The inside story of how the Navy's top brass eliminated ratings

This is a response from a 16 year MM1(SW/AW) currently playing over "there". What say you about the effect -The

Many people may not be aware of why the recent decision by the Navy's top brass to eliminate rating badges upsets America's Sailors (past and present) so much. Why does the Navy have rating badges in the first place? I mean, the Army, Marines and Air Force enlisted ranks don't have them, so why the Navy?

To answer that question, you have to understand how unique our Navy is. It is steeped in rich tradition carried on from generation to generation. Yes, even traditions from the ancient age of tall ships are still present in today's modern Navy. The Navy still has a formal ceremony when a new Captain takes command, she still has a ceremony when Sailors retire and go ashore for the final time. These are just two of the many rituals still carried on today, and date back to the age of canvas sails and wooden ships. Among those traditions of the Navy is the rating system.

The rating system dates back to wooden ships also. Sailors became specialists on the decks of the ships and ratings like ship's chandler (sail cloth repairmen), cooks, carpenters, boatswains, quartermaster, and master-at-arms were created back then. Although some of those ancient ratings, like carpenters and chandlers, have gone away, the changes in time and equipment have brought about newer ratings. In today's Navy, Sailors are required to "strike" for a rating (or specialty) in one of two ways; by either passing a rating test or attending a trade school. The Navy rating system is unique also in that it allows Sailors freedom to choose which rating they wish to pursue, as opposed to other countries that mandate a rating based on needs.

So, why all the hoopla over ending this system? The answer is pretty simple: Sailors take pride in their rate! It is something that is personally earned and creates a special bond with other Sailors of the same rating. It also allows for good natured social ribbing of other ratings. It is a badge, located on your rank insignia that exemplifies who you are as a Sailor. It gives you an identity of something earned by you. It stays with you your entire career and follows you into retirement. Usually, when a Sailor makes Chief, he or she is no longer addressed by rating; but when that Chief dons their dress blues, there is no doubt about their rating. It's right there on their sleeve. There is a fondness and pride in your rating that is hard to express in words because it rests in your heart.

So now, because ranking officials think it is progressive to rid the force of ratings (of a plan that was to make more gender neutral titles originally) and now have Navy Occupational Specialty (NOS) code to "modernize our personnel systems", "benefit all Sailors with greater career flexibility in the Navy and after they depart the service by being able to better translate their skill sets to prospective employers", we remove an opportunity for young Sailors to experience a truly unique tradition. Where the job descriptions should have been updated to better reflect the jobs done by each rating, we now have codes to show the same things. Nothing has come out as to collateral billets that one may hold, that add to the job profile one may have as well. Updating the job descriptions to better correlate to the civilian sector and possibly making ratings have a more gender neutral title would have been the only real changes needed. Not removing them all together.

We are a unique branch of the Military. true that Honor, Courage and Commitment are our core values. However, keeping with tradition easily falls under at least two of these values. It is a sad day indeed and that has what has created all the social frenzy.