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NavyWeek.org is an independent publication. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Department of Defense, NAVCO, or DFAS. This page is informational reference material — not official guidance — and is compiled from public U.S. government sources.
// U.S. Navy Hierarchy
NAVY RANKS
The complete United States Navy rank structure on a single page — commissioned officers, warrant officers, and enlisted paygrades, each listed high to low with paygrade, pixel-art insignia, abbreviation, and NATO code.
Written by
T Madden Alford — U.S. Naval Academy '02 · U.S. Navy Reserve Captain (O-6) · Former submarine officer, USS Key West
Reviewed by
Erik Rivera — U.S. Naval Academy '04 · Former U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) officer
Last reviewed: July 23, 2026 · Sources checked: July 23, 2026
How we research & review: Our editorial process
U.S. Navy Ranks — Key Facts
- Commissioned officer ranks
- 10 (O-1 Ensign → O-10 Admiral)
- Warrant officer ranks
- 5 (W-1 → W-5)
- Enlisted paygrades
- 9 (E-1 Seaman Recruit → E-9 Master Chief Petty Officer)
- Top enlisted billet
- Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON)
- Highest active rank
- Admiral (O-10) — the Chief of Naval Operations and select fleet commanders
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS (HIGH → LOW)
- O-10
Admiral (ADM)NATO OF-9 - O-9
Vice Admiral (VADM)NATO OF-8 - O-8
Rear Admiral (RADM)NATO OF-7 - O-7
Rear Admiral (Lower Half) (RDML)NATO OF-6 - O-6
Captain (CAPT)NATO OF-5 - O-5
Commander (CDR)NATO OF-4 - O-4
Lieutenant Commander (LCDR)NATO OF-3 - O-3
Lieutenant (LT)NATO OF-2 - O-2
Lieutenant Junior Grade (LTJG)NATO OF-1 - O-1
Ensign (ENS)NATO OF-1
WARRANT OFFICERS (HIGH → LOW)
- W-5
Chief Warrant Officer 5 (CWO5)NATO WO-5 - W-4
Chief Warrant Officer 4 (CWO4)NATO WO-4 - W-3
Chief Warrant Officer 3 (CWO3)NATO WO-3 - W-2
Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CWO2)NATO WO-2 - W-1
Warrant Officer 1 (WO1)NATO WO-1
ENLISTED PAYGRADES (HIGH → LOW)
- E-9
Master Chief Petty Officer (MCPO)NATO OR-9 - E-8
Senior Chief Petty Officer (SCPO)NATO OR-8 - E-7
Chief Petty Officer (CPO)NATO OR-7 - E-6
Petty Officer First Class (PO1)NATO OR-6 - E-5
Petty Officer Second Class (PO2)NATO OR-5 - E-4
Petty Officer Third Class (PO3)NATO OR-4 - E-3
Seaman (SN)NATO OR-3 - E-2
Seaman Apprentice (SA)NATO OR-2 - E-1
Seaman Recruit (SR)NATO OR-1
Enlisted Ratings
Navy Ratings
The 90 active enlisted job specialties — Hospital Corpsman, Boatswain's Mate, Master-at-Arms, and every other rating.
Browse Navy Ratings
Officer Designators
4-Digit Codes
URL, Restricted Line, and Staff Corps officer communities — every Navy officer carries a four-digit designator.
Browse Officer Designators
Editorial policy
- Source priority. We cite navy.mil insignia plates, MyNavyHR / MILPERSMAN, and DFAS basic pay tables first; the U.S. Code (Title 10) and eCFR where statutes apply. Non-government sources are not used as primary evidence on this page.
- Independence. NavyWeek.org is not affiliated with the U.S. Navy, the Department of Defense, NAVCO, or any federal agency. We do not accept payment to recommend specific recruiters, schools, vendors, or services.
- Review cadence. Insignia, NATO codes, and rank structure are re-verified quarterly and at every page update.
- Reviewer. The page is reviewed for accuracy by the reviewer named in the byline. The "Last reviewed" date at the top of the page reflects the most recent review pass.
- Corrections. Factual errors are corrected as soon as we can verify the issue against an official source. See the "Report an outdated fact" link below.
- Not advice. This page is informational only. For decisions about service, benefits, pay, or assignment, rely on official .mil sources and your chain of command, detailer, recruiter, or accredited representative.