WWII U.S. Navy Enlisted Ranks and Department Descriptions

WWII U.S. Navy Enlisted Ranks and Department Descriptions
The USN in World War II 1941 – 1945

Ratings in the Navy are divided into branches in accord with the special duties of each: Seaman Branch, Artificer Branch, Artificer branch (Engine Room), Aviation Branch, Special Branch, Specialists, Commissary Branch and Steward’s Branch.

 

Symbol
Rank		 Rank
Abbreviation
Boatswain’s Mate
Coxswain		 BM

COX
Gunners Mate GM
Quartermaster QM
Signalman SM
Fire Controlman, Gun Rangefinder F

GR
Machinist’s Mate, Water Tender, Boilerman MM

WT

B
Motor Machinist MoMM
Electrician’s Mate EM
Yeoman YM
Store Keeper SK
Pharmacist’s Mate PhM
Radioman RM
Radarman Rdm


Torpedoman TM
Carpenter, Painter, Patternmaker CM

Ptr

PM


Shipfitter, Molder, Metalsmith SF

MI

M
Photographer’s Mate PhoM


Chief Commissary Steward CCS
Officer’s Cook SC
Ship’s Cook, Baker, Steward SC

Bkr

C

St
Ensign ENS
Lieutenant Junior Grade Lt (jg)
Lieutenant LT
Lieutenant Commander LTCDR
Commander CDR
Captain CAPT
Rear Admiral RADM
Vice Admiral VADM


Admiral ADM

 

 

DEPARTMENT AND DUTIES OFFICERS COGNIZANCE
GUNNERY DEPARTMENT

Operation and maintenance of armament; fire control; aviation; athletics; security
  • Gunnery Officer
  • Asst. Gunnery Officer
  • Torpedo Officer
  • Main Battery Officer
  • Air Defense Officer
  • AA Officers
  • Aviators
  • Gunner
 Fire Control, ordnance
Repair, catapults
Torpedoes
Main Battery
AA Guns
1.1in. and machine guns
Planes
Magazines, repair
NAVIGATION DEPARTMENT

Navigation, ship control, education, communications
Coding and decoding intelligence, censorship, secretarial work, security of classified documents, radio and visual communications; radar direction finding and sonar.
  • Navigator
  • Asst. Navigator
  • Communications Officer
  • Signal Officer
  • Radio Officer
  • Ship’s Secretary
  • Radio Electrician
 Navigation, ship control, education, library
All coms and sound equipment
Signals
Radio
Captain’s office; post office
Radio repairs
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

Propulsive machinery, maintenance and operation
  • Engineering Officer
  • Asst Engineer. Offcr.
  • M Division Offcrs.
  • B Division Offcrs.
  • A Division Offcrs.
  • E Division Offcrs.
  • Machinists
  • Electricians
 Main Engines
Boilers, pumps
Auxiliaries
Electrical
CONSTRUCTION DEPT.

Damage Control, ship keeping, messing, berthing, C&R repairs
  • First Lieutenant
  • Damage Control Officer
  • Asst 1st Lieutenant
  • Asst Damage Cntrl Offcr
  • R Division Officer
  • Boatswain
  • Carpenter
 C&R Repair and upkeep
Damage control
Upkeep, berthing, messing
Damage control,
Police petty officers (Directly under the XO insofar as their police duties are concerned)
MEDICAL DEPARTMENT

Health and sanitation
  • Medical Officer
  • Junior Medical Officer
  • Dental Officer
 Sick Bay
Battle dressing stations
Dental Office
SUPPLY DEPARTMENT

Procurement, maintenance and issue of provisions and supplies; disbursement of money
  • Supply Officer
  • Pay Clerks
 Commissary, supply, disbursements
SHIP’S SERVICE

Laundry
Barber Shop
Tailor Shop
Fountain
Ship’s Service Store
Cobbler
  • Ship’s Service Officer
    (Assigned as collateral duty)
  • Officer Assistants
    (Assigned as collateral duty)
 General Administration
Treasurer
One assistant for each duty

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