Naval rating

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Naval rating

The term rating or rate carries different meanings depending on which navy

Navy

A navy is the branch of a nation's military forces principally designated for naval warfare and amphibious warfare; namely, lake- or ocean-borne combat operations and related functions....
is being discussed.

he Royal Navy

Royal Navy

The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the oldest of the British Armed Forces . From the mid-18th century until well into the 20th century, it was the most powerful navy in the world, playing a key part in establishing the British Empire as the dominant world power from 1815 until the early 1940s....
, a rating or rate is a military rank that is not conferred by commission or warrant. It may refer to the rank, or may be used as a synonym for an ordinary sailor. A rate is the equivalent of a military rank

Military rank

Military rank is a system of hierarchy relationships in armed forces or civil institutions organized along military lines. Usually, uniforms denote the bearer's rank by particular insignia affixed to the uniforms....
, held by a person below the ranks of Warrant Officer

Warrant Officer

A Warrant Officer is a member of a military organisation holding one of a specific group of military rank.The rank was first used in the English Royal Navy and is today used in many other countries, essentially the Commonwealth and USA....
. A person who holds a rate is known as a rating.

In the age of sail

Age of Sail

The Age of Sail was the period in which international trade and naval warfare were dominated by sailing ships, lasting from the 16th to the mid 19th century....
, when civilians were frequently pressed into service in the Royal Navy, seamen were rated as "Landsman", "Ordinary", "Able", "Petty Officer

Petty Officer

A Petty Officer is a Non-commissioned officer or equivalent in many navy....
", etc.

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Encyclopedia

The term rating or rate carries different meanings depending on which navy

Navy

Royal Navy

In the Royal Navy

Royal Navy

Military rank

Warrant Officer

Age of Sail

Petty Officer

A Petty Officer is a Non-commissioned officer or equivalent in many navy....
", etc. by their captains to designate their ability and responsibility. Some men were given specialist rates, e.g. Surgeon's Mate, Gunner's Mate, Captain's secretary, etc.

Although generally commissioned officers were senior to warrant officers and warrant officers were senior to ratings, the method of appointment of men on a ship did not always reflect their seniority. For example, in those days the ship's cook

Cook

Cook is a family name.There are several figures named Cook:*A. J. Cook , actress*A. J. Cook , Welsh trade unionist*Alastair Cook , English cricket player...
was appointed by warrant, while Midshipmen

Midshipman

A midshipman is a subordinate officer, an officer cadet, or alternatively a commissioned officer of the lowest rank, in the navy of several English-speaking countries....
were rated.

Today, Royal Navy ratings have two rates, a substantive rate that indicates their seniority, and a non-substantive rate that indicates their specialisation. For example, a Leading Rate who is a Radio Operator will be titled "LRO Smith"

The substantive rates today are:

Senior Rates -

Chief Petty Officer
Chief Petty Officer

Chief Petty Officer is a Non-commissioned officer or equivalent in many navy....
(prefix CPO-)
Petty Officer
Petty Officer

A Petty Officer is a Non-commissioned officer or equivalent in many navy....
(prefix PO-)

Junior Rates -

Leading Rate (prefix L-)
Able Rate (no prefix)

The former Ordinary Rate is no longer used.

In the age of sail, there was also a system of rating ships

Rating system of the Royal Navy

The rating system of the Royal Navy and its predecessors was used by that British Royal Navy between the beginning of the 17th century and the middle of the 19th century to categorise sailing warships, initially classing them according to their assigned complement of men, and later according to the number and weight of their guns....
by the number of guns carried.

United States Navy

In the U.S. Navy

United States Navy

The United States Navy is the navy of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy currently has approximately 331,682 personnel on active duty as of 31 December 2008 and 124,000 in the United States Navy Reserve....
enlisted personnel are classified according to rating

List of United States Navy ratings

United States Navy ratings are general occupations that consist of specific skills and abilities. Each naval rating has its own specialty badge, which is worn on the left sleeve of the uniform by each enlisted rank person in that particular field....
, which is the Naval equivalent of a Military Occupational Specialty

Military Occupational Specialty

A Military Occupational Specialty code is used in the United States Army and United States Marines. In the United States Air Force, a system of Air Force Specialty Codes is used....
. Sailors obtain a rating either through attending a naval "A" school (basic vocational/technical training) or through on-the-job training. All Sailors that have a pay-grade of E-1 through E-3 belong to a general apprenticeship field. These fields all have a general rate abbreviation. These rates and abbreviations are Seaman (SN), Fireman (FN), and Airman (AN). A sailor that is an E-1, E-2, or E-3 is considered a "striker" when a considerable amount of training or experience towards a rating is achieved. Once training for a rating has been completed, an abbreviation that represents the rating trained is added to a sailors general rate abbreviation.

If an Airman (AN) completes training for the rating of Aviation Electricians Mate (AE), his general rate abbreviation becomes AEAN. He will be formally known as an Aviation Electricians Mate Airman. If a Seaman completes training for the rate of Boatswains Mate, her general rate abbreviation will be BMSN and she will be formally known as Boatswains Mate Seaman.

Rating and rate

Rate

In mathematics, a rate is a ratio between two measurements, often with different units.. If the unit or quantity in respect of which something is changing is not specified, usually the rate is per unit time....
are often confused with each other. Rating always refers to the specific occupation a sailor belongs to, while rate involves pay-grade. For example, if a sailor is called a "radioman" he is being called by his rating. If a sailor is called BM3, he is being called by his rate. A rate also only applies to pay-grade E-4 and above (Petty Officers or higher). A sailor who holds the rate of BM3 is a Boatswains Mate Petty Officer 3rd class. An OSC is an Operations Specialist Chief. A rate reveals a lot of identification about a sailor.

U.S. Navy Ratings and their Abbreviations

Rating	Abbreviation
Aviation Boatswain's Mate Aviation Boatswain's Mate Aviation Boatswain's Mate is a United States Navy occupational Naval rating....	AB
Air Traffic Controller Air Traffic Controller (US Navy) Air Traffic Controller is a United States Navy occupational Naval rating.Air Traffic Controllers provide air traffic control services in air traffic control towers, radar air traffic control facilities, fleet area control and surveillance facilities, and air operations offices ashore and afloat....	AC
Aviation Machinist's Mate Aviation Machinist's Mate Aviation Machinist's Mate is a United States Navy occupational Naval rating.Aviation Machinist's Mates maintain aircraft engines and their related systems, including the induction, cooling, fuel, oil, compression, combustion, turbine, gas turbine compressor, exhaust and propeller systems; preflight aircraft; conduct periodic inspections...	AD
Aviation Electrician's Mate Aviation Electrician's Mate Aviation Electrician's Mate is a United States Navy occupational Naval rating.Aviation Electrician's Mates maintain electrical and instrument systems, including power generation, conversion, and distribution systems; aircraft batteries; interior and exterior lighting; electrical control of aircraft systems, including hydraulic, landing ge...	AE
Aerographer's Mate Aerographer's Mate Aerographer's Mate is a United States Navy occupational Naval rating....	AG
Aviation Storekeeper	AK
Aviation Structural Mechanic Aviation Structural Mechanic Aviation Structural Mechanic is a United States Navy occupational Naval rating....	AM
Aviation Ordnanceman Aviation Ordnanceman Aviation Ordnanceman is a United States Navy occupational Naval rating....	AO
Aviation Support Equipment Technician Aviation Support Equipment Technician Aviation Support Equipment Technician is a United States Navy occupational Naval rating. The United States Marine Corps currently maintains 3 separate Aviation Support Equipment military occupational specialties....	AS
Aviation Electronics Technician	AT
Aviation Warfare Systems Operator Aviation Warfare Systems Operator Aviation Warfare Systems Operator is a United States Navy occupational Naval rating....	AW
Aviation Maintenance Administrationman Aviation Maintenance Administrationman Aviation Maintenance Administrationman is a United States Navy occupational Naval rating....	AZ
Boatswain's Mate Boatswain's Mate A Boatswain's Mate is a job classification in Navies and Coast Guards.Boatswain's Mate , a job classification in the United States NavyBoatswain's Mate , a job classification in the United States Coast Guard...	BM
Builder Builder Builder can mean any of the following:General contractor or Subcontractor that specializes in buildingConstruction worker who specializes in building work...	BU
Construction Electrician Construction Electrician (US Navy) Construction Electrician is a United States Navy occupational Naval rating.Construction Electricians install and repair interior wiring; overhead and underground primary and secondary distribution systems; setup, operate and service electrical equipment; climb poles and towers utilizing lineman's equipment; attach and service electrical...	CE
Construction Mechanic Construction Mechanic (US Navy) Construction Mechanic is a United States Navy occupational Naval rating.Construction Mechanics perform tasks involved in maintenance, repair and overhaul of automotive, materials handling and construction equipment; assign and supervise activities of assistants who locate, analyze and correct malfunctions in equipment and issue repair p...	CM
Cryptologic Technician Cryptologic technician Cryptologic Technician is a United States Navy enlisted rating or job specialty. CTs are responsible for a wide range of cryptology and signal intelligence related functions, ranging from Hacker and computer repair to administration within a cryptology setting....	CT
Damage Controlman Damage Controlman File:USCG DAMAGE CONTROLMAN.jpgDamage Controlman are the United States Navy's and United States Coast Guard?s Maintenance, repair and operations and emergency repair specialist....	DC
Disbursing Clerk	DK
Dentalman	DT
Engineering Aide Engineering Aide (US Navy) Engineering Aide is a United States Navy occupational Naval rating.Engineering Aides plan, supervise and perform tasks required in construction surveying, construction Engineering drawing, planning and estimating and quality control; prepare progress reports, time records, construction schedules and material and labor estimates; establis...	EA
Electrician's Mate Electrician's Mate Electrician's Mate is a United States Navy occupational Naval rating.Electrician's Mates stand watch on electrical generator, electric switchboard, control equipment and electrical equipment; operate and perform organizational and intermediate maintenance on power and lighting circuits, electrical fixtures, electric motor, generators, v...	EM
Engineman Engineman Engineman is a United States Navy occupational Naval rating....	EN
Equipment Operator Equipment Operator (US Navy) Equipment Operator is a United States Navy occupational Naval rating.Equipment Operators perform tasks involving deployment and operation of automotive, materials handling, weight training and Engineering vehicle; direct and coordinate efforts of individuals and crews in execution of construction, earth-moving, roadbuilding, quarrying, a...	EO
Electronics Technician Electronics Technician The United States Navy occupational Naval rating of Electronics Technician is a designation given by the Bureau of Naval Personnel to enlisted members who satisfactorily complete initial Electronics Technician "A" school training....	ET
Electronic Warfare Technician	EW
Fire Controlman Fire Controlman Fire Controlman is a United States Navy occupational Naval rating.Fire Controlmen provide system employment recommendations; perform organizational and intermediate maintenance on digital computer equipment, subsystems, and systems; operate and maintain combat and weapons direction systems, surface-to-air and surface-to-surface missile...	FC
Fire Control Technician Fire Control Technician Fire Control Technician is a United States Navy occupational Naval rating.Fire Control Technicians perform organizational and intermediate level maintenance on submarine combat control systems, equipment, and associated combat control systems test equipment; operate submarine combat control systems; test submarine combat control systems;...	FT
Gunner's Mate Gunner's Mate The United States Navy occupational Naval rating of Gunner's Mate is a designation given by the Bureau of Naval Personnel to enlisted members who either satisfactorily complete initial Gunner's Mate "A" school training, or who "strike" for the rating as a deck seaman by showing competence in the field of Weapon....	GM
Gas Turbine System Technician Gas Turbine System Technician Gas Turbine System Technician is a United States Navy occupational Naval rating.Gas Turbine Systems Technicians operate, repair, and perform organizational and intermediate maintenance on gas turbine engines, main propulsion machinery , assigned auxiliary equipment, propulsion control systems, assigned electrical and electronic circuitry...	GS
Hospital Corpsman	HM
Hull Maintenance Technician Hull Maintenance Technician Hull Maintenance Technician is a United States Navy occupational Naval rating.Hull Maintenance Technicians plan, supervise, and perform tasks necessary for fabrication, installation and repair of all types of shipboard structures, plumbing, and piping systems; organize, supervise, and train personnel in maintenance and hull repair; super...	HT
Information Systems Technician Information Systems Technician Information systems technician refers to an industrial occupation whose responsibility is maintaining communications and computer systems. ITs may also refer to individuals that help design and develop information and graphic content....	IT
Interior Communications Electrician Interior Communications Electrician Interior Communications Electrician is a United States Navy occupational Naval rating.Interior Communications Electricians operate and perform organizational and intermediate maintenance on alarm, warning, and indicator systems; interior communications; and ship's control, entertainment, and navigation systems....	IC
Intelligence Specialist Intelligence Specialist (United States Navy ratings) Intelligence Specialist is a US Navy enlisted Naval rating or job specialty . The Intelligence Specialist rating was established in 1975 by combining the Photo Intelligenceman rating and parts of the Yeoman rating....	IS
Journalist Journalist A journalist is a person who practices journalism, the gathering and dissemination of information about current events, trends, issues, and people while striving for viewpoints that aren't biased....	JO
Lithographer	LI
Legalman Legalman Legalman is a United States Navy occupational Naval rating.Legalmen:* Perform paralegal duties under the direction and supervision of Judge Advocates in providing and administering legal services, including matters concerned with Uniform Code of Military Justice, administrative discharges, claims, admiralty law and legal assistance...	LN
Master-at-Arms Master-at-arms A Master-at-Arms is a Naval rating responsible for discipline aboard a naval ship....	MA
Machinist's Mate Machinist's Mate Machinist's Mate is a List of United States Navy ratings in the United States Navy's engineering community....	MM
Mineman Mineman Mineman is a United States Navy occupational Naval rating.Minemen:* Perform organizational and intermediate level maintenance on underwater naval mine and associated equipment, guns, gun mounts, handling equipment, small arms, surface sonar and mine countermeasures equipment....	MN
Machinery Repairman Machinery Repairman Machinery Repairman is a United States Navy occupational Naval rating.Machinery Repairmen perform organizational and intermediate maintenance on assigned equipment and in support of other ships, requiring the skillful use of lathes, milling machines, boring mills, grinders, power hack saws, drill presses, and other machine tools; portabl...	MR
Mess Management Specialist	MS
Missile Technician Missile Technician (US Navy) Missile Technician is a United States Navy occupational Naval rating.Missile Technicians Operate, test, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair ballistic missile weapons systems....	MT
Musician Musician A musician is a person who plays or writes music. Musicians can be classified by their roles in creating or performing music:* An instrumentalist plays a musical instrument....	MU
Navy Counselor Navy Counselor Navy Counselor is a United States Navy occupational Naval rating.Navy Counselors are concerned with recruiting, career information, and counseling....	NC
Operations Specialist Operations Specialist (US Navy) Operations Specialist is a United States Navy occupational Naval rating. Operations Specialists aboard U.S. Navy combat vessels work in the Combat Information Center , the tactical "nerve center" of the ship....	OS
Postal Clerk Postal Clerk (US Navy) Postal Clerk is a United States Navy occupational Naval rating.Postal Clerks:* Operate Navy post offices* Supervise, organize and establish or disestablish a Navy post office...	PC
Photographers Mate	PH
Personnelman	PN
Aircrew Survival Equipmentman Aircrew Survival Equipmentman Aircrew Survival Equipmentman is a United States Navy occupational Naval rating. Aircrew Survival Equipmentmen inspect, maintain and repair parachutes, seat pans, survival equipment, and flight suit and protective clothing and equipment; pack and rig parachutes; pack and equip liferafts;troubleshoot oxygen systems, repair and test oxygen...	PR
Quartermaster Quartermaster Quartermaster refers to two different military occupations. In land Army, it is a term referring to either an individual soldier or a Military unit, who specializes in supplying and provisioning troops....	QM
Religious Programs Specialist Religious Programs Specialist Religious Programs Specialist is a United States Navy occupational Naval rating.Religious Program Specialists have a number of duties, they:...	RP
Ship's Serviceman Ship's Serviceman Ship's Serviceman is a List of United States Navy ratings in the US Navy....	SH
Storekeeper Storekeeper Storekeeper is an Enlisted rank rating in the United States Navy and United States Coast Guard....	SK
Signalman Signalman A Signalman is a person who historically gave signals using flags and light. In modern times the role of Signalmen has evolved and now usually uses electronic communication equipment....	SM
Sonar Technician Sonar Technician Sonar Technician is a United States Navy occupational List of United States Navy ratings.SoM - Soundman: Pay grades 2c and 3c established 1942; pay grades C and 1c established 1943;...	ST
Steelworker Steel Worker (US Navy) Steel Worker is a United States Navy occupational Naval rating.Steelworkers perform tasks directly related to fabrication and erection of pre-engineered structures, including steel reinforcement; control job site deployment of materials and equipment; direct and coordinate the composition, training and efforts of crews who fabricate, ass...	SW
Torpedoman's Mate Torpedoman's Mate Torpedoman's Mate is a United States Navy occupational Naval rating.A Torpedoman's Mate:* Performs organizational and intermediate level maintenance on underwater ordnance...	TM
Utilitiesman Utilitiesman (US Navy) Utilitiesman is a United States Navy occupational Naval rating.Utilitiesmen plan, supervise and perform tasks involved in installation, maintenance and repair of plumbing, HVAC, steam, compressed air, fuel storage and distribution systems, water treatment and distribution systems, air conditioning and refrigeration equipment, septic tank...	UT
Yeoman Yeoman Yeoman is a noun used to indicate a variety of positions or social classes and is also used as a complimentary adjective in reference to a diligent, dependable worker or the work of such a person....	YN

Naval rating

Royal Navy

United States Navy

U.S. Navy Ratings and their Abbreviations

See also