Warrant Officer (Royal Navy)

The most senior rate of the Royal Navy, OR-9, the heir of the sailing warrant officers who ran the great ships.

Overview

Royal Navy Warrant Officer Class 1, OR-9, is the senior rate of the service, wearing a crown above the anchor in a wreath. The rank is the direct heir of the sailing warrant officers, the master, gunner, boatswain, and carpenter appointed by warrant to run the technical heart of a man of war. The modern WO1 serves as executive warrant officer of ships and establishments, the senior advisor to captains on sailor matters. The rank was reorganized in 1970 with the creation of a second class, WO2. The Navy retains warrant officers as its top technical authority.