Able Seaman
A qualified junior rate of the Royal Navy, the working sailor grade below leading hand.
Overview
Able Seaman is the Royal Navy core junior rate: a sailor qualified in seamanship and a specialization, wearing a single badge on the sleeve. The rate dates to the eighteenth century when an able seaman, fully skilled in sailing the ship, was distinguished from ordinary seamen and landsmen in pay and duty. Nelson Victory sailed with a majority of able seamen. The modern rate feeds all branches, warfare, engineering, logistics, and aviation, and the Women Royal Naval Service equivalent was able seaman too after integration. Commonwealth navies, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, keep the title. Promotion to leading hand follows professional courses and selection.
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