A junior grade is a subdivision of a military rank, lower than the corresponding rank without that qualification. In the

U.S. armed forces The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. U.S. federal law names six armed forces: the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and the Coast Guard. Since 1949, all of the armed forces, except th ...

, the Army formerly appointed warrant officers (junior grade), and the Navy's lieutenants, junior grade, are

commissioned officer An officer is a person who holds a position of authority as a member of an armed force or uniformed service. Broadly speaking, "officer" means a commissioned officer, a non-commissioned officer (NCO), or a warrant officer. However, absent ...

s.
REGISTER OF COMMISSIONED AND WARRANT OFFICERS OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY AND RESERVE OFFICERS ON THE ACTIVE DUTY
'. United States, Navy Department, 1913. 262.

References

Military ranks {{mil-rank-stub