Leading Seaman
Encyclopedia
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 seaman. A leading seaman equivilant in the United States Armed Forces
is that of an E6.
The rank is used in the navies of Australia
, Bangladesh
, Canada
, Ghana
, India
, Ireland
, Pakistan
, South Africa
, Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom
.
is the fouled anchor over the word "Australia", worn on the shoulders, or the fouled anchor worn on the left sleeve, depending on what uniform is worn at the time. It is senior to Able Seaman but junior to Petty Officer. Leading Seaman or Leading Hand, which it is also known as, is the equivalent of Corporal
in the Royal Australian Air Force
and The Australian Army
. Leading Seamen are addressed as Leader, and informally known as "kellicks" (anchors).
, Leading Seaman (LS) is senior to the rank of Able Seaman
, and junior to Master Seaman
(which is actually an appointment of Leading Seaman). Its Army
and Air Force
equivalent is Corporal
and it is part of the cadre of junior non-commissioned officers, and one of was inherited from the Royal Navy
.
Leading Seamen are generally initially addressed as "Leading Seaman Bloggins" (dependent on which ship), and thereafter as "Leading Seaman". The same rank title is used for female members.
Leading Seamen generally mess and billet with other Seamen and their Army and Air Force equivalents: Private
s, Corporal
s, and Master Corporal
s. Their mess on naval bases or installations is generally named the "Junior Ranks Mess".
The rate of Leading Seaman, Leading Hand or Leading Rating
in the Royal Navy
is senior to Able Seaman
and junior to Petty Officer
. It is equivalent to Corporal
in the other services. The badge is the fouled anchor
(an anchor with a length of rope twisted around it), worn on the upper arm in formal uniform and on the shoulder slides in working dress.
Specialists use the "Leading" before their speciality (e.g. Leading Writer, Leading Cook, Leading Regulator). ***** This also applies to Leading Seamen as all RN ratings are specialists - the seaman branch being one such specialisation. A Leading Seaman is a Leading Hand/Leading Rating in the Seaman branch *****
A Leading Rating is often called a "killick", referring to the rank insignia of a fouled anchor.
Non-commissioned member
A non-commissioned member , in the Canadian Forces, is defined in the Queen's Regulations and Orders as:"… any person, other than an officer, who is enrolled in, or who pursuant to law is attached or seconded otherwise than as an officer to, the Canadian Forces…" Thus, an NCM is any member who is...
rank or rate in navies
Navy
A navy is the branch of a nation's armed forces principally designated for naval and amphibious warfare; namely, lake- or ocean-borne combat operations and related functions...
, particularly those of the Commonwealth
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
. 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
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....
and some navies use corporal rather than leading seaman. A leading seaman equivilant in the United States Armed Forces
United States armed forces
The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. They consist of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard.The United States has a strong tradition of civilian control of the military...
is that of an E6.
The rank is used in the navies of Australia
Royal Australian Navy
The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
, Bangladesh
Bangladesh Navy
The Bangladesh Navy is the naval arm of the Bangladesh Armed Forces. At present the navy is mostly limited to coastal patrolling, however it is implementing an ambitious procurement and expansion program to ensure the security of Bangladesh's maritime boundary...
, Canada
Canadian Forces Maritime Command
The Royal Canadian Navy , is the naval force of Canada. The RCN is one of three environmental commands within the unified Canadian Forces. Operating 33 warships and several auxiliary vessels, the Royal Canadian Navy consists of 8,500 Regular Force and 5,100 Primary Reserve sailors, supported by...
, Ghana
Ghana Navy
The Ghana Navy is the naval force of the West African nation of Ghana. The navy, along with the Ghana Army and Ghana Air Force, make up the Ghana Armed Forces.-History:...
, India
Indian Navy
The Indian Navy is the naval branch of the armed forces of India. The President of India serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy. The Chief of Naval Staff , usually a four-star officer in the rank of Admiral, commands the Navy...
, Ireland
Irish Naval Service
The Naval Service is the navy of Ireland and is one of the three standing branches of the Irish Defence Forces. Its main base is in Haulbowline, County Cork....
, Pakistan
Pakistan Navy
The Pakistan Navy is the naval warfare/service branch of the Pakistan Armed Forces. Pakistan's Navy is responsible for Pakistan's coastline along the Arabian Sea and the defense of important civilian harbors and military bases...
, South Africa
South African Navy
The South African Navy is the navy of the Republic of South Africa.-Formation:The South African Navy can trace its official origins back to the SA Naval Service, which was established on 1 April 1922....
, Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom
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...
.
Australia
The badge in the Royal Australian NavyRoyal Australian Navy
The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
is the fouled anchor over the word "Australia", worn on the shoulders, or the fouled anchor worn on the left sleeve, depending on what uniform is worn at the time. It is senior to Able Seaman but junior to Petty Officer. Leading Seaman or Leading Hand, which it is also known as, is the equivalent of 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....
in the Royal Australian Air Force
Royal Australian Air Force
The Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...
and The Australian Army
Australian Army
The Australian Army is Australia's military land force. It is part of the Australian Defence Force along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. While the Chief of Defence commands the Australian Defence Force , the Army is commanded by the Chief of Army...
. Leading Seamen are addressed as Leader, and informally known as "kellicks" (anchors).
Canada
In the Canadian NavyCanadian Forces Maritime Command
The Royal Canadian Navy , is the naval force of Canada. The RCN is one of three environmental commands within the unified Canadian Forces. Operating 33 warships and several auxiliary vessels, the Royal Canadian Navy consists of 8,500 Regular Force and 5,100 Primary Reserve sailors, supported by...
, Leading Seaman (LS) is senior to the rank of Able Seaman
Able Seaman (rank)
In the British Royal Navy in the middle of the 18th century, the term able seaman referred to a seaman with at least two years' experience at sea...
, and junior to Master Seaman
Master Seaman
Master seaman , or matelot-chef in French, is a non-commissioned member rank of the Canadian Navy, which is between leading seaman and petty officer 2nd class . Technically, the rank is actually an appointment, with appointees holding the rank of leading seaman...
(which is actually an appointment of Leading Seaman). Its Army
Canadian Forces Land Force Command
The Canadian Army , previously called Land Force Command, is responsible for army operations within the Canadian Forces. The current size of the Army is 19,500 regular soldiers and 16,000 reserve soldiers, for a total of around 35,500 soldiers...
and Air Force
Canadian Forces Air Command
The Royal Canadian Air Force , formerly Canadian Forces Air Command, is one of three environmental commands of the Canadian Forces...
equivalent is 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....
and it is part of the cadre of junior non-commissioned officers, and one of was inherited from 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...
.
Leading Seamen are generally initially addressed as "Leading Seaman Bloggins" (dependent on which ship), and thereafter as "Leading Seaman". The same rank title is used for female members.
Leading Seamen generally mess and billet with other Seamen and their Army and Air Force equivalents: Private
Private (rank)
A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank .In modern military parlance, 'Private' is shortened to 'Pte' in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries and to 'Pvt.' in the United States.Notably both Sir Fitzroy MacLean and Enoch Powell are examples of, rare, rapid career...
s, 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....
s, and Master Corporal
Master Corporal
Master Corporal , in the Canadian Forces and the Royal Canadian Army Cadets is an appointment of the rank of Corporal in the Canadian Army and Royal Canadian Airforce...
s. Their mess on naval bases or installations is generally named the "Junior Ranks Mess".
United Kingdom
Leading Rating
Leading rating is the most senior of the junior rates in the Royal Navy. It is equal in status to corporal, 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...
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...
is senior to Able Seaman
Able Seaman (rank)
In the British Royal Navy in the middle of the 18th century, the term able seaman referred to a seaman with at least two years' experience at sea...
and junior to Petty Officer
Petty Officer
A petty officer is a non-commissioned officer in many navies and is given the NATO rank denotion OR-6. They are equal in rank to sergeant, British Army and Royal Air Force. A Petty Officer is superior in rank to Leading Rate and subordinate to Chief Petty Officer, in the case of the British Armed...
. It is equivalent 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....
in the other services. The badge is the fouled anchor
Anchor
An anchor is a device, normally made of metal, that is used to connect a vessel to the bed of a body of water to prevent the vessel from drifting due to wind or current. The word derives from Latin ancora, which itself comes from the Greek ἄγκυρα .Anchors can either be temporary or permanent...
(an anchor with a length of rope twisted around it), worn on the upper arm in formal uniform and on the shoulder slides in working dress.
Specialists use the "Leading" before their speciality (e.g. Leading Writer, Leading Cook, Leading Regulator). ***** This also applies to Leading Seamen as all RN ratings are specialists - the seaman branch being one such specialisation. A Leading Seaman is a Leading Hand/Leading Rating in the Seaman branch *****
A Leading Rating is often called a "killick", referring to the rank insignia of a fouled anchor.