US Navy Ranks and Insignia : The Largest and Most Powerful Navy in The World

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defenseuptodate.com – The greatness of the United States Military has been recognized by the world as the center of attention today.

US Military rank as a form of the career ladder. This applies to all branches, one of the most famous United States Military Branches is the US Navy.

The US Navy is one of the United States military branches for maritime service. It manages aircraft carriers, warships, and submarines equipped with very sophisticated weapons.

To get a promotion in the US Navy, It takes practice, hard work, and professionalism to climb the career ladder. Each soldier gets a different military pay based on the military rank of the number of years of service they have. Servant US Navy will be given recognition and awards.

For those of the US Navy soldiers who died or contributed to the service, the United States was also given awards such as promotion to rank and their names were honored as the name of the military facilities and warships.

The types of US Navy Ranks include Title, Abbreviation and Insignia from lower to higher

1. Warrant Officer Ranks

Warrant officer one (WO-1)

warrant officer one wo-1
Warrant Officer One (WO-1) Insignia

Warrant Officer One has Abbreviation (WO-1), generally this rank has good technical ability, in terms of skills and expertise that leaders in the US Navy can rely on. Assignment of  Warrant Officer One (WO‑1), are appointed and approved by their respective service secretaries. Warrant officers can command various military equipment in the navy such as warships, aircraft and others.

Chief warrant officer two (CWO-2 )

chief warrant officer 2 insignia
Chief Warrant Officer two (CWO-2) Insignia

Chief Warrant Officer 2 has Abbreviation (CWO-2) is a the level 2 of warrant officer of the US Navy, who has special expertise with leadership capabilities in naval operations. With the special skills they have, they can make it easier when carrying out maritime operations.

Chief Warrant Officer 2 is a promotion rank from the sailor that has been possessed to have special abilities such as, naval pilot, and others. Therefore, additional training is needed to get promotion to CWO-2. Sailors who have been promoted to Chief Warrant Officer 2 will of course get a higher pay grade.

Chief warrant officer three (CWO-3 )

chief warrant officer three cwo-3 insignia
Chief Warrant Officer Three (CWO-3) Insignia

To become a Chief Warrant Officer 3 (CWO-3) is not easy, to get a promotion from Chief Warrant Officer 2,  it will need to show good dedication and outstanding service to the US Navy. CWO-3 rank generally have jobs in various fields in the US Navy. Many advantages will be obtained for warrant officers who are promoted to CWO-3 such as higher salaries, allowances and various other facilities.

Chief Warrant Officer Four (CWO-4 )

chief warrant officer four insignia
Chief Warrant Officer Four (CWO-4) Insignia

Chief Warrant Officer 4 (CWO-4) is a next level of Chief Warrant Officer 3 or it can say the level-4 of Warrant Officer in the US Navy. This rank of officer must also have the technical ability to command various lower ranks based on the field of expertise they have. Commands carried out by CWO-4 include warship command, submarine command, and others. The command is useful to support maritime operations of  the navy fleets.

Chief Warrant Officer Five (CWO-5 )

chief warrant officer 5 insignia
Chief Warrant Officer Five (CWO-5) Insignia

Chief Warrant Officer 5 (CWO-5) is the highest rank of warrant officer in the US Navy. This rank consist of  Warrant officers with very high abilities. This skillful ability is obtained through hard work, training and responsibility in carrying out their duties. To become CWO-5 is obtained from the results of a fair and competitive selection.

Read more: Military Pay Chart 2022 Based On Rank dan Years of Service

 

2. Commissioned officer ranks

Ensign (ENS)

navy ranks
Ensign (ENS) Insignia

Ensign is the lowest rank in the rank of commissioned officer, This rank is equivalent to Second Lieutenant in other branches of the American military. Nonetheless, Ensign junior officer to lead a small division in the US Navy. This of course still requires direction from officers with a rank above it who are more experienced.

To occupy the rank of ensign, sailors must attend and pass the training of a Naval Officer, or it can be obtained if sailors have passed from college degree, they have the opportunity to get the rank of Ensign directly.

In the line of ranks, Ensign Rank is above Chief Warrant Officer 5 (CWO-5). Many sailors with the rank (CWO-5) were promoted to this position. This is based on sufficient ability and experience.

Lieutenant Junior Grade (LTJG)

Lieutenant (junior grade)
Lieutenant Junior Grade (LTJG) Insignia

Lieutenant Junior Grade has Abbreviation (LTJG), is a United States Navy junior officer who is equivalent to a first lieutenant in other US military branches. In 1883 the rank of Junior Lieutenant in the US Navy was referred to as Master. This rank is due to the ability to lead small officers and non-ranking personnel.

Lieutenant (LT)

Lieutenant navy ranks
Lieutenant (LT) Insignia

Lieutenant has Abbreviation (LT), is a naval officer rank equivalent to a captain in the U.S Army Rank, this rank generally consists of officers who lead lieutenant Junior officers or They were called as Lieutenant Senior officers. Because this officer rank is generally tasked with appointing first lieutenant officers in many navy branches.

Lieutenant Commander (LCDR)

Lieutenant commanderus navy insignia
Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) Insignia

Lieutenant Commander (LCDR), is one rank lower than lieutenant. Under the DOPMA rules of 1980, each lieutenant-command officer must hold a position for at least 3 years. Officers generally serve in the United States Public Health Service Corps, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Corps of Officers, and the United States Coast Guard. The rank of lieutenant commander is equivalent to a major in the US Army.

Commander (CDR)

commander insignia
Commander (CDR) Insignia

Commander (CDR) is the rank in the US Navy equivalent to a lieutenant colonel in the US Army. To occupy the rank of commander, they must hold the position of lieutenant commander for at least 3 years. A commander in the Navy has the authority to command warships, aviation squadrons, submarines, and others. A commander can also act as captain on a small ship. For military pay grade for this rank is O-5.

Captain (CAPT)

captain navy ranks insignia
Captain (CPT) Insignia

According to wikipedia, In the years 1775-1857, Captain was the highest rank in the US Navy. In this era, the highest rank is called Fleet Admiral. The rank of captain is equivalent to that of colonel in our various branches of the military. Captain of the rank of senior officer above Commander and below Rear Admiral Lower Half. Captain also has high pay grade O-6.

Rear Admiral Lower Half (RDML)

rear admiral lower half insignia us navy ranks
Rear Admiral Lower Half (RDML) Insignia

The Rear Admiral Lower Half (RDML) is also known as the “Flag Officer”, who is in charge of carrying out the Commander of the Carrier Attack Group, while the captain’s duty is only to lead the command of a ship. The Lower Rear Admiral was also in charge of overseeing the base, and new platforms were installed on the warships. The Lower Rear Admiral (RALH) has a pay grade of O-7.

Rear Admiral (RADM)

real admiral radm insignia
Real Admiral (RADM) Insignia

Rear admiral (RADM) is also known as “Rear Admiral (Upper Half)”. The rank of rear admiral has a two-star flag officer or has the same level with a major general of other U.S. military branches. To get the rank of rear admiral (abbreviated RADM) is so hard. There are several requirements that must be met. For the first, Some of the candidates will be selected by senior commissioned officers. Then the candidates who pass the selection must be accepted by the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Secretary of the Navy. For the next step, President will choose one of them to recommend for U.S. Senate. Rear admiral has pay grade of O-8.

Vice Admiral (VADM)

vice admiral insignia
Vice Admiral (VADM) Insignia

The Vice Admiral has Abbreviation (VADM), a three-star rank of officer in the US Navy, this rank having the same level as the rank of lieutenant general in the US Army. Vice Admiral is a temporary rank and is only used during conditions of war. Only 25% of Rear Admirals can get this rank. The Vice Admiral has pay grade of O-9.

Admiral (ADM)

admiral insignia us navy rank
Admiral (VADM) Insignia

An admiral has Abbreviation (VADM), is a four-star officer rank officer of the United States Navy. Admirals are also often called  as “Full Admirals”. This rank also has the same level as the rank of general in other military branches. The Admiral has pay grade of O-10.

Fleet Admiral (FADM)

fleet admiral insignia
Fleet Admiral (FADM) Insignia

Fleet Admiral is a five-star flag officer rank in the United States Navy. The last use of this rank was in 1946. Since 1946 until this time, no one has held this rank again. The rank has the same level as a general in the army and air force. One of the US Navy fleet admirals to occupy this rank is Chester W. Nimitz, whose name is honored as the name of one of the aircraft carrier of the US Navy.

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