Professional Apprenticeship Career Track Sailors are categorized by which of the following paygrades?

The correct categorization of Professional Apprenticeship Career Track (PACT) sailors is in the E-1 to E-3 paygrades. This program is designed to help new entrants into the Navy who are still in the process of determining their specific career paths. These sailors often start their naval careers in lower paygrades as they receive training and experience across various roles. By being categorized within this range, PACT sailors can transition into specific ratings and advance their careers as they gain more experience and complete necessary qualifications.

The other paygrade categories, such as E-4 to E-6, E-7 to E-9, and W-1 to W-5, refer to different stages of a sailor’s career, either as they advance in their ratings or as they enter the warrant officer ranks. These stages typically involve more specialized skills and responsibilities, which are not aligned with the foundational training phase that PACT sailors are undergoing. Thus, the focus on E-1 to E-3 accurately reflects the intent and structure of the PACT program.