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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.

// Enlisted Hierarchy

ENLISTED PAYGRADES

The U.S. Navy maintains 9 enlisted paygrades — Seaman Recruit (E-1) through Master Chief Petty Officer (E-9). Sailors at E-7 and above belong to the storied "Chief's mess" — the senior enlisted leadership corps.

Portrait of T Madden Alford
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
REVIEWER_TODO — Retired Senior Chief or Master Chief Petty Officer — REVIEWER_TODO — Senior enlisted leader (E-8 or E-9) with verified service record (Office of the MCPON)
Last reviewed: May 25, 2026 · Sources checked: May 25, 2026

Enlisted Paygrades (high → low, mobile-friendly)

  1. E-9Chief Petty Officer device with two silver stars above — U.S. Navy Master Chief Petty Officer rate insigniaMASTER CHIEF PETTY OFFICERMCPO
  2. E-8Chief Petty Officer device with one silver star above — U.S. Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer rate insigniaSENIOR CHIEF PETTY OFFICERSCPO
  3. E-7Gold rocker over three gold chevrons with eagle and rating mark — U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer fouled-anchor deviceCHIEF PETTY OFFICERCPO
  4. E-6Eagle over three chevrons with rating mark — U.S. Navy Petty Officer First Class crowPETTY OFFICER FIRST CLASSPO1
  5. E-5Eagle over two chevrons with rating mark — U.S. Navy Petty Officer Second Class crowPETTY OFFICER SECOND CLASSPO2
  6. E-4Eagle over one chevron with rating mark — U.S. Navy Petty Officer Third Class crowPETTY OFFICER THIRD CLASSPO3
  7. E-3Three diagonal stripes — U.S. Navy Seaman (E-3) rate insigniaSEAMANSN
  8. E-2Two diagonal stripes — U.S. Navy Seaman Apprentice (E-2) rate insigniaSEAMAN APPRENTICESA
  9. E-1No rate insignia — U.S. Navy Seaman Recruit (E-1) wears no rating markSEAMAN RECRUITSR
Enlisted Job Specialties
Looking for Navy Ratings?

Every enlisted Sailor at E-3 and above carries a "rating" — a job specialty (BM, OS, HM, AM, etc.). Browse the full active rating reference with ASVAB minimums, A-school locations, and career paths.

All Navy Ratings

Editorial policy

  • Source priority. We cite navy.mil enlisted insignia plates, the Office of the MCPON, MyNavyHR / MILPERSMAN, and DFAS basic pay tables first. 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. DFAS basic pay figures are re-verified each January and at every page update. Chief's Mess structure, senior-enlisted billets (CMC, FORCM, FLTCM, MCPON), and E-2/E-3 community variants are re-verified quarterly.
  • 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.
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