Ratings in the Royal Navy include trade badges on the right sleeve to indicate a specific job. The information on the left arm is the individual's rate - e.g. a leading rate (commonly called a leading hand). One nickname is "Killick", for the Killick-anchor rate badge. Branch badges include stars and crowns above and below the branch logo, indicating an individual'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 Petty Officer.
The insignia denotes trade and specialty.
Branches and specialities
Trades in the Royal Navy are listed below. Branch sub-specialities are denoted with an abbreviation on the branch badge.[2] 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. The branches were reviewed, revised and published in the Royal Navy's June 2013 BR3 (Book of Reference) edition (now the June 2015 edition).
^Qualified submariners (i.e. in the Submarine Service) are denoted by "SM". Ratings and Other Ranks in the Engineering Branch further specialise in either mechanical (M) or electrical engineering (L). For example, a leading marine engineering mechanic specialising in electrical engineering is designated LMEM(L).
^Formerly known as Meteorology & Oceanography (METOC)
^Non-flying Ratings and Other Ranks in the Fleet Air Arm are designated by the general term Naval Airman (NA), followed by their specialty. Also applies to Royal Marines assigned to the Commando Helicopter Force.
^Royal Marines other ranks who qualify are designated Commando Aircrew (RMAC)
Current (since 1975)
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
.*not applicable to Coder, Supply and Secretariat, Artisan and Sick Birth Branches
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".
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 army and 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. Chevrons on the left sleeve, below the rank badge, are for long service and good conduct (one for each four-year period; no more than three may be worn). A chief petty officer in the blue uniform wears three buttons on their sleeves to indicate rank, the same rank insignia (but topped with a star) used by Chilean Navy midshipmen. 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.[17] It now has been re-instated due to the Navy Command Transformation Programme.[18]
^This rank was phased out in 2014 but re-instated in 2021
^Made an official rank in 1857, used unofficially since 1853
^ abcThese were white, or gold on the dress uniform, or blue on white uniforms. In 1860, the badges changed from white to red on
ordinary uniforms.
References
^The Dress of the British Sailor HMSO 1957
Badges and Insignia if the British Armed Services published by Adam & Charles Black London 1974
BRD 81 Naval Service Uniform Regulations Chapter 3 (0317) 2009
Naval and Marine Badges and Insignia of World War 2 Guido Rosignoli, Blandford Press
