U.S. Navy Officer Ranks - Ultimate Guide & List

They say that there is nothing nobler than risking your life for your country.

Becoming a United States Navy officer requires not only bravery and patriotism but also a few other qualifications. And in this article, we are going to talk about those qualifications and the different ranks in the Navy.

 

Qualifications for joining the Navy

To become part of the Navy, you should meet the following prerequisite standards:

• have a minimum of a four-year degree
• physically and mentally fit
• pass the military moral character standards

If you’re confident that you have these qualifications, you can begin your application.

 

Different Paths to Enter the Navy

There are various paths for potential applicants of the U.S. Navy. Here are four paths you can choose from to start your journey in serving the country:

• Naval Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (NROTC)

You can attend the NROTC program at different colleges and universities across the country. This program offers various financial benefits, such as free tuition. 

Once you graduate from the NROTC program, you automatically get commissioned as an ensign. 

• U.S. Naval Academy

You can also enroll in the U.S. Naval Academy and experience top-notch education. The academy can be very selective with the applicants, which means you’re guaranteed to get the best naval education there is.  

Additionally, you can enjoy several benefits, like housing and a guaranteed career after you graduate. 

• Officer Candidate School (OCS)

Are you planning to join the Navy after college? The Officer Candidate School can be the perfect path for you.  

The training would take 12 weeks, and once you graduate, you will be enlisted as an Ensign in the Navy. 

• Direct Commission

Another way to enter the Navy is through the Direct Commission. This would apply to those individuals with special skills that can benefit military operations.  

The Navy gives direct commissions to professionals in various fields such as intelligence, engineering, medicine, religious studies, or law. Most professionals in these fields may be enlisted as lieutenants. 

 

Navy Officer Ranks

Here are the different ranks in the Navy, arranged from lowest to highest:

Grade O-1: Ensign (ENS)

This is the lowest rank in the Navy, and most officers start at this rank except for those who joined the Navy through direct commission. 

After getting commissioned, ensigns may receive specialty training or serve as division officers on a ship, where they will lead the other Navy officers assigned to their division. 

Grade O-2: Lieutenant Junior Grade (LTJG)

Most Ensigns get promoted to LTJG after two years of service. As an LTJG, they will be tasked with supervising NCOs and other personnel. 

However, not all are required to do supervisory duty. Some are assigned to staff duty or an aircraft. 

Grade O-3: Lieutenant (LT)

Lieutenants may be given a variety of roles depending on the size of the ship they’re assigned to. 

Most of the time, LTs are in charge of the Deck Department. But if they’re assigned to a smaller vessel, they may take on the role of an Executive Officer. 

Grade O-4: Lieutenant Commander (LCDR)

Lieutenant Commanders are usually assigned as Senior Department Officers of a shore installation or a larger ship. They may serve as Executive Officers or commanding officers of a smaller ship or shore installation. 

Grade O-5: Commander (CDR)

Commanders may be assigned to command a small shore activity, a frigate, an aviation squadron, a destroyer, or a submarine.

In these cases, a CDR may be referred to as either Skipper or Captain. Commanders may also be Executive Officers on larger vessels. 

Grade O-6: Captain (CAPT)

A Captain’s responsibility may vary. Captains with sea command may be assigned to command a carrier air wing, a ballistic submarine, an aircraft carrier, or other large ships. 

For line officers, Captains would usually lead senior staff positions. 

Grade O-7: Rear Admiral (lower half) (RDML)

RDMLs are usually referred to as Admiral and would have the same responsibilities and duties as that of a Captain. However, they may be assigned to command multiple vessels on a slightly larger scale. 

Grade O-8: Rear Admiral (upper half) (RADM)

RADM is the rank of Navy officers promoted from RDML and may also be referred to as Admiral. When it comes to duties, they have similar responsibilities to those of an RDML. 

Grade O-9: Vice Admiral (VADM)

The Vice Admiral rank is usually reserved for higher staff positions, such as the Surgeon General of the United States Navy or the Judge Advocate General. 

Grade O-10: Admiral (ADM)

This is the highest rank in the United States Navy, but you may want to note that this is only a temporary rank. Most positions served by Admirals are usually assigned a term, and at the end of the position’s term, the rank also expires. 

For leadership responsibilities, an Admiral is expected to handle a broad scope of duties. 

Grade O-10: Fleet Admiral (FADM) 

The FADM rank is only used during war. Being a Fleet Admiral is the highest rank you can receive in the Navy. 

With an understanding of the pathways and ranks, you can enter the U.S. Navy with a clear roadmap.