United States Navy » Rank Structure & Insignia

Navy Information Navy Ranks • Navy Pay • Enlisted Ranks • Enlisted Pay • Officer Ranks • Officer Pay • Navy Medal List

List of Military Ranks United States Navy Ranks (Ordered By Seniority)

E-1Navy Seaman RecruitSeaman RecruitSRJunior Enlisted
E-2Navy Seaman ApprenticeSeaman ApprenticeSAJunior Enlisted
E-3Navy SeamanSeamanSNJunior Enlisted
E-4Navy Petty Officer Third ClassPetty Officer Third ClassPO3Noncommissioned Officer
E-5Navy Petty Officer Second ClassPetty Officer Second ClassPO2Noncommissioned Officer
E-6Navy Petty Officer First ClassPetty Officer First ClassPO1Noncommissioned Officer
E-7Navy Chief Petty OfficerChief Petty OfficerCPOSenior Noncommissioned Officer
E-8Navy Senior Chief Petty OfficerSenior Chief Petty OfficerSCPOSenior Noncommissioned Officer
E-9Navy Master Chief Petty OfficerMaster Chief Petty OfficerMCPOSenior Noncommissioned Officer
E-9Navy Command Master Chief Petty OfficerCommand Master Chief Petty OfficerCMDCMSenior Enlisted Advisor
E-9Navy Master Chief Petty Officer Of The NavyMaster Chief Petty Officer Of The NavyMCPONSenior Enlisted Advisor
W-2Navy Chief Warrant Officer 2Chief Warrant Officer 2CW2Warrant Officer
W-3Navy Chief Warrant Officer 3Chief Warrant Officer 3CW3Warrant Officer
W-4Navy Chief Warrant Officer 4Chief Warrant Officer 4CW4Warrant Officer
W-5Navy Chief Warrant Officer 5Chief Warrant Officer 5CW5Warrant Officer
O-1Navy EnsignEnsignENSJunior Officer
O-2Navy Lieutenant Junior GradeLieutenant Junior GradeLTJGJunior Officer
O-3Navy LieutenantLieutenantLTJunior Officer
O-4Navy Lieutenant CommanderLieutenant CommanderLCDRJunior Officer
O-5Navy CommanderCommanderCDRSenior Officer
O-6Navy CaptainCaptainCAPTSenior Officer
O-7Navy Rear Admiral Lower HalfRear Admiral Lower HalfRDMLFlag Officer
O-8Navy Rear AdmiralRear AdmiralRADMFlag Officer
O-9Navy Vice AdmiralVice AdmiralVADMFlag Officer
O-10Navy AdmiralAdmiralADMFlag Officer
O-11Navy Fleet AdmiralFleet AdmiralFADMFlag Officer

United States Navy Ranks In Order

This table of the United States Navy ranks from lowest to highest shows the Navy's rank structure from lowest to highest including rank insignia, abbreviation, and rank classification.

The United States Navy has twenty six grades of enlisted seamen and officers, with most seamen enlisting at the entry-level rank of Seaman Recruit (SR, paygrade E-1). The highest rank achievable in the Navy is Fleet Admiral.

Click any rank for detailed rank information including duties and responsibilities, promotion information, salary, and more.

History of the Navy

The Navy traces its heritage back to the Revolutionary War, when Congress funded the construction of several warships to repel the British Empire. Nowadays, much of the Navy's mission is to defend international "freedom of the seas." The Navy considers itself to be more technology-centric than the Army, but more traditional than the Air Force. Surface ships patrol the seas, conducting diplomatic relations with all nations of the world, while also enforcing the law against pirates and drug smugglers. Aircraft Carriers are the most powerful individual assets in America's arsenal, with a single unit being able move and be a major player in an armed conflict. Submarines conduct clandestine intelligence-gathering operations. SEALs are internationally reknown for counter-terrorism and irregular warfare in every possible environment. All Sailors are both warfighters and technical specialists.

Learn about military discount and promotion programs

Military Discounts & Benefits for Seamen:

In addition to basic pay and allowances, active-duty seamen, veterans, and even their families are eligible for hundreds of discounts and additional benefits offered by organizations and private companies like JetBlue , United Airlines , Verizon , and hundreds more.

Learn more about Military Discounts