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Navy Enlisted Ratings Chart

Information courtesy of www.navy.mil

Enlisted Rating Insignia

The enlisted rating badge for Petty Officer Third Class and above consists of two parts. The chevrons indicate the pay grade (rate). Between the chevrons and the eagle is a specialty insignia indicating the Sailor's job specialty (rating). These insignia appear in silver on blue uniforms and Navy blue on white uniforms. For designated E-3 and below, the insignia appears above their rate stripes. The following rating insignia listed alphabetically. The other groups are Aviation, Construction, and Engineering.

Administration, Deck, Medical, Technical, and
Weapons Specialties

BMs train and supervise personnel in all activities relating to marlinspike, deck and boat seamanship, and 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.

CSs operate and manage Navy dining facilities and bachelor enlisted quarters. They cook, bake, order, inspect and stow food in Navy dining facilities ashore and afloat. They maintain food service; prepare spaces and equipment; and keep records of transactions and budgets for food service in living quarters ashore.

CTs control the flow of messages and information. Their work depends on their special career area: administration (CTA) - administrative and clerical duties that control access to classified material; interpretive (CTI) - radiotelephone communications and foreign language translation; maintenance (CTM)- the installation, servicing and repair of electronic and electromechanical equipment; communication (CTO) - operation of telecommunications systems, and AIS networking and information management; collection (CTR) - Morse code communications and operation of radio direction-finding equipment; and technical (CTT) - communications by means other than Morse code and electronic countermeasures.

ETs are responsible for electronic equipment used to send and receive messages, detect enemy planes and ships, and determine target distances. They must maintain, repair, calibrate, tune and adjust all electronic equipment used for communications, detection and tracking, recognition and identification, navigation and electronic countermeasures.

BM - Boatswain's Mate

CS - Culinary Specialist

CT - Cryptologic Technician
(Note 1)

ET - Electronics
Technician

 

 

 

 

 

FCs 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. FCs are responsible for the operation, routine care and repair of this equipment, which includes radars, computers, weapons direction equipment, target designation systems, gyroscopes and range finders. It is in the advanced electronics field and requires a six-year enlistment.

FTs maintain the electronic equipment used in submarine weapons systems. FTs are responsible for the operation, routine care and repair of the complex electronic, electrical and mechanical equipment required to ensure the accuracy of Navy guided-missile systems and underwater weapons. A six-year enlistment is required.

GMs operate, maintain and repair all gunnery equipment, guided-missile launching systems, rocket launchers, guns, gun mounts, turrets, projectors and associated equipment. They make detailed casualty analyses and repairs of electrical, electronic, hydraulic and mechanical systems. They also test and inspect ammunition, missiles and their ordnance components. GMs train and supervise personnel in the handling and stowage of ammunition, missiles and assigned ordnance equipment.

HMs assist medical professionals in providing health care to service people and their families. They serve as pharmacists, medical technicians, food service personnel, nurse's aids, physician's or dentist's assistants, battlefield medics, X-ray technicians and more. An HM's work falls into several categories: first aid and minor surgery, patient transportation, patient care, prescriptions and laboratory work, food service inspections and clerical duties.

FC - Fire Controlman

FT - Fire Control Technician

GM - Gunner's Mate
(Note 2)

HM - Hospital Corpsman
(Note 3)

Military information, especially secret information about enemies or potential enemies, is called 'intelligence.' An IS is involved in collecting and interpreting intelligence data; analyzing photographs; and prepares ing charts, maps and reports; that describe in detail the strategic situation all over the world.

Formerly known as Radioman (RM). Naval activities often involve people working at many different locations on land and at sea. ITs operate the radio communications systems that make such complex teamwork possible. ITs operate radio-telephones and radio-teletypes, prepare messages for international and domestic commercial telegraph, and send and receive messages via the Navy system, including satellites and antennas. ITs also are responsible for all computer systems, network administration (including LAN hardware), peripheral operations and systems modifications. Data Processing Technician (DP) rating merged into the RM field in 1997.

LNs are trained legalaides 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 and maintain records, documents and legal reference libraries. They may give advice on tax returns, voter registration procedures, immigration and customs regulations, regulations governing Social Security and veterans' benefits and perform many duties related to courts-martial and nonjudicial hearings.

MAs uphold law and order aboard ships and shore stations. They report to the executive officer, help maintain discipline and assist in security matters. They ensure regulations are enforced, conduct investigations, take part in correctional and rehabilitative programs and organize and train Sailors assigned to police duty. Their equivalent in the civilian world is detectives and policemen.

IS - Intelligence Specialist

IT - Information Systems Technician
(Note 4)

LN - Legalman

MA - Master-at-Arms

Mass Communications Specialists are public affairs and visual information experts. They present the US 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, and other Navy events.

MNs test, maintain, repair and overhaul mines and their components. They are responsible for assembling, testing, handling, issuing and delivering mines to the planting agent and for maintaining minehandling and minelaying equipment.

MTs assemble, maintain and repair missiles carried by submarines. They maintain the specialized equipment used in these functions. Although missile components and related testing and handling equipment are primarily electrical and electronic, MTs must also work with the mechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic units in the launcher systems, fire control systems and missile flight control systems.

MUs 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 orchestral stringed instruments, but each MU must be able to play at least one brass, woodwind or percussion instrument. Sailors are selected for this rating through auditions.

MC - Mass Communication Specialist
(Note 5)

MN - Mineman

MT - Missile Technician

MU - Musician

NCs offer vocational guidance on an individual and group basis to Navy personnel aboard ships and at shore facilities. They assess the interests, aptitudes, abilities and personalities of individuals. This rate is not available to the incoming recruit.

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

The Navy operates a large postal system manned by Navy PCs, who have similar duties to their civilian counterparts in the U.S. Postal Service. PCs send mail on its way; collect postage-due mail; prepare customs declarations; collect outgoing mail; cancel stamps. They also perform a variety of record-keeping and reporting duties, which include maintaining an up-to-date directory service and locator file.

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

NC - Navy Counselor

OS - Operations Specialist

PC - Postal Clerk

PS - Personnel Specialist
(Note 6)

QMs 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. Additionally, they maintain charts, navigational aids and oceanographic publications and records for the ship's log.

RPs 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 also 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.

Serving afloat, SHs manage barber shops, tailor shops, ships' uniform stores, laundries, and dry cleaning plants.

SKs are the Navy's supply clerks. They see that needed supplies are available including everything from clothing and machine parts to forms and food. SKs have duties as civilian warehousemen, purchasing agents, stock clerks and supervisors, retail sales clerks, store managers, inventory clerks, buyers, parts clerks, bookkeepers and even fork lift operators.

QM - Quartermaster

RP - Religious Programs Specialist

SH - Ship's Serviceman

SK - Storekeeper

STs are responsible for underwater surveillance. They assist in safe navigation and aid in search, rescue and attack operations. They operate and repair sonar equipment and jam enemy sonars. STs track underwater objects and repair antisubmarine warfare fire control equipment and underwater radiotelephones.

TMs maintain underwater explosive missiles, such as torpedoes and rockets, that are launched from surface ships, submarines and aircraft. They also maintain launching systems for underwater explosives, and are responsible for shipping and storage of torpedoes and rockets.

YNs perform secretarial and clerical work. They deal with visitors, telephone calls and incoming mail. YNs organize files and operate copy machines and order and distribute supplies. They write and type business and social letters, notices, directives, forms and reports. They maintain files and service records.

 

ST - Sonar Technician
(Note 7)

TM - Torpedoman's Mate

YN - Yeoman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note 1: "Cryptologic Technician" currently consists of seven branches:
CTA (Cryptologic Technician - Administration); CTI (Cryptologic Technician - Interpretive); CTM (Cryptologic Technician - Maintenance); CTN (Cryptologic Technician - Networks); CTR (Cryptologic Technician - Collection); and CTT (Cryptologic Technician - Technical).
Note 2: "Gunner's Mate" is used at pay grade E-7 and above. Leading to GM: GMG (Gunner's Mate - Guns) and GMM (Gunner's Mate - Missiles)
Note 3: The Dental Technician (DT) rating was merged into the Hospital Corpsman (HM) rating 30 Aug 2005
Note 4: Formerly known as RM (Radioman). DP (Data Processing Technician) merged into the RM (Radioman) field in 1997. The CTO (Cryptologic Technician - Communications) rating was merged into the IT rating on 1 Mar 2006
Note 5: Illustrator Draftsman (DM), Journalist (JO), Lithographer (LI) and Photographer (PH) merged into MC rating on 1 July 2006
Note 6: Disbursing Clerk (DK) and Personnelman (PN) merged into PS 1 Oct 2005
Note 7: "Sonar Technician" has two branches: STG - Surface, and STS - Submarine

Aviation Specialties

AB - Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Note 1)

AC - Air Traffic Controller

AD - Aviation Machinist's Mate

AE - Aviation
Electrician's Mate

ABs operate, maintain and repair aircraft catapults, arresting gear and barricades. They operate and maintain fuel and lube oil transfer systems. ABs direct aircraft on the flight deck and in hanger bays before launch and after recovery. They use tow tractors to position planes and operate support equipment used to start aircraft.

ACs assist in the essential safe, orderly and speedy flow of air traffic by directing and controlling aircraft. They operate field lighting systems, communicate with aircraft, 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. A five-year enlistment is required to become an AC.

Usually, ADs are assigned to billets concerned with maintaining turbo-jet aircraft engines and associated equipment or to any one of several types of aircraft maintenance activities. ADs maintain, service, adjust and replace aircraft engines and accessories, as well as perform the duties of flight engineers.

AEs maintain, adjust and repair aircraft electrical power generating and converting systems; lighting, control and indicating systems; and can install and maintain wiring and flight and engine instrument systems.

AG - Aerographer's Mate

AK - Aviation Storekeeper

AM - Aviation Structural Mechanic (Note 2)

AO - Aviation Ordnanceman

AGs are the 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 also prepare weather maps and forecasts and analyze atmospheric conditions to determine the best flight levels for aircraft. An AG may also measure wind and air density to aid the accuracy of anti-aircraft firing, shore bombardment and delivery of weapons by aircraft.

AKs ensure that materials and equipment needed by naval aviation activities are available and in good order. They take inventories, estimate future needs and make purchases. AKs store and issue flight clothing; aeronautical materials and spare parts; ordnance; electronic; and structural and engineering equipment.

AMs maintain and repair aircraft parts(wings, fuselage, tail, control surfaces, landing gear and attending mechanisms) working with metals, alloys and plastics. They also maintain and repair safety equipment and hydraulic systems.

Navy planes carry guns, bombs, torpedoes, rockets and missiles to attack the enemy on the sea, under the sea, in the air and on land. AOs maintain, repair, install, operate and handle aviation ordnance equipment. Their duties also include the handling, stowing, issuing and loading of munitions and small arms.

AS - Aviation Support
Equipment Technician

AT - Aviation Electronics Technician

AW - Aviation Warfare
Systems Operator

AZ - Aviation Maintenance Administrationman

ASs perform intermediate maintenance on aviation accessory equipment -'yellow gear' - at naval air stations and aboard carriers. They maintain gasoline and diesel engines; hydraulic and pneumatic systems; liquid, gaseous oxygen and nitrogen systems; gas turbine compressor units; and electrical systems.

Modern aircraft depend on radio, radar and other electronic devices for rapid communications, effective navigation, controlled landing approaches and neutralizing enemy equipment and tactics. ATs are responsible for the test, maintenance and repair of this equipment.

AWs operate airborne radar and electronic equipment used in detecting, locating and tracking submarines. AWs also operate radars to provide information for aircraft and surface navigation and act as helicopter-rescue crewmen, as well as part of the flight crew on long-range and intermediate-range aircraft. A five-year enlistment is required.

The many clerical, administrative and managerial duties necessary to keep aircraft maintenance activities running smoothly are handled by the AZs. They plan, schedule and coordinate the maintenance workload, including inspections and modifications to aircraft and equipment.

PR - Aircrew Survival Equipmentman

Parachutes are the lifesaving equipment of aircrewmen when they have to bail out. In time of disaster, a parachute may also be the only means of delivering badly needed medicines, goods and other supplies to isolated victims. PRs must pack and care for parachutes, as well as service, maintain and repair flight clothing, rubber life rafts, life jackets, oxygen-breathing apparatus, protective clothing and air-sea rescue equipment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note 1: "Aviation Boatswain's Mate" is used at paygrade E-9 only.
Leading to AB: ABE (Launching & Recovery Equipment), ABF (Fuels), and ABH (Aircraft Handling).
Note 2: "Aviation Structural Mechanic" is used at paygrade E-8 only.
Leading to AM: AME (Safety Equipment), AMH (Hydraulics), and AMS (Structures

Construction Specialties

Navy builders are like civilian construction workers. They are skilled carpenters, plasterers, roofers, cement finishers, asphalt workers, masons, painters, bricklayers, sawmill operators or cabinetmakers. BUs build and repair all types of structures including: piers, bridges, towers, underwater installations, schools, offices, houses and other buildings. A five-year enlistment is required.

CEs are responsible for the power production and electrical work required to build and operate airfields, roads, barracks, hospitals, shops and warehouses. The work of a Navy CE is equivalent to civilian construction electricians, powerhouse electricians, telephone and electrical repairmen, substation operators, lineman and others. A five-year enlistment is required.

CMs maintain heavy construction and automotive equipment - buses, dump trucks, bulldozers, rollers, cranes, backhoes, pile drivers - other construction equipment and service vehicles. They work on gasoline and diesel engines, ignition and fuel systems, transmissions, electrical systems and hydraulic, pneumatic and steering systems. A five-year enlistment is required.

EAs provide construction engineers with information needed to develop final construction plans. EAs conduct surveys for roads, airfields, buildings, waterfront structures, pipelines, ditches and drainage systems. They perform soil tests; prepare topographic and hydrographic maps and survey for sewers, water lines, drainage systems and underwater excavations. A five-year enlistment is required.

BU - Builder (Note 1)

CE - Construction Electrician (Note 2)

CM - Construction Mechanic (Note 3)

EA - Engineering Aide (Note 1)

EOs work with heavy machinery such as bulldozers, power shovels, pile drivers, rollers and graders. EOs use this machinery to dig ditches; excavate for building foundations; break up old concrete or asphalt paving and pour new paving; loosen soil and grade it; dig out tree trunks and rocks; remove debris from construction sites; raise girders; and move and set in place other pieces of equipment or materials needed for the job. A five-year enlistment is required.

SWs rig and operate all special equipment used to move or hoist structural steel, structural shapes and similar material. They erect or dismantle steel bridges, piers, buildings, tanks, towers and other structures. They place, fit, weld, cut, bolt and rivet steel shapes, plates and built-up sections used in the construction of overseas facilities. A five-year enlistment is required.

UTs plan, supervise and perform tasks involved in the installation, operation, maintenance and repair of plumbing, heating, steam, compressed air and fuel storage and distribution systems, air conditioning and refrigerator equipment and sewage collecting and disposal facilities.

 

EO - Equipment Operator (Note 3)

SW - Steelworker (Note 1)

UT - Utilitiesman (Note 2)

 

 

Note 1: BU, EA, and SW become CUCM at pay grade E-9
Note 2:CE and UT become UCCM at pay grade E-9
Note 3: CM and EO become EQCM at pay grade E-9

Engineering and Hull Specialties

DCs perform the work necessary for damage control, ship stability, fire-fighting and chemical, biological and radiological (CBR) warfare defense. They instruct personnel in damage control and CBR defense and repair damage-control equipment and systems.

The operation and repair of a ship's or station's electrical power plant and electrical equipment is the responsibility of EMs. They also maintain and repair power and lighting circuits, distribution switchboards, generators, motors and other electrical equipment.

Internal combustion engines, diesel or gasoline, must be kept in good order. This is the responsibility of ENs. They also maintain refrigeration, air-conditioning, distilling-plant engines and compressors.

GSs operate, repair and maintain gas turbine engines; main 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. They also perform administrative tasks related to gas turbine propulsion system operation and maintenance, (GSE: Electrical) (GSM: Mechanical)

DC - Damage Controlman

EM - Electrician's Mate

EN - Engineman

GS - Gas Turbine System Technician (Note 1)

HTs are responsible for maintaining ships' hulls, fittings, piping systems and machinery. They install and maintain shipboard and shore based plumbing and piping systems. They also look after a vessel's safety and survival equipment and perform many tasks related to damage control.

ICs operate and repair electronic devices used in the ship's interior communications systems, SITE TV systems, public address systems, electronic megaphones and other announcing equipment. They are also responsible for the gyrocompass systems.

Continuous operation of the many engines, compressors and gears, refrigeration, air-conditioning, gas-operated equipment and other types of machinery afloat and ashore is the MM's job. They are also responsible for the ship's steam propulsion and auxiliary equipment and the outside (deck) machinery. MMs also may perform duties involving some industrial gases.

MRs 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 and hoists, condensers and heat exchange devices. Shipboard MRs frequently operate main propulsion machinery, besides performing machine shop and repair duties.

HT - Hull Maintenance Technician

IC - Interior Communications Electrician

MM - Machinist's Mate

MR - Machinery Repairman

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.

The PM is an important link between the draftsmen who make the drawings, and the molders in a Navy foundry, who produce the castings. PMs make patterns in wood, plaster or metal using drafting, carpentry and metalworking skills while using shop mathematics.

 

ND - Navy Diver (Note 2)

PM - Patternmaker

Note 1: "Gas Turbine System Technician" is used at paygrade E-9 only.
Leading to GS: GSE (Gas Turbine System Technician - Electrical) and GSM (Gas Turbine System Technician - Mechanical).
Note 2: Navy Diver rating established 1 Jun 2006

 

 
 
 

  
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