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Figure 9-9.—Grade stripes for NROTC midshipmen and officer candidates
Midshipmen fourth class wear no insignia on
the collar.
Midshipmen officers wear from one to six
bars representing the ranks of midshipman
ensign through midshipman captain.
Instead of sleeve stripes denoting class,
midshipmen officers of the first class wear gold
stripes to denote grade, as shown in figure 9-8, view
B.
The uniform of NROTC midshipmen is similar to
the uniforms of officers and USNA midshipmen.
Figure 9-9 shows the variation in grade stripes.
Officer candidates wear uniforms similar to
officer service dress, working blue, and khaki
uniforms. Midshipmen first and second class wear
corps or line insignia on service dress uniforms and
gold anchor devices on each collar tip of the blue and
khaki shirts. Midshipmen third and fourth class wear
no insignia.
ENLISTED PERSONNEL
In the enlisted ranks, a field of work or an
occupation is called a rating; levels within the rating
are rates. In the case of a Boatswain’s Mate second
class (BM2), for example, Boatswain’s Mate is the
rating and second class is the rate.
RATES AND RATINGS
Newcomers without previous naval experience
normally enter the service as recruits in paygrade E-
1, the basic paygrade in the armed forces’ rating
structure. From the recruit level they begin to absorb
training in a broad occupational group and to
advance in rate or rating when qualified. After
completing recruit training and qualifying for
advancement to the apprentice level (paygrade E-2),
they must again qualify for the next higher level
(paygrade E-3). After advancing to seaman (or
fireman, airman, constructionman, hospitalman, or
dentalman), they then work to qualify for the lowest
petty officer rate of a particular rating, depending on
their ability and inclinations. At this level E-3s begin
the occupational career they will follow for the
remainder of their naval service. Within most
ratings, personnel can choose specialties. For
example, the Gunner’s Mate rating includes
Gunner’s Mate (Guns) and Gunner’s Mate
(Missiles) specialties. Normally, once advanced to
that rating, the person specializes only in that
field.
9-11
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