| A | B |
|---|
| Rate | Level of proficiency within an enlisted rating, similar to a pay grade. |
| Ratings | General grouping of enlisted personnel by job specialty. |
| Rank | Relative position of authority among officers and petty officers. |
| Officer's Rank | An officer's rank refers to his or her official title,e.g. Ensign, Lieutenant Commander, Captain, ect. |
| Promotion (in rank) | When an officer moves up to the next rank and pay grade, they have earned a promotion |
| Advancement (in rate) | When enlisted personnel move up to the next higher rate in their rating specialty, they have advanced in rate. |
| Pay Grade | Level of military pay, from E-1 (Seaman Recruit) to E-9 (Mater Chief Petty Officer), from W-1 (Warrant Officer) to W-5 (Chief Warrant Officer) and from O-1 (Ensign) to O-10 (Admiral). |
| CPO, SCPO, MCPO | Chief Petty Officer, Senior Chief Petty Officer and Master Chief Petty Officer. With the exception of the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, this is the highest rank attainable by enlisted personnel while still in the enlisted category. |
| Warrant Officers | Warrant officers are senior specialists the operation of equipment and weapons. They bridge the gap between commissioned officers and enlisted personnel. They are like the journeymen or master tradesmen in civilian life. |
