  8. Before he was "The Skipper" of the Minnow on Gilligan's Island, Jonas Grumby served in the Navy. What was his rank in the war?
  9. Bill Daily played Roger Healy on 'I Dream of Jeannie.' For most of the series, he holds this rank, as seen here.
    Image: The Everett Collection
  10. 'Black Sheep Squadron' was based on the real-life missions of "Pappy" Boyington. What was his rank?
  11. How about McHale on 'McHale's Navy'?
    Image: The Everett Collection
  12. On 'The Rifleman,' we learn that Lucas McCain is a Union veteran of the Civil War. What rank did he hold in the 10th Indiana Volunteer brigade?
  13. Magnum rejoins the Navy at the end of 'Magnum, P.I.' What "O-5" rank does he hold when he re-enlists?
    Image: NBCUniversal Television Distribution
  14. The A-Team were all Army guys. B.A. was a Sergeant First Class, as you can see here. What rank was Hannibal, their leader?
    Image: The Everett Collection
  15. On 'JAG,' Harmon Rabb held a few different ranks. But starting in season five, as seen here, he was promoted to this rank.

Can you remember the military ranks of these classic TV characters?

Your Result...

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32 Comments

LynCarceo 31 months ago
13/15; missed the Skipper and Lucas.
ndebrabant 53 months ago
You got 14 out of 15
Nice work! You merit a promotion.

Missed The Rifleman, #12
JeffTanner 58 months ago
I got 14 out of 15 --------Got #13 wrong.
Lacey 58 months ago
12/15 never knew the Rifleman's rank but should have remembered "Pappy's."
ndebrabant 58 months ago

You got 14 out of 15
Nice work! You merit a promotion.
Missed The Rifleman question. Haven't watched it in a long time.
MichaelEasterwood 58 months ago
Actually, Pyle was promoted from private to PFC
LeeHarper 58 months ago
Sure getting a lot of spam here.
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