Navy Ranks

Listed ranks pertaining to the UNSC Fallujah

Officer

[O-5] Commander - A Commander is the fifth rank among officers in the UNSC Navy. A Senior Officer, a CDR may command a Frigate, Destroyer, Prowler, Corvette, Aviation Squadron, or medium-sized naval installation. On spacefaring vessels, a Commanding Officer may be referred to as "Skipper" or "Captain", which is a position but not a rank. Non-spacefaring Commanding Officers may never be referred to as "Captain". Never refer to Commanding Officers as "Commander" unless that is their rank -- and if they are the vessel's Captain, even if it is their rank, never call them "Commander".

[O-4] Lieutenant Commander - A Lieutenant Commander is the fourth rank among officers in the UNSC Navy. You usually refer to them as "Lieutenant Commander" or "Commander", depending on them and their superiors' (if applicable)'s preferences. Billets held by LCDRs vary by community. In the Fleet Warfare and Prowler Corps communities, a LCDR may be the Commanding Officer of a Corvette or Prowler. On larger ships such as Cruisers or Carriers, a LCDR may be either a senior Department Head or the Executive Officer. LCDRs are shown the due respect of a an officer prospecting to become a Commanding Officer of a larger ship or unit.

[O-3] Lieutenant - A Lieutenant is the third rank among officers in the UNSC Navy. This is not to be confused with LTs of the Army and Marines, who are O-1s and O-2s. The expectations for a LT are ever higher than for a LTJG. At this point, the officer is expected to be fully warfare qualified and demonstrate sufficient leadership qualities as to take charge of tactical watch teams and casualty situations.

[O-2] Lieutenant Junior Grade - A Lieutenant, Junior Grade is the second-lowest among officer ranks in the UNSC Navy. This rank is held for two years until promotion to full Lieutenant. Depending on their community, Lieutenant JGs may have already spent several months in the Fleet after showing up as Ensigns, or may arrive shortly within their promotion date.

[O-1] Ensign - An Ensign is the lowest among officer ranks in the UNSC Navy. This rank is held for two years until promotion to LTJG. Depending on their community, Ensigns may spend several weeks (e.g. Fleet Warfare Officers) or even their full two years (e.g. Prowler Corps, Naval Aviators) in training.

[W-3] Warrant Officer - Warrant Officers and Limited Duty Officers are technical or warfare specialists beyond the rank of Chief Petty Officer. Warrants and LDOs typically hold positions similar to a Lieutenant, but in such cases where the learning curve and demands are too steep for newly-minted and inexperienced officers.

NCO

[E-9] Master Chief Petty Officer - Master Chiefs are the most seasoned and exceptional among Chiefs. Often they represent a specific department aboard a ship. They ensure unity, communication, and cooperation on their ships. One among them is the Command Master Chief or Chief of the Ship.

[E-8] Senior Chief Petty Officer - Senior Chiefs are seasoned and exceptional compared to ordinary Chiefs. They typically work as Department Chiefs (for Combat Systems, Engineering, Supply, etc.). They are also largely responsible for training new Chiefs.

[E-7] Chief Petty Officer - Chief Petty Officers are the true "deckplate" (ground-level) leadership of the Navy. Chiefs wear the same uniforms as officers and are given due respect. They are highly seasoned technical experts and leaders of their own rate. Good Chiefs ensure that their crewmen are physically and emotionally taken care of, and are steadily advancing in their careers.

[E-6] Petty Officer First Class - E-6s are the high-grade Petty Officers. 1st Class Petty Officers are the Divisional leadership, delegating and overseeing all work that needs to be done, and only executing the most difficult and complex tasks themselves. They should be qualified all of their in-rate watchstations and in the process of supervisory qualifications.

[E-5] Petty Officer Second Class - PO2s are the mid-grade Petty Officers. 2nd Class Petty Officers are self-sufficient leaders and know what work needs to be done without being told. They are qualified most of their in-rate watchstations and can conduct maintenance and repairs of all equipment under their Division's cognizance. They mentor junior Crewmen and Petty Officers and are in charge of day-to-day business in the absence of their seniors.

[E-4] Petty Officer Third Class - Nearly all crewmen who have reached the rank of 3rd Class Petty Officer have by now made it to the Fleet. Rare exceptions include exceptional E-4s who are promoted while in school, or are selected to teach immediately upon graduation and spend an additional two to three years at their school house. They are roughly equivalent to Marine Corporals in authority.

Enlisted

[E-3] Crewman - Crewmen are fully qualified enlisted ratings of the UNSC Navy, and are qualified in both the basics and their specific tasks of their division.

[E-2] Crewman Apprentice - Apprentices are still considered in training for their specific task, but are qualified in the basics of enlisted service aboard a UNSC vessel.

[E-1] Crewman Recruit - Crewman Recruits are newly inducted into the Navy and are still undergoing training whilst on their first assignment.