User:Medicjm/Sandbox
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
United States Coast Guard ratings are general occupations that consist of specific skills and abilities. Each naval rating has its own specialty badge, which is typically worn on the left sleeve of their uniforms by all enlisted personnel in that particular field. Working uniforms wear generic rate designators that exclude the rating symbol. Officers do not have ratings; their occupations are classified by designators and professional staff corps.[1] Ratings should not be confused with "rates", which describe the Navy's enlisted pay-grades.
Enlisted sailors are referred to by their rating and rate. For example, if someone's rate is Petty Officer 2nd Class and his rating is Boatswain's Mate; when combined, Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class (BM2) defines both.