Under the Defence Act and Regulations, members of the Enlisted Corps are also referred to as Marines or Ratings (as opposed to ‘Officers’). The Enlisted Corps is divided into three main categories: Warrant Officers, Senior Rates and Junior Rates. Personnel who are Warrant Officers (Force Chief Petty Officers) or Senior Ratings (Chief Petty Officers and Petty Officers) are at supervisory (or noncommissioned) levels.
The most senior supervisors are ‘Force Chief Petty Officers.’ Upon advancement from Chief Petty Officers, Force Chief Petty Officers receive a ‘warrant’ from the National Security Council. This warrant authorizes Force Chief Petty Officers to assist Officers with the discharge of their duties with respect to morale, discipline and training of Junior Rates. Junior Rates are the equivalent of line staff personnel in the civilian sector. They are initially advanced to the rate of ‘Marine Seaman’ upon graduating from recruit (i.e. New Entry) training.
Later in their careers, Junior Rates are given the opportunity to advance to Senior Rate status or to become an Officer by selection upon meeting certain character, leadership and academic requirements
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