Navy Ranks – Enlisted
Navy Ranks and rates show the chain of command as well as what each sailor has achieved and earned by proving their leadership skills with each promotion they are given. With each advance in rank the duties and responsibilities increase with the demands of the job. Enlisted Navy men in categories E-1 to E-3 in the Seaman Category of the Navy Ranks are in the beginning of their training to determine their specialty skills during their initial assignment as recruits and apprentices. Their title may be shown differently depending on their specific core skill set in the military and to which community they belong. Petty Officers Navy Rank advancement is determined by rate examinations and evaluations by their superiors as they learn leadership skills.
E-1 Seaman Recruit (SR)
E-2 Seaman Apprentice (SA)
E-3 Seaman (SN)
E-4 Petty Officer 3rd Class (PO3)
E-5 Petty Officer 2nd Class (PO2)
E-6 Petty Officer 1st Class (PO1)
E-7 Chief Petty Officer (CPO)
E-8 Senior Chief Petty Officer (SCPO)
E-9 Master Chief Petty Officer (MCPO)
E-9 Fleet/Command Master Chief Petty Officer
E-9 Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON)
Navy Ranks – Warrant Officer
Only enlisted personnel with a pay grade of E-6 or above and at least thirteen years of experience may submit application for the Warrant Officer Program to advance in the Navy Ranks. They provide expertise within their specified military skill to oversee repairs and project assignments with leadership skills earned and learned in their time with the Navy. They also help with communication in all levels of command.
W-1 Warrant Officer 1 (WO1) *No longer in use by the Navy*
W-2 Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CWO2)
W-3 Chief Warrant Officer 3 (CWO3)
W-4 Chief Warrant Officer 4 (CWO4)
W-5 Chief Warrant Officer 5 (CWO5)
Navy Ranks – Commissioned Officer
Commissioned Officers are college graduates of Commission source schools such as the United States Naval Academy (USNA) and their advancement in Navy Ranks as an officer must be confirmed by the Senate. Officers must take on a greater responsibility and will work to advance their leadership skills as well as their specific staff specialties or to serve as a division officer. As their rank advances so does the responsibility and demand of the officer as they advance to lead more men and teams and plan operations. They may eventually take command of submarines, cruisers, squadrons, and other vehicles or SEAL teams as they continue to be promoted in rating and rank and take on more demanding responsibility. Admiral is the highest rank afforded in the Navy, except in wartime where the Fleet Admiral is then used with a five star Navy Rank that has not been awarded since World War II.
O-1 Ensign (ENS)
O-2 Lieutenant Junior Grade (LTJG)
O-3 Lieutenant (LT)
O-4 Lieutenant Commander (LCDR)
O-5 Commander (CDR)
O-6 Captain (CAPT)
O-7 Rear Admiral, Lower Half (RDML)
O-8 Rear Admiral, Upper Half (RADM)
O-9 Vice Admiral (VADM)
O-10 Admiral Chief of Naval operations/ Commandant of the CG (ADM)
O-10 Fleet Admiral (FADM) *Only Used in wartime. Last used in World War II.*

