Final answer:
A pay schedule is what defines a person's relative standing and monthly pay in the Navy. This structured system includes various grades each with different steps, reflecting increased pay and seniority. Opportunities for raises, bonuses, and pensions are tied to this system.
Step-by-step explanation:
A pay schedule defines a person's relative standing in the Navy and their monthly pay. In the context of the United States Navy, service members' wages are often determined by their rank and years of service. Similar to the U.S. Federal General Schedule, which is used to determine the pay for civil servants, and which was first introduced under the Pendleton Act of 1883 and later refined, the Navy has a structured pay system. This system includes various grades or ranks, with each having different steps or levels, correlating to increased pay and seniority.
For instance, a person without a trade in the Navy may start at a certain pay grade earning $17.60 a month, whereas a person with a trade and more experience might receive much higher compensation. With continued service, there are opportunities for pay increases, re-enlistment bonuses, and pensions upon retirement. It is also possible for enlisted personnel to aspire to become officers through routes like attending the Naval Academy at Annapolis.