What is the rank of a Navy E-4?

The rank of a Navy E-4 is Petty Officer Third Class. This rank represents the first level of petty officer in the Navy, which is distinct from the ranks of seaman or other lower enlisted personnel.

At the E-4 level, individuals are expected to have gained sufficient experience and specialized knowledge in their roles, enabling them to take on more leadership responsibilities and exhibit a greater level of technical proficiency. This is an important milestone in a sailor’s career as it marks a transition from the rank-and-file enlisted ranks to one that includes supervisory duties and mentorship for junior sailors.

Seaman refers to the E-3 rank, which is below the petty officer ranks. Petty Officer Second Class is a higher rank at E-5, while Master Chief Petty Officer is an even higher rank at E-9. Thus, the designation of Petty Officer Third Class accurately aligns with the E-4 classification in the Navy rank structure.