Why does the Navy use the term petty officer?
Table of Contents
The Petty Officer can trace his title back to the old French word petit meaning something small. A ship’s Captain or Master chose his own Petty Officers who served at his pleasure. At the end of a voyage or whenever the ship’s crew was paid off and released the Petty Officers lost their positions and titles.
In the Navy and Coast Guard, all ranks of petty officer are so designated. Junior NCOs (E-4 through E-6 grade), or simply “NCOs” (E-4 and E-5 only) in Marine Corps usage, and function as first-tier supervisors and technical leaders.
Does the Coast Guard have petty officers?
Petty Officer First Class is the third junior non-commissioned officer rank. The Petty Officer First Class works towards a two or four-year undergraduate degree at a “C” School. Chief Petty Officer (CPO/E-7) Chief Petty Officer is thought to be an important advancement in an enlisted Coast Guard career.
An Army sergeant, an Air Force staff sergeant and a Marine corporal are considered NCO ranks. The Navy NCO equivalent, petty officer, is achieved at the rank of petty officer third class.
A petty officer second class may be generically referred to as PO2 when the sailor’s rating is not known, although some prefer to be called simply “Petty Officer (Martinez).” To address a petty officer, one would say, “Petty Officer Meyer”, “Meyer”, or “Sailor” (the latter two forms being acceptable for use by those …
What rank is petty officer in the navy?
Navy Ranks – Enlisted and Officer, from Lowest to Highest
| Pay Grade | Rank | Abbreviation |
|---|---|---|
| E-9 | Master Chief Petty Officer | MCPO |
| E-9 | Command Master Chief Petty Officer | CMDCM |
| E-9 | Master Chief Petty Officer Of The Navy | MCPON |
| W-2 | Chief Warrant Officer 2 | CW2 |
To address a petty officer, one would say, “Petty Officer Smith”, “Smith”, or “sailor”, the latter two forms being acceptable for use by those equal or greater in rate than the petty officer. It is uncommon to address a petty officer as simply “petty officer” the way one might address an NCO in the Army as “sergeant”.
Seaman Recruit
Seaman Recruit (E-1) Seaman recruit (SR) is the lowest enlisted rank in the U.S. Coast Guard, just below seaman apprentice.
Is a Petty Officer 3rd Class an NCO?
Petty officer third class is the fourth enlisted rate in the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Coast Guard, above seaman and below petty officer second class, and is the lowest rate of non-commissioned officer, equivalent to a corporal in the U.S. Army and Marine Corps.