Navy Officer Ranks

Navy officer ranks include commissioned officers and warrant officers (specialists
and experts in certain military technologies or capabilities). Promotion of officers are
confirmed by the Senate.
Commissioned officers do not enlist. They serve indefinitely at the pleasure of the
president of the United States. They hold a commission charging them with the duties
and responsibilities of their specific rank.

Warrant Officer (CWO2, CWO3, CWO4, CWO5)

These positions involve an application of technical and leadership skills versus
primarily management functions. Only senior enlisted personnel (pay grades E6 and
above) may apply for the Navy’s warrant officer program. With a minimum of 13
enlisted service years before commissioning, they possess a wealth of technical and
leadership experience, allowing them to work closely with, and fully understand, the
requirements of enlisted technicians in their charge.
At sea, the Navy relies heavily on them to supervise the maintenance and repair of all
types of equipment, from well-worn to state-of-the-art electronic equipment during
extended deployments. In addition to providing technical and managerial skills,
warrant officers perform a vital function in supporting communications at all levels
within the chain of command. The ranks range from chief warrant officer (CWO2) to
chief warrant officer 5 (CWO5). CWO2 is the most junior commissioned officer rank
in the U.S Navy. In the Navy, warrant officers to lieutenant commanders are junior
officers.

Ensign (ENS, O1)

The initial commissioned officer rank held by graduates of the United States Naval
Academy (USNA), Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC), Officer
Candidate School (OCS) and other commissioning sources. Generally, most ensigns
are in various schools training for their respective warfare or staff specialties. Others,
serving in the fleet, are division officers.
Lieutenant, Junior Grade (LTJG, O2)

Promotion occurs approximately two years after commissioning as an ensign. Some

officers may be in schools training for their warfare or staff specialty. Others may be
serving in the fleet as division officers.
Lieutenant (LT, O3)

Usually a division officer or service head on some smaller ships, in aircraft squadrons,
submarines and ships, lieutenants serve as division officers. In some commands,
senior lieutenants are department heads. For SEAL teams, LT, LTJGs and ENS serve
as platoon leaders.
Lieutenant Commander (LCDR, O4)

A department head or executive officer on a ship, aircraft squadron or submarine. On

SEAL teams, LCDR serve as executive officers. Some officers serve as a
commanding officer of a minesweeper or a patrol craft.
Commander (CDR, O5)

A senior officer, a CDR may command a frigate, destroyer, fast-attack submarine,

smaller amphibious ship, aviation squadron, SEAL team or shore installation.

Captain (CAPT, O6)

Serves as commanding officers of major commands such as aircraft carriers,
amphibious assault ships, cruisers, destroyer squadrons, carrier air wings, ballistic
missile submarines, submarine squadrons, SEAL groups and major shore installations.
Rear Admiral Lower Half (RDML,O7)

A one-star rank, it is the first of the flag ranks. At-sea commands include
commanding an amphibious group, carrier-cruiser group, carrier or expeditionary
strike group. Flag officers also may be assigned as deputies to larger commands.
Rear Admiral Upper Half (RADM, O8)

A two-star rank. At-sea commands include commanding an amphibious group,

carrier-cruiser group, carrier or expeditionary strike group. Flag officers also may be
assigned as deputies to larger commands.
Vice Admiral (VADM, O9)

A three-star rank. Commands numbered fleets and holds positions as deputies for
regional commands.
Admiral (ADM, O10)

The most senior flag rank. Assignments for admirals include commanders of regional
commands, joint commands, chief of naval operations and chairman of the Joint
Chiefs of Staff.
Fleet Admiral (FADM)

A wartime designation that has not been assigned since World War II when five stars
were awarded to William D. Leahy, Ernest King, Chester Nimitz and William Halsey.
 U.S. Military Rank Insignia
Military rank is more than just who salutes whom. Military rank is a badge of
leadership. Responsibility for personnel, equipment and mission grows with each
advancement.

Do not confuse rank with paygrades, such as E-1, W-2 and O-5. Paygrades are
administrative classifications used primarily to standardize compensation across the
military services. The "E" in E-1 stands for "enlisted" while the "1" indicates the
paygrade for that position. The other pay categories are "W" for warrant officers and
"O" for commissioned officers. Some enlisted paygrades have two ranks.

The Army, for example, has the ranks of corporal and specialist at the paygrade of E-
4. A corporal is expected to fill a leadership role and has a higher rank than a
specialist, even though both receive E-4 pay. In the Marine Corps, a master gunnery
sergeant and a sergeant major are both E-9s, but the sergeant major has the higher
rank.
Commissioned vs. Non-Commissioned Officer:
Key Differences
Updated September 14, 2022
Published January 3, 2020

In the United States military, there are different types of officers, each of whom
has its own leadership trajectory and training and experience requirements.
Commissioned, non-commissioned and warrant officers are three different ranks you
may encounter when serving in the military. Understanding the differences between
these positions may help you determine your goals and plan for your future.

In this article, we discuss the differences between commissioned and non-

commissioned officers to help you decide which path is right for you.

What is a commissioned officer?

A commissioned officer is a member of the military who already had a rank before
beginning their current position. Due to their rank, these individuals have greater
authority than non-commissioned officers. Commissioned officers train and lead
enlisted soldiers by protecting them, helping to boost morale, leading by example and
orchestrating the professional development of their subordinates. Commissioned
officers typically also oversee daily training for the recruits in their platoon.

Although they're ultimately following the orders and commands of the higher-up
members, commissioned officers are the central point of contact for new recruits.
Their ultimate goal is to teach the subordinate troops how to excel in their positions
and function effectively as a cohesive group. Commissioned officers can also play an
active role in various missions and excursions.

What is a non-commissioned officer?

A non-commissioned officer (NCO) is a military officer who has yet to earn a rank or
commission. These individuals hold leadership positions within their units, but they
rank lower than commissioned officers. Tasked with helping to execute the vast
majority of military missions, they're responsible for fulfilling their individual duties
and ensuring that they accomplish all missions as a team. Higher-ranking officers may
select NCOs to take the lead in various aspects of a mission based on their unique
strengths and weaknesses. There are officer ranks within the NCO rank, like a warrant
officer (WO), who rank higher than other NCOs but below commissioned officers.
Differences between a commissioned vs. a non-commissioned officer

While both types of officers hold leadership positions within the military, differences
between commissioned officers and NCOs include:

Education and training

Commissioned officers must hold a college degree. They may earn their commission
by completing one of the following programs:

 Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC): The ROTC is a program that

young adults can enroll in at a college or university through which they can
attend school while preparing to enter the military as a Second Lieutenant.
 Officer Candidate School (OCS): These schools teach students the mental
and physical skills necessary to lead as commissioned officers, and qualified
graduates can earn commissions upon finishing the program.
 Service Academy: These academies combine academic and military
education, focusing on topics like leadership, weapons, engineering, math and
science, and the studies culminate in a commission.

Conversely, only a high school diploma or General Educational Development

(GED) credential is a requirement for NCOs before they can enlist. These individuals
may pursue a secondary and/or post-secondary degree to expand their skills. One of
the most common paths for NCOs is through the Non-Commissioned Officer
Professional Development System (NCOPDS), which is a series of leadership training
courses and classes designed to teach soldiers how to lead at various stages in their
military careers. The levels are:

 Basic Leaders Course (BLC): This first step focuses on leading team-sized
units.

 Advanced Leaders Course (ALC): This course adds more technical elements
to prepare soldiers to lead squad-sized units.

 Senior Leaders Course (SLC): Soldiers chosen for a promotion take this
course to equip themselves to lead platoon-sized units.

 Master Leaders Course (MLC): This course helps soldiers moving into
Master Sergeant roles develop the skills necessary to make decisions, manage
training programs and communicate effectively in combat situations.

Experience requirements
Commissioned officers typically enter the military at a management level because of
the commission earned through their training. It's possible to start as an enlisted
member and earn a commission to advance in your career, so some commissioned
officers may have additional experience. Military contracts can vary depending on the
channel through which you enter, but commissioned officers typically make a
commitment to serve four to eight years.

NCOs usually enter the military as privates and progress through the ranks. After
demonstrating leadership potential, they may advance into an officer role, becoming a
corporal and later a sergeant. Because of the path to promotion, NCOs have military
experience when they first receive their rank.

Compensation

Rank is a significant determining factor for military salaries, so reflecting on your

salary preferences may help you determine which rank you hope to pursue. Pay can
also depend on variables like years of service, location, specialization and
assignments. The military also classifies military members by pay grade depending on
their rank and experience. Pay grades for enlisted members go from E-1 to E-9, and
most NCOs are at least at E-4. Commissioned officers' pay grades go from O-1 to O-
10 and vary depending on their years of service.

Roles for commissioned vs. non-commissioned officers

Understanding the ranks these different officers may hold could help you visualize
your potential career advancement when entering into military service. Exact
positions may vary depending on the branch you serve and the promotions you
receive. Commissioned officers can hold ranks like:

 Second Lieutenant
 First Lieutenant
 Captain
 Major
 Lieutenant Colonel
 Colonel
 Brigadier General
 Major General
 Lieutenant General
 General
 Ensign
 Lieutenant Junior Grade
 Lieutenant
 Lieutenant Commander
 Commander
  Captain
 Rear Admiral Lower Half
 Rear Admiral Upper Half
 Vice Admiral
 Admiral
 Fleet Admiral (during wartime only)

NCOs might hold ranks like:

 Corporal
 Sergeant
 Staff Sergeant
 Gunnery Sergeant
 Sergeant First Class
 Master Sergeant
 First Sergeant
 Sergeant Major
 Command Sergeant Major
 Warrant Officer
 Chief Warrant Officer
 Petty Officer Third Class
 Petty Officer Second Class
 Petty Officer First Class
 Chief Petty Officer
 Second Chief Petty Officer
 Master Chief Petty Officer
 Command Master Chief Petty Officer
 Fleet Command Master Chief Petty Officer
 Staff Sergeant
 Technical Sergeant
 Master Sergeant
 Senior Master Sergeant
 Chief Master Sergeant
 Command Chief Master Sergeant