Every Rank in the Navy, Plus Their Insignia

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Learn about the different roles sailors can hold in the Navy

Co-authored by Gary Baumgardner and Amy Bobinger, BA

Last Updated: September 1, 2026 Fact Checked

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• Enlisted Sailors
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• Warrant Officers
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• Officer Ranks
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• Admirals in the Navy (O-7 to O-10)
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• Apprenticeships
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• Video

|Show more |Show less

Like other branches of the US military, advancement in the Navy follows a strict ranking structure. Whether you’re curious about joining the Navy or you just want to explore more about this powerful military institution, we’re breaking down all of the different ranks you can achieve in the Navy, including Enlisted Ranks, Warrant Officers, Commissioned Officers, and Admirals. Plus, we talked to a pilot who explained the officer ranks of Navy Pilots. Let’s check it out!

Navy Ranks Chart

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Ranks in the Navy are divided into Enlisted sailors, Warrant Officers, Commissioned Officers, and Admirals. New recruits move through the enlisted ranks. Warrant Officers are technical specialists, and Commissioned Officers are appointed after graduation and can be promoted to Admirals.

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Section 1 of 5:

Enlisted Ranks in the Navy (E-1 to E-9)

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1. 
   1
   Seaman Recruit (SR) The Seaman Recruit is the first rank sailors are assigned when they join the Navy. At this rank, sailors are tasked with learning the basics of being in the Navy. They’ll also be assigned a specialty, (also called an apprenticeship or rate), which will help prepare them for a specific job in the Navy. The categories for these specialities are seafarers, firefighters', construction workers, airmen, and hospital corpsmen.

   • Pay grade: E-1
   • Insignia: No insignia
   • Rank category: Apprenticeship/Junior Enlisted

   Meet the wikiHow Expert

   Gary Baumgardner is an airline pilot with over 18 years of experience. He’s also developed an online course to help people overcome a fear of flying.
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   Seaman Apprentice (SA) After about 9 months time-in-service (TIS) at the E-1 rank, sailors are eligible to be promoted to Seaman Apprentice, or E-2. In this role, sailors will attend A-School (ascension training) to learn more about their specialty, and they’ll perform menial labor.

   • Pay grade: E-2
   • Insignia: 2 diagonal bars
   • Rank category: Apprenticeship/Junior Enlisted
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   Seaman (SN) After 18 months of TIS, sailors can advance to the rank of Seaman. At this rank, sailors are expected to be familiar with what’s expected of them, and they’ll be given increasing responsibilities, like standing watch or handling maintenance. They will also spend time studying for their first-rating exams, which can help them with their next promotions.

   • Pay grade: E-3
   • Insignia: 3 diagonal bars
   • Rank category: Apprenticeship/Junior Enlisted
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   Petty Officer Third Class (PO3) Sailors are automatically promoted to Petty Officer Third Class (E-4) after 30 months of TIS. Some can reach this rank sooner, either through recognition for above-average performance through the Meritorious Advancement Program, or MAP. In addition to their other responsibilities, sailors in this role are expected to be leaders and mentors.

   • Pay grade: E-4
   • Insignia: An eagle above crossed anchors with 1 chevron
   • Rank category: Noncommissioned Officer (NCO)
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   Petty Officer Second Class (PO2) The Petty Officer Second Class is expected to be able to repair and maintain the equipment in their care. They’re responsible role-models, and will start to train for a leadership role. Moving to this role requires 12 months time-in-rate (TIR) at E-4, as well as a passing score on the advancement exam.

   • Pay grade: E-5
   • Insignia: An eagle above crossed anchors with 2 chevrons
   • Rank category: Noncommissioned Officer (NCO)
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   Petty Officer First Class (PO1) At the role of Petty Officer First Class, sailors are moved into an official leadership role, taking charge of anywhere between 5–50 junior sailors. They’re expected to delegate tasks successfully, and they’re given a broader area of resources to maintain. Attaining this role takes 36 months of TIR as an E-5, although accelerated promotions after 24 months are available.

   • Pay grade: E-6
   • Insignia: An eagle above crossed anchors with 3 chevrons
   • Rank category: Noncommissioned Officer (NCO)
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   Chief Petty Officer Chief Petty Officers have demonstrated significant leadership skills and technical knowledge. They assist with training junior sailors and are tasked with managing personnel and equipment. This rank can be achieved after 36 months TIR as an E-6, with early advancement available after 24 months.

   • Pay grade: E-7
   • Insignia: An eagle over crossed anchors with 3 chevrons and 1 rocker
   • Rank category: Senior Noncommissioned Officer (NCO)
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   Senior Chief Petty Officer The Senior Chief Petty Officer typically acts as a department chief. They primarily supervise and train junior sailors—particularly up-and-coming chiefs. Promotion to Senior Chief Petty Officer requires 36 months TIR as an E-7.

   • Pay grade: E-8
   • Insignia: An eagle over crossed anchors with 3 chevrons, 1 rocker, and 1 silver star
   • Rank category: Senior Noncommissioned Officer (NCO)
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   Master Chief Petty Officer A Master Chief Petty Officer is a department chief who oversees and coordinates the other petty officers. They are expected to have exceptional technical proficiency within their specialty. Moving to this position requires 36 months TIR as an E-8.

   • Pay grade: E-9
   • Insignia: An eagle over crossed anchors with 3 chevrons, 1 rocker, and 2 silver stars
   • Rank category: Senior Noncommissioned Officer (NCO)
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    Command Master Chief Petty Officer The Command Master Chief Petty Officer is the leader of a ship or unit—on a submarine, they’re called the Chief of the Boat. They act as a liaison between enlisted officers and commanding officers and are responsible for creating policies to ensure the proper welfare, training, and morale of enlisted sailors. Master Chief Petty Officers and Senior Chief Petty Officers compete to be promoted to this rank.

    • Pay grade: E-9
    • Insignia: An eagle over crossed anchors with 3 chevrons, 1 rocker, and 3 silver stars
    • Rank category: Senior Noncommissioned Officer (NCO)
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    Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy The Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy is appointed by the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO). They serve a two-year term, during which time they act as the senior enlisted advisor to the CNO and spokesman for all enlisted personnel.

    • Pay grade: E-9
    • Insignia: An eagle over crossed anchors with 3 chevrons, 1 rocker, and 3 gold stars
    • Rank category: Senior Noncommissioned Officer (NCO)
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Section 2 of 5:

Warrant Officer Ranks in the Navy (W-1 to W-5)

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1. 
   Warrant Officers Warrant Officers (or Chief Warrant Officers above rate W-1) are highly-trained technical specialists. They outrank enlisted personnel, including NCOs, but rank below commissioned officers. To become a Warrant Officer, sailors must complete 12 years of service and reach the rank of Chief Petty Officer or higher.

   • Pay grade: W-1 to CW-5 (note that the W-1 rate was defunct for a long time, but is now being used for specialists in cyber warfare)
   • Insignia:
     • W-1: Blue bar with a gold break in the center
     • CW-2: Blue bar with two gold breaks
     • CW-3: Blue bar with silver break
     • CW-4: Blue bar with two silver breaks
     • CW-5: Silver bar with vertical blue line
   • Rank category: Warrant Officer (WO)/Chief Warrant Officer (CWO)

Section 3 of 5:

Commissioned Officer Ranks in the Navy (O-1 to O-6)

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1. 
   1
   Ensign (ENS) The lowest-ranked officers, Ensigns, technically outrank even the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (although they’d likely defer to the latter’s experience and wisdom). Sailors can achieve a commissioned officer position after graduating from the US Naval Academy, Navy ROTC, or Officer Candidate School.

   • Pay grades: O-1
   • Insignia: Horizontal gold bar; 1 thick gold bar with 1 gold star
   • Rank category: Junior Commissioned Officer
   • Navy Pilots: Pilot Gary Baumgardner says that Ensign is the entry rank for newly-commissioned officers who are just beginning or finishing initial flight training.
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   2
   Lieutenant Junior Grade (LTJG) After about two years as an Ensign, commissioned officers can be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade. In this role, officers may pursue further education in their specialty, or they may be assigned to lead a division.

   • Pay grade: O-2
   • Insignia: Vertical silver bar; 1 thick gold bar and 1 thin gold bar with 1 gold star
   • Rank category: Junior Commissioned Officer
   • Navy Pilots: Baumgardner says that with this rank, an officer “typically achieves wings of gold and arrives at an operational fleet squadron.”
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   Lieutenant (LT) Lieutenants are responsible for leading teams and training and mentoring junior officers. They have some independent authority and are considered responsible for the men under their command.

   • Pay grade: O-3
   • Insignia: 2 vertical silver bars; 2 thick gold bars with 1 gold star
   • Rank category: Junior Commissioned Officer
   • Navy Pilots: This is the core rank for most active cockpit aviators, mission commanders, and section leaders, says Baumgardner.
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   Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) Lieutenant Commanders may be given charge of smaller vessels, like minesweepers or patrol ships. On larger ships, they may act as an executive officer or the head of a department. They’re considered to be in training for the position of Commander.

   • Pay grade: O-4
   • Insignia: Gold oak leaf; 2 thick and 1 thin gold bars with 1 gold star
   • Rank category: Senior Commissioned Officer
   • Navy Pilots: Lieutenant Commanders serve as flight leaders and department heads within a squadron, Baumgardner explains.
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   Commander (CDR) The role of Commander is a senior leadership position in the Navy. They may command a vessel like a destroyer, frigate, or submarine, or they might lead a SEAL team or an air squadron.

   • Pay grade: O-5
   • Insignia: Silver oak leaf; 3 thick gold bars with 1 gold star
   • Rank category: Senior Commissioned Officer
   • Navy Pilots: Baumgardner says that the Commander often serves as the Executive Officer (XO) or Commanding Officer (CO) of an aviation squadron.
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   Captain (CAPT) A Captain often serves as the leader of a large ship, like an aircraft carrier or a cruiser. They may also head up SEAL groups and other shore installations, and they’re typically in charge of all of the junior officers under their command.

   • Pay grade: O-6
   • Insignia: Silver eagle; 4 thick gold bars with 1 gold star
   • Rank category: Senior Commissioned Officer
   • Navy Pilots: According to Baumgardner, Captains command major aviation units, like a Carrier Air Wing or an air station. At this point, “flying duties become more limited and administrative,” he adds.
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Section 4 of 5:

Admirals in the Navy (O-7 to O-10)

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1. 
   1
   Rear Admiral Lower Half (RDML) The Rear Admiral Lower Half is a one-star flag officer. They may be assigned to lead large-scale land and sea operations. Their role is typically to coordinate the commanding officers on the vessels they oversee, including the planning and execution of missions.

   • Pay grade: O-7
   • Insignia: 1 silver star
   • Rank category: Admiral
   • Navy Pilots: Baumgardner says that Admiral ranks are “high-level flag ranks that command strike groups, fleets, or major naval regions.” He adds that “these officers rarely fly operational aircraft.”
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   2
   Rear Admiral Upper Half (RADM) The Rear Admiral Upper Half is a two-star rank. Their role is similar to that of an RDML; they may command large groups or might serve as a senior deputy to a higher-ranked Admiral.

   • Pay grade: O-8
   • Insignia: 2 silver stars
   • Rank category: Admiral
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   3
   Vice Admiral (VADM) A Vice Admiral has three stars and oversees large-scale operations in the Navy. They may also act as a deputy to a regional commander.

   • Pay grade: O-9
   • Insignia: 3 silver stars
   • Rank category: Admiral
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   4
   Admiral (ADM) The position of Admiral is the highest active-duty rank in the Navy. They typically command entire fleets. These four-star officers are senior leaders, and can be appointed to the role of Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) or Vice-Chief of Naval Operations.

   • Pay grade: O-10
   • Insignia: 4 silver stars
   • Rank category: Admiral
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   5
   Fleet Admiral (FADM) The role of Fleet Admiral is a rare five-star rank that is only appointed in times of war. This is the highest rank in the Navy. There have only been four Fleet Admirals ever appointed, with the last being William “Bull” Halsey, who was appointed to the role in 1945 during World War II.

   • Pay grade: O-10
   • Insignia: 5 silver stars
   • Rank category: Admiral
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Section 5 of 5:

What are Navy apprenticeships?

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1. 
   Navy apprenticeships help sailors train for a specific position. The US Military Apprenticeship Program (USMAP) provides both education and on-the-job training to service members, helping them learn a trade. Not only will this help them perform a specific role within the Navy, but it can also help them successfully transition to civilian life after leaving the Navy. The main types of apprenticeships for enlisted sailors include:

   • Airman
   • Firefighter
   • Seafarer
   • Hospital corpsman

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