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In the Navy you are either a Seaman, Fireman, Airman, Constructionman, and Hospitalman as an E-1 through E-3. There's a little more to it but that's the basics

It's a tad bit complicated. Upon completion of basic training he was an Airman Recruit. In Basic everyone is Seaman Recruit. You can not as far as I know hold a higher rank in Basic. Recruit is E-1.

From there he is what is called a Striker or was when I was in. You either go to A-School or you go to Apprentice Training for either the Airman, Fireman, Seaman specialty fields. AT is basically an indoctrination course of about 4 weeks. From there you go to your new command. An E-2 is called an Apprentice.

If the E-1 or E-2 has not gone to A-School he is either an Airman, Fireman, or Seaman Recruit or Apprentice depending if E-1 or E-2. You usually get E-2 rank at six months it simply takes a request Chit. If you don't go to A school then you must choose what specialty you want to Strike for. Or the Department Head sometimes decides. For example if you complete A school for a Machinist Mate you would be either a MMFA or MMFN upon completion. The other way without school is to do the Personnel Qualification Requirements and test for your desiring Rating {specialty}. A Fireman wanting to be a Machinist Mate would study the Machinist Mate Book and take the test. You can go up to E-3 as a non rated enlisted.

E-4 in the Navy begins the NCO Ranks and you must have completed a specialty requirement for your specialty and qualified at specific task to take the test for E-4. If you pass and are promoted your Pre-Fix would go to the rating abbreviation such as MM, EM, ABH, etc 3 or MM3, ABH3, EM3.