How can I distinguish among the terms paygrade, general rate, rating, and rate?
A paygrade is a position from 1 to 9 on the Navy’s pay scale for enlisted personnel; in a paygrade, the letter E (enlisted) precedes the number (E-1, E-2, E-3 through E-9). A general rate is an apprenticeship that indicates eligibility for entrance into various ratings. A rating is an occupation, e.g., Air Controlman. A rate is an identifying term or title associated with a given paygrade. For example, for paygrade E-4, the rate is petty officer third class. A rate may also be associated with a specific rating; for example, a petty officer third class whose rating is Air Controlman will usually refer to his or her rate as Air Controlman Third Class. Navy men and women usually refer to themselves by their rate. Refer to Appendix A for description of a Navy Enlisted Rating Structure.
