Wes, I see what you mean, but from my understanding of the Japanese words it works out to be a little more like ranks at the Academies. At Annapolis, for example, you could have a Midshipman Ensign, a First-class who has pinned on temporary insignia symbolizing his responsibility for a small element of other Midshipmen of all classes. It might be appropriate at the Academy in an informal context to refer to him as "Ensign," but out in the fleet you would never do that. In fact, a Midshipman Ensign calling himself an Ensign while out on a summer cruise would be an excellent way to get himself totally torn apart by the various actual JOs assigned to watch over the Midshipmen who've joined the ship's company.