United States Navy
A "rate" refers to the pay grade or rank of the individual, whereas a "rating" refers to the specialization of the individual. Petty Officers and Chief Petty Officers are referred to by a combination of rate and rating: for example, a Petty Officer Second Class with the rating of Gunner's Mate is referred to and addressed as "Gunner's Mate Second Class," abbreviated and sometimes spoken GM2; similarly a Chief Petty Officer with the rating of Quartermaster is referred to as a Chief Quartermaster (QMC). Personnel E-1 to E-3 have no rating and are thus called "non-rated men", "non-rates", or "undesignated"; however they are broadly classed into one of five groups of junior rates, Seaman (SN), Fireman (FN), Airman (AN), Hospitalman (HN) and Constructionman (CN).
Within these a number of further specializations are available such as aviation electrician, or gas systems technician dealing with propulsion.
Read more about this topic: Naval Rating
Famous quotes containing the words united states, united, states and/or navy:
“As a Tax-Paying Citizen of the United States I am entitled to a voice in Governmental affairs.... Having paid this unlawful Tax under written Protest for forty years, I am entitled to receive from the Treasury of “Uncle Sam” the full amount of both Principal and Interest.”
—Susan Pecker Fowler (1823–1911)
“Next to the right of liberty, the right of property is the most important individual right guaranteed by the Constitution and the one which, united with that of personal liberty, has contributed more to the growth of civilization than any other institution established by the human race.”
—William Howard Taft (1857–1930)
“That Cabot merely landed on the uninhabitable shore of Labrador gave the English no just title to New England, or to the United States generally, any more than to Patagonia.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“I wish to reiterate all the reasons which [my predecessor] has presented in favor of the policy of maintaining a strong navy as the best conservator of our peace with other nations and the best means of securing respect for the assertion of our rights of the defense of our interests, and the exercise of our influence in international matters.”
—William Howard Taft (1857–1930)