Leading rating

UK navy rank

Leading rating (or leading rate) is the senior of the two most junior ranks in the Royal Navy. It is equal in status to the army rank of corporal. A leading rate is permitted entry into and full use of the corporals' mess when visiting other service bases. The rate was introduced under the authority of Admiralty Circular No. 121 of 14 June 1853.

A leading rate is normally addressed as "Leading Hand" or using their branch title, e.g. Leading Seaman, Leading Regulator etc.^[1]

The insignia worn by a leading rate is a single fouled anchor on the left arm, when in dress uniform, No.2s or "Tropics". It also appears on the left arm of the white front^{[clarification needed]} (before the introduction of short sleeved shirts for all ratings) or overalls. Until 2017, a "hook" was worn on each shoulder epaulette, when in working rig, woolly pully or burberry. This was before the introduction of the new uniforms with the single insignia in the chest centre. This led to the slang term killick or hooky used in reference to this rate.

References

^ Perkins, Dave. "Royal Navy Branches, Ranks and Ratings, 1918". www.pbenyon.plus.com. Archived from the original on 24 January 2019. Retrieved 14 May 2017.

Ratings and other ranks of the British Armed Forces

NATO grade / Service branch	OR-1	OR-2	OR-3	OR-4	OR-5/OR-6	OR-7	OR-8	OR-9
Royal Navy	Recruit	Able seaman	not applicable	Leading rating	Petty officer	Chief petty officer	Warrant officer 2	Warrant officer 1
Royal Marines		Marine	Lance corporal	Corporal	Sergeant	Colour sergeant	Warrant officer 2	Warrant officer 1
British Army	Recruit	Private	Lance corporal	Corporal	Sergeant	Staff sergeant / Colour sergeant	Warrant officer 2	Warrant officer 1
Royal Air Force	Air recruit	Air specialist (class 2) Air specialist (class 1) / Air specialist (class 1) technician	Lance corporal (RAF Regt only)	Corporal	Sergeant	Chief technician / Flight sergeant		Warrant officer / Master aircrew