The Navy Rate
In the Navy, rates identify enlisted Sailors occupationally by pay grades E-1 through E-9 and reflect levels of aptitude, training, experience, knowledge, skill, and responsibility. Enlisted rates are divided into three groups: general rates (E-1 through E-3 apprenticeships), Petty Officers (E-4 through E-6), and Chief Petty Officers (E-7 through E-9).
General rates are apprenticeships assigned to personnel at pay grades E-1 through E-3 to indicate their eligibility for entry into various ratings (specific Navy enlisted job). These apprenticeships are: Airman (AN), Fireman (FN), and Seaman (SN).
- Non-designated strikers are personnel in pay grades E-1 through E-3 who are not yet designated to a specific Navy rating.
- Designated strikers are personnel in pay grades E-1 through E-3 who are identified as apprentices for a specific Navy rating.
- Per BUPERSINST 1430.16, Advancement to the next higher pay grade (to E-2 or E-3) is automatic -- no local action must be taken. Qualified candidates who complete service requirement of 9 months (Time in Rate from E-1 to E-2, and E-2 to E-3) between the 1st and 16th of the month will be advanced on the 16th day of that month; candidates who complete service requirement of 9 months on the 17th through the end of a month will be advanced on the 16th day of the following month.
Petty Officers (Third Class Petty Officer [PO3 -- E-4]; Second Class Petty Officer [PO2 -- E-5]; and First Class Petty Officer [PO1 -- E-6]) are the technicians and work managers within Navy ratings who possess increasing degrees of skill responsibility and authority as they advance in pay grade. Petty officers are capable of accomplishing tasks normal to their rating and pay grade and they provide the "hands on" skills required to maintain, repair, and operate systems and subsystems.
- For advancement to E-4, the member must have a minimum of 6 months Time in Rate (TIR) and an E-3.
- Per NAVADMIN 168/23: Effective, July 1, 2024, advancement to E-4 will be automatic once the Sailor completes 30 months time in service and has the commanding officer's endorsement. All other requirements, including a rating advancement exam, will no longer be required.
- For advancement to E-5, member must have 12 months TIR as an E-4.
- For advancement to E-6, member must have a minimum of 36 months TIR as an E-5*. The TIR requirement for advancement to E-6 can be waived for up to one year for those with demonstrated superior performance.
The Chief Petty Officer (CPO) (E-7) is the technical authority, expert, and supervisor within a rating. The CPO is capable of accomplishing all tasks normal to a rating using technical supervision, instruction, and training of lower rated personnel.
- For advancement to E-7, member must have a minimum of 36 months TIR as an E-6*. The TIR requirement for advancement to E-7 can be waived for up to one year for those with demonstrated superior performance.
The Senior Chief Petty Officer (SCPO) (E-8) is the senior technical supervisor within a Navy rating with primary responsibilities for supervising and training enlisted personnel oriented to system and subsystem maintenance, repair, and operation. Based on wide ranging experience and specialized training, the SCPO provides the command with a higher level of technical and managerial expertise than is expected at the E-7 level.
- For advancement to E-8, member must have a minimum of 36 months TIR as an E-7.
The Master Chief Petty Officer (MCPO) (E-9) is the senior enlisted petty officer in the United States Navy. As such, the MCPO is vested with special command trust and confidence extending to administrative and managerial functions involving enlisted personnel. Based upon experience, proven performance, and technical knowledge necessary for advancement to the grade of MCPO, individuals of that rate within a command hold the senior enlisted positions and contribute to forming as well as implementing policy within their occupational field or across the full Navy rating spectrum.
- For advancement to E-9, member must have a minimum of 36 months TIR as an E-8.
*Commanding Officers and Officers in Charge may waive up to 1 year of the required Time In Rate for Sailors in paygrades E-5 and E-6 who received a promotion recommendation of EP on the most recent periodic evaluation in the current paygrade.
Navy Active Duty High Year Tenure
Among its many manpower management tools, High Year Tenure (HYT) may be one of its most controversial. HYT is a move up or out force structure tool. For example, if an E-5 is unable to advance to E-6 before reaching the 16 year year of service, the E-5 will be forced to leave the Navy.
Per MILPERSMAN 1160-120, CH84, July 13, 2023, the High Year Tenure years of service by pay grade allowed are as follows:
| Pay Grade (Note 4) | Years |
|---|---|
| E-1 and E-2 | 4 |
| E-3 | 6 |
| E-4 | 10 |
| E-5 | 16 |
| E-6 | 22 |
| E-7 | 24 |
| E-8 | 26 |
| E-9 | 30 |
| CMDCM | 32 |
| CMDCM/ FORCM (Note 1) | 34 |
| CMDCM/ FORCM/ FLTCM (Note 2) | 36 |
| MCPON (Note 3) | 38 |
Notes:
- Selected for a 1 or 2-star flag/general officer support assignment to complete a 3-year tour of duty.
- Selected for a 3 or 4-star flag/general officer support assignment to complete a 3-year tour of duty.
- Selected to serve as the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) to complete a 4-year tour of duty.
- Sailors who have completed 18 years, but less than 20 years of service and are subsequently reduced in rate must be retained on active duty until they are eligible to transfer to the Fleet Reserve, unless they are discharged under other provisions of law.
Military Enlisted Pay-Grade and Rank Comparison Chart
| Enlisted Ranks and Pay grades | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pay grade | Navy Coast Guard | Marines | Army | Air Force Space Force |
| E-9 | Master Chief Petty Officer | SGT Major Master Gunnery SGT | SGT Major Command SGT Major | Chief Master SGT |
| E-8 | Senior Chief Petty Officer | 1st SGT Master SGT | First SGT Master SGT | Senior Master SGT |
| E-7 | Chief Petty Officer | Gunnery SGT | SGT 1st Class | Master SGT |
| E-6 | 1st Class Petty Officer | Staff SGT | Staff SGT | Technical SGT |
| E-5 | 2nd Class Petty Officer | Sergeant | Sergeant | Staff SGT |
| E-4 | 3rd Class Petty Officer | Corporal | Corporal SPEC. 4 | Senior Airman |
| E-3 | Seaman | Lance Corporal | Private First Class | Airman First Class |
| E-2 | Seaman Apprentice | Private First Class | Private | Airman |
| E-1 | Seaman Recruit | Private | Private | Basic Airman |
*SGT = Sergeant
