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:
“... while one-half of the people of the United States are robbed of their inherent right of personal representation in this freest country on the face of the globe, it is idle for us to expect that the men who thus rob women will not rob each other as individuals, corporations and Government.”
—Susan B. Anthony (1820–1906)
“The House of Lords, architecturally, is a magnificent room, and the dignity, quiet, and repose of the scene made me unwillingly acknowledge that the Senate of the United States might possibly improve its manners. Perhaps in our desire for simplicity, absence of title, or badge of office we may have thrown over too much.”
—M. E. W. Sherwood (1826–1903)
“On 16 September 1985, when the Commerce Department announced that the United States had become a debtor nation, the American Empire died.”
—Gore Vidal (b. 1925)
“Give me the eye to see a navy in an acorn. What is there of the divine in a load of bricks? What of the divine in a barber’s shop or a privy? Much, all.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)