Information on US Navy Ranks

Naval ranks start at Seaman and go up to Admiral.

Ranks of the United States Navy are divided between enlisted personnel and officers. Enlisted Navy personnel are designated by rate---as opposed to rank---that is determined by pay grade and specialty. Officers are designated by actual rank.

Enlisted Rates

Seaman is the lowest enlisted rate. This rating includes Seaman Apprentice, Seaman Recruit and Seaman. Petty Officers are above Seamen and include Petty Officers Third, Second and First Class, Chief Petty Officer, Senior Chief Petty Officer, Master Chief Petty Officer and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy.

Warrant Officers

Warrant Officers include Warrant Officer and Chief Warrant Officer 2, 3 and 4

Commissioned Officers

Officer ranks start at Ensign and ascend through Lieutenant Junior Grade, Lieutenant, Lieutenant Commander, Commander, Captain, Rear Admiral (upper and lower) Vice Admiral and Admiral. Fleet Admiral is a wartime-only rank.

Administrative Classification

All rates and ranks are designated by an administrative classification. Enlisted rates start at E-1 to E-10. Warrant Officers are W-1 to W-4, and Commissioned Officers are O-1 through O-10. These indicate pay grade, not necessarily rank, and vary within different branches of the military.

Uniforms

All Navy personnel are issued standard uniforms, including dress uniforms, service uniforms and work uniforms. The variations of these uniforms include dress, full dress, white, blue and khaki. However, khaki is worn only by those ranked petty officer and higher.

References

• United States Navy Officer Ranks and Enlisted Rates
• MilitaryConnection.com: Navy Ranks
• MilitarySpot.com: Military Rank