When you graduate from the Naval Academy, you are promoted to the rank of O-1.
Understanding the Initial Officer Rank
Upon successful completion of the rigorous four-year program at the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating midshipmen are commissioned as officers in the United States military. The rank they receive is O-1, which is the entry-level officer rank.
This O-1 rank carries different titles depending on the service branch the graduate enters:
- Ensign (ENS): Graduates who commission into the United States Navy or the United States Coast Guard receive the rank of Ensign. This is the lowest commissioned officer rank in these services.
- Second Lieutenant (2ndLt): Graduates who commission into the United States Marine Corps, United States Army, or United States Air Force receive the rank of Second Lieutenant. This is the lowest commissioned officer rank in these respective services.
Therefore, whether you are an Ensign or a Second Lieutenant, you are starting your military career at the O-1 pay grade, marking your transition from a midshipman to a commissioned officer ready to lead and serve.
