This article is about the Royal Navy rate. For the equivalent rank in other navies, see leading seaman

Leading Seaman

Leading seaman is a junior non-commissioned rank or rate in navies, particularly those of the Commonwealth. When it is used by NATO nations, leading seaman has the rank code of OR-4. It is often equivalent to the army and air force rank of corporal and some navies use corporal rather than...

.

Leading rating (or leading rate) is the most senior of the junior rates in the Royal Navy

Royal Navy

The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...

. It is equal in status to corporal

Corporal

Corporal is a rank in use in some form by most militaries and by some police forces or other uniformed organizations. It is usually equivalent to NATO Rank Code OR-4....

, although for a long time was officially junior to that rank. The rate was introduced under the authority of Admiralty Circular No. 121 of 14 June 1853.

Leading ratings are normally addressed as Leading Hand or using their branch title e.g. Leading Seaman, Leading Regulator etc.

The insignia worn by leading rates is a single fouled anchor, leading to the slang term killick or hooky used in reference to this rate.

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