The document outlines the various ranks and rates within the NJROTC program from lowest to highest, describing the responsibilities and qualifications for each, with the lowest being Cadet Seaman Recruit and the highest being Cadet Captain. It also provides a brief overview of the similar rate and rank structure used by the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.

1. UNIT 2
NJROTC RATES/RANKS
AND U.S. NAVY RATES/RANKS

2. Cadets must continually demonstrate:
a. High morale standards and good
conduct
b. Proper appearance in school and in
unit uniform
c. Acceptable academic achievement
d. Acceptable performance in carrying
out assigned NJROTC responsibilities
e. Acceptable level of participation in
NJROTC activities and programs

3. CADET RATES & RANKS
Rate and rank promotions are
determined by the Senior Naval Science
Instructor (SNSI).
Unacceptable performance could result
in a demotion or disenrollment.
NJROTC cadet rates and ranks, from the
lowest to the highest, follow on the next
16 screens.

4. CADET SEAMAN RECRUIT (C/SR)
• There is no collar device for this rate.
• Assigned to new cadets in the process
of learning the NJROTC program.

5. CADET SEAMAN
APPRENTICE (C/SA)
• The collar device is two silver
diagonal stripes.
• When qualified, recruits can advance
to SA in the first year.

6. CADET SEAMAN
(C/SN)
• The collar device is three silver
diagonal stripes.
• When qualified, recruits can advance
to SN in the first year.

7. Junior Enlisted Rates
While there are no specific assignments
for seaman recruit, seaman apprentice,
or seaman, these cadets are in training
for future leadership roles.

8. CADET PETTY OFFICER
THIRD CLASS (C/PO3)
• The collar device is a
perched eagle over one
chevron.
• Outstanding cadets may achieve this
rate the first year.
• Assignments include squad leaders,
assistant squad leaders in platoons,
drill teams, and drum and bugle corps.

9. CADET PETTY OFFICER
SECOND CLASS (C/PO2)
• The collar device is a
perched eagle over two
chevrons.
• Advancement to this rate is usually in
the second year.
• Assignments include squad leaders,
color escorts in platoons, drill teams,
color guards and drum and bugle
corps.

10. CADET PETTY OFFICER
FIRST CLASS (C/PO1)
• The collar device is a
perched eagle over
three chevrons.
• Cadets can achieve this rate usually
in their second or third year.
• Assignments include platoon guides,
color bearers, drill team guides, and
supply assistants.

11. CADET CHIEF PETTY
OFFICER (C/CPO)
• The collar device is an
eagle perched on a
fouled anchor.
• Cadets can generally achieve CPO in
their second or third year.
• Assignments include company chief,
platoon chief, color bearer, drill team
chief, or rifle team chief.

12. CADET SENIOR CHIEF
PETTY OFFICER (C/SCPO)
• The collar device is an
eagle and one star
perched on a fouled
anchor.
• Generally a third year cadet.
• The SNSI may assign a Senior Chief
Petty Officer billet to the company
chief petty officer.

13. CADET MASTER CHIEF
PETTY OFFICER (C/MCPO)
• The collar device is an
eagle and two stars
perched on a fouled
anchor.
• Generally a third or fourth year cadet.
• The SNSI may assign a Master Chief
Petty Officer billet to the battalion
chief petty officer.

14. CADET OFFICER RANKS
Cadet officers are generally third or
fourth year cadets that have shown
aptitude for high leadership positions.
Officers are selected from the enlisted
rates to fill specific positions as follows:

15. CADET ENSIGN
• The collar device is a single gold bar.
• Generally a third or fourth year cadet.
• The first junior officer assignment
that may include junior officer on
company staffs, public affairs,
assistant supply, platoon commander,
or assistant drill team commander.

16. CADET LIEUTENANT
(Junior Grade)
• The collar device is two attached gold
bars.
• Assigned to officers ready for
additional responsibilities.
• Assignments can include operations,
rifle team commanders, battalion
supply, and administrative officer.

17. CADET LIEUTENANT
• The collar device is three attached
gold bars.
• Assigned to some of the most senior
officers such as executive officer of
companies or operations officer in
battalions and regiments.

18. CADET LIEUTENANT
COMMANDER
• The collar device is four attached gold
bars.
• Assigned to cadet officers in the top
leadership roles of the NJROTC.
• The highest rank of company strength.
• Assignments include company commander
in smaller units and executive officer in
battalions and regiments.

19. CADET
COMMANDER
• The collar device is five attached
gold bars.
• Assignments include battalion
commander and regimental
commander.

20. CADET
CAPTAIN
• The collar device is six attached gold
bars.
• The highest rank that can be attained
by a cadet in NJROTC.
• Assignments include regimental
commander (only if 300 or more
cadets).

21. NAVY RATES AND RANKS
The Navy's rate and rank structure is
similar to the rate and rank structure
used by cadets in the NJROTC program.
Enlisted personnel have rates, and
commissioned officers have ranks.
Enlisted personnel are advanced in rate.
Officers are promoted in rank.

22. U.S. NAVY
U.S. MARINES
RATES
AND RANKS

23. E-1
Seaman Recruit (SR)
No insignia
• The lowest noncommissioned rate in
the U.S. Navy
• Normally your initial rate when you
enter the Navy

24. E-1
Private
No insignia
• The lowest noncommissioned rate in
the U.S. Marines Corps
• Normally your initial rate when you
enter the Marines

25. E-2
Seaman Apprentice (SA)
• A noncommissioned rate in the U.S.
Navy above Seaman Recruit but below
Seaman

26. E-2
Private First Class
PFC

27. E-3
Seaman (SN)
• A noncommissioned rate in the U.S.
Navy that is above seaman apprentice
and below third class petty officer

28. E-3
Lance Corporal
LCPL

29. E-4
Petty Officer Third Class (PO3)
The first and lowest of the Petty Officer
rates. Along with this rate comes
increased responsibility.

30. E-4
Corporal
CPL

31. E-5
Petty Officer Second Class (PO2)
The second level of the Petty Officer
rates. Additional responsibilities are
afforded you at this level.

32. E-5
Sergeant
SGT

33. E-6
Petty Officer First Class (PO1)
The third level of the Petty Officer
rates. Even more responsibilities are
afforded you.

34. E-6
Staff Sergeant
SSGT

35. E-7
Chief Petty Officer (CPO)
The first level of the Chief Petty Officer
rates. You are a recognized expert in
your field.

36. E-7
Gunnery Sergeant
GYSGT

37. E-8
Senior Chief Petty Officer (SCPO)
The second level of the Chief Petty
Officer rates. Increased authority and
responsibilities are given to you.

38. E-8
Master Sergeant MSGT/
First Sergeant 1stSGT
MSGT 1stSGT

39. E-9
Master Chief Petty Officer (MCPO)
The highest enlisted Navy non-
commissioned rate. You may be
designated as a Command Master
Chief.

40. E-9
Sergeant Major SGTMAJ/
Master Gunnery Sergeant MGYSGT
SGTMAJ MGYSGT

41. E-9
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
(MCPON)
There is only one in the entire U.S. Navy.
MCPON is pronounced as mic-pon.

42. E-9
Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps/
SgtMajMC
There is only one in the entire U.S. Marine
Corps.

43. W-1
Warrant Officer
WO1
This is the lowest warrant officer rank
in the Navy.
The grade of Warrant Officer (W-1) is
no longer in use in the U.S. Navy.

44. W-1
Warrant Officer
WO
This is the lowest warrant officer rank
in the Marines.

45. W-2
Chief Warrant Officer
CWO2
This is the next highest warrant officer
rank in the Navy after a warrant officer
(WO1).

46. W-2
Chief Warrant Officer
CWO2

47. W-3
Chief Warrant Officer
CWO3
This is the next highest warrant officer
rank in the Navy after a CWO2.

48. W-3
Chief Warrant Officer
CWO3

49. W-4
Chief Warrant Officer
CWO4
This is the next highest warrant officer
rank in the Navy after a CWO3.

50. W-4
Chief Warrant Officer
CWO4

51. W-5
Chief Warrant Officer
CWO5
This is the highest warrant officer rank
in the Navy. This rank was established
in 2002.

52. W-5
Chief Warrant Officer
CWO5

53. O-1
Ensign
• The lowest ranking officer in the Navy

54. O-1
Second Lieutenant
2nd LT

55. O-2
Lieutenant Junior Grade (LTJG)
• The next highest rank of officer in the
Navy after an Ensign

56. O-2
First Lieutenant
1st LT

57. O-3
Lieutenant (LT)
• The next highest rank of officer in the
Navy after a Lieutenant Junior Grade

58. O-3
Captain
CAPT

59. O-4
Lieutenant Commander (LCDR)
• The next highest rank of officer in the
Navy after a Lieutenant

60. O-4
Major
MAJ

61. O-5
Commander (CDR)
• The next highest rank of officer in the
Navy after a Lieutenant Commander

62. O-5
Lieutenant Colonel
LT COL

63. O-6
Captain (CAPT)
• The next highest rank of officer in the
Navy after a Commander

64. O-6
Colonel
COL

65. O-7
Rear Admiral (Lower Half)
RADM (L)
• The first of the flag officer ranks

66. O-7
Brigadier General
BRIG GEN

67. O-8
Rear Admiral (Upper Half)
RADM (U)
• The next highest flag officer in the
Navy after a rear admiral (lower half)

68. O-8
Major General
MAJ GEN

69. O-9
Vice Admiral (VADM)
• The next highest flag officer in the
Navy after a rear admiral (upper half)

70. O-9
Lieutenant General
LT GEN

71. O-10
Admiral (ADM)
• The highest ranking flag officer in the
Navy

72. O-10
General
GEN

73. Q.1. What is the title of the cadet
who leads a battalion?

74. Q.1. What is the title of the cadet
who leads a battalion?
A.1. Battalion Commander

75. Q.2. Name the three levels of
seaman.

76. Q.2. Name the three levels of
seaman.
A.2. Seaman recruit, seaman
apprentice, and seaman

77. Q.3. TRUE or FALSE. The Navy’s
rate and rank structure for men
and women on active duty is
similar to that of the NJROTC
program.

78. Q.3. TRUE or FALSE. The Navy’s
rate and rank structure for men
and women on active duty is
similar to that of the NJROTC
program.
A.3. TRUE.

79. Q.4. What rank or rate can a third
year cadet hope to make?

80. Q.4. What rank or rate can a third
year cadet hope to make?
A.4. Senior petty officer or junior
officer

81. Q.5. TRUE OR FALSE. A cadet may
be demoted for unacceptable
performance.

82. Q.5. TRUE OR FALSE. A cadet may
be demoted for unacceptable
performance.
A.5. TRUE. A student may also be
disenrolled for any of the
following reasons:
a. Failure to maintain academic
or military standards
b. Lack of aptitude or poor
behavior

83. Q.5. TRUE OR FALSE. A cadet may
be demoted for unacceptable
performance.
A.5. c. Disenrollment from school
d. Request from the cadet
e. Physical condition that
preclude participation

84. Q.6. Upon what criteria are
promotions and advancements
made?

85. Q.6. Upon what criteria are
promotions and advancements
made?
A.6. Academic and military
performance, ability, loyalty,
and other qualities

86. Q.7. What criterion is used for
achievement of officer status in
the JROTC program?

87. Q.7. What criterion is used for
achievement of officer status in
the JROTC program?
A.7. Requires an individual who has
demonstrated superior quality
leadership, integrity, personal
appearance, conduct, and
patriotism.

88. Q.8. What is the collar device for
a Cadet Senior Chief Petty
Officer?

89. Q.8. What is the collar device for
a Cadet Senior Chief Petty
Officer?
A.8. An eagle and one star perched
on a fouled anchor