Ratings in the US Navy

RATINGS OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY A Navy rating is an occupational specialty. Each rating has its own badge which is part of the rank insignia worn on the left sleeve of the enlisted dress uniforms. Ratings are earned by attending trainings (known as A-School) or through correspondence courses mixed with on-the-job training (known as “striking”). All enlisted sailors PO3 and above have a rating.

RATING

ABBREVIATION

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate

AB

Aviation Boatswain's Mates are responsible for aircraft catapults, arresting gear and barricades. They operate fuel and lube oil transfer systems, as well as direct aircraft on the flight deck and in hangar bays before launch and after recovery. They use tow tractors to position planes and operate support equipment used to start aircraft.

Further specialties are broken down into ABE (Launching & Recovery), ABF (Fuels), and ABH (Aircraft Handling).

AC

Air-Traffic Controllers assist with the speedy flow of air traffic by directing and controlling aircraft. They operate field lighting systems and communicate with aircraft. They furnish pilots with information regarding traffic, navigation and weather conditions, as well as operate and adjust ground-controlled approach (GCA) systems and interpret targets on radar screens and plot aircraft positions.

AD

Aviation Machinist's Mates are usually assigned to billets concerned with the maintenance of turbo-jet aircraft engines and associated equipment. They are responsible for the maintenance and replacement of aircraft engines and accessories, as well as performing the duties of flight engineers.

AE

Aviation Electrician's Mates are responsible for aircraft electrical power generating and converting systems. They maintain lighting, control, and indicating systems and can install as well as maintain flight and engine instrument systems.

AG

Aerographer's Mates are the U.S. Navy's weather forecasters. They are trained in meteorology and the use of aerological instruments that monitor air pressure, temperature, humidity, wind speed, and direction. They prepare weather maps and forecasts and can analyze atmospheric conditions to determine the best flight levels for aircraft. An AG can measure wind and air density to aid the accuracy of antiaircraft firing, shore bombardment and delivery of weapons by aircraft.

Air-Traffic Controller

Aviation Machinist’s Mate

Aviation Electrician’s Mate

Aerographer’s Mate

INSIGNIA

DESCRIPTION

Aviation Structural Mechanic

Aviation Ordnanceman

Aviation Support Equipment Technician

Aviation Electronics Technician

Naval Aircrewman

Aviation Maintenance Administrationman

Boatswain’s Mate

AM

Aviation Structural Mechanics (AM) are responsible for the maintenance of many aircraft parts such as wings, fuselage, tail, control surfaces, landing gear, and hydraulic systems. AMEs focus on safety equipment, such as oxygen, cockpit and cabin pressurization, and ejection seat systems.

AO

Aviation Ordnancemen operate and handle aviation ordnance equipment. They are responsible for the maintenance of guns, bombs, torpedoes, rockets, and missiles.

Their duties include the stowing, issuing, and loading of munitions and small arms.

AS

Aviation Support Equipment Technicians perform intermediate maintenance on aviation accessory equipment at naval air stations and aboard aircraft carriers. They maintain gasoline and diesel engines, gas turbine compressor units and electrical systems.

AT

Aviation Electronics Technicians are responsible for the maintenance of radars, avionics , and navigation systems at all times. They do checks on equipment, and calibration of many aviation electronics systems on a regular basis.

AW

Naval Aircrewman operate airborne radar and electronic equipment used in detecting, locating, and tracking submarines. They provide information for aircraft and surface navigation and act as helicopter-rescue crewmen, and function as part of the flight crew on long-range and intermediate-range aircraft. Specialties are broken down into AWO (Operator), AWF (Mechanical), AWV (Avionics), AWS (Helicopter), and AWR (Tactical Helicopter).

AZ

Aviation Maintenance Administrationmen perform clerical, administrative, and managerial duties necessary to keep aircraft maintenance activities running smoothly.

They schedule and coordinate the maintenance workload, including inspections and modifications to aircraft and equipment.

BM

Boatswain's Mates train and supervise personnel in all activities relating to marlinspike, deck, and boat seamanship, and oversee the maintenance of the ship's external structure and deck equipment. They act as petty officers in charge of small craft and may perform duties as master-at-arms, serve in or take charge of gun crews, and damage control parties.

Builder

Construction Electrician

Construction Mechanic

Culinary Specialist

BU

Navy builders are like civilian construction workers. They are skilled carpenters, plasterers, roofers, cement finishers, asphalt workers, masons, and painters. They build and repair all types of structures including: piers, bridges, towers, schools, offices, houses, and other buildings.

CE

Construction Electricians are responsible for the power production and electrical work required to build and operate airfields, roads, barracks, and hospitals. The work of a CE is equivalent to civilian construction electricians, telephone and electrical repairmen, lineman, and others.

CM

Construction Mechanics maintain many types of construction machinery including; buses, dump trucks, bulldozers, rollers, cranes, backhoes, and pile drivers. They work on gasoline and diesel engines and transmissions. They also repair electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic and steering systems.

CS

Culinary Specialists prepare menus and order the quantities and types of food items.

They operate galley and dining facilities, manage large facilities, keep records for food supplies and financial budgets, and can even serve as flight attendant aircrewmen.

They can also serve as personal food service specialist, household/estate manager or chef for VIPs. Ashore, Culinary Specialists often manage and maintain clubs, TAD hotels and Permanent Party naval barracks.

Cryptologic Technicians control the flow of messages and information and also conduct Electronic Warfare. Their work depends on their special branch: CTAs or Administration Cryptologic Technicians perform administrative and clerical duties that control access to classified material.

CTIs or Interpretive Cryptologic Technicians handle radiotelephone communications and foreign language translation.

Cryptologic Technician

CT

CTMs or Maintenance Cryptologic Technicians maintain electronic and electromechanical equipment.

CTNs or Networking Cryptologic Technicians handle computer communication.

CTRs or Collection Cryptologic Technicians handle all Morse code communications and operate radio direction-finding equipment.

CTTs or Technical Cryptologic Technicians deal with Electronic Warfare. CTTs are the first line of defense against inbound threats and Anti-Ship missiles. They also collect, analyze, and provide electronic intelligence support to commands throughout the world.

Damage Controlman

Engineering Aide

Electrician’s Mate

Engineman

Equipment Operator

Explosive Ordnance Disposal

DC

Damage Controlmen perform the work necessary for damage control, ship stability, fire-fighting. They also prepare defenses against chemical, biological and radiological (CBR) warfare attacks. They instruct personnel in damage control and CBR defense and repair damage-control equipment and systems.

EA

Engineering Aides provide construction engineers with information needed to develop final construction plans. They conduct surveys for roads, airfields, buildings, etc. They perform soil tests, prepare topographic and hydrographic maps.

They also survey for sewers, water lines, drainage systems and underwater excavations.

EM

Electrician's Mates are responsible for the operation and repair of a ship's or station's electrical power plant and electrical equipment. They also maintain and repair power and lighting circuits, distribution switchboards, generators, motors and other electrical equipment. Specially qualified Electrician's Mates known as EMNs are employed onboard nuclear-powered ships to maintain the control subsystems in nuclear reactors.

EN

Enginemen are responsible for internal diesel and gasoline engines. They also maintain refrigeration, air-conditioning, distilling-plant engines and compressors.

EO

Equipment Operators work with heavy machinery such as bulldozers, power shovels, pile drivers, etc. They use this machinery to dig ditches, excavate for building foundations, break up old concrete or asphalt paving and pour new paving.

They grade and remove debris from construction sites, raise girders, and move and set in place other pieces of equipment or materials needed for the job.

EOD

Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technicians locate, identify, render safe and dispose of all forms of ordnance (conventional, nuclear, chemical, biological, military, and improvised) both U.S. and foreign made.

Parachute or Helicopter insertion and deepsea diving capabilities are sometimes necessary to perform this mission. In addition to working closely with other military services, EOD technicians occasionally assist civilian law enforcement agencies.

Electronics Technician

Fire Controlman

Fire Control Technician

Gunner’s Mate

Gas Turbine System Technician

ET

Electronics Technicians are responsible for electronic equipment used to send and receive messages, detect enemy planes and ships, and determine target distances. They maintain, repair, and calibrate all electronic equipment used for communications, detection tracking, identification, and navigation. Specially qualified Electronics Technicians are employed onboard nuclearpowered ships to maintain the control subsystems in nuclear reactors. Specialties are broken down into ETN (Nuclear), ETR (Submarine Communications, and ETV (Submarine Navigation).

FC

Fire Controlmen maintain the control mechanism used in weapons systems on combat ships. Complex electronic, electrical and hydraulic equipment is required to ensure the accuracy of Navy guided-missile and surface gunfire-control systems. They are responsible for the operation, routine care and repair of this equipment, which includes radars, computers, weapons direction equipment, target designation systems, gyroscopes and rangefinders.

FT

Fire Control Technicians maintain the electronic equipment used in submarine weapons systems. They are responsible for the operation and maintenance of the complex electronic, electrical and mechanical equipment required to ensure the accuracy of Navy guided-missile systems and underwater weapons. They are responsible for ship safety by recognizing and analyzing data from several critical systems including sonar, radar, periscope, radio, and torpedo inputs.

GM

Gunner's Mates operate and maintain all gunnery equipment, guided-missile launching systems, rocket launchers, guns, turrets, and associated equipment. They repair electrical, electronic, hydraulic and mechanical systems, and make detailed casualty analysis. They test ammunition, missiles and their ordnance components.

GMs train and supervise personnel in the handling and stowage of ammunition, missiles, and assigned ordnance equipment.

GS

Gas Turbine System Technician are responsible for all gas turbine engines. They maintain propulsion machinery, including gears, shafting and controllable pitch propellers, assigned auxiliary equipment propulsion control systems, electrical and electronic circuitry up to the printed circuit module, and alarm and warning circuitry.

Further specialties broken down into GSE (Electrical) and GSM (Mechanical).

Hospital Corpsman

Hull Maintenance Technician

Interior Communications Electrician

Intelligence Specialist

Information Systems Technician

HM

Hospital Corpsmen are medical professionals who provide health care to service people and their families. They serve as pharmacy technicians, medical technicians, nurse's aides, physician's or dentist's assistants, battlefield medics, and more. All work falls into several categories: first aid and minor surgery, patient transportation, patient care, prescriptions and laboratory work, food service inspections, and clerical duties.

HT

Hull Maintenance Technicians are responsible for maintaining ships' hulls, fittings, piping systems and machinery.

They install and maintain all shipboard and shore based plumbing and piping systems.

They look after a vessel's safety and survival equipment and perform many tasks related to damage control.

IC

Interior Communications Electricians operate and repair electronic devices used in the ship's interior communications systems, SITE TV systems, 1MC (public address system), electronic megaphones and other announcing equipment. They are responsible for the gyrocompass systems.

IS

Intelligence Specialists are involved in collecting and interpreting intelligence especially secret information about enemies or potential enemies. They analyze photographs and prepare charts, maps, and reports that describe in detail the strategic situation all over the world.

IT

Information Systems Technicians design, install, operate, and maintain state-of-the-art information systems. This technology includes local and wide area networks, mainframe, mini and microcomputer systems and associated devices. They also write programs to handle the collection, manipulation and distribution of data for a wide variety of applications. They perform the functions of a computer system analyst, operate telecommunications systems including automated networks and the full spectrum of data links and circuits. Further broken down to ITS (Information Systems Technician Submarines).

Legalman

Logistics Specialist

Master-At-Arms

LN

Legalmen are trained paralegals who assist professionals in the field of law. They work in Navy legal offices, performing administrative and clerical tasks necessary to process claims, conduct court and administrative hearings. They maintain records, documents and legal reference libraries. Legalmen may give advice on tax returns, voter registration procedures, immigration and customs regulations, regulations governing Social Security and veterans' benefits. They perform many duties related to courts-martial and nonjudicial punishment hearings.

LS

Logistics Specialists manage inventories and issuance of repair parts/general supplies and specialized supplies (e.g., personal flight gear for naval aircrews or specialized combat equipment for Navy SEALs or Naval Military Construction Battalion "Seabees"), as well as distribute mail for naval ships, submarines, aviation squadrons, and shore-based activities. They procure, receive, store and issue material and repair selected components. They utilize financial accounting and database systems to perform inventory and financial management functions. Additionally, they sort and distribute mail, manage money order and stamp inventories, and maintain financial and inventory reports.

MA

Masters-at-Arms uphold law and order aboard ships, shore stations, control access to naval installations, and deploy overseas with expeditionary forces and squadrons performing Antiterrorism/Force Protection (AT/FP) duties. The basic duty of an MA is to enforce rules and regulations, maintain good order and discipline, and protect life and property. Some other duties include conducting criminal investigations, personal protective services, take part in correctional and rehabilitative programs, Military Working Dog (MWD) handlers, small arms instruction, lethal and non-lethal weapons training, and organize and train sailors assigned to Shore Patrol police duty. Their equivalents in the civilian world are detectives, security guards, and policemen.

Mass Communication Specialist

Machinist’s Mate

Mineman

Machinery Repairman

Missile Technician

MC

Mass Communication Specialists are public affairs and visual information experts. They present the U.S. Navy story to audiences in the Navy and to the rest of the world through a variety of media. Mass Communications Specialists write and produce print and broadcast journalism, news, and feature stories for military and civilian newspapers, magazines, television and radio broadcast stations. They record still and video photography of military operations, exercises, & other Navy events.

MM

Machinist's Mates are responsible for the continuous operation of the many engines, compressors, gears, refrigeration, and airconditioning equipment along with other types of machinery onboard ships and shore installations. They are responsible for the ship's steam propulsion and auxiliary equipment and the outside (deck) machinery. Machinist's Mates are deployed onboard nuclear-powered ships to maintain the machinery and piping in nuclear reactors. Specialties broken down into MMN (Nuclear), MMW (Weapons), and MMA (Auxiliary).

MN

Minemen test, maintain, and repair mines and their components. They are responsible for assembling, testing, and delivering mines to the planting agent. They maintain minehandling and minelaying equipment.

MR

Machinery Repairmen are skilled machine tool operators. They make replacement parts and repair or overhaul a ship's engine auxiliary equipment, such as evaporators, air compressors and pumps. They repair deck equipment, including winches, hoists, condensers, and heat exchange devices.

Shipboard Machinery Repairmen frequently operate main propulsion machinery, besides performing machine shop and repair duties.

MT

Missile Technicians operate and maintain the UGM-133 Trident II D5 missile Strategic Weapon System (SWS) carried aboard ballistic missile submarines and at Strategic Weapons facilities. Missile Technicians operate and maintain electronic, mechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic Strategic Weapon subsytems, test and operate the MK98 fire-control system and MK 6 guidance system, perform classified targeting operations, and provide physical security to nuclear weapon systems.

Musician

Navy Counselor

Navy Diver

Operations Specialist

Aircrew Survival Equipmentman

Personnel Specialist

MU

Musicians play in official Navy bands and special groups such as jazz bands, dance bands and small ensembles. They give concerts and provide music for military ceremonies, religious services, parades, receptions and dances. Official unit bands usually do not include stringed instruments, but each musician must be able to play at least one brass, woodwind or percussion instrument. Sailors are selected for this rating through auditions.

NC

Navy Counselors offer vocational guidance to Navy personnel — individually and in groups — aboard ships and at shore facilities. They assess the interests, aptitudes, abilities and personalities of individuals and assist them in reaching their full potential. They are responsible directly to the command triumvirate (CO, XO, CMC) and report on many items such as retention, attrition, advancement, testing and various other facets of the career development program. Further specialties are broken down into NCC (Career Counselor) and NCR (Recruiter).

ND

Navy Divers are responsible for a wide variety of tasks like underwater ship maintenance, construction, explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), and underwater rescue. They are assigned to Naval Special Warfare Units to provide diving technical expertise and supervisory support to all submersible operations.

OS

Operations Specialists operate radar, navigation and communications equipment in the shipboard combat information centers (CICs) or bridges. They detect and track ships, planes, and missiles. They operate and maintain identification friend or foe (IFF) systems, electronic countermeasures (ECM) equipment and radio-telephones.

PR

Aircrew Survival Equipmentmen are responsible for the packing and care of parachutes. They maintain flight clothing, rubber life rafts, life jackets, oxygenbreathing apparatus, protective clothing, and air-sea rescue equipment.

PS

Personnel Specialists provide enlisted personnel with information and counseling about Navy jobs, opportunities for general education and training, and promotion requirements. They assist enlisted members' families with legal aid or reassignments in hardship situations. Personnel Specialists keep records up to date, prepare reports, type letters and maintain files.

Quartermaster

Religious Programs Specialist

Special Warfare Boat Operator

Ship’s Serviceman

QM

Quartermasters assist the navigator and officer of the deck (OOD), steer the ship, take radar bearings and ranges, make depth soundings and celestial observations, plot courses and command small craft.

RP

Religious Programs Specialists assist Navy chaplains with administrative and budgetary tasks. They serve as custodians of chapel funds, keep religious documents and stay in contact with religious and community agencies. They prepare devotional and religious educational materials, set up volunteer programs, operate shipboard libraries, supervise chaplains' offices and perform administrative, clerical and secretarial duties. They train personnel in religious programs and publicize religious activities.

SB

Special Warfare Boat Operators drive fast speedboats down narrow, winding rivers, or the open ocean while performing high speed, medium range, or all weather insertion/extraction of Special Operations Forces. They participate in maritime interdiction operations, tactical swimmer operations, intelligence collection, operation deception, and Coastal patrol.

SH

Ship's Servicemen manage barber shops, tailor shops, ships' uniform stores, laundries, dry cleaning plants and cobbler shops. They serve as clerks in exchanges, gas stations, warehouses, and commissary stores. Some ship's servicemen function as Navy club managers.

Special Warfare Operator

SO

Sonar Technician

ST

Special Warfare Operators are Navy SEALs. They are expert combat technicians trained in various methods of clandestine insertion.

SOs oversee ocean-borne mine disposal, carry out direct action raids against military targets, conduct reconnaissance, and secure beachheads for invading amphibious forces.

Sonar Technicians are responsible for underwater surveillance. They assist in safe navigation and aid in search and rescue and attack operations. They operate and repair sonar equipment and jam enemy sonars.

Sonar Technicians operate, maintain and repair sonar systems, antisubmarine warfare fire control equipment and other various equipment associated with underwater detection, counter-detection, warfare and communications. Further specialties broken down into STG (Surface) and STS (Subsurface).

Steelworker

Utilitiesman

Yeoman

SW

Steelworkers rig and operate all special equipment used to move or hoist structural steel, structural shapes and similar material.

They erect and dismantle steel bridges, piers, buildings, storage tanks, etc. They work with steel shapes, plates and built-up sections used in the construction of overseas facilities. They are skilled in arc welding, MIG welding, TIG welding, and gas welding.

UT

Utilitiesmen supervise and perform tasks involved in the installation and maintenance of plumbing, steam, compressed air and fuel storage and distribution systems. They maintain air conditioning and refrigeration equipment, as well as sewage collecting and disposal facilities.

YN

Yeomen perform Administrative and Clerical work. They deal with visitors, coordinate worldwide travel, submit passport applications, telephone calls and incoming mail, and assist various ships, squadrons, staff commands, and special warfare teams around the world with administrative tasks. They write and type business and social letters, notices, directives, forms and reports.

The combination of rate and rating is abbreviated with the two-letter abbreviation for rating, followed by a one-or-two character abbreviation for rate/paygrade, as follows: XXSR XXSA XXSN XX3 XX2 XX1 XXC XXCS XXCM

Seaman Recruit (E-1)* Seaman Apprentice (E-2)* Seaman (E-3)* Petty Officer Third Class (E-4) Petty Officer Second Class (E-5) Petty Officer First Class (E-6) Chief Petty Officer (E-7) Senior Chief Petty Officer (E-8) Master Chief Petty Officer (E-9)

*E-1 through E-3 generally don’t have a rating, unless... they have graduated A-School (the Navy’s occupational training schools, usually attended right after Recruit Training) prior to promotion to PO3; they are a “designated striker” (having completed the requirements of a rating by correspondence courses and on-the-job training in the fleet without attending A-School, a process known as “striking for rate”); or they have been reduced in rank as a punishment.

E-1 to E-3 without a rating are called “undesignated” or “non-rates”.

Some examples follow:

MMFA Machinist’s Mate Fireman Apprentice (E-2)

BMSN Boatswain’s Mate Seaman (E-3)

MM3 Machinist’s Mate Third Class (E-4)

HM3 Hospital Corpsman Third Class (E-4)

LN2 Legalman Second Class (E-5)

IT2 Information Systems Technician Second Class (E-5)

GM1 Gunner’s Mate First Class (E-6)

BU1 Builder First Class (E-6)

BMC Boatswain’s Mate Chief Petty Officer (E-7)

AGC Aerographer’s Mate Chief Petty Officer (E-7)

DCCS Damage Controlman Senior Chief Petty Officer (E-8)

ABCM Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Master Chief Petty Officer (E-9)