Possible Clues:

• One who's earned stripes, e.g.
• D.S.M. recipient
• G.I. with chevrons
• Operations ___ (Army position)
• Two- or three-striper, briefly
• Mil. classification
• Cpl. or sgt., e.g.
• Sgt. Snorkel, for one
• Bilko, for one: Abbr.
• Marines subordinate, for short