What are the ranks in the navy?
The U.S. Navy ranks are categorized into three main groups: enlisted ranks, warrant officer ranks, and officer ranks.
Enlisted Ranks
Enlisted ranks are held by sailors who have completed boot camp but have not pursued or completed an officer commissioning program. Here are the enlisted ranks, categorized further into several levels:
Seaman
- Seaman Recruit (E-1): The entry-level rank.
- Seaman Apprentice (E-2): The second level, where sailors begin to specialize.
- Seaman (E-3): The third level, with increased responsibilities124.
Petty Officer
- Petty Officer Third Class (E-4): The first noncommissioned officer rank.
- Petty Officer Second Class (E-5)
- Petty Officer First Class (E-6): These ranks involve supervisory and specialized duties124.
Chief Petty Officer
- Chief Petty Officer (E-7)
- Senior Chief Petty Officer (E-8)
- Master Chief Petty Officer (E-9)
- Command Master Chief Petty Officer (E-9)
- Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (E-9): These are senior noncommissioned officer ranks with significant leadership and advisory roles124.
Warrant Officer Ranks
Warrant officers are technical specialists and experts in specific fields.
- Chief Warrant Officer 2 (W-2)
- Chief Warrant Officer 3 (W-3)
- Chief Warrant Officer 4 (W-4)
- Chief Warrant Officer 5 (W-5): These ranks involve specialized technical expertise and leadership235.
Officer Ranks
Officer ranks are held by individuals who have completed an officer commissioning program.
Junior Officer Ranks
- Ensign (O-1): The lowest commissioned officer rank, typically serving as division officers or in training roles135.
- Lieutenant Junior Grade (O-2): Usually promoted from Ensign after two years, serving as division officers or assistant department heads135.
- Lieutenant (O-3): Serve as department heads or executive officers on smaller ships or submarines135.
Senior Officer Ranks
- Lieutenant Commander (O-4): Serve as executive officers or department heads on larger ships or submarines135.
- Commander (O-5): Serve as commanding officers of smaller ships or executive officers on larger vessels135.
- Captain (O-6): Serve as commanding officers of major ships or shore-based commands135.
Flag Officer Ranks
- Rear Admiral (Lower Half) (O-7): Command smaller task forces or serve as senior staff officers135.
- Rear Admiral (Upper Half) (O-8): Command larger task forces or serve as senior staff officers135.
- Vice Admiral (O-9): Command fleets or serve as senior staff officers in fleet and shore-based commands135.
- Admiral (O-10): The most senior flag rank, commanding fleets or serving in high-level staff positions135.