Frequently
Asked Questions 
Frequently
Asked Questions Prepared by Charles A. Malin, Recorder, Permanent Board for Review of the Enlisted Rating Structure, Bureau of Naval Personnel, Revised - December 1969
Related Resource: Abbreviations Used for Navy Enlisted Ratings
Contents:
| A | B | C | D | E | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | H | I | J | K | L |
| M | N | O | P | Q | R |
| S | T | U | V | W | X-Y-Z |
Introduction
This listing of enlisted ratings and apprenticeships in the U.S.
Navy from 1775 to 1969 has been compiled primarily for use by
members of the Permanent Board for Control of the Enlisted Rating
Structure which has the responsibility for conducting a continuing
study of the enlisted rating structure, and for reviewing and
making appropriate recommendations concerning proposals for changes
to the structure.
Since the concept of rates, ratings, and other occupational entities
to describe naval careers has undergone considerable change during
the evolution of the rating structure, the ratings included in
this listing are not necessarily comparable. The present philosophy
and concept of the enlisted rating structure and its sub-systems,
i.e., service ratings, emergency ratings, etc., are described
in the Manual of Qualifications for Advancement, NAVPERS 18068B.
While the ratings and historical notes as listed are based on
factual data extracted from official publications and other readily
available sources, it is recognized that there may be some omissions
and discrepancies.
Rating
-A-
Able Seaman - Established 1798; disestablished 1864.
Aerographer - Established 1924; changed to Aerographer's Mate
1942.
Aerographer's Mate - Changed from Aerographer 1942.
Air Controlman - Established 1948 from the ratings of Specialist
(Y) (Control Tower Operators), Radarman, Specialist (X) (Air Station
Operations Desk (Time Shack), Specialist (X) (Operations--Plotting
and Chart Work), and Specialist (V) (Transport Airmen).
Aircraft Carburetor Mechanic - Established 1955; disestablished
1960.
Aircrew Survival Equipmentman - Title changed from Parachute Rigger
1965.
Airman - Established 1948.
Airman Apprentice - Established 1948.
Airman Recruit - Established 1948.
Airship Rigger - Established 1943; disestablished 1948.
Apothecary - Changed from Surgeon's Steward 1866; changed to Hospital
Steward 1898.
Apprentice - Established 1883; changed to Seaman, Ordinary Seaman,
and Apprentice Seaman 1904.
Apprentice Seaman - Changed from Apprentice 1904; changed to Seaman
Recruit 1948.
Armorer - In use in 1775; established 1797; disestablished 1884.
Armorer's Mate - Established 1835; disestablished 1884.
Assistant Cook - Established 1865; disestablished 1884.
Assistant Paymaster's Steward - Established 1862; disestablished
1864.
Attendant - Established 1885; changed to Mess Attendant 1893.
Aviation Antisubmarine Warfare Operator (AW) - Established 1968;
(Sept 1) BUPERS Note 1440 of 29 January 1968.
Aviation Antisubmarine Warfare Technician - Established 1961.
Aviation Boatswain's Mate - Established 1944.
Aviation Bombsight and Fire Control Mechanic - Included in Aviation
Fire Controlman 1945.
Aviation Carpenter's Mate - Established 1921; included in Aviation
Metalsmith 1941.
Aviation Electrician's Mate - Established 1942.
Aviation Electronicsman - Established 1948 from the rating of
Aviation Radioman; included in Aviation Electronics Technician
1955.
Aviation Electronics Technician - Changed from Aviation Radioman
and Aviation Electronics Technician's Mate 1948.
Aviation Electronics Technician Mate - Changed from Aviation Radio
Technician 1945; included in Aviation Electronics Technician 1948.
Aviation Fire Controlman - Established 1945; included in Aviation
Electronics Technician and Aviation Ordanceman 1948; included
in Aviation Fire Control Technician 1954.
Aviation Fire Control Technician - Established 1954.
Aviation Guided Missileman - Established 1953; disestablished
1959.
Aviation Machinist's Mate - Pay grades C, 1c, and 2c established
1921; pay grade 3c established 1926.
Aviation Maintenance Administrationman - Established 1963.
Aviation Metalsmith - Established 1921; changed to Aviation Structural
Mechanic 1948.
Aviation Ordnanceman - Established 1926.
Aviation Photographer's Mate - Established 1948; combined with
Photographer's Mate 1952.
Aviation Pilot - Established 1924; pay grades C and 1c established
1927; pay grade 2c and 3c established 1942; disestablished 1961.
Aviation Radioman - Established 1942; included in Aviation Electronics
Technician and Aviation Electronicsman 1948.
Aviation Radio Technician - Established 1942; changed to Aviation
Electronics Technician's Mate 1945.
Aviation Rigger - Established 1921; changed to Aviation Machinist's
Mate 1926.
Aviation Storekeeper - Established 1948.
Aviation Structural Mechanic - Changed from Aviation Metalsmith
1948.
Aviation Support Equipment Technician - Established October 1965.
Aviation Survival Equipmentman - Title changed from Parachute
Rigger December 1965.
Bag Room Keeper - Established 1865; disestablished 1884.
Baker - Established 1864; changed to Ship's Baker 1870.
Baker 1c, 2c, & 3c - Pay grades 1c and 2c established 1902;
pay grade 3c established 1921; included in Commissaryman 1948.
Bandmaster - Changed from Master of Bands 1885; changed to Musician,
Chief 1943.
Barber - Changed from Ship's Barber 1885; disestablished 1893.
Bayman - Established 1870; changed to Hospital Apprentice and
Hospital Apprentice 1c 1898.
Blacksmith - Established 1879; changed to Blacksmith 2c 1917;
pay grade 1c established 1917. Blacksmith 1c and 2c changed to
Metalsmith 1c and 2c 1936.
Blacksmith 3 - Established 1926; disestablished 1929.
Boatswain's Mate - In use in 1775; established 1797. Pay grades
1c and 2c established 1893; pay grade 3c changed from Coxswain
1948.
Boatswain's Mate in Charge - Established 1864; disestablished
1869.
Boatswain's Yeoman - Established 1799; disestablished 1864.
Boilermaker - Established 1869; changed to Machinist 2c and 3c
1884. Re-established 1884; changed to Boilermaker 1c and 2c 1921.
Pay grade C established 1927; pay grade 3c established 1926; disestablished
1928. Re-established 1943; Boilermaker included in Boilerman 1948.
Re-established in pay grades C and 1c 1956.
Boilerman - Changed from Boilermaker and Watertender 1948.
Boy - Established 1797; changed to Boy 1c, 2c, and 3c 1864. Re-established
as Boy 1884; disestablished 1893.
Buglemaster - Established 1927; included in Quartermaster 1948.
Bugler - Established 1871; changed to Bugler 2c 1920; pay grade
1c established 1920; Bugler 1c and 2c included in Seaman and Seaman
Apprentice respectively 1948.
Builder - Established 1948 from the rating of Carpenter's Mate
(CB) (Builders).
-C-
Cabin Cook - Changed from Officer's Cook 1864; changed to Officer's
Cook 1c 1923.
Cabin Steward - Changed from Officer's Steward 1864; changed to
Officer's Steward 1c 1923.
Captain of the Afterguard - Established 1846; disestablished 1893.
Captain of the Forecastle - Established 1838; disestablished 1893.
1st and 2nd Captains of the Foretop - Established 1835; disestablished
1838.
Captain of the Hold - Established 1838; disestablished 1893.
Captain of the Maintop - Established 1885; disestablished 1893.
1st and 2nd Captain of the Maintop - Established 1835; disestablished
1838.
Captain of the Mizzentop - Established 1835; disestablished 1893.
Captain of Tops - Established 1838; disestablished 1865.
1st and 2nd Captains of Tops - Established 1864; disestablished
1865.
Captain's Clerk - Established 1798; disestablished 1835.
Carpenter - Changed from Carpenter and Caulker 1885; disestablished
1893.
Carpenter and Caulker - Established 1864; changed to Carpenter
or Caulker 1885.
Carpenter's Mate - Established 1797; pay grades established 1893;
changed to Damage Controlman 1948.
Carpenter's Yeoman - In use in 1798.
Caulker - Changed from Carpenter and Caulker 1885; disestablished
1893.
Chaplain's Assistant - Established 1953.
Chemical Warfareman - Established 1948; included in Damage Controlman
1954.
Chief Winch - In use during World War I.
Coal Heaver - Established 1842; changed to Coal Passer 1893.
Coal Passer - Changed from Coal Heaver 1893; changed to Fire 3c
1917.
Cockswain - Established 1797; changed to Coxswain 1865.
Commissaryman - Established 1948 from the ratings of Chief Commissary
Steward, Ship's Cook, Ship's Cook (B) (Butchers), and Baker.
Commissary Steward - Established 1902; disestablished 1931.
Commissary Steward C - Established 1902; included in Commissaryman
C 1948
Communications Technician - Established 1948 from the ratings
of Specialist (Q) (Cryptographers), Specialist (Q) (Radio Intelligence),
Specialist (Q) (Technicians), and Radioman.
Communications Yeoman - Established 1964 at pay grade E-4 only.
Construction Apprentice - Established 1948.
Construction Electrician - Changed from Construction Electrician's
Mate 1958.
Construction Electrician's Mate - Established 1948 from the ratings
of Electrician's Mate (CB) (Line and Station), Electrician's Mate
(CB) (General), and Electrician's Mate (CB) (Communications);
changed to Construction Electrician 1958.
Construction Mechanic - Changed from Mechanic 1958.
Constructionman - Established 1948.
Construction Recruit - Established 1948.
Cook - Established 1797; changed to Ship's Cook 1838.
Cook to Commandant of Yard - Established 1883; disestablished
1921.
Cook to Commander-in-Chief - Changed from Officer's Cook 1864;
disestablished 1921.
Cooper - Established 1797; disestablished 1884.
Coppersmith - Established 1869; disestablished 1879. Re-established
1893; changed to Coppersmith 1c and 2c 1917; changed to Metalsmith
1c and 2c 1936.
Coxswain - Changed from Cockswain 1865; changed to Boatswain's
Mate 3c 1948.
Coxswain to Commander of Yard - Established 1884; disestablished
1893.
Coxswain to Commander-in-Chief - Established 1864; disestablished
1921.
-D-
Damage Controlman - Established 1948 from the ratings of Specialist
(F) (Fire Fighters), Carpenter's Mate, Carpenter's Mate (SR) (Joiners),
Carpenter's Mate (SR) (Builders), and Painter.
Data Processing Technician - Title changed from Machine Accountant,
February 1967.
Data Systems Technician - Established 1961.
Dentalman Apprentice - Established 1948.
Dentalman - Established 1948.
Dentalman Recruit - Established 1948.
Dental Technician - Changed from Pharmacist's Mate 1948.
Disbursing Clerk - Established 1948 from the rating of Storekeeper
(D) (Disbursing Storekeepers).
Draftsman - Established 1948 from the ratings of Carpenter's Mate
(CB) (Draftsman), Electrician's Mate (CB) (Draftsman), Shipfitter
(CS) (Mechanical Draftsmen), Specialist (X) (Engineering Draftsman),
Specialist (X) (Topographic Draftsmen), Specialist (X) (Cartographers),
and Specialist (P) (Photogrammetry); changed to Illustrator Draftsman
1959.
Driver - Established 1948 from the rating of Machinist's Mate
(CB) (Equipment Operators); changed to Equipment Operator 1958.
-E-
Electrician - Established 1883; disestablished 1884. Pay grades
C, 1c, and 2c re-established 1898; pay grade 3c established 1900.
Electrician changed to Electrician's Mate 1921.
Electrician's Mate - Changed from Electrician 1921.
Electronics Technician - Changed from Electronics Technician's
Mate 1948.
Electronics Technician's Mate - Changed from Radio Technician
1945; changed to Electronics Technician 1948.
Engineering Aid - Changed from Surveyor 1959; changed to Engineering
Aid 1960.
Engineer's Blacksmith - Established 1880; included in Blacksmith
1884.
Engineer's Cook - Established 1864; disestablished 1864
Engineer's Force Blacksmith - Established 1880; included in Blacksmith
1884.
Engineer's Force Ordinary Seaman - Established 1871; disestablished
1883.
Engineer's Force Seaman - Established 1871; disestablished 1884.
Engineer's Yeoman - Established 1874; disestablished 1893.
Engineman - Pay grade 1c and 2c established 1917; disestablished
1931. Re-established at all
pay grades 1948 from the ratings of Motor Machinist's Mate, Motor
Machinists's Mate (SR)
(Diesel Engine Mechanics), and Motor Machinists's Mate (SR) (Gasoline
Engine Mechanics).
Equipment Operator - Changed from Driver 1958.
Equipment Yeoman - Established 1884; disestablished 1893.
-F-
Finisher - Established tablished 1880; changed to Machinst 1c
or 2c 1884
Fire Controlman - Established 1941; included in Fire Control Technician
1957.
Fire Control Technician - Established 1948.
Fireman - Established 1842; pay grades 1c and 2c established 1847;
pay grade 3c established 1917. Re-established as Fireman 1948.
Fireman 3c changed to Fireman Recruit 1948; Fireman 2c changed
to Fireman Apprentice 1948.
Fireman Apprentice - Changed from Fireman 2c 1948.
Fireman Recruit - Changed from Fireman 3c 1948.
First Musician - Changed from Musician C 1893; included in Musician
1c 1943.
-G-
Guided Missileman - Established 1953; changed to Missile Technician
1961.
Gun Captain - Established 1891; changed to Gun Captain C, 1c,
and 2c 1897; changed to assignments in other ratings of the Seaman
Branch 1904.
Gunner's Mate - Established 1797; pay grade C Established 1864;
pay grades 1c, 2c, and 3c established 1893.
Gunner's Mate in Charge - Established 1864; disestablished 1870.
Gunner's Yeoman - Established 1798; disestablished 1838.
-H-
Hospital Apprentice - Changed from Bayman 1898; changed to Hospital-Apprentice
2c 1917; changed to Hospital Apprentice 1948.
Hospital Apprentice 1c - Changed from Bayman 1898; changed to
Hospitalman 1948.
Hospital Corpsman - Changed from Pharmacist's Mate 1948.
Hospitalman - Changed from Hospital Apprentice 1c 1948.
Hospital Recruit - Established 1948.
Hospital Steward - Changed from Apothecary 1898; changed to Pharmacist's
Mate 1917.
-I-
Illustrator Draftsman - Changed from Draftsman 1959.
Instrumentman - Established 1948 from the ratings of Special Artificer
(I) (Instruments), Special Artificer (I) (Typewriter and Office
Equipment Repairmen), Special Artificer (I) (Watch Repairman),
and Specialist (Q) (Technicians).
Interior Communications - Established 1948 from the ratings of
Electrician's Mate and Electrician's Mate (SR) (I. C. Repairmen).
-J-
Jack of the Dust - Established 1876; disestablished 1893.
Journalist - Established 1948 from the ratings of Specialist (X)
(Journalists), Specialist (X) (Naval Correspondents), and Specialist
(X) (Public Information).
-L-
Lamp Cleaner - Established 1865; disestablished 1885.
Lamplighter - Changed from Ship's Lamplighter 1885; disestablished
1893.
Landsman - Established 1838; disestablished 1921.
Lithographer - Established 1948 from the ratings of Specialist
(P) (Photographic Specialists), Printer, Printer (L) (Lithographers),
and Printer (M) (Offset Process).
Loblolly Boy - In use in 1798.
-M-
Machine Accountant - Established 1948 from the ratings of Specialist
(I) (Punched Card Accounting Machine Operators) and Specialist
(X) (Key Punch Operators and Supervisors). Title and rating abbreviation
changed to Data Processing Technician (DP), February 1967.
Machinery Repairman - Established 1948 from the ratings of Machinist's
Mate (S) (Shop Machinist's) and Machinist's Mate (SR) (Outside
Machinists).
Machinist - Established 1866; disestablished 1880. Re-established
1884; changed to Machinist C, 1c, and 2c 1895.
Machinist C - Changed from Machinist 1895; changed to Chief Machinist's
Mate 1904.
Machinist 1c - Changed from Finisher 1884; changed to Machinist
1884. Re-established from machinist 1895; changed to Machinist's
Mate 1904.
Machinist 2c - Changed from Boilermaker or Finisher 1884; changed
to Machinist 1884. Re- established from Machinist 1895; changed
to Machinist's Mate 1904.
Machinist 3c - Changed from Boilermaker 1884; changed to Machinist
1884.
Machinist's Mate C, 1c, & 2c - Changed from Machinist C, 1c,
and 2c 1904.
Machinist's Mate 3c - Established 1926; disestablished 1929. Re-established
1943.
Mailman - Established 1944; included in Teleman 1948.
Master-at-Arms - Established 1797; disestablished 1921.
Master of Bands - Established 183; changed to Bandmaster 1885.
Master's Mate - Established 1797; disestablished 1813. Re-established
1838; disestablished 1865.
Master Chief Aircraft Maintenanceman - Established 1964; combination
of AD, AM, PR, and AZ ratings at pay grade E-9. PR and AZ ratings
restored 1968 to E-9 levels-decompressed.
Master Chief Avionics Technician (AV) - Established 1964. Combination
of AE, AT, AQ, and AX ratings at pay grade E-9.
Master Chief Constructionman - Established 1964; combination of
BU, SW, and EA ratings at pay grade E-9.
Master Chief Equipmentman - Established 1964; combination of CM
and EO ratings at E-9.
Master Chief Precision Instrumentman - Established 1964; combination
of OM and IM ratings at pay grade E-9.
Master Chief Steam Propulsionman (SP) - Established 1964; combination
of BT and MM ratings at E-9; disestablished 1968.
Mechanic - Established 1948 from the ratings of Machinist's Mate
(CB) (Equipment Operators) and Motor Machinist's Mate; changed
to Construction Mechanic 1958.
Mess Attendant - Changed from Attendant 1893; changed to Mess
Attendant 1c, 2c, and 3c 1902; changed to Steward's Mate 1943.
Metalsmith - Pay grade C established 1927; pay grades 1c and 2c
changed from Coppersmith 1c and 2c and Blacksmith 1c and 2c 1936;
pay grade 3c established 1943.
Midshipman - Established 1797.
Mineman - Established 1943; disestablished 1947. Re-established
1948.
Missile Technician - Changed from Guided Missileman 1961.
Molder - Pay grades 1c and 2c established 1917; pay grade 3c established
1926; disestablished 1929. Re-established 1943. Pay grade C established
1943.
Motor Machinist's Mate - Pay grades C, 1c, and 2c established
1921; disestablished 1926. Re- established 1942; included in Engineman
1948. Pay grade 3c established 1926, disestablished 1926. Re-established
1943; included in Engineman 1948.
Musician - Chief established 1884; changed to First Musician 1893.
Pay grade C re-established from Bandmaster 1943. Pay grades 1c
and 2c established 1838; pay grade 3c established 1943.
-N-
Nuclear Weapons Man - Established 1957; disestablished 1961.
Nurse (Male) - Established 1861; disestablished 1884.
-O-
Ocean Systems Technician (OT) - Approived by SECNAV 26 November
1969.
Officer's Cook - Established 1838; changed to Cook to Commander-in-Chief,
Cabin Cook, Wardroom Cook, Steerage Cook, and Warrant Officer's
Cook 1864.
Officer's Cook 1c - Changed from Cabin Cook 1923; included in
Ship's Cook 1c 1943.
Officer's Cook 2c - Changed from Steerage Cook and Wardroom Cook
1923; included in Ship's Cook 2c 1943.
Officer's Cook 3c - Changed from Warrant Officer's Cook 1923;
included in Ship's Cook 3c 1943.
Officer's Steward - Established 1838; changed to Steward to Commander-in-Chief,
Cabin Steward, Wardroom Steward, Steerage Steward, and Warrant
Officer's Steward 1864.
Officer's Steward 1c, 2c, and 3c - Pay grade 1c changed from Cabin
Steward 1923; pay grade 2c changed from Steerage Steward and Wardroom
Steward 1923. Pay grade 3c changed from Warrant Officer's Steward
1923; changed to Steward 1943.
Oiler - Established 1884; disestablished 1921.
Opticalman - Established 1948 from the rating of Special Artificer
(O) (Optical).
Ordinary Seaman - Established 1797; changed to Seaman 2c 1917.
Ordinary Seaman 2c - Established 1876; disestablished 1885.
Ordinary Seaman, Engineer's Force - Established 1871; disestablished
1883.
-P-
Painter - Established 1846; changed to Painter 2c 1864. Re-established
from Painter 1c 1884; included in Painter 2c or 3c in 1902; included
in Damage Controlman 1948.
Painter C - Established 1943; included in Damage Controlman 1948.
Painter 1c - Changed from Painter's Mate 1864; changed to Ppainter
1884. Re-established 1902; included in Damage Controlman 1948.
Painter 2c - Changed from Painter 1864; included in Landsman 1902;
included in Damage Controlman 1948.
Painter 3c - Changed from Painter 1902; included in Damage Controlman
1948.
Painter's Mate - Established 1864; changed to Painter 1c 1864.
Parachute Rigger - Established 1942; title changed to Aircrew
Survival Equipmentman December 1965.
Patternmaker - Pay grades 1c and 2c established 1917; pay grades
C and 3c established 1943.
Paymaster's Steward - Established 1861; changed to Paymaster's
Writer 1867.
Paymaster's Writer - Changed from Paymaster's Steward 1867; changed
to Paymaster's Yeoman 1c, 2c, 3c 1870.
Paymaster's Yeoman 1c, 2c, 3c - Changed from Paymaster's Steward
1867; changed to Paymaster's Yeoman 1c, 2c, 3c 1878; disestablished
1893.
Personnelman - Established 1948 from the ratings of Yeoman, Specialist
(C) (Classification Interviewers), Specialist (W) (Chaplain's
Assistants), Specialist (T) (Teachers), Specialist (X) (Position
Classifiers), Specialist (R) (Recruiters), Specialist (DI) (Discharge
Interviewers), and Specialist (S) (Personnel Supervisors).
Pharmacist's Mate - Changed from Hospital Steward 1917; changed
to Hospital Corpsman and Dental Technician 1948.
Photogrammetry Assistant - Changed from Specialist (P) (PG) (Photogrammetry)
1948; disestablished 1961.
Photographer - Established 1921; changed to Photographer's Mate
1942.
Photographer's Mate - Changed from Photographer 1942; split into
Photographer's Mate and Aviation Photographer's Mate 1948; combined
as Photographer's Mate 1952.
Photographic Intelligenceman - Established 1957.
Pipefitter - Established 1948 from the ratings of Shipfitter (SR)
(Pipe Fitters and Plumbers), Shipfitter (CR) (Pipe Fitters and
Plumbers), and Metalsmith (SR) (Coppersmiths); changed to Shipfitter
1958.
Plumber and Fitter - Established 1893; disestablished 1921.
Postal Clerk - Established 1959.
Printer - Changed from Ship's Printer 1893; changed to Printer
1c and C 1918. Pay grades 2c and 3c established 1921; included
in Lithographer 1948; disestablished 1955.
-Q-
Quarter Gunner - Established 1797; disestablished 1893.
Quartermaster - Established 1798 (for Frigates); established 1813.
Pay grade C established 1864; pay grades 1c, 2c, and 3c established
1893.
-R-
Radarman - Established 1943.
Radioman - Established 1921.
Radio Technician - Established 19423; changed to Electronics Technician's
Mate 1945.
-S-
Sailmaker - Established 1893; disestablished 1900.
Sailmaker's Mate - Established 1797; changed to Sailmaker's Mate
1c, 2c, and 3c 1921; included in Boatswain's Mate or Coxswain
1939.
Schoolmaster - Established 1802; disestablished 1820. Re-established
as a Petty Officer 1864; disestablished 1900.
Seaman - Established 1797; changed to Seaman 1c and 2c 1921. Re-established
from Seaman 1c and Bugler 1c 1948; Seaman 2c changed to Seaman
Apprentice 1948.
Seaman Apprentice - Changed from Seaman 2c and Bugler 2c 1948.
Seaman Gunner - Established 1869; disestablished 1921.
Seaman Recruit - Changed from Apprentice Seaman 1948.
Shipfitter - Pay grades 1c and 2c established 1902; pay grades
C and 3c established 1921; changed to Metalsmith and Pipefitter
1948. Re-established from Metalsmith and Pipefitter 1958.
Ship's Baker - Changed from Baker 1870; disestablished 1884.
Ship's Barber - Established 1870; changed to Barber 1885.
Ship's Carpenter - Established 1865; disestablished 1884.
Ship's Cook - Changed from Cook 1838; changed to Ship's Cook 1c,
2c, and 3c 1893; changed to Commissaryman 1948.
Ship's Cook 4c - Established 1893; disestablished 1921.
Ship's Corporal - Established 1835; disestablished 1893.
Ship's Lamplighter - Established 1876; changed to Lamplighter
1885.
Ship's Printer - Established 1869; changed to Printer 1893.
Ship's Serviceman - Established 1943.
Ship's Steward - Changed from Steward 1838; disestablished 1864.
Ship's Tailor - Established 1869; changed to Tailor 1885.
Ship's Writer - Established 1865; changed to Writer 1c 1893.
Ship's Yeoman - Established 1884; changed to Yeoman 1893.
Shipwright - Established 1893; included in Seaman 1c 1921.
Shore Patrolman - Changed from Specialist (S) Shore Patrol and
Security 1948; disestablished January 23, 1953, by SECNAV as a
result of RSRB recommendations of June 1952. Implemented by BUPERS
Notice 1200 of 5 March 1953.
Signalman - Established 1921; included in Quartermaster 1948.
Re-established 1956.
Signal Quartermaster - Established 1865; disestablished 1883.
Sonarman - Established 1943; title changed to Sonar Technician
July 1964.
Sonar Technician - Title changed from Sonarman July 1964.
Soundman - Pay grades 2c and 3c established 1942; pay grades C
and 1c established 1943; included in Sonarman 1943.
Specialists (A) Physical Training Instructors - Established 1942-1943;
changed to Physical Training Instructor 1948; disestablished March
1965.
Specialists (C) Classification Interviewers - Established 1942-1943;
included in Personnelman 1948.
Specialists (E) (PS) Motion Picture Service (Bookers) - Established
1942-1943; changed to Booker (Motion Picture Service) 1948; disestablished
March 1965.
Specialists (F) Fire Fighters - Established 1942-1943; changed
to Fire Fighter 1948; disestablished March 1965.
Specialists (G) Aviation Free Gunnery Instructors - Established
1942-1943; included in Tradevman 1948.
Specialists (I) Punched Card Accounting Machine Operators - Established
1942-1943; included in Machine Accountant 1948.
Specialists (O) Inspectors of - Established 1942-1943; disestablished
1948.
Specialists (P) Photographic Specialists - Established 1942-1943;
included in Photographer's Mate and Lithographer 1948.
Specialists (P) (LB) Laboratory - Established 1942-1943; included
in Photographer's Mate 1948.
Specialists (P) (MP) Motion Picture Production - Established 1942-1943;
included in Photographer's Mate 1948.
Specialists (P) (PG) Photogrammetry - Established 1942-1943; included
in Photographer's Mate and Photogrammetry Assistant 1948.
Specialists (P) (VM) V-Mail - Established 1942-1943; included
in Photographer's Mate 1948.
Specialists (Q) (CR) Cryptographers - Established 1942-1943; included
in Communications Technician 1948.
Specialists (Q) (IN) Radio Intelligence - Established 1942-1943;
included in Communications Technician 1948.
Specialists (Q) (RP) Registered Publication Clerk - Established
1942-1943; included in Teleman 1948.
Specialists (Q) (TE) Technician - Established 1942-1943; included
in Communications Technician and Instrumentmen 1948.
Specialists (R) Recruiters - Established 1942-1943; included in
Personnelman 1948.
Specialists (S) Shore Patrol and Security - Established 1942-1943;
changed to Shore Patrolman 1948; disestablished 1953.
Specialists (S) (PS) Personnel Supervisors - Established 1942-1943;
included in Personnelman 1948.
Specialists (T) Teachers - Established 1942-1943; included in
Personnelman and Instructor (Miscellaneous) 1948; disestablished
March 1965.
Specialists (T) (LT) Link Trainer Instructors - Established 1942-1943;
included in Tradevman 1948.
Specialists (V) Transport Airmen - Established 1942-1943; included
in Air Controlman and Aviation Machinist's Mate 1948.
Specialists (W) Chaplain's Assistants - Established 1942-1943;
included in Personnelman 1948; disestablished March 1965.
Specialists (X) (AC) Archivists - Established 1942-1943; changed
to Specialist (ESX) 1948; disestablished 1961.
Specialists (X) (AR) Artists - Established 1942-1943; changed
to Specialist (ESX) 1948; disestablished 1961.
Specialists (X) (BI.) Ballistics - Established 1942-1943; changed
to Specialist (ESX) 1948; disestablished 1961.
Specialists (X) (CC) Cable Censors - Established 1942-1943; changed
to Specialist ( (ESX) 1948; changed to Telecom Censorship Technician
1960.
Specialists (X) (CG) Crystal Grinders - Established 1942-1943;
changed to Specialist ( (ESX) 1948; disestablished 1961.
Specialists (X) (CT) Cartographers - Established 1942-1943; included
in Draftsman 1948.
Specialists (X) (DI) Discharge Interviewers - Established 1942-1943;
included in Personnelman 1948.
Specialists (X) (ED) Engineering Draftsman - Established 1942-1943;
included in Draftsman 1948.
Specialists (X) (FP) Fingerprint Experts - Established 1942-1943;
changed to Specialist (ESX) 1948; disestablished 1961.
Specialists (X) (GU) Gage Specialists - Established 1942-1943;
changed to Specialist (ESX) 1948; disestablished 1961.
Specialists (X) (ID) Intelligence Duties - Established 1942-1943;
changed to Specialist (ESX) 1948; disestablished 1961.
Specialists (X) (IR) Interpreters - Established 1942-1943; changed
to Specialist (ESX) 1948; disestablished 1961.
Specialists (X) (JO) Journalists - Established 1942-1943; included
in Journalist 1948.
Specialists (X) (KP) Key Punch Operators and Supervisors - Established
1942-1943; included in Machine Accountant 1948.
Specialists (X) (NC) Naval Correspondents - Established 1942-1943;
included in Journalist 1948.
Specialists (X) (OP) Special Projects - Established 1942-1943;
changed to Specialist (ESX) 1948; disestablished 1961.
Specialists (X) (PC) Position Classifiers - Established 1942-1943;
included in Personnelman 1948.
Specialists (X) (PI) Pigeon Trainers - Established 1942-1943;
changed to Specialist (ESX) 1948; disestablished 1961.
Specialists (X) (PL) Plastics Experts - Established 1942-1943;
changed to Specialist (ESX) 1948; disestablished 1961.
Specialists (X) (PR) Public Information - Established 1942-1943;
included in Journalist 1948.
Specialists (X) (QM) Operations-Plotting and Chart Work - Established
1942-1943; included in Air Controlman 1948.
Specialists (X) (RL) Research Laboratory - Established 1942-1943;
changed to Specialist (ESX) 1948; disestablished 1961.
Specialists (X) (RS) Armed Forces Radio Service and Special Navy
Radio Units - Established 1942-1943; changed to Specialist (ESX)
1948; disestablished 1961.
Specialists (X) (RT) Passenger Transportation - Established 1942-1943;
changed to Transportation Man 1948; disestablished 1965.
Specialists (X) (SB) Telephone Switchboard Operators and Supervisors
- Established 1942- 1943; changed to Specialist (ESX) 1948; disestablished
1961.
Specialists (X) (ST) Strategic Services - Established 1942-1943;
changed to Specialist (ESX) 1948; disestablished 1961.
Specialists (X) (TD) Topographic Draftsman - Established 1942-1943;
included in Draftsman 1948.
Specialists (X) (TS) Air Station Operations Desk (Time Shack)
- Established 1942-1943; included in Air Controlman 1948.
Specialists (X) (VA) Visual Training Aids - Established 1942-1943;
changed to Specialist (ESX) 1948; disestablished 1961.
Specialists (Y) Control Tower Operators - Established 1942-1943;
included in Air Controlman 1948.
Special Mechanic C, 1c - Established 1917; disestablished 1921.
Steelworker - Established 1948 from the ratings of Shipfitter
(CS) (Steelworkers) and Shipfitter (CB) (Riggers)
Steerage Cook - Changed from Officer's Cook 1864; changed to Officer's
Cook 2c 1923.
Steerage Steward - Changed from Officer's Steward 1864; changed
to Officer's Steward 2c 1923.
Steward - Established 1797; changed to Ship's Steward 1838. Re-established
from Officer's Steward 1c, 2c, and 3c 1943.
Steward Apprentice - Changed from Steward's Mate 2c 1948.
Steward Recruit - Changed from Steward's Mate 3c 1948.
Stewardsman - Changed from Steward's Mate 1c 1948.
Steward to Commandant of Navy Yard - Established 1884; disestablished
1921.
Steward to Commander-in-Chief - Changed from Officer's Steward
1864; disestablished 1921.
Steward's Mate - Changed from Mess Attendant 1943; changed to
Stewardsman, Steward Apprentice, and Steward Recruit 1948.
Storekeeper - Established 1916.
Surgeon's Steward - Established 1838; changed to Apothecary 1866.
Surgeon's Steward in Charge - Established 1864; disestablished
1868.
Surveyor - Established 1948 from the rating of Carpenter's Mate
(CB) (Surveyors); changed to Engineering Aide 1959.
-T-
Tailor - Changed from Ship's Tailor 1885; disestablished 1893.
Telegrapher - Established 1926; included in Teleman 1948.
Telecommunications Censorship Technician - Established 1960; only
remaining emergency rate.
Teleman - Established 1948 from the ratings of Radioman, Telegrapher,
Specialist (Q) (Registered Publication Clerks), Mailman, and Yeoman;
included in Yeoman and Radioman 1962.
Torpedoman - Established 1921; changed to Torpedoman's Mate 1942.
Torpedoman's Mate - Changed from Torpedoman 1942.
Tradevman - Established 1948.
Turret Captain C and 1c - Established 1903; absorbed into Gunner's
Mate 1948.
-U-
Underwater Mechanic - Established 1948 from wartime diving details.
Utilities Man - Established 1948 from the rating of Watertender.
Wardroom Cook - Changed from Officer's Cook 1864; changed to
Officer's cook 2c 1923.
Wardroom Steward - Changed from Officer's Steward 1864; changed
to Officer's Steward 2c 1923.
Warrant Officer's Cook - Changed from Officer's Cook 1864; changed
to Officers Cook 3c 1923.
Warrant Officer's Steward; changed from Officer's Steward 1864;
changed to Officer's Steward 3c 1923.
Water Tender - Established 1884; paygrade C established 1903;
pay grades 1c and 2c established 1921; pay grade 3c established
1943. Included in Boilerman 1948.
Writer 1c - Changed from Ship's Writer 1893; changed to Yeoman
1c 1896.
Writer 2c and 3c - Established 1893; changed to Yeoman 2c and
3c 1896.
-Y-
Yeoman - Established 1835; disestablished 1884. Re-established
from Ship's Yeoman 1893; pay grades C, 1c, 2c, 3c established
1896.
Yeoman of the Gunroom - Established 1797; disestablished 1813.
Source: Charles A. Malin, draft of Compilation
of Enlisted Ratings and Apprenticeships, U.S. Navy, 1775 to 1969.
Washington, DC: Bureau of Naval Personnel (Pers-A31),
1970.
19 May 1999