Navy Chain of Command?

Question

I am planning to join the Navy soon, after completing my BA degree. I plan on completing OCS after I finish BUD/S and am assigned to a team. Im told that I will come out of Basic as an E-3. I know that it is my duty to fufill the orders given to me by my superior enlisted men and officers but I'm curious as to those below me. Are we all the same below a petty officer or do E-2s and E-1s follow my orders just as I would follow an E-4s and above? Also, how does it work for those of the same rank (Id assume its based on age or time in service...)? Normally I'd ask my recruiter but he is out of town for training this week. Thanks in advance for the help.

Answer 1

There is always a distinct chain of command in the military and there is never a time where someone is NOT in charge. The highest ranking individual is always in charge.

If two men are of the same rank then it goes to time in grade. So if there are two E-3's the one who was an E-3 the longest is in charge. If that is equal then it comes to Time in service. Whoever has been active duty the longest is in charge.

Age is no indicator of military competency so it is not considered.

Answer 2

Don't expect to actually get into OCS as an enlisted person. Recruiters say it's easier to go OCS after you enlist, but that's a flat out lie. There are very few OCS slots allocated to prior enlisted personnel. It's not impossible but it's not easy either.

Second, unless you've already got an assignment to BUDS (which is highly unlikely) you'll find that's also much harder to get into than recruiters make it sound. BUDS is an elite course and they won't take just anyone. 75-80% of those they do take don't finish the school because they simply can't make it. If you do make it to the school remember that it's insanely physical but that's not what gets you. If you can tough it out mentally, you'll make it through because they'll train the physical into you.

Now to answer your question, as an E-3 you will have no authority to give lawful orders. That won't happen until you're an NCO (non-commissioned officer) or an officer. NCO ranks begin at E5 for Navy (I think) and Air Force and at E4 for Marines or Army, but not all E4s are NCOs. Coporals are, but Specialists (Army) aren't. Navy could begin NCO status as a Petty Officer (E4) but I'm not entirely sure about that. Will E1-E2 ranks follow your direction? That really depends on how you give direction and whether you're in a position to give that direction, as well as whether or not you've earned their respect.

E1-E3 are effectively the same as far as lawful orders, but there is a chain of command, especially when in training situations where an E3 could be training you or an E4 or an E6. Within the same rank it's going to go by job responsibilities and time in grade/time in service.

Good luck, and keep safe.

Answer 3

Because you are already on the path to OCS you will get an E3 rate out of boot, but you won't be giving orders to anyone for a while. You will be training.

"Orders" is a term that is typically used for higher ranking directives and mission goals. I never heard anyone say, and I never said, "That is an order" when I was in the service.

Think of it like a seniority structure for supervision and training, the same way it works in any organization. More fair in it's structure than your typical corporation, because it's based on achievement and ability without politics.

When you finish boot, you won't have any experience or seniority. There won't be anyone for you to supervise. You are given that E3 rate so you technically qualify for additional training, and as a courtesy for your officer path. Plus it gives you a little more money.

It will all become very clear once you get a little experience with it. It's not much different than the rest of the "real" world. It's a job.

Answer 4

First of all, enlisted personnel in the Navy don't have "rank", they are designated by "Rate" and "Rating". Rate is the pay grade, what you are calling rank. (Only officers have "rank") Rating is the occupational specialty. Everyone below Petty Officer (E-4) is essentially the same and take orders from basically everyone. LOL. For those with the same pay grade, it depends on your position in the organizational chart, and has nothing to do with age or time in service.

Good luck on BUD/S school and OCS.

Answer 5

E1 to E3 do not have leadership authority, only
Petty Officers E4 to E6 have the authority to be
in a leadership role in the US Navy. Personnel
in a same rank situation cannot order another person of the same rank to do anything unless instructed to do so by an Petty Officer E4 to E6!!
US ARMY(RET) 1958 - 1979

Answer 6

Technically, the rank structure and seniority are the rule. In reality...

In all cases, but certainly in cases when your charge is so close to your grade, you will need to earn respect.

If you (E-3) give an order to an E-2 and the E-2 refuses, the end-game will be an NCO telling you and the E-2 to work it out, not to mention less responsibility for you.

Respect is earned, not given via promotion.

Don't worry too much anyway. Your responsibilities as an E-3 will be minimal.

Answer 7

as an E3 you will not have any authority over E2s or E1s.

now, there is such a thing as situational authority, whereby someone is put in charge of a specific work center or classroom, and that person does has authority over higher ranking personnel IN THAT CONTEXT ALONE. for instance, an E6 Instructor at DLI has situational authority over an O1 in his classroom, or an E5 work center Supervisor has authority over an E6 in his department.

The only time seniority/time in grade has any affect is in the Officer ranks. not the enlisted ones.

Answer 8

yes e-1, e2 do follow your orders and when rank is the same,the senior person is higher ranking(who has been e-4 the longest)

Answer 9

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Navy_enlisted_rates