The Military Pay Act of 1958 established ranks E8 and E9 for all branches of the U.S.CPOs are known as “deckplate leaders” for their placement between officers and junior enlisted.Chief Petty Officers (CPO) belong to the 7th paygrade (E-7).For the most part, NCOs serve as first-order supervisors and technical leaders to the grades below (Naval Historical Center, 2006). Similarly, the number of chevrons increases rank progression. In contrast with the first three ratings, the NCOs have an eagle with spread wings atop a chevron as their individual mark. The title of a non-commissioned officer (NCO) first appeared in 1841 but was not formally developed until 1894 with the definition of the uniform and attached insignias. Number of chevrons increases with rank.Different insignias : a spread-winged eagle atop a chevron.Established in 1841, formalized by 1894.The respective grades receive varying identification marks, from no insignia for recruits to three stripes for those listed in E-3 (United States Navy, 2006). Ratings E-1 through E-3 are divided into five groups engaging in various activities in the military, such as seaman, fireman, airman, constructionman, and hospitalman. Typically, all enlisted personnel start as a recruit and moves ranks gradually, gaining the necessary skills and expertise to execute different commands.

In the three apprenticeship ratings, the names and responsibilities are defined by experience and seniority.

E1 has no insignia while E2 and E3 have two and three stripes on their sleeves.Titles change with each rank, as E1 and E2 add the words “recruit” and “apprentice” to the group name.Divided into 5 groups based on occupational choice: Seaman, Fireman, Airman, Constructionman, Hospitalman.

Civil War U.S. Navy ranks