Sailor's Handbook

The Sailor's Handbook is to act as a glossary and source of information about all naval ranks ranging from Seaman Recruit to Admiral.

## Section 1 - Rates of the Navy

### Chapter 1. Junior Enlisted

###### Seaman Recruit:

Seaman Recruit (SR) is the first rank a Sailor is given upon enlistment into the USN. A Seaman Recruit will have very little access to the USN and will not be allowed on voyages. In order for a Seaman Recruit to officially join they must complete the USN Basic Training presentation.

###### Seaman Apprentice:

Seaman Apprentice (SA) is the first official rank of the USN. A sailor will be promoted to Seaman Apprentice after completing their Basic Training. A Seaman Apprentice will hold no leadership position and is expected to help where they can and follow the orders of those above them.

###### Seaman:

Seaman (SMAN) is the final Junior Enlisted rank. Once a Sailor reaches Seaman they will have acquired a good bit of sailing experience and may be ready to begin NCO training. A Seaman will hold no official leadership position but is expected to mentor and guide new sailors below them and help them find their way.

### Chapter 2. Non Commissioned Officers

###### Petty Officer III Class:

Petty Officer 3rd Class (PO3) is the first Non Commissioned rank. As a Junior NCO a PO3 is expected to set the example for and lead the Junior Enlisted below them. A PO3 may be 2nd in command of a squad. As 2nd in command they should assist the squad leader with anything needed and will take over the squad should the squad leader be unavailable.

###### Petty Officer II Class:

A Petty Officer 2nd Class (PO2) will be a squad leader and will lead a group of sailors, usually up to 13 with one 2nd in command PO3. As a squad leader, a Petty Officer 2nd Class is responsible for setting the standard for behavior and activity and leading their squad. They are expected to manage the squad's activity and welfare and to know their squad members. In addition they should build and develop their 2nd in command Petty Officer 3rd Class.

###### Petty Officer I Class:

Petty Officer 1st Class (PO1) is the final regular NCO rank. A Petty Officer 1st Class is an experienced NCO and squad leader and will likely be in training to become a Chief. The role and responsibilities of a PO1 are not too different from a PO2 other than the added expectation of mentoring and teaching the Junior NCO below them.

### Chapter 3. Senior Non Commissioned Officers

###### Chief Petty Officer:

The rank of Chief Petty Officer (CPO) is the first Senior NCO rank. A Chief will likely act as the Enlisted Advisor, AKA, Chief of Ship to a naval vessel. As Chief of Ship they will be responsible for leading and overseeing the Squad leaders below them and reporting to the 1st Officer.

###### Senior Chief Petty Officer:

Senior Chief Petty Officer (SCPO) is the 2nd highest Enlisted rank. They will act as the Senior Enlisted Advisor to Squadrons or Flotillas, or if needed, Fleets. An SCPO is someone who has chosen to not command a ship or be an Officer and wants to stay as a SNCO and as a front line leader. They are responsible for mentoring and leading the SNCO and NCO below them.

###### Master Chief Petty Officer:

Master Chief Petty Officer (MCPO) is the highest earnable Enlisted rank. An MCPO is responsible for acting as the Senior Enlisted Advisor to large units, most commonly Fleets. An MCPO will also act as an assistant to the MCPON. By the time someone reaches MCPO they will likely be as experienced as a Senior Officer and should be treated as such.

### Chapter 4. Junior Officers

###### Ensign:

Ensign (ENS) is the first Commissioned Officer rank. Ensign is an officer training rank. An Ensign is responsible for completing OCS (Officer Candidate School) and learning how to be an Officer. They can step in to fill a 1st Officer position if needed but will mainly stick to the guidance of their superiors.

###### Acting Lieutenant:

The rank of Acting Lieutenant (ALT) is the first official Junior Officer rank. Once an Ensign has completed Officer Candidate School and been promoted, they will be an Acting Lieutenant. The role of an Acting Lieutenant is to mentor and oversee NCO and SNCO aboard their ship, or act as Department Heads. Occasionally an Acting Lieutenant may be 1st Officer on a ship in which case they will have the same roles as a Lieutenant.

###### Lieutenant:

Lieutenant (LT) is the final Junior Officer rank. In order for an officer to promote further will need to complete Captaincy training. A Lieutenant will often act as the 1st Officer to a ship. As a 1st Officer, they are the second in command of their ship. This means they are responsible for running the day to day operations and overseeing other Officers and the Senior NCO aboard. Should the ships Commanding Officer go on leave or be unavailable, the 1st Officer will assume command of the ship.

### Chapter 5. Senior Officers

###### Lieutenant Commander:

Lieutenant Commander (LTC) is the first Senior Officer rank or last Junior Officer rank, depending on the position. By the time someone reaches this rank they will either be 1st Officer to a large unit (JO), or even command a ship of their own if selected by Admiralty (SO). If they command a ship, they will hold same responsibilities as a Commander. If they are a 1st Officer, they will hold same responsibilities as a Lieutenant.

###### Commander:

The rank of Commander (CMD) is the first rank in which one will command a ship if they didn't as a Lieutenant Commander. As a Commanding Officer of a ship, a Commander is responsible for the success or failure of their ship. This includes growth, discipline, training, and activity. A Commander is expected to train and appoint subordinate Officers and Enlisted leaders to run day to say operations.

###### Captain:

Captain (CAPT) is the highest Senior Officer rank before Admiralty. A Captain will be an experienced Commanding Officer of a ship and will hold command of larger ships or on occasion, groups of ships. A Captain shares many of the roles as a Commander with the added responsibility of taking over as an Acting Squadron Commander should the Commodore be away.

### Chapter 6. Warrant Officer

###### Warrant Officer (WO-1):

A WO-1 is the first rank a Warrant Officer is given upon becoming a WO. They will have very little access to the USN and will not be allowed on official voyages. They can play other games, be part of unofficial voyages, and join in on chats. The position as Warrant Officer is strictly for the members that are interested in the USN as Community, but are not interested in the MilSim portion of the Server.

###### Warrant Officer (WO-2):

A WO-2 will be allowed to join official voyages as usual, they will not be allowed to apply for VLA. A WO-2 will be expected to assist the SPD heads they’re under on a day-to-day basis.

###### Warrant Officer (WO-3):

WO-3 is reserved for SPD heads. They have the ability to host voyages and convoys, but their main priority is running the day-to-day operations of their department. They will have a unique name in the discord to signify their role and responsibility. They will also own a ceremonial ship for the department to host voyages.

###### Warrant Officer (WO-4):

This rate is offered for SPD Department Heads who have an interest in becoming SPD directors. They will have more oversight over their department and will be running it on a trial basis with little to no oversight for their director.

###### Chief Warrant Officer (WO-5):

The Chief Warrant is Officer responsible for the effectiveness of the Warrant Officers. The Chief Warrant Officer oversees all of the WOs actions, and makes sure that the SPDs are up to standard. The Chief Warrant Officer will also be responsible for the WOs promotions.

### Chapter 7. Board of Admiralty

###### Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy:

The Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) is the highest Enlisted rank in the USN. They are the Senior Enlisted advisor to the Admiral of the Navy and report directly to them. The MCPON is also a sitting member on the Board of Admiralty. The MCPON is responsible for the entire NCO and SNCO Corps. They are also responsible for representing Enlisted members to the Admiral of the Navy and speaking on their behalf.

###### Commodore:

Commodore (COM) is the first rank on the Board of Admiralty. A Commodore will act as Deputy Commander to a fleet and may command a Squadron of ships in addition to their own ship. A Commodore will be responsible for the training and effectiveness of the Captain's below them. Should the Rear Admiral go on leave or be unavailable, a Commodore will assume command of the fleet.

###### Rear Admiral:

The rank of Rear Admiral (RADM) is the highest earnable rank one in the Naval branch can earn. A Rear Admiral will be charged with command of a fleet or group of ships. Rear Admirals will report directly to the Vice Admiral of the Navy and will also command a flagship of their own. Rear Admirals are responsible for the ships and officers under their fleet.

###### Vice Admiral of the Navy:

The Vice Admiral of the Navy (VADM) is the second in command of the USN. The Vice Admiral of the Navy will be responsible for assisting the Admiral of the Navy with any needed tasks and help lead all forces. Should the Admiral of the Navy go on leave or be unavailable, the Vice Admiral of the Navy will assume command of the USN. Like the Admiral of the Navy, they will not command any specific unit but will have authority over all units. Their ship is the Flagship of the Fleets.

###### Admiral of the Navy:

The Admiral of the Navy (AOTN) is the appointed Commander-In-Chief of all U.S. Naval. The role of the Admiral of the Navy is to oversee and lead all major USN operations. This includes overseeing the Special Project Divisions (SPD) and Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) . In addition they will act as the Chairman to the Board of Admiralty and oversee BOA votes. The Admiral of the Navy will not hold command authority over any given unit, but will have authority to use all Naval and Marine units. Their ship is the Flagship of the First Navy Strike Group.