U.S. Navy Ranks & Asbestos Exposure

Full Rank-by-Rank Guide

From the 1930s through the late 1980s, the U.S. Navy used asbestos more than any other branch. Nearly every ship, base, submarine, boiler room, engine room, and machinery space contained heavy asbestos insulation.

Sailors at all ranks faced exposure, especially those in engineering, hull maintenance, propulsion, electrical, and ship repair ratings.

Visit our list of U.S. Navy Asbestos Exposure Articles

Where Asbestos Was Found on Navy Ships

Common Asbestos-Containing Locations

Engine rooms
Boiler rooms
Pump rooms
Turbine rooms
Pipe insulation (lagging)
Fireproof bulkheads
Berthing areas
Galleys and laundries
Shipyards and drydocks
Electrical panels and wiring
Valves, pumps, and gaskets

Enlisted Ranks (E-1 to E-9)

E-1 — Seaman Recruit (SR)

Typical Duties

🛠️ Cleaning compartments, assisting deck crews, general labor

Asbestos Exposure

Dust from insulation in berthing areas
Engine/boiler room cleaning
Bulkhead insulation disturbance

E-2 — Seaman Apprentice (SA)

Typical Duties

🛠️ Deck seamanship, engine room support, ship cleaning

Asbestos Exposure

Pipe insulation and lagging
Fireproof bulkhead materials
Contaminated ventilation systems

E-3 — Seaman (SN)

Typical Duties

🛠️ Deck crew, engineering support, repair division assistant

Asbestos Exposure

Paint removal disturbing ACM backings
Shipboard insulation dust
Turbine room and pump room exposure

E-4 — Petty Officer Third Class (PO3)

Typical Duties

🛠️ Skilled rating-specific duties (Machinist’s Mate, Electrician’s Mate, Hull Technician, etc.)

Asbestos Exposure

Engineering spaces full of ACM
Pump seals, gaskets, valves
Boiler insulation and packing materials

E-5 — Petty Officer Second Class (PO2)

Typical Duties

🛠️ Advanced mechanical, electrical, or hull maintenance

Asbestos Exposure

High-heat pipes and turbines
Brake linings and friction materials
Shipyard overhauls and drydock repairs

E-6 — Petty Officer First Class (PO1)

Typical Duties

🛠️ Work center supervisor in engineering, hull, propulsion, or electrical divisions

Asbestos Exposure

Turbine and reduction gear work
Lagging removal and replacement
Gasket and packing replacement

E-7 — Chief Petty Officer (CPO)

Typical Duties

🛠️ Supervising repair divisions and engineering teams

Asbestos Exposure

Engine-room supervision
Overseeing asbestos-containing repairs
Shipyard exposure during modernization

E-8 — Senior Chief Petty Officer (SCPO)

Typical Duties

🛠️ Senior engineering or maintenance leadership

Asbestos Exposure

Long-term command presence in ACM-heavy areas
Old berthing and office spaces

E-9 — Master Chief Petty Officer (MCPO)

Typical Duties

🛠️ Senior enlisted management

Asbestos Exposure

Historic shipboard administration areas
Prolonged operational time on asbestos-lined vessels

Navy Ratings with Highest Asbestos Exposure

Engineering & Mechanical Ratings

Boilerman (BT)
Machinist’s Mate (MM)
Engineman (EN)
Fireman (FN)
Electrician’s Mate (EM)
Hull Technician (HT)
Pipefitter/Shipfitter (SF)

Non-Engineering Ratings Still at Risk

Damage Controlman (DC)
Gunner’s Mate (GM)
Ship Servicemen (SH)
Culinary Specialists (CS) – older galleys

Asbestos Exposure

Older command areas
Engineered systems with ACM components

Officer Ranks (O-1 to O-10)

O-1 — Ensign (ENS)

Typical Duties

🛠️ Division officer, engineering or deck training roles

Asbestos Exposure

Work in mechanical spaces
Damaged insulation in compartment inspections

O-2 — Lieutenant Junior Grade (LTJG)

Typical Duties

🛠️ Division officer responsible for propulsion, repair, or electrical sections

Asbestos Exposure

Overseeing ACM maintenance
Time spent in engine rooms & pump rooms

O-3 — Lieutenant (LT)

Typical Duties

🛠️ Department head in engineering or ship operations

Asbestos Exposure

Long-term exposure in shipboard workspaces
Administrative spaces with ACM floors and ceilings

O-4 — Lieutenant Commander (LCDR)

Typical Duties

🛠️ Senior department head

Asbestos Exposure

Legacy ships built pre-1980
Command offices containing ACM

O-5 — Commander (CDR)

Typical Duties

🛠️ Executive officer or commanding officer

Asbestos Exposure

Living quarters aboard older vessels
Bridge structures with ACM paneling

O-6 — Captain (CAPT)

Typical Duties

🛠️ Command of major warships or installations

Asbestos Exposure

Pre-ban construction materials in offices
Shipboard command centers

O-7 — Rear Admiral Lower Half (RDML)

O-8 — Rear Admiral Upper Half (RADM)

O-9 — Vice Admiral (VADM)

O-10 — Admiral (ADM)

Typical Duties

🛠️ Senior Navy leadership

Asbestos Exposure

Historic Navy buildings and offices
Older shipboard command quarters

High-Risk Navy Areas for Asbestos Exposure

Most Dangerous Zones

Engine and boiler rooms
Turbine rooms
Pump rooms
Fire control areas
Shipyards (construction, overhaul, repair)
Submarines (extreme ACM density)
Berthing and living quarters

Compensation for Navy Veterans

VA Disability Benefits

Most mesothelioma cases = 100% VA rating.

Asbestos Trust Funds

Over $32 billion available.

Mesothelioma Lawsuits

Filed against manufacturers, not the Navy.

Free Case Review for U.S. Navy Veterans

📞 Call 800.291.0963 for a free, confidential case review.