Petty Officer Third Class
The first petty officer rate of the US Navy, E-4 and NATO OR-4, a working technical supervisor.
Overview
Petty Officer Third Class wears an eagle above one chevron with a rating mark between, and the word petty enters English from French petit, small: the petty officer was the minor official of a sailing ship, master at arms, gunner mate, boatswain mate. Modern PO3s are rated technicians, having passed examinations in their specialty, and supervise the junior seamen below them. E-4 maps to NATO OR-4, though the Navy technician model differs from the Army corporal leadership model at the same grade. Advancement requires rating exams, evaluations, and quotas.
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