Disclosure
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 Reference
NAVY REFERENCE
General U.S. Navy reference material — separate from Navy Week event coverage. Background on bases, ranks, officer designators, enlisted ratings, and veteran benefits, for readers researching the service itself rather than the touring outreach program.
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: May 25, 2026 · Sources checked: May 25, 2026
58 Installations
Navy Bases
Naval Stations, Naval Air Stations, Submarine Bases, and Joint Bases across the United States — browse by state or installation type.
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15 Overseas Bases
Overseas Bases
Forward-deployed U.S. Navy installations in Japan, Bahrain, Italy, Spain, and more — by host nation and combatant command region.
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24 Ranks
Navy Ranks
Commissioned officers (O-1 to O-10), warrant officers (W-1 to W-5), and enlisted paygrades (E-1 to E-9). Pay, insignia, and history.
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24 Designators
Officer Designators
Four-digit codes for every Navy officer community — Unrestricted Line, Restricted Line, and Staff Corps.
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90 Active Ratings
Navy Ratings
Enlisted job specialties — ASVAB minimums, A-school locations, and career paths across all rating communities.
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18 Historic Ratings
Historic Ratings
Decommissioned U.S. Navy ratings — when each was disestablished, why, and which active rating absorbed its mission.
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Veteran Benefits
VA Disability
Plain-language guide to VA disability compensation — pay rates, ratings, common conditions, filing, and TDIU.
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Veteran Benefits
Veterans Home Care
How the VA pays for in-home care — VA-arranged services vs. the Aid and Attendance pension, 2026 rates, eligibility, and how to apply.
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Military Observances
Veterans Day
History and meaning of Veterans Day (Nov 11, 2026), how it differs from Memorial Day, and how the Navy observes it.
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1 Brand
Military Discounts
Verified military, veteran, and first-responder discounts from major brands — eligibility, ID verification, and step-by-step redemption.
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// Navy Week 2026
SEE THE FLEET IN PERSON
This reference library sits alongside our coverage of the Navy Week touring outreach program — browse the full 2026 schedule or jump to an upcoming host city.
Editorial policy
- Source priority. We cite navy.mil, MyNavyHR / MILPERSMAN, DFAS pay tables, and CNIC first. Reference totals are derived from datasets in src/lib/bases and src/lib/ranks, each of which is sourced from official .mil pages.
- 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. Catalogue totals (bases, ranks, designators, ratings) are re-verified whenever the underlying datasets are updated and at every quarterly editorial pass.
- 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.