A PO, or Petty Officer, is a non-commissioned officer in the Navy and Coast Guard. So yes, a PO is considered an officer, but not a commissioned officer. POs are part of the enlisted ranks, along with Seamen and Petty Officers. They hold positions of authority and responsibility, often supervising junior enlisted personnel. However, POs are not commissioned officers like Ensigns, Lieutenants, Commanders, etc. who hold a commission from the President via the Secretary of the Navy.
What is a Petty Officer?
A Petty Officer (PO) is an enlisted member of the U.S. Navy or Coast Guard who holds a position of some degree of authority or technical expertise. A PO is not a commissioned officer and is not commissioned by the President of the United States. There are different classes of POs, with PO1 being the most senior and PO3 being the most junior. Some of the general characteristics of Petty Officers include:
– They are non-commissioned officers appointed to their rank by their commanding officer.
– They have supervisory duties over more junior enlisted personnel.
– They have specialized technical expertise in a certain field.
– The PO rating insignia consists of perched eagles and chevrons.
– They outrank all junior enlisted sailors such as Seamen, Firemen, Airmen, and Constructionmen.
– PO responsibilities depend on their rating, paygrade, experience and assignment.
– POs may serve at sea, on shore stations, or both.
Some examples of PO duties include leading work teams, conducting training, maintaining equipment and systems, supervising watchstanding, assigning duties, evaluating performance, granting leave, disciplining personnel, directing operations, overseeing projects, assisting officers, and more.
History and Origins of the Petty Officer Rank
The rank of Petty Officer has its origins in the British Royal Navy dating back to the 16th century. Some key historical developments include:
– In 1841, the Navy divided Petty Officers into two classes: Petty Officers and Chief Petty Officers.
– In 1885, Congress authorized Navy Petty Officers to wear rating badges on their uniform, an eagle perched on an anchor.
– In 1894, the rank of Chief Petty Officer was established as a separate non-commissioned officer rank in the U.S. Navy.
– In 1957, the Navy added the rank of Master Chief Petty Officer (CMC) above Chief Petty Officer.
– In 1967, the Coast Guard adopted the same enlisted rank structure as the Navy including Petty Officers.
– In 1980, Senior Chief Petty Officer (SCPO) was introduced in the Navy as a rank between Chief Petty Officer and Master Chief Petty Officer.
The origins of the actual term ‘Petty Officer’ is uncertain, but is believed to derive from the French word ‘petit’ meaning ‘small’ or ‘minor’. This reflects the initial role of Petty Officers as subordinates to the commissioned officers. Theagle insignia dates back to petty officers being authorized to wear a star sewn onto their coat, which evolved into the eagle perched on an anchor today.
Types of Petty Officers
There are six grades of Petty Officers in order of increasing seniority:
Petty Officer Third Class (PO3)
The most junior PO rank in the Navy/Coast Guard. Some key traits:
– Abbreviated as PO3 (spoken as “Pee-Oh-Three”)
– Considered non-commissioned officers
– Typically have 1-3 years experience
– Supervise small work groups and assist higher ranking Petty Officers
Petty Officer Second Class (PO2)
– Abbreviated as PO2 (“Pee-Oh-Two”)
– Usually 3-6 years experience
– PO2s lead work teams and divisions
– Have expanded supervisory/leadership duties
Petty Officer First Class (PO1)
– Abbreviated as PO1 (“Pee-Oh-One”)
– Have 6+ years experience
– Senior enlisted advisors and leaders
– Responsible for training/motivating junior enlisted
– Often considered the technical experts in their field
Chief Petty Officer (CPO)
– Abbreviated as CPO (spoken as Chief)
– 8-14 years experience on average
– Form the core of the Navy’s enlisted leadership
– Have management and evaluation responsibilities
– Lead divisions of 10-100+ personnel
Senior Chief Petty Officer (SCPO)
– Abbreviated as SCPO (spoken as Senior Chief)
– Have 15-21 years experience
– Serve as senior enlisted leaders on vessels, ashore, and at fleet/force commands
– Manage critical programs, projects, operations
– Special advisors to officers on enlisted issues
Master Chief Petty Officer (MCPO)
– Abbreviated as MCPO (spoken as Master Chief)
– 20+ years experience typically
– Key leadership roles across the fleet/force
– Coordinate policies between officers and enlisted personnel
– Expert consultants to commanding officers
– Continued focus on sailor development and training
In summary, Petty Officers range from PO3 as the most junior non-commissioned officers to Master Chief POs who are seasoned senior enlisted leaders in the Navy/Coast Guard. The PO rank signifies elevated duties, technical mastery, leadership, and managerial skills.
Difference Between Petty Officers and Commissioned Officers
Petty Officers differ from commissioned officers in the Navy/Coast Guard in several important ways:
| Petty Officer | Commissioned Officer |
| – Enlisted member | – Officer |
| – Non-commissioned rank | – Commissioned by the President |
| – Promoted from within | – Requires a commission |
| – Technical/tactical experts | – Strategic managers |
| – Lead small units | – Lead entire ships/stations |
| – Execute missions | – Command vessels/units |
Some key differences to highlight:
– POs are appointed to their rank while officers must earn a commission.
– POs enlist directly whereas officers must have a degree and complete officer training.
– POs primarily have technical expertise while officers focus on leadership/management.
– POs lead smaller teams of enlisted crews while officers command entire ships and stations.
– POs carry out mission functions while officers set strategic vision and objectives.
However, POs are still considered officers in the general sense of having duties of authority and responsibility. But in rank structure, POs are distinguished from commissioned officers.
Petty Officer Responsibilities
Petty Officers fulfill a wide range of duties and responsibilities. Some of the most common include:
– Training, teaching, mentoring junior enlisted sailors
– Supervising work teams and divisions of sailors
– Managing equipment operation, maintenance, repair
– Conducting inspections, evaluations, reviews
– Overseeing watchstanding schedules and procedures
– Administrative paperwork and record keeping
– Assisting officers with mission execution and operations
– Operating specialized systems related to their rating
– Coordinating activities and communications between units
– Promoting safety and security of personnel and assets
– Ensuring readiness to carry out orders and assignments
– Advising enlisted sailors on career development and education
– Disciplining sailors who violate regulations and procedures
– Qualifying enlisted crewmembers on required skills and tasks
– Directing operations related to damage control, navigation, engineering
– Briefing officers on enlisted morale, training, and personnel status
So in essence, Petty Officers are the direct supervisors and leaders of junior enlisted sailors, responsible for the day-to-day operations, training, administration, and readiness of the enlisted crews. They bridge the gap between officers and enlisted personnel.
Promotion Process to Petty Officer
Becoming a Petty Officer involves a competitive promotion process. Here are some key aspects of earning promotion to PO:
– Take promotion exam in current paygrade and achieve passing score
– Get commanding officer’s recommendation for promotion
– Have certain amount of time-in-service and time-in-grade
– Demonstrate technical proficiency, leadership, responsibility
– Have strong evaluations from superiors
– Complete any required courses or training
– Be selected by promotion board at next higher paygrade
– Be meritoriously advanced for outstanding performance
– Have openings in billet for next higher paygrade
The promotion process rewards PO candidates who show technical and supervisory expertise, leadership potential, strong evaluations, responsibility, and continued education and training. Sailors must consistently prove they are capable of serving at the next rank. Promotions are never automatic and those selected have proven themselves.
Benefits of Being a Petty Officer
There are many advantages sailors can gain from attaining Petty Officer rank, including:
– Increased paygrade and pay bonuses
– Greater responsibilities and leadership roles
– Opportunity to manage teams and divisions
– Chance to develop sailors’ skills and careers
– Avenue to apply and grow technical expertise
– Build supervisory and management skills
– Foundation for further promotion opportunities
– Gain significant experience for post-military career
– Earn greater respect as a non-commissioned officer
– Ability to have larger impact on unit missions
In summary, becoming a PO enables enlisted sailors to take on a greater scope of responsibilities, train others, play bigger roles in operations, and gain invaluable experience that enhances their careers long term. It is very rewarding to lead and develop fellow sailors as a PO.
Challenges of Being a Petty Officer
Despite many rewards, serving as a Petty Officer also poses some unique leadership challenges including:
– Balancing roles as both a supervisor and peer
– Making unpopular decisions when enforcing policies and procedures
– Dealing with friends/colleagues now under your authority
– Bringing together diverse groups of personalities and skill sets
– Achieving buy-in and obedience from those you lead
– Correcting poor behavior and performance of subordinates
– Qualifying sailors under you while managing upward as well
– Handling pressure to set the example and be role models
– Checking your own ego and biases as a leader
– Training less experienced sailors to meet high standards
– Maintaining work/life balance with greater workload and demands
To overcome these hurdles, Petty Officers must display outstanding leadership capabilities, people skills, professionalism, and wisdom to successfully manage teams, represent the enlisted ranks, and carry out the Navy/Coast Guard’s objectives.
Conclusion
In closing, Petty Officers are enlisted non-commissioned officers who fill critical leadership, managerial, training and administrative roles in the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard. They lead teams of sailors, provide technical expertise, direct operations, advise officers, instruct new personnel, and help mold the next generation. Although not commissioned officers, POs have many officer-like duties and transform into deckplate leaders once promoted to Petty Officer rank. POs form the backbone of expertise, experience and mentorship for enlistees serving their nation.