In military terminology, a rate or rating is a junior enlisted sailor in a navy who is below the military rank of warrant officer. Depending on the country and navy that uses it, the exact term and th
Equity or a Sailor's Prayer before Battle, from the Battle of Trafalgar. A 19th-century caricature portraying ratings on a Royal Navy ship. The man with a sword is a commissioned officer, as is the man on the ladder with the telescope. All others are ratings.
The Royal Navy during the Second World War. Six naval rating recruits of the training ship HMS Impregnable, Devonport, scramble up the rigging during a daily training exercise.
Royal Navy Certificate of Service (Form S.459), given to all ratings on discharge.
A petty officer is a non-commissioned officer in many navies. They are superior to a seaman, and subordinate to more senior non-commissioned officers, such as chief petty officers.
A Royal Navy boatswain's mate in 1820
A petty officer of the Royal Navy on parade in London in 2015. Gold chevrons on the left arm represent good conduct, each one representing 4 years of service. After 15 years of service, with no breaks in good conduct, the individual is presented with their Long Service & Good Conduct Medal (nicknamed in the RN as Long Service & Undetected Crime Medal) it is the medal on the far right of this Petty Officer's row of medals.
Five United States Navy Reserve petty officers in Service Dress Uniform. From left to right: HM1, AT1, HM1, HM1, AT1.