NAVAL STATION NORFOLK, Va. — The Navy's top officer met a skeptical audience here Thursday as he told them why every sailor in attendance was being stripped of the rating title that had defined their jobs and identities.
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson said this radical change was only the start of a career overhaul that would yield them more opportunities and better chances to get civilian jobs after the service.
"What we've come up with is a plan for you to be certified in multiple ratings that — Navy Occupational Specialities," Richardson said. "This buys you a tremendous amount of flexibility, not only in assignments, but in advancement. This will give you the opportunity to advance in more than one specialty."
The buzz had already begun earlier in the day as the news echoed across the service: Every sailor would now be known as a chief petty officer, petty officer or seaman rather than the rating titles they had gone, a tradition that dates earlier than the U.S. Navy's founding.
The radical change prompted widespread backlash online. Sailors took to the CNO's Facebook page to defend their now stripped rating titles — "Respectfully this is the stupidest decision ever," one commenter — and posted their rating badges in protest. Someone launched a White House petition in hopes of overturning the Navy's move and garnered a fifth of the signatures needed to get a response in less than 24 hours.
Many of the 1,400 sailors packed into the base theater flooded to the into the aisles to ask questions and seek more information. Many hoped to hear how this change would lead to others. Many of those details are yet to be worked out.
"For now, there is no change," Richardson said answering questions about possible advancement changes, adding: "We might get to the point where we don't need advancement exams at all. This is going to take time and we're going to do this smart, not necessarily fast. … We have done enough study and don't see any obstacles right now."
Naval Station, Norfok, Va. (Sept. 29, 2016)Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class (SW/AW) Amanda Svenson talks to Chief of Naval Operations John Richardson during the question piriod after he briefed his proposed personnel system changes -- including the elimination of all rating titles. Photo by Mark D. Faram Times Staff
Photo Credit: Mark D. Faram/Staff
Sailors, however, wanted more details.
"It is very disappointing to me to not be a boatswain's mate anymore," said Petty Officer 2nd Class (SW/AW) Amanda Svenson, who had asked CNO about the overhaul. "It's traditional and we're very proud of what we do and frankly, I'll always be a boatswain's mate and I won't be afraid to call someone 'Boats,' either.
"But at the same time, I am interested in what I'm hearing and what they plan to do, and I'm willing to give it a chance and see how it works."
The Navy has had a dual system of how sailors are referred to. They have generic titles like "seaman," "petty officer" and "chief." But they also have rating specific titles, like Gunner's Mate or Information Systems Technician.
One petty officer who took the first class exam this month says he has no problem with his rating title, information systems technician, vanishing.
"Frankly, I consider myself a RM," said Petty Officer 2nd Class (SW/AW) Seferino Sanches, referring to the radioman rating disbanded two decades ago. "It's all I've done since I have been in the Navy."
Mark D. Faram is a former reporter for Navy Times. He was a senior writer covering personnel, cultural and historical issues. A nine-year active duty Navy veteran, Faram served from 1978 to 1987 as a Navy Diver and photographer.
