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Lieutenant Junior Grade

Navy Lieutenant

O-3 Junior Officer, U.S. Navy
(Next) O-4 LCDRNavy Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Commander

Navy Ranks » Lieutenant RankLT PayLT Rank History

How to get promoted to Lieutenant History of the Navy Lieutenant Rank

A Lieutenant is a Junior Officer in the United States Navy at DoD paygrade O-3.

Until the late 1800s, the rank above Ensign was known as "Master". Then the term "Sub-Lieutenant" was made regulation. The United States is the only nation that uses the term, "Lieutenant, JG".

Want to learn more? Read about the Navy's Lieutenant rank on Military-Ranks.org.


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.