Petty officer second class (E-5)

How to read it

The rating badge is an eagle over two chevrons pointing down, with the sailor’s specialty mark between them; on khaki shirts it is a small metal eagle and two chevrons on each collar point. It sits above Petty officer third class (E-4) (one chevron) and below Petty officer first class (E-6) (three). Navy.com says a petty officer second class oversees work centers, mentors junior sailors and is a trusted technical expert.

Also searched as: E-5 navy, PO2.

Red or gold chevrons

The Navy’s uniform regulations let enlisted sailors with 12 cumulative years of active or active reserve service wear gold rating badges and gold service stripes in place of red ones, and gold chevrons on the cap device. The Department of Defense’s insignia chart gives a different test, saying gold stripes indicate 12 or more years of good conduct.

The diagonal stripes on the lower sleeve

Diagonal stripes near the cuff are service stripes, and they don’t show rank: the regulations give one stripe for each four years of service.