The U.S. Navy

U.S. Navy Ranks, Enlisted - Groups

Group Rate Marks
for
Pay Grades E-1 through E-3

Sailors in pay grades E-1 through E-3 are considered to be in apprenticeships. As they begin their path towards advancement to Petty Officer in a specific specialty, they begin in the appropriate "group". For example, a Sailor who wishes to be an Electrician's Mate will begin in the Engineering/Hull group. The groups and the general rate marks (stripes) for E-1 through E-3 are shown here. (Note: E-1s do not wear any rate marks.) These rate marks are shown for the dress blue uniform. For whites, the background is white and the stripes are Navy blue. Those who earn it through a training school [an "A" school] or by passing a Navywide examination will wear a rating insignia above the stripes.

Group (linked to rating insignia)	Pay Grade	Rate	Abbreviation	Stripe Color
Deck, Administration, Medical, Dental	E-1	Seaman Recruit Hospital Recruit Dental Recruit	SR HR DR	[none]
	E-2	Seaman Apprentice Hospital Apprentice Dental Apprentice	SA HA DA
	E-3	Seaman Hospitalman Dentalman	SN HN DN
Engineering, Hull	E-1	Fireman Recruit	FR	[none]
	E-2	Fireman Apprentice	FA
	E-3	Fireman	FN
Aviation	E-1	Airman Recruit	AR	[none]
	E-2	Airman Apprentice	AA
	E-3	Airman	AN
Construction (SeaBees)	E-1	Constructionman Recruit	CR	[none]
	E-2	Constructionman Apprentice	CA
	E-3	Constructionman	CN

Group Rate Marks for Pay Grades E-1 through E-3

Group Rate Marks
for
Pay Grades E-1 through E-3