Navy Deep-Sixes Enlisted Ratings

The Navy no longer will refer to enlisted sailors by their ratings. “Effective immediately, sailors in pay grades E-1-E-3 will be addressed as ‘seaman,’ E-4-E-6 will be called ‘petty officer third/second/first class’ as appropriate, and senior enlisted pay grades E-7-E-9 will be called ‘chief,’ ‘senior chief,’ or ‘master chief,’ depending on their pay grade,” the Navy announced. The change is the latest step in a service-wide plan to offer sailors greater flexibility in detailing, training and credentialing, and provide a clearer description to the general public.