| Seaman/Constructionman Recruit the lowest enlisted rank in the U.S. Navy just below Seaman Apprentice this rank was formerly known as Seaman Third Class. Barring cases of demotion, seaman recruits are almost exclusively found in basic training, as advancement to Seaman Apprentice is automatic after completion of basic training. Two separate pay grades exist within this rank (and the corresponding ranks in the other branches of the American military structure) - one for those with service of less than four months, with a higher pay scale for those in service for more than four months, even if they have not yet advanced to Seaman Apprentice. Seaman recruits do not bear any uniform rank insignia (although at one time they did, in the form of one diagonal stripe) - white in color for an Seaman Recruit - - green in color for an Airman Recruit - - red for a Fireman Recruit - (and formerly) - blue for a Constructionman Recruit - which would normally be worn on the left sleeve. |
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| Constructionman Apprentice is the second lowest enlisted rank in the U.S. Navy just above Seaman Recruit and below Seaman this rank was formerly known as Seaman Second Class If applicable, the occupational titles of Airman Apprentice or Fireman Apprentice (and formerly) Constructionman Apprentice are used in place of Seaman Apprentice, but the rank remains the same. Advancement to Seaman Apprentice is attained after a certain number of weeks in service which roughly corresponds to the duration of basic training This policy results in all sailors graduating as Seaman Apprentice or higher |
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| Constructionman is the third lowest enlisted rank in the U.S. Navy and other navies For the U.S.Navy the rank is just above Seaman Apprentice and below Petty Officer Third Class this rank was formerly known as Seaman First Class Airman Apprentice or Fireman Apprentice (and formerly) Constructionman Apprentice are used in place of Seaman, but the rank remains the same Advancement to Seaman is attained automatically after a certain number of months in service, barring any disciplinary action. |
| Petty Officer Third Class is the fourth enlisted rank in the U.S. Navy just above Seaman and below Petty Officer Second Class is the lowest form of non-commissioned officer equivalent to a Corporal in the U.S. Army, Marines or Airforce. Unlike the Seaman and lower ranks, advancement to Petty Officer Third Class is not automatic given time in service, but is also contingent on performance evaluations by their superiors and rate examinations (test of speciality knowledge). The advancement cycle is currently every 6 months. Only a certain number of billets (job openings for this rank) open up biannually and all Seamen compete. The top scorers are chosen for advancement, but only in sufficient quantities to fill the billets available. |
| Petty Officer Second Class is the fifth enlisted rank in the U.S. Navy just above Petty Officer Third Class and below Petty Officer First Class and is a non-commissioned officer. Similar to Petty Officer Third Class, advancement to Petty Officer Second Class is dependent on time in service, performance evaluations by superiors, and rate (technical specialty) examinations. The advancement cycle is currently every 6 months. Only a certain number of billets (job openings for this rank) open up biannually and all petty officers third class compete. The top scorers are chosen for advancement, but only in sufficient quantities to fill the billets available. |
| A Non-Commissioned Officer (sometimes noncommissioned officer) or NCO is an enlisted member of an armed force who has been delegated leadership or command authority by a commissioned officer. The non-commissioned officer corps is the junior management of the military. An experienced NCO corps is a very important part of Western armies; in many cases NCOs are credited as being the metaphorical "backbone" of their service, and of their individual units. Typically NCOs serve as administrative personnel, as advisors to the officer corps, and as both supervisors of, and advocates for, the lower-ranking enlisted personnel. The NCO corps includes all the grades of sergeants and corporals. The Naval equivalent includes all levels of petty officers. Some have compared the centurions of the Roman Army with modern NCOs. At some levels this may be an apt comparison; however, the senior centurion of a legion was responsible for training and leading a unit of as many as 4,000 men and had the powers and responsibilities of a modern colonel. |
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