United States Navy ratings
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| United States Navy ratings | |
|---|---|
| Unit name | United States Navy ratings |
| Caption | Insignia and rating badges worn by enlisted sailors |
| Dates | 1797–present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Navy |
United States Navy ratings are the occupational specialties and job titles historically used by enlisted personnel in the United States Navy to identify duties and expertise. Ratings designate an enlisted sailor's specialty and are distinct from rank and rate. They have evolved with naval technology, operations, and personnel policies, reflecting changes after conflicts such as the American Civil War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.
History
The origins of naval occupational titles trace to early sailing era practices, with formalization after the establishment of the modern United States Navy and administrative codification in the 19th century. During the Spanish–American War and the interwar period, ratings expanded alongside innovations in propulsion, navigation, and ordnance, influenced by organizations like the Bureau of Navigation (United States Navy). World War II accelerated specialization with ratings for aviation aircrew and submarine warfare tied to commands such as Submarine Force, United States Pacific Fleet and Commander, Naval Air Forces. Postwar reorganizations under leaders from institutions like the Chief of Naval Operations and commissions formed after the Department of Defense unification reshaped classification systems. Controversial proposals and reforms have periodically emerged, for example during the late 20th century and early 21st century personnel restructuring under Secretaries like Gordon R. England and Ray Mabus.
Overview and Definitions
A rating is an enlisted sailor's occupational title, paired with a rate indicating paygrade; together they form a sailor’s full title. Ratings include specialties tied to billets in units such as Carrier Strike Group 1, Amphibious Ready Group, and shore establishments like Naval Station Norfolk. Common historic ratings included titles drawn from trades practiced on ships—example communities included Boatswain's Mate, Yeoman, Machinist's Mate, Electrician's Mate, Hospital Corpsman, and Aviation Boatswain's Mate—which interfaced with commands such as Naval Hospital units and aviation wings like Carrier Air Wing 1. Ratings have corresponding training pipelines through schools such as the Naval Technical Training Center and fleet training commands like Surface Warfare Officers School Command.
Ratings vs. Rates and Ranks
Rating denotes occupational specialty; rate denotes pay grade (e.g., E-4, E-6) and is displayed in combination (rating + rate) to produce titles like "Machinist's Mate First Class." Rank terminology for officers follows separate lines, intersecting with ratings at points where enlisted personnel qualify for warrant or commissioned roles such as those produced by Officer Candidate School or the Warrant Officer Program. The distinction matters in administrative structures under authorities like Bureau of Naval Personnel and for advancement processes linked to boards convened by commands such as Naval Personnel Command.
Specialty Ratings and Communities
Ratings are organized into communities reflecting mission sets: surface warfare, submarine warfare, aviation, information warfare, expeditionary, and technical services. Examples: Sonar Technician (Submarine), Cryptologic Technician, Information Systems Technician, Hospital Corpsman, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician, and Navy Diver. Aviation ratings align with wings such as Naval Air Forces (United States), supporting platforms like F/A-18 Hornet squadrons and P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol units. Submarine-rated sailors interface with strategic assets like Ohio-class submarine crews. Expeditionary ratings support commands like Naval Construction Battalions (Seabees) and units affiliated with United States Marine Corps taskings.
Training and Qualification
Entry training for ratings begins with Recruit Training Command boot camp followed by "A" schools at locations such as Naval Air Technical Training Center or regional technical training centers. Advanced qualifications occur in "C" schools, fleet concentration areas, and through operational tours with flag staffs like Commander, Naval Surface Forces Atlantic. Qualification programs produce designations and warfare pins—examples include Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist and Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist—which require evaluations by commanders and boards, often involving coordination with institutions like Naval Sea Systems Command for platform-specific credentials.
Insignia and Navy Occupational Codes
Each rating traditionally carried a distinct badge or sleeve insignia composed of symbols representing tradecraft; these insignia were standardized in regulations promulgated by authorities such as the Chief of Naval Operations. Navy Occupational Codes (NOCs) and alphanumeric identifiers map ratings to manpower systems overseen by Defense Manpower Data Center and Naval Personnel Command. Insignia variations denote rank, leadership positions, and warfare qualifications and are worn on uniforms defined by Navy Uniform Regulations.
Changes, Controversies, and Reforms
Ratings have undergone periodic consolidation, renaming, and abolition proposals, provoking debate among sailors, unions such as the National Association of Government Employees, and elected officials including members of United States Congress oversight committees. Notable controversies involved attempts to replace traditional titles with alphanumeric codes or to reorganize communities for efficiency under modernization initiatives championed by senior leaders. Reforms have sometimes reversed after stakeholder feedback, leading to compromises balancing tradition associated with ratings like Boatswain's Mate and operational requirements tied to platforms such as Arleigh Burke-class destroyer and emergent domains like cyber operations in coordination with United States Cyber Command.