Possible Clues:

• One who's earned stripes, e.g.
• Two or three chevron wearer: Abbr.
• Army E-5, e.g.
• There's something rank in an uncouth sort of way for such a one
• York, for one: Abbr.
• G.I.'s superior
• In brief, a corporal or sergeant
• In company with the North,to be so rank
• Barracks V.I.P.
• Initially, a corporal or sergeant