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OFFICERS Officer rank depends on how many gold stripes they wear. A Third Officer (3/O) wears one stripe and colour, a Second Officer (2/O) two stripes, a First Officer (1/O) two and a half, a Chief Officer (CHOFF) three, a Captain (CAPT) four and a Commodore one broad stripe approximately the same width as a Captain's four. |
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Communications officers are identified by a blue band in between the gold braid stripes. This rank is 3/O(C) "C" is for Communications. |
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Medical officers are identified by a red band in between the gold braid stripes. This rank is 3/O(Surg) "Surg" is for Surgeon. |
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Deck officers are identified by a black band in between the gold braid stripes. This rank is 3/O(X) "X" is for Executive! |
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Engineering officers are identified by a purple band in between the gold braid stripes. This rank is 3/O(E) "E" is for Engineering. |
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Supply officers are identified by a white band in between the gold braid stripes. This rank is 3/O(S) "S" is for Supply. |
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System Engineering officers are identified by a green band in between the gold braid stripes. This rank is 3/O(SE) "SE" is for etc.......... |
| RATINGS The grade structure for ratings is as follows: I will just use the deck department rating structure, abbreviation "D" as an example. (Don't ask me why it is "D" for ratings and "X" for officers!) Seaman Grade 2 (SG2) wears his department badge, Seaman Grade 1 (SG1) same badge as SG2, Leading Hand ( LH(D) ) same badge with one thin gold bar below, Petty Officer ( PO(D) ) same badge with two gold bars and Chief Petty Officer ( CPO(D) ) deparment badge surrounded by laurel leaves. |
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Communications ratings wear two crossed flags. This rate is LH(C). |
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Medical ratings wear the red cross. This rate is LH(MA). We don't have any though, they currently start at PO(MA). MA means Medical Assistant. |
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Deck ratings wear a shackle. This rate is LH(D). |
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Engineering ratings wear a propellor. This rate is LH(E). |
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Supply ratings wear Catering around Supply. This rate is LH(STWD) - (Steward) |
Hopefully
this will enlighten you as to who is who in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. Any questions email me. Thomas the Webmaster |