Naval Rating

High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The term rating or rate carries different meanings depending on which navy is being discussed.In the Royal Navy, a rating or rate is a military rank that is not conferred by commission or warrant. It may refer to the rank, or may be used as a synonym for an ordinary sailor. A rate is the equivalent of a military rank, held by a person below the ranks of Warrant Officer. A person who holds a rate is known as a rating. In the age of sail, when civilians were frequently pressed into service in the Royal Navy, seamen were rated as "Landsman", "Ordinary", "Able", "Petty Officer", etc. by their captains to designate their ability and responsibility. Some men were given specialist rates, e.g. Surgeon's Mate, Gunner's Mate, Captain's secretary, etc.Although generally commissioned officers were senior to warrant officers and warrant officers were senior to ratings, the method of appointment of men on a ship did not always reflect their seniority. For example, in those days the ship's cook was appointed by warrant, while Midshipmen were rated.... Mehr