SENIOR CHIEF PETTY OFFICER (SCPO) — U.S. NAVY E-8
The Navy's second-tier Chief — senior enlisted leaders advising commanding officers.
OVERVIEW
Senior Chief Petty Officer (SCPO) is the U.S. Navy E-8 enlisted paygrade — the second tier of the Chief's mess. SCPOs typically serve as the Departmental Leading Chief Petty Officer (DLCPO) of a major shipboard department, the Command Senior Chief at a smaller unit, or the senior detailer for an entire rating community.
SCPOs wear the same fouled-anchor device as a CPO with one silver star above the anchors. Promotion from CPO to SCPO is by competitive selection board.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Departmental Leading Chief Petty Officer (DLCPO) aboard ship
- Command Senior Chief at a smaller shore or expeditionary command
- Rating senior detailer at MyNavyHR (BUPERS)
- Senior instructor or course manager at a Navy "C"-school
HISTORY
Congress created the E-8 and E-9 paygrades in 1958, dividing the prior single Chief Petty Officer grade into three: Chief (E-7), Senior Chief (E-8), and Master Chief (E-9). The E-8/E-9 creation gave the Navy a clearer career progression and a more competitive senior enlisted promotion structure.
SCPOs and MCPOs are collectively referred to as the "senior enlisted" corps and provide the most experienced enlisted advice to commanding officers across the fleet.
PAY
- Pass the Navy-wide E-8 advancement exam
- Selection by the Senior Chief Petty Officer selection board
- Time-in-rate and time-in-service minimums
- DLCPO of a shipboard combat-systems, weapons, or engineering department
- Command Senior Chief at a smaller unit
- Rating Senior Detailer at BUPERS