WDS NAVY CHIEFS

Chief Petty Officer is the first of the Navys Chief Petty Officer ranks, and the first rank with the Chief Petty Officers enhanced duties and benefits. Like Petty Officers all Chief Petty Officers have a rating, or job, and their full operational title is determined by their rating; a Chief Petty Officer specializing as a Gunners Mate, for example, is known by the full title of Chief Gunners Mate.

Chief Petty Officer is the first Navy rank that comes with vastly expanded powers and responsibilities over those of that below it. In addition to their ratings duties, a Chief Petty Officer is responsible for training junior officers and leading his division of sailors and petty officers.

In addition to enhanced responsibilities, Chief Petty Officers enjoy a wide variety of on-duty benefits far above anything received by Petty Officers or enlisted sailors. As well as a shipboard uniform similar to that of a commissioned officer, Chief Petty Officers enjoy private living quarters and access to the Chiefs Mess, known in informal Navy slang as the "goat locker", which is in reference to ships livestock that used to be kept in the Chiefs quarters for safekeeping. The Chiefs quarters are exclusive and off-limits to all sailors, including officers, unless given specific invitation.

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