Since 1775, U.S. Navy ratings have shaped the careers of sailors. These job classifications—borrowed from the Royal Navy—weren’t just titles.
They determined responsibilities, rank, and career progression. Over time, some ratings stayed the same, some disappeared, and others evolved with advancing technology.
The Oldest Ratings in the U.S. Navy
Three ratings trace their roots directly to the Royal Navy and still exist today:
- Boatswain’s Mate (BM) – Deck leadership, seamanship, and navigation.
- Gunner’s Mate (GM) – Weapons, gunpowder, and firepower.
- Quartermaster (QM) – Navigation and ship control.
The Yeoman rating, now an administrative role, wasn’t officially established until 1835. Other early roles transformed over time.
Ship’s Cook became Culinary Specialist. Ship’s Carpenter evolved into Hull Maintenance Technician. These ratings formed the foundation of job training in the Navy.
British Influence on U.S. Navy Ratings
The Continental Navy adopted much of its structure from the Royal Navy. The Rate System didn’t just define ranks—it separated skilled sailors from Ordinary Seamen.
Early America’s Navy needed specialists to run ships efficiently, and British traditions filled the gap.
Early Enlisted Ratings and Their Roles
By 1794, the U.S. Navy formally reintroduced Petty Officer positions, expanding enlisted roles beyond basic seamen. Some of the most critical early ratings included:
- Master’s Mates – Assisted officers with navigation and deck operations.
- Coxswains – Managed ship’s boats and crew transport.
- Sailmaker’s Mates – Repaired sails before steam power took over.
- Gunner’s Mates & Quarter Gunners – Maintained and operated ship weaponry.
- Coopers – Built and maintained barrels for water and food storage.
- Armorer – Kept small arms in working order.
- Stewards – Assisted with officer’s mess and provisions.
- Master-at-Arms – Shipboard law enforcement.
- Cooks – Prepared meals for the crew.
These ratings weren’t just job titles—they ensured ships remained operational and crews stayed combat-ready. The Coast Guard have since adopted many of these roles in their own operations.
Obsolete Ratings: Loblolly Boys, Coal Heavers & More
Some roles vanished as naval technology advanced.
- Loblolly Boys – Assisted surgeons, a role that evolved into today’s Hospital Corpsmen.
- Jack of the Dust – Handled food storage and inventory.
- Coal Heavers – Shoveled coal for steam-powered ships, a grueling but essential job.
These roles may be gone, but they were vital to the Navy’s early success.
Modern Ratings and Technology
As warfare changed, so did Navy jobs. New ratings emerged, including:
- Electronics Technician – Maintains shipboard electronic systems.
- Sonar Technician – Tracks submarines with sonar equipment.
- Missile Technician – Manages missile systems.
- Aviation Electronics Technician – Works with aircraft avionics and radar.
- Cyber Warfare Technician – Handles encryption, cybersecurity, and network defense.
- Chemical Warfare Specialist – Trains for chemical, biological, and radiological threats.
- Boiler Technician – Operates and maintains propulsion systems.
Training schools in places like Great Lakes, Illinois and Newport, Rhode Island continue to develop sailors for these complex roles.
The Future of Navy Ratings
As warfare becomes more automated, new specialties will emerge. Future ratings could include:
- Robotics Technicians – Managing autonomous systems.
- AI Systems Specialists – Overseeing artificial intelligence in combat operations.
- Cybersecurity Experts – Defending networks against digital threats.
- UAS Operators – Controlling unmanned aerial systems.
Automation won’t eliminate ratings—it will create new ones.
The Legacy of Navy Ratings
Navy ratings are more than job descriptions. They connect today’s sailors to centuries of tradition. The Navy Museum and Naval Institute Press document this history, while the Coast Guard continue to use many of these skills.
As the Navy modernizes, its Rate Structure will adapt. But one thing won’t change—ratings define the sailors who make the U.S. Navy the most dominant maritime force in the world.
