Which rank uses two parallel silver bars on the shoulder?

Which rank uses two parallel silver bars on the shoulder?

• A. Ensign
• B. Captain
• C. Petty Officer Second Class
• D. Navy Lieutenant

Answer: (D)

In naval uniforms, rank is shown by stripes on the shoulder, and the number of parallel bars indicates the officer’s pay grade. Two parallel silver bars correspond to the rank of Lieutenant (O-3). This two-bar pattern distinctly marks a mid-level commissioned officer. By contrast, a junior officer would have fewer bars (one bar for the lowest officer entry), a captain would have more bars, and enlisted ranks like Petty Officer Second Class use different insignia (rating chevrons) rather than parallel stripes on the shoulder.