List of United States Navy ratings

Each naval rating has its own specialty badge, which is worn on the left sleeve of dress uniforms of enlisted personnel.

E-1 to E-3 are divided into five general occupational fields (airman, constructionman, fireman, hospitalman, or seaman) based on their rate.

The paper designation for these is ADAN, ADAA, and ADAR respectively, SN, SA, and SR for sea-going rates, FN, FA, FR for engineering and damage control rates, CN, CA, CR for Seabee, naval construction units, and HN, HA, and HR for Corpsman.

During this time, ship crews were taken from civilian life and enlisted for only one cruise, thus making the job at hand the primary consideration, rather than career possibilities.

During World War II, the U.S. Navy also briefly maintained a rating of "Specialist", similar to the rank in the U.S. Army.

Since the establishment of the rating system, the U.S. Navy enlisted rating structure played a key role in career development, serving as a basis for training, detailing, advancement, and simply keeping tabs on several hundred thousand sailors.

[5][6] The changes would have eliminated ratings in favor of the generic titles of "Seaman" (E-1 to E-3) or "Petty Officer" (E-4 to E-6) and accompanying Navy Occupational Specialty (NOS) codes.

[9][10][11][8][12][4] However, the "overwhelmingly unpopular decision" was not well received as many sailors had grown accustomed and attached to their ratings, viewing them as a source of morale.

I^ : ABE, ABF, and ABH combine at paygrade E-9 to the rate of Master Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate (ABCM).

IV^ : In 2008, the AW rating merged with all other aircrew NECs and changed their title from aviation warfare system operators to naval aircrewman.

[18] III^ : Before NAVADMIN 054/21; CM and EO combine at paygrade E-9 to the rating of Master chief equipmentman (EQCM).

In port, three of the crew are on deck watch 24/7 (in hazardous areas such as war zones there are more than three, depending on ship's size).

In port or at sea the boatswain's mate of the watch is charged with the responsibility of making all announcements to the crew; everything from chow call to general quarters (battle stations).

Prior to March 2014, IC and EM combine at paygrade E-9 to the rating of Master Chief Electrician's Mate (EMCM).