Ranks and Descriptions

WWII U.S. Navy Enlisted Ranks and Department Descriptions
The USN in World War II 1941 - 1945

Symbol	Rank	Rank Abbreviation
	Boatswain's Mate Coxswain	BM COX
	Gunners Mate	GM
	Quartermaster	QM
	Signalman	SM
	Fire Controlman, Gun Rangefinder	F GR
	Machinist's Mate, Water Tender, Boilerman	MM WT B
	Motor Machinist	MoMM
	Electrician's Mate	EM
	Yeoman	YM
	Store Keeper	SK
	Pharmacist's Mate	PhM
	Radioman	RM
	Radarman	Rdm
	Torpedoman	TM
	Carpenter, Painter, Patternmaker	CM Ptr PM
	Shipfitter, Molder, Metalsmith	SF MI M
	Photographer's Mate	PhoM
	Chief Commissary Steward	CCS
	Officer's Cook	SC
	Ship's Cook, Baker, Steward	SC Bkr C St
	Ensign	ENS
	Lieutenant Junior Grade	Lt (jg)
	Lieutenant	LT
	Lieutenant Commander	LTCDR
	Commander	CDR
	Captain	CAPT
	Rear Admiral	RADM
	Vice Admiral	VADM
	Admiral	ADM

DEPARTMENT AND DUTIES	OFFICERS	COGNIZANCE
Gunnery Department Operation and maintenance of armament; fire control; aviation; athletics; security	Gunnery Officer Asst. Gunnery Officer Torpedo Officer Main Battery Officer Air Defense Officer AA Officers Aviators Gunner	Fire Control, ordnance Repair, catapults Torpedoes Main Battery AA Guns 1.1in. and machine guns Planes Magazines, repair
NAVIGATION DEPARTMENT Navigation, ship control, education, communications Coding and decoding intelligence, censorship, secretarial work, security of classified documents, radio and visual communications; radar direction finding and sonar.	Navigator Asst. Navigator Communications Officer Signal Officer Radio Officer Ship's Secretary Radio Electrician	Navigation, ship control, education, library All coms and sound equipment Signals Radio Captain's office; post office Radio repairs
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT Propulsive machinery, maintenance and operation	Engineering Officer Asst Engineer. Offcr. M Division Offcrs. B Division Offcrs. A Division Offcrs. E Division Offcrs. Machinists Electricians	Main Engines Boilers, pumps Auxiliaries Electrical
CONSTRUCTION DEPT. Damage Control, ship keeping, messing, berthing, C&R repairs	First Lieutenant Damage Control Officer Asst 1st Lieutenant Asst Damage Cntrl Offcr R Division Officer Boatswain Carpenter	C&R Repair and upkeep Damage control Upkeep, berthing, messing Damage control, Police petty officers (Directly under the XO insofar as their police duties are concerned)
MEDICAL DEPARTMENT Health and sanitation	Medical Officer Junior Medical Officer Dental Officer	Sick Bay Battle dressing stations Dental Office
SUPPLY DEPARTMENT Procurement, maintenance and issue of provisions and supplies; disbursement of money	Supply Officer Pay Clerks	Commissary, supply, disbursements
SHIP'S SERVICE Laundry Barber Shop Tailor Shop Fountain Ship's Service Store Cobbler	Ship's Service Officer (Assigned as collateral duty) Officer Assistants (Assigned as collateral duty)	General Administration Treasurer One assistant for each duty

For corrections, additions, problems or concerns with this website, please email webmaster@saconavy.com