Class Notes for USN & USMC Ranks and Rates Test

Navy and Marine Corps Ranks and Rates

1. Petty Officer can trace his title back to the old French word petit meaning something small.  The petty officers were the assistants to the senior officials.
2. A ship’s Captain chose his own Petty Officers who served at his pleasure.
3. The Petty Officer rank became official in 1808
4. Petty Officers in the U.S. Navy got their first official insignia in 1841…an eagle perched on an anchor.
5. Navy specialty or rating marks did not appear officially until 1866.
6. In 1885 the Navy recognized its three classes of Petty Officers….first, second, and third.
7. The Chief Petty Officer insignia came about in 1894.
8. The Navy is only service with an insignia for E-1…..two crossed anchors.
9. The non-commission officers (NCO) grade is E4 – E9.  In the USMC they are also referred to as Staff NCO grades
10. 10.   In the Navy the upper level of enlisted leadership begin at pay grade E7 (Chief Petty Officer).   In the USMC this leadership level will begin at pay grade E6 (Staff Sergeant)
11. In the Navy the member’s occupation is called a rating.  In the USMC it is called an MOS (Military Occupation Specialty)
12. In the USMC at pay grade E8 the duties are divided into two areas, one being the MOS (Master Sergeant) and the other being the leadership and advisory role (1stSgt).
13. In the Navy at pay grade E9 the duties are divided into two areas, one being the rating specialty (Master Chief Petty Officer) and the other being the leadership and advisory role (Command Master Chief Petty Officer).
14. The Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy is the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief of Naval Operations.
15. The Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps is the Senor Enlisted Advisor to the Commandant of the Marine Corps.
16. The Officer pay grades are O-1 to O-10
17. The collar insignia device for officers in all branches of the armed forces is the same.   The Navy will also use a gold stripes on the sleeves dress uniform to indicate rank.
18. The most senior officer pay grade in the Navy is Admiral and the most senior officer pay grade in the USMC is General.