Navy ranks

Depends where and when I suppose. In Canada nobody calls them "Petty Officer" they're just called PO.

Though we don't have the same gradations as the US system.

Short answer: yes. Everything in the military has an acronym-version, but that's basically it.

Not true. You have to know their rate. For instance, my husband is a construction mechanic -- that's his rate. So a petty officer 3rd class who was a construction mechanic would be referred to as cm3 [insert last name here], and it's always the last name. They can actually be penalized if overheard addressing each incorrectly.

You've lost me here, FP.

Any petty officer I ever encountered was simply PO. That's years ago- maybe things have changed -and it was in the UK.

FabricatedParadise said:

Not true. You have to know their rate. For instance, my husband is a construction mechanic -- that's his rate. So a petty officer 3rd class who was a construction mechanic would be referred to as cm3 [insert last name here], and it's always the last name. They can actually be penalized if overheard addressing each incorrectly.

Click to expand...

In formal situations the CM3 is about right ... I VERY formal situaions they might be introduced as "Petty Officer 3rd class Name

Usually it is Hey, Jones.

Which Navy are you asking about? US, UK or other? The ranks may differ according to country.

FabricatedParadise said:

Not true. You have to know their rate. For instance, my husband is a construction mechanic -- that's his rate. So a petty officer 3rd class who was a construction mechanic would be referred to as cm3 [insert last name here], and it's always the last name. They can actually be penalized if overheard addressing each incorrectly.

Click to expand...

US Navy submarine force for 7 years. In "professional" situations (i.e. department training) we referred to each other as "Petty Officer" all the time. Assigning duties for the day, roll call... all kinds of times.

robjvargas said:

US Navy submarine force for 7 years. In "professional" situations (i.e. department training) we referred to each other as "Petty Officer" all the time. Assigning duties for the day, roll call... all kinds of times.

Click to expand...

Either the navy has changed since I was in ... or they do it differently in the boats ... you guys do run a bit tighter ship than we do on top of the waves.

Never addressed anyone by rate or rating during normal work day, especially at sea, unless it was a formal situation as you described and on on land away from the ship. Rank, of course, refers to officers and we did generally use that. At sea salutes were delivered 01 level and above first time of meeting in the day which means nobody saluted in the afternoon except when formal ... my time was Viet Nam era. Bad habit when you have to get some quick action in combat situation to spit out all those extra words or have someone on edge because you didn't.

Will this link help?

http://www.navy.mil/navydata/navy_legacy_hr.asp?id=260

I was a CPO in NJROTC in High School

When I was in the Navy, the only time I was called "Petty Officer" were during extremely formal occasions. Award ceremonies and the like, in which my full rank and name were given. When passing anyone of any rank in the corridors of my ship, they always addressed me as "GM2" (Petty Officer 2nd Class in the Gunner's Mate rating). Those who knew me better would call me "Gunner."

bjcox said:

I am talking US Navy. I do not mean what would your buddy that is the same rank as you call you, but what would an NCO or Officer call you. In the Army, if you were a Private, or Private First Class, you were called Private.

Click to expand...

Any place "official." On watch, we'd use names all the time. Except with officers. That was actually a big deal.

I was a "nuke," one of the engineering department taking care of the reactor. But it was true all across the boat. Day-to-day stuff, enlisteds used last names (a habit I never understood nor explored, and in which I happily participated) all the time with each other. In situations a bit more formal, it was "Petty Officer." Like training, or muster for duty.

I was never called "EM3" (or EM2 later), except when I specifically was being formally called out for something (i.e. when I was promoted to second class).