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Trade (Branch) Badges

Ratings in the Royal Navy also carry trade badges on the right sleeve to indicate their specific job (the information carried on the left arm is the individual's title - e.g. a leading rate (commonly called a leading hand. As a nick-name they are known as 'Killock' as their rate badge (worn on the left arm) is a Killock Anchor) who is also in the Marine Engineering department is known as a "Leading Marine Engineering Mechanic" (LMEM), whereas someone of the same rate who specialises in gunnery (which would also make them responsible for certain seamanship aspects on the upper deck) will be known as "Leading Seaman" (LS). A common title for Able Rates in the warfare branch is Operator Mechanic - a title relating to the idea that the rating not only controls his/her equipment, but also maintains it to an extent. An overview of trade badges is given on the Royal Navy's website Variances with branch badges include stars and crowns above and below the logo of the branch to symbolise the rate of the person in possession of the badge

Basic badge = AB class 2 - not fully operationally trained
Basic Badge + 1 star above the branch logo = AB class 1 - fully operationally trained, usually to NVQ level 2
Basic Badge + 1 star above the branch logo and one below = Leading Hand qualified - able to complete complicated tasks
Basic Badge + 1 crown above the branch logo = Petty Officer qualified - able to complete more complicated tasks
Basic Badge + 1 crown above the branch logo, badge appears on the left breast = Chief Petty Officer - the most qualified branch badge
Basic Badge + 1 crown above the branch logo and 1 star below = Chief Staff (obsolete)

Warrant Officers and above do not wear branch badges as well as Artificers (also known as "Tiffs"). Until the late 90s, Artificer Apprentices used to wear the same uniform as Petty Officers but with black buttons and a red cloth patch attached to their berets and caps. This patch was identical in pattern to the badge of a Petty Officer as it symbolised that they were not fully qualified in their branch until they reached the rate of a Petty Officer. They now wear the same uniform as other ratings, but without branch badges, until advanced to the rate of Petty Officer.

History

Badges for naval ratings were first introduced in 1827 and were as follows:

Petty Officer 1st Class	Crown above anchor
Petty Officer 2nd Class	Foul Anchor

Both were white and to be worn on the upper left sleeve

In 1853 two new ranks were introduced and the badges were altered as follows:

Chief Petty Officer	Crown above anchor surrounded by laurel wreath
Petty Officer 1st Class	Crown above 2 crossed anchors
Petty Officer 2nd Class	Crown above anchor
Leading Seaman	Foul Anchor

These were also white, or in gold on the dress uniform, or blue on white uniforms. In 1860 the badges changed from white to red on ordinary uniforms.

In 1879 Chief Petty Officers received a fore-and-aft uniform similar to that of the officers, with a cap badge of an anchor within a cord surmounted by a crown. In 1890 they ceased to wear their arm badge.

In 1913 the rank of Petty Officer 2nd Class was abolished, but the other badges remained the same.

In 1920 Petty officers of 4 years standing also received the Fore-and-Aft rig with the cap badge formerly worn by CPOs. The CPOs added a wreath to their cap badge, making it similar to the earlier arm badge.

In 1970 a new rank of Fleet Chief Petty Officer was introduced, with insignia of the royal coat of arms on the lower arm, the same as a Warrant Officer Class 1 in the army and RAF, to which the new rank was exactly equivalent. This rank was later renamed Warrant Officer, and later still Warrant Officer Class 1.

In 2004 the rank of Warrant Officer Class 2 was formed from those CPOs holding the appointment of Charge Chief Petty Officer. The insignia is a crown within a wreath, also worn on the lower arm.

Nowadays the badges are worn on the shoulders of some uniforms.

Chevrons on the left sleeve below the rank badge are for long service & good conduct.

Trade (Branch) Badges

History

External links

See also