Final answer:
In the U.S. Navy, a Chief Petty Officer (E7) and a Senior Chief Petty Officer (E8) usually have the authority to sign reports for personnel of pay grades E1 to E4, although this can vary based on specific directives.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the military, the rank of a Chief Petty Officer (CPO) or Senior Chief Petty Officer (SCPO) holds a higher position and authority. They are authorized and responsible for signing reports for personnel under their command. This includes personnel of pay grades E1, E2, E3, and E4. So the correct answer is option 4) E4.
The question pertains to the authority levels within the United States Navy's enlisted ranking structure, specifically regarding which pay grades a Chief Petty Officer (CPO) and a Senior Chief Petty Officer (SCPO) can authoritatively sign reports on. In the U.S. Navy, a CPO (Chief Petty Officer, pay grade E7) and an SCPO (Senior Chief Petty Officer, pay grade E8), may sign performance evaluations (known as 'reports') for enlisted personnel. However, without the specific directive or instruction, it is generally accepted that Chiefs (E7) handle E4 and below, while Senior Chiefs (E8) and Master Chiefs (E9) handle E5 and E6. Thus, a CPO or an SCPO may typically sign reports on personnel of pay grades E1 to E4.