Corporal

In the US Army

A corporal may direct the activities of other soldiers, ranking above a private and below a sergeant. Typically a corporal's insignia consists of two chevrons.

A Corporal may lead a firteam, however if a soldier is promoted from private first class "PFC" to Corporal and there is too many soldiers of that rank the newly promoted Corporal will stay in his/hers curent position.

In the British Army

Corporal is the second non-comissioned rank, falling between Lance Corporal and Sergeant. The badge of rank is two chevrons (or "stripes"). A Corporal's role will vary between regiments, but in the standard Infantry role a Corporal will command a section, with a Lance Corporal as second-in-command (2ic). When the section is split into fire teams, they will command one each.

The Comparative military ranks page lists a British Army Corporal as equivalent to a US Army Staff Sergeant.