Which pay grade ranks just above LCDR in the Navy?

In the Navy, the rank of LCDR (Lieutenant Commander) corresponds to the pay grade O4. The rank that is just above LCDR is Captain, which is designated as O6. The hierarchy of officer ranks follows a structured progression where each rank corresponds to a specific pay grade. Therefore, the correct answer is the pay grade just beyond O4.

Understanding the ranking system is crucial for various aspects of military operations, promotion eligibility, and leadership responsibilities. The rank system reflects not only promotion opportunities but also the authority and leadership roles held by officers within the Navy. The other pay grades listed either reflect ranks below LCDR, such as O2 (Lieutenant Junior Grade) and O3 (Lieutenant), or simply do not align with the correct progression to the next highest rank.