This is a list of Royal Navy ratings rank insignia.
Insignia
Royal Navy
| Rank group | Warrant officers | Senior ratings | Junior ratings | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NATO code | OR-9 | OR-8 | OR-7 | OR-6 | OR-5 | OR-4 | OR-2 |
| Arm insignia | No insignia | ||||||
| Shoulder insignia | |||||||
| Rank | Warrant officer 1 | Warrant officer 2 | Chief petty officer | Petty officer | Leading rating | Able rating | |
| Abbreviation | WO1 | WO2 | CPO | PO | LH | AB | |
Royal Marines
| Rank group | Warrant officers | Senior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Marines | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NATO code | OR-9 | OR-8 | OR-7 | OR-6 | OR-5 | OR-4 | OR-3 | OR-2 | |
| Insignia | No insignia | ||||||||
| Typical appointment | Corps regimental sergeant major | Regimental sergeant major | Regimental quartermaster sergeant / company sergeant major | Company quartermaster sergeant | |||||
| Rank | Warrant officer class 1 | Warrant officer class 2 | Colour sergeant | Sergeant | Corporal | Lance corporal | Marine | ||
| Abbreviation | WO1 | WO2 | CSgt | Sgt | Cpl | LCpl | Mne | ||
Royal Marines band service
| NATO code | OR-9 | OR-8 | OR-7 | OR-6 | OR-5 | OR-4 | OR-3 | OR-2 | OR-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Marines Band Service | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Warrant officer class 1 | Warrant officer class 2, Bandmaster | Drum major Bugle major | Colour sergeant bugler Band colour sergeant | Sergeant bugler Band sergeant | Corporal bugler Band corporal | Lance corporal bugler Band lance corporal | Musician | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Branch and speciality badges
Ratings in the Royal Navy wear branch badges (colloquially known as trade badges or 'tiffs') on the right sleeve to indicate a specific job, whilst rate insignia is worn on the left sleeve. Branches in the Royal Navy are listed below. Branch sub-specialities are denoted with an abbreviation on the branch badge. Ratings in the Marine Engineering and Medical branches may obtain 'dolphins' (qualify for the Royal Navy Submarine Service). Some personnel have an additional option to pass the All Arms Commando Course and serve attached to the Royal Marines.
| Branch | Specialisation | Sub-specialisation | Badge letters | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering | Engineer Fleet Air Arm | Air Engineering Technician | Air Engineering Technician | |
| Air Engineering Technician (Aviation) | ||||
| Air Engineering Technician (Mechanic) | AE | |||
| Engineer General Service | Engineering Technician (Communication Information Systems) | Communication Information Systems | ||
| Engineering Technician (Marine Engineering) | Engineer Technician (Marine Engineering) | — | ||
| Engineer Technician (Marine Engineering) Electrical | EL | |||
| Engineer Technician (Marine Engineering) Mechanical | ML | |||
| Engineering Technician (Weapons Engineering) | Communication Information Systems | |||
| Engineering Technician (Communication Information Systems) | CIS | |||
| Engineering Technician (Weapons Engineering) | — | |||
| Engineering Technician (Weapons Engineering) Sensors | S | |||
| Engineering Technician (Weapons Engineering) Weapons | W | |||
| Engineer Submarines | Engineering Technician (Communication Information Systems Submarines) | Communication Information Systems (Submarines) | WESM | |
| Engineering Technician (Marine Engineering Submarines) | Engineering Technician (Marine Engineering Submarines) | MESM | ||
| Engineering Technician (Marine Engineering Submarines) Artificer | MESM | |||
| Engineering Technician (Weapons Engineering Submarines) | Engineering Technician (Weapons Engineering Submarines) | WESM | ||
| Engineering Technician (Weapons Engineering Submarines) Sensors | SSM | |||
| Engineer Technician (Weapons Engineering Submarines) Weapons | ||||
| Engineer Technician (Weapons Engineering Submarines) (Strategic Weapons Systems) | ||||
| Engineer Technician (Weapons Engineering Submarines) (Strategic Weapons Systems) Artificer | ||||
| Engineer Technician (Weapons Engineering Submarines) (Tactical Weapons Systems) | ||||
| Engineer Technician (Weapons Engineering Submarines) (Tactical Weapons Systems) Artificer | ||||
| Logistics | Logistics General Service | Family Services | Family Services | |
| Logistics (Catering Services) (Delivery) | Steward | S | ||
| Logistics (Catering Services) (Preparation) | Catering Assistant | CS | ||
| Chef | C | |||
| Logistics (Personnel) | Writer | W | ||
| Logistics (Supply Chain) | Logistics (Supply Chain) | SC | ||
| Logistics Submarines | Logistics (Catering Services)(Delivery)(Submarines) | Logistics (Catering Services)(Delivery)(Submarines) | ||
| Logistics (Catering Services)(Preparation)(Submarines) | Logistics (Catering Services)(Preparation)(Submarines) | |||
| Logistics (Personnel)(Submarines) | Writer (Submarines) | |||
| Logistics (Supply Chain)(Submarines) | Logistics (Supply Chain)(Submarines) | |||
| Medical | Medical General Service | Dental Hygienist | Dental Hygienist | DH |
| Dental Nurse | Dental Nurse | DN | ||
| Medical Assistant | Medical Assistant | MA | ||
| Medical Technician (Pharmacy Dispenser) | PD | |||
| Medical Assistant (Commando) | ||||
| Medical Assistant (Operating Department Practitioner) | ||||
| Medical Technician | Medical Technician (Health Inspector) | |||
| Medical Technician (Laboratory Technician) | L | |||
| Medical Technician (Operating Department Practitioner) | ||||
| Medical Technician (Radiology) | R | |||
| Medical Submarines | Medical Assistant (Submarines) | Medical Assistant (Submarines) | ||
| Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Service | Nurses Spine | Mental Health | — | |
| (Adult) | — | |||
| (Adult) Burns | — | |||
| (Adult) Emergency Nurse | — | |||
| (Adult) Infection Prevention and Control | — | |||
| (Adult) Intensive Therapy Unit | — | |||
| (Adult) Medical | — | |||
| (Adult) Primary Healthcare | — | |||
| (Adult) Surgical | — | |||
| (Adult) Trauma and Orthopaedic | — | |||
| (Adult) Theatres | — | |||
| (Adult) Tutor | — | |||
| (Adult) Ophthalmology | — | |||
| Warfare | Warfare Fleet Air Arm | Air Crewman (Anti Submarine Warfare) | Air Crewman (Anti Submarine Warfare) | |
| Air Crewman (Commando) | ||||
| Naval Airman (Aircraft Controller) | Naval Airman (Aircraft Controller) | AC | ||
| Naval Airman (Aircraft Handler) | Naval Airman (Aircraft Handler) | H | ||
| Naval Airman (Meteorological) | Naval Airman (Meteorological) | METOC | ||
| Naval Airman (Photographer) | Naval Airman (Photographer) | — | ||
| Naval Airman (Survival Equipment) | Naval Airman (Survival Equipment) | SE | ||
| Warfare General Service | Communication Information Systems | Communication Information Systems | CIS | |
| Hydrography and Meteorology | Hydrography and Meteorology | HM | ||
| Hydrography and Meteorology (Hydrography) | HM | |||
| Hydrography and Meteorology (Meteorology) | HM | |||
| Mine Warfare | Mine Warfare | MW | ||
| Seaman | Seaman | SEA | ||
| Survey Recorder | Survey Recorder | — | ||
| Communications Technician | Communications Technician | CT | ||
| Communications Technician (A) | CT | |||
| Communications Technician (L) | CT | |||
| Diver | Diver | — | ||
| Physical Training Instructor | Physical Training Instructor | — | ||
| Regulator | Regulator | — | ||
| Warfare Specialist | Warfare Specialist | WS | ||
| Warfare Specialist (Above Warfare Tactical) | Warfare Specialist (Above Warfare Tactical) | AWT | ||
| Warfare Specialist (Above Water Warfare Weapons) | Warfare Specialist (Above Water Warfare Weapons) | AWW | ||
| Warfare Specialist (Electronic Warfare) | Warfare Specialist (Electronic Warfare) | EW | ||
| Warfare Specialist (Underwater Warfare) | Warfare Specialist (Underwater Warfare) | UW | ||
| Warfare Submarines | Communication Information Systems Submarines | Communication Information Systems Submarines | CISSM | |
| Coxswain (Submarines) | Coxswain (Submarines) | SM | ||
| Warfare Specialist (Sonar Submarines) | Warfare Specialist (Sonar Submarines) | |||
| Warfare Specialist (Tactical Systems) | Warfare Specialist (Tactical Systems) | TSM | ||
Qualifications
Branch badges include stars and crowns indicating a rating's qualification within their branch. One star indicates they have passed the required exam in order to be eligible to be selected for the leading rates course in their respective branch. Two stars indicates they have completed the leading rates course and are now eligible to study for the petty officers (PO) professional qualifying exam (PQE). A crown indicates they have passed the relevant PQE and are eligible to be a petty officer.
1975–present
| Insignia | Description |
|---|---|
| Basic device | on entering a sub-branch able rate, AB class 2, under training |
| Basic device with star above | on qualifying professionally for able rate, AB class 1, operationally trained to carry out basic tasks and expected to train for next level as leading hand. |
| Basic device with star above and star below | on qualifying professionally for leading rate, able to carry out complex tasks and lead others and expected to train for next level as petty officer. |
| Basic device with crown above | on qualifying professionally for petty officer, able to command, instruct others and carry out more complex tasks. |
| Basic device with crown above worn on the on both lapels on number 1 dress. | chief petty officers attain no additional professional qualification, able to show advanced leadership, training abilities and perform the most complex tasks. |
1951–1975
The seaman and naval airman branches were:
| Insignia | Description |
|---|---|
| Basic device | Junior or basic |
| Basic device with star above | "Star" or third-class part II or specialist qualification (PO and below) |
| Basic device with star above and star below | Second-class part II or specialist qualification (PO and below) |
| Basic device with crown above | First-class part II or specialist qualification (PO and below) |
| Basic device with crown above | Second-class or lower part II or specialist qualification (CPO) |
| Basic device with crown above star below | First-class part II or specialist qualification (CPO) |
| Basic device with crown above two stars below | Chief petty officers, petty officers and confirmed |
Leading rates qualified as instructors in the following branches:
- Radar plot
- Torpedo anti-Submarine
- Gunnery
- Physical training
- Tactical communication
- Radio communication
The instructor rate began to disappear in 1972, when fleet chief petty officers (warrant officers) were introduced.
Other branches, including naval air mechanics, were:
- Basic device: junior or basic technical qualification
- Basic device with star above: technical qualification for able rate
- Basic device with star above and star below: technical qualification for leading rate
- Basic device with crown above: petty officer qualified for higher rate of pay
- Basic device with crown above: chief petty officer qualified for lower rate of pay
- Basic device with crown above star below: chief petty officer qualified for higher rate of pay
Before 1947, each branch developed its own device badges and the crowns and stars of one branch did not necessarily have the same meaning as another. In 1948 and 1951, reforms were implemented to bring the branches into line with each other. A star above the badge normally indicates a person of superior qualifications, and another star below denotes that the person has passed for (and is performing) specific duties; e.g. gunnery, captain of turret, torpedo, torpedo-boat coxswain or signals. The crown is the emblem of authority, and is common in most petty officer, CPO, instructor and police badges.
Warrant officers and above do not wear branch badges. Until the late 1990s, artificer apprentices and leading artificers wore the same uniform as petty officers (with a red beret or cap badge, similar to a petty officer's). Apprentices were the last junior ratings not to be dressed as seamen; they did not wear "square rig".
History
In 1879 chief petty officers received a fore-and-aft uniform similar to that of the officers, with a cap badge of an anchor within a cord surmounted by a crown. In 1890, they ceased to wear an arm badge. In 1913, the rank of petty officer 2nd class was abolished but the other badges remained the same.
In 1920, petty officers with four years' standing also received the fore-and-aft rig with the cap badge formerly worn by CPOs. The CPOs added a wreath to their cap badge, making it similar to the earlier arm badge.
In 1970 a new rank of fleet chief petty officer was introduced, with insignia of the royal coat of arms on the lower arm (identical to a warrant officer class 1 in the British Army and the RAF, to which the new rank was equivalent). This rank was renamed warrant officer, and then warrant officer class 1.
In 2004 the rank of warrant officer class 2 was formed from those CPOs holding the appointment of charge chief petty officer. The insignia is a crown within a wreath, also worn on the lower arm. The badges are now worn on the shoulders of 3A/B and 4A/B. The WO2 rank began to be phased out in April 2014 for most branches except submariner engineers, with no new appointments; existing holders of the rank retain it until they are promoted or leave the service. It now has been re-instated due to the Navy Command Transformation Programme.
Timeline
| Rank group | Warrant officers | Senior ratings | Junior ratings | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (1827–1853) | No insignia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1st class petty officer | 2nd class petty officer | Able rate | Ordinary rate | Boy | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1853–1890) | Trade badge | No insignia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chief petty officer | 1st class petty officer | 2nd class petty officer | Leading rate | Able rate | Ordinary rate | Boy | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1890–1901) | No insignia | Trade badge | No insignia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chief petty officer | 1st class petty officer | 2nd class petty officer | Leading rate | Able rate | Ordinary rate | Boy | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1901–1913) | No insignia | Trade badge | No insignia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chief petty officer | 1st class petty officer | 2nd class petty officer | Leading rate | Able rate | Ordinary rate | Junior rate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1913–1953) | No insignia | Trade badge | No insignia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chief petty officer | Petty officer | Leading rate | Able rate | Ordinary rate | Junior rate | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1953–1970) | Trade badge | No insignia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chief petty officer | Petty officer | Leading rate | Able rate | Ordinary rate | Junior rate | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1970–1985) | Trade badge | No insignia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fleet chief petty officer | Chief petty officer | Petty officer | Leading rate | Able rate | Ordinary rate | Junior rate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1985–1999) | Trade badge | No insignia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Warrant officer | Chief petty officer | Petty officer | Leading rate | Able rate | Ordinary rate | Junior rate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1999–2004) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Warrant officer | Chief petty officer | Petty officer | Leading rate | Able rate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (2004–2014) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Warrant officer class 1 | Warrant officer class 2 | Chief petty officer | Petty officer | Leading rate | Able rate | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (2014–2023) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Warrant officer | Chief petty officer | Petty officer | Leading rate | Able rate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (2021–2023) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Warrant officer class 1 | Warrant officer class 2 | Chief petty officer | Petty officer | Leading rate | Able rate | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (2023–present) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Warrant officer class 1 | Warrant officer class 2 | Chief petty officer | Petty officer | Leading rate | Able rate | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NATO code | OR-9 | OR-8 | OR-7 | OR-6 | OR-5 | OR-4 | OR-3 | OR-2 | OR-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
See also
- British Army other ranks rank insignia
- RAF other ranks
- Ranks and insignia of NATO navies enlisted
- Ranks of the cadet forces of the United Kingdom
- Royal Navy officer rank insignia
- Royal Marines Band Service uniform
- Uniforms of the Royal Marines
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