Is E-4 a petty officer?

Yes, in the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard, an E-4 is a Petty Officer, specifically a Petty Officer Third Class (PO3), making them the lowest rank of petty officer and a non-commissioned officer (NCO). While all branches use the E-4 pay grade, in the Army, it's a Specialist (SPC) or Corporal (CPL), and in the Air Force, it's a Senior Airman (SrA), but only Navy/Coast Guard E-4s are called Petty Officers.

Is E-4 a petty officer?

Enlisted Navy rates are broken down into three levels: apprenticeships (E-1 through E-3), petty officers (E-4 through E-6) and chief petty officers (E-7 through E-9).

What E grade is a petty officer?

E-4 through E-6 are called petty officers. All E-7s are called chief petty officer, E-8s senior chief petty officer, and E-9s master chief petty officer.

What is an E-4 in the army?

In the U.S. Army, E-4 is a pay grade that corresponds to two distinct ranks: Specialist (SPC), focused on technical skills, and Corporal (CPL), the first Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) rank, responsible for leading small teams. Specialists are highly proficient technicians, while Corporals are promoted NCOs who've passed leadership training, essentially serving as junior leaders before becoming Sergeants (E-5).
 

Is an E-4 a high rank?

A specialist E-4 is one of the most common ranks held in the U.S. Army and is the highest rank for junior enlisted recruits. The following are U.S. Army personnel who may be qualified to receive the E-4 rank: Those who have passed the Basic Leader Course. Individuals who have been given lower-level supervisory duties.

What Are Navy Petty Officer Ranks E-4 To E-6?

How much does an E-4 make a year?

As of Jan 12, 2026, the average annual pay for an E4 Specialist Corporal Army in the United States is $49,173 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $23.64 an hour. This is the equivalent of $945/week or $4,097/month.

How long does it take to be an E-4 in the military?

Enlisted Promotions

SPC (E-4)– Automatic Promotion at 24 months Time-In-Service, 6 months Time-In-Grade - - Minimum 18 months Time-In-Service, 3 months Time-In-Grade with waiver. PZ = 35 months Time-In-Service, 7 months TIG Promotion is at 36 months Time-In-Service / 8 months Time-In-Grade.

How long does it take to get to an E-4 in the army?

If I join as an E3, it will take 30 months to get to E4. If I join as an E2, it will take 18 months to E3, and 12 (18+12=30) months to E4.

What rank is a petty officer equivalent to?

It is the equivalent of sergeant in the Royal Marines, British Army and Royal Air Force.

What is the salary of a petty officer?

While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $119,000 and as low as $20,000, the majority of Petty Officer salaries currently range between $25,000 (25th percentile) to $82,000 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $92,000 annually across the United States.

Do you call a petty officer sir?

It means so much because as a junior member, you are called Petty Officer, or your first name, or even your rate (YN1). As an officer you are called sir/maam, or your first name by senior officers, or even your paygrade (LT).

Why are they called petty officers?

The Petty Officer can trace the title back to the old French word, petit meaning something small. Over the years, the word also came to mean minor, secondary, and subordinate.

How long does it take to get to E-4 in the Navy?

A. Total time-in-service (TIS) to advance to E-4 is 30 months for all Sailors regardless of entry rank. A Sailor who joins as an E-2 will advance to E-3 after 18 months TIS and then to E-4 at 30 months total TIS. A Sailor who joins as an E-3 will advance to E-4 at 30 months total TIS.

Is E-4 a good rank in the Army?

Yes, E-4 (Specialist or Corporal) is a good rank in the U.S. Army; it signifies a skilled, independent soldier or a junior leader (Corporal) who has progressed beyond entry-level Private ranks (E-1 to E-3), offering increased responsibility, pay, and a respected position, often called the "sweet spot" before becoming a full Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO). 

Can an E-4 live off base?

Generally, an E-4 living in the dormitory who reaches 3 years of service may voluntarily occupy a room on a space-available basis without Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) or move into local community housing with BAH.

What branch ranks up fastest?

The Army is generally the branch of the military that promotes the fastest.

What is an E-4 in the Army called?

The rank of specialist (E-4) is the typical rank to which privates first class are promoted after two years of service, although PFCs may be waived into the rank of specialist after 18 months' time in service and 6 months' time in grade. It is granted far more often than corporal (also E-4).

Is the Army desperate for recruits in 2025?

Yes, the U.S. Army was not only in need of recruits but successfully met and exceeded its goals for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025, marking a significant turnaround with strong momentum, hitting targets months early due to increased marketing, improved processes, and a renewed sense of purpose among young Americans, even tightening standards for some prep courses.
 

How to go from E-4 to E5?

Opportunities for Army E-4 to E-5 Promotion Points

1. Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) ...
2. Weapons Qualification. ...
3. Awards, Decorations, and Achievements. ...
4. Military Education (Big points bucket for Army E-4 to E-5 promotion) ...
5. Civilian Education (Big points bucket for Army E-4 to E-5 promotion)

Is the Air Force going to a 2 mile run?

No, the U.S. Air Force dropped the mandatory 2-mile run requirement in January 2026, allowing Airmen to choose between the 2-mile run or the High Aerobic Multi-shuttle Run (HAMR) for their bi-annual fitness tests, with official scoring beginning July 1, 2026, after a diagnostic period. This change means Airmen can opt for the HAMR instead of the 2-mile run on both fitness tests, a shift from a previous policy that made the run mandatory once a year, according to AF.mil and Air & Space Forces Magazine.