2006-11-05 03:41:07 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Military
The Navy went to the stripes for E-1 - E-3 in the late '40s/early 50s-- before that, sailors' uniforms didn't show any differentiation between those paygrades. However, certain sea-going ratings wore a white stripe all the way around one shoulder-- you can see them in old photos.
Also, right through World War II Chief Petty Officer (E-7) was the highest enlisted rank-- there were no Senior or Master Chiefs. In fact, the Chief Petty Officer (CPO) rank didn't exist until 1893-- for the Navy's first hundred years, First Class Petty Officer was the Navy's highest enlisted rank. The additional ranks were added so that a sailor could continue progressing upwards, which was good for the Navy (more senior sailors striving for excellence) as well as for the sailors themselves.
In any case, the reason for the change to the stripes for E-1 - E-3 was both to bring the Navy in line with the other services, and more importantly to make the Sailors' seniority (and hopefully abilities) clear. Military rankings are always hierarchical-- someone is always in charge. When there are no officers are petty officers present, the E-3, by virtue of superior rank, is at least theoretically 'in charge' of a group of E-2s.
2006-11-06 18:37:00 · answer #1 · answered by The Padre 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They always have used stripes for non-rates, E-3 and below and, chevrons for all of the petty officer rates, E-4 through E-9.
2006-11-05 03:46:27 · answer #2 · answered by Paul W 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Could you describe what it was before? Links perhaps?
I was in the Navy, and as far as I know, they have used that for quite some time.
2006-11-05 03:46:09 · answer #3 · answered by powhound 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As far as I know this had been the case for over 30 years at least.I didn't notice any changes.
2006-11-05 03:45:13 · answer #4 · answered by WC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋