Unlock hundreds more features
Save your Quiz to the Dashboard
View and Export Results
Use AI to Create Quizzes and Analyse Results

OR
Sign inSign in with Facebook
Sign inSign in with Google
Quizzes > History

Navy trivia questions: Test your U.S. naval knowledge

Quick, free US Navy quiz to test your knowledge. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Mallory SewellUpdated Aug 28, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for navy trivia quiz with white paper cutout anchor ship wave icons and text on sky blue background

This U.S. Navy quiz helps you check what you know about ranks, ships, and missions using clear questions and everyday scenarios. Build confidence before training or trivia night, and learn where you need a refresher. For jargon and abbreviations, try our navy terminology quiz, explore nautical trivia questions, or branch out with a quick marine corps quiz.

What is the highest enlisted pay grade in the U.S. Navy?
W-5 (Chief Warrant Officer 5)
E-9 (Master Chief Petty Officer)
O-10 (Admiral of the Fleet)
E-7 (Chief Petty Officer)
The highest enlisted pay grade in the U.S. Navy is E-9, the rank of Master Chief Petty Officer. Officers start at O-1, and Warrant Officers occupy the W1 - W5 pay grades, but those are not enlisted. Master Chief Petty Officers serve as senior enlisted advisors to commanding officers and commands. .
Which signal flag indicates 'diver down; keep well clear at slow speed'?
Charlie
Alpha
Delta
Bravo
The Alpha flag, a white and blue swallowtail, signals that a diver is in the water and vessels must keep well clear at slow speed. Bravo indicates dangerous goods or refueling operations; Charlie means 'yes' or affirmative; Delta means maneuvering with difficulty. .
What does the acronym 'AWOL' stand for in Navy terminology?
Absent Without Leave
Absent With Leave
Away With Order
Away Without Leave
AWOL stands for 'Absent Without Leave,' meaning a service member is missing from their unit or duty station without official permission. It is a violation under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. 'Absent With Leave' would be authorized and is not AWOL. .
What is the primary purpose of the quarterdeck on a Navy ship?
Entrance and watch station
Navigation control center
Crew berthing area
Machinery control room
The quarterdeck serves as the ceremonial entrance to a ship and the main watch station for visits and inspections. It is not used for berthing, navigation, or machinery control, which have separate designated areas. .
Who holds ultimate command authority aboard a U.S. Navy vessel?
Fleet Admiral
Captain (Commanding Officer)
Command Master Chief
Executive Officer
The Captain, also referred to as the Commanding Officer (CO), has ultimate authority and responsibility for all operations and safety aboard a vessel. The Executive Officer is second-in-command, and the Command Master Chief is the senior enlisted advisor. .
Which rank is directly junior to Lieutenant Commander (O-4) in the U.S. Navy?
Lieutenant (O-3)
Ensign (O-1)
Commander (O-5)
Lieutenant Junior Grade (O-2)
In the Navy officer grade structure, Lieutenant Commander is O-4. The next lower rank is Lieutenant (O-3), followed by Lieutenant Junior Grade (O-2) and Ensign (O-1). .
Which organization is responsible for logistics and supply functions in the U.S. Navy?
Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR)
Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR)
Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP)
Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA)
The Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) manages logistics, supply chains, contracting, and material support for the Navy. NAVSEA oversees shipbuilding, NAVAIR handles aviation systems, and NAVWAR focuses on information warfare. .
Which class of nuclear-powered aircraft carrier is known for speeds in excess of 30 knots?
Enterprise-class
Kitty Hawk-class
Ford-class
Nimitz-class
The Nimitz-class carriers, introduced in the 1970s, routinely exceed 30 knots thanks to their nuclear propulsion. Ford-class carriers use a similar hull design and propulsion but the Nimitz was the first to demonstrate these speeds. .
What is the NATO phonetic alphabet code word for the letter 'J'?
Joker
Jester
Juliett
Juliet
In the NATO phonetic alphabet, the letter 'J' is represented by the word 'Juliet.' This standardized system ensures clarity of communication. .
In hull classification symbols, what does 'DDG' signify?
Diesel Destroyer
Dual Driven Gunboat
Guided Missile Destroyer
Destroyer General
'DDG' is the hull classification for a Guided Missile Destroyer in the U.S. Navy. 'DD' stands for destroyer, and the 'G' designates guided missile capability. .
Which Navy rating uses the abbreviation 'AW'?
Sonar Technician
Fire Controlman
Hospital Corpsman
Naval Aircrewman
The 'AW' rating stands for Naval Aircrewman, the enlisted personnel trained to operate and maintain equipment aboard naval aircraft. Sonar Technicians use 'ST,' Hospital Corpsmen use 'HM,' and Fire Controlmen use 'FC.' .
Where is the Naval Education and Training Command (NETC/TECOM) headquartered?
Naval Station Great Lakes, Illinois
Naval Base San Diego, California
Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida
Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island
The Naval Education and Training Command is based at Naval Station Great Lakes, Illinois, where most enlisted training and key professional education commands reside. Newport, Pensacola, and San Diego host other training activities but not TECOM's headquarters. .
What time standard does the U.S. Navy use for coordinated global operations?
Greenwich Mean Time
Zulu Time (UTC)
Eastern Standard Time (EST)
Naval Local Time
The Navy uses Zulu Time, equivalent to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), for all global operations to avoid confusion across time zones. Greenwich Mean Time is similar but not used operationally. Local times vary by region. .
Which Naval Sea Systems Command publication covers shipboard firefighting procedures?
NSTM 079
NSTM 074
NSTM 072
NSTM 076
Naval Sea Systems Command Technical Manual (NSTM) 074 details shipboard firefighting procedures and firefighting equipment. Other NSTM volumes cover different systems like electrical (072) or shock hardening (079). .
In what year was the United States Naval Academy officially founded?
1900
1845
1775
1861
The U.S. Naval Academy was founded on October 10, 1845, in Annapolis, Maryland, to professionalize naval officer training. 1775 is the Navy's founding year, while 1861 and 1900 are unrelated milestones. .
Which ship was the U.S. Navy's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier?
USS Enterprise (CVN-65)
USS Nimitz (CVN-68)
USS Nautilus (SSN-571)
USS Long Beach (CGN-9)
USS Enterprise (CVN-65), commissioned in 1961, was the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. USS Nautilus was the first nuclear submarine; Nimitz-class carriers came later, and Long Beach was the first nuclear surface combatant cruiser. .
0
{"name":"What is the highest enlisted pay grade in the U.S. Navy?", "url":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/QPREVIEW","txt":"What is the highest enlisted pay grade in the U.S. Navy?, Which signal flag indicates 'diver down; keep well clear at slow speed'?, What does the acronym 'AWOL' stand for in Navy terminology?","img":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/3012/images/ogquiz.png"}

Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Key Navy Ranks -

    Understand the hierarchy of U.S. Navy officer and enlisted ranks, from admiral to seaman, to accurately recognize each position in naval command.

  2. Distinguish Ship Classifications -

    Analyze the characteristics of different naval vessels and classes to differentiate between aircraft carriers, destroyers, submarines, and support ships.

  3. Decipher Signal Flags -

    Interpret standard naval flag signals and pennants used for communication at sea, improving familiarity with maritime signaling procedures.

  4. Explain Naval Command Structure -

    Outline the organization of U.S. Navy commands and fleet distribution to grasp the operational framework of naval forces.

  5. Recall Naval Discipline Protocols -

    Describe key procedures and regulations governing conduct aboard ship, ensuring an understanding of naval discipline and order.

  6. Apply Trivia Knowledge Confidently -

    Leverage insights from the quiz to confidently tackle a range of us navy trivia questions, reinforcing your mastery of naval topics.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Understanding U.S. Navy Rank Structure -

    Familiarize yourself with enlisted, warrant officer, and commissioned officer tiers - from Seaman Recruit (E-1) up to Fleet Admiral (O-10). A handy mnemonic is "Every Recruit Wears Clearly Ordered Ribbons" (Ensign, Lieutenant, etc.) to recall ascending ranks for your navy ranks quiz. Official rank charts from the U.S. Navy (navy.mil) are your best reference for precision.

  2. Ship Classifications & Hull Codes -

    Learn the hull classification symbols like CVN for nuclear carriers, DDG for guided”missile destroyers, and SSN for attack submarines, crucial in any naval commands quiz. For quick recall, associate "C" with "Carrier," "D" with "Destroyer," and "S" with "Submarine." Refer to the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) website for authoritative details.

  3. Signal Flags & Phonetics -

    Master the International Code of Signals flags and their phonetic counterparts (e.g., "Bravo" flag means "B"). Use the rhyme "Alpha Brings Courage Before Danger" to memorize A, B, C, D sequencing for your naval trivia quiz. The International Maritime Organization publishes accurate charts for self-testing.

  4. Core Naval Discipline & UCMJ Basics -

    Review key articles of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, especially Article 92 (failure to obey orders) and Article 86 (absence without leave). Create flashcards noting offense, maximum punishment, and typical court-martial outcome to boost your navy discipline trivia performance. The Judge Advocate General's Corps provides downloadable guides for study.

  5. Knots, Navigation & Speed Formula -

    Understand that one knot equals one nautical mile per hour and use the hull-speed formula: V ≈ 1.34 × √Lwl (in feet) to estimate a vessel's max speed. Practice converting meters to nautical miles (1 NM = 1852 m) for your naval trivia quiz precision. The Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command offers interactive calculators for honing these skills.

Make a Quiz (FREE) Copy & Edit This Quiz Create a Quiz with AI

General Knowledge Trivia Quizzes

Powered by: Quiz Maker