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"SS" is a warfare specialty designator, signifying a sailor is "Qualified in Submarines". The "SS" itself stands for "Submersible Ships", not "submarine sailor" as many people incorrectly assume.
"SS" designation also comes with its own warfare insignia pin, worn as silver (enlisted) or gold (officer) dolphins abreast the bow of a submarine.
Submarine qualification takes most sailors about 8-12 months, depending on their particular rate and workload aboard ship. Nuclear rates typically take less time, since part of their nuclear training is at a shore station nuclear power plant that is similar to a shipboard reactor.
Unlike other warfare designators (Surface, Aviation), it is mandatory for all submarine crewmembers, be it the lowest ranking sailor or the Captain, to qualify in submarines. Qualification is heavily weighted toward damage control during a casualty.
The rate designation is added at the end of the rate; e.g., my old rate designator was STS1(SS), which fully written out would be "Sonar Technician(Submarines) First Class (Submersible Ships).
What else can I help you with?
What does the FL ENG mean in a US Navy rate?
Possibly a Flight Engineer
What does SDG3 US NAVY mean?
I haven't heard that term when relating to the US Navy. But in the Royal Navy SDG is a scubadiver
Does the US Navy have a medical corp?
Yes. The Enlisted rate for medical personnel in the Navy is Hospital Corpsman (HM)
What is MOS in the US Navy?
MOS would be most interchangeable with Rate in the navy. Rate is pretty much another word for job specialty as is mos. Rate may also be referred to as a NEC.
In terms of us navy rates and ranks what does AT3 mean?
This is called a "rating" in the Navy. The AT denotes that person's rate, or job. In this case, it is an Aviation Technician. The 3 denotes that person's rank, which in this case, is a 3rd Class Petty Officer.
What does ETC SS mean in the Navy?
ETC is an enlisted rating in the US Navy. The ET denotes the skill set Electronics Technician. The C denotes Chief Petty Officer, an enlisted grade E-7. The SS designates Submarine Qualification. The ETCS designates a Senior Chief E-8, An ETCM designates a Master Chief E-9. E-9s are the top enlisted rank in all US military services. As a further example in the USN MMCM(SS) would designate that this is a Machinist Mate Master Chief and a Qualified Submariner.
What does SS on Navy Ships stand for?
SS is short for Steam Ship and used on civilian ships. NS would be Nuclear Ship and there was at least one civilian nuclear powered vessel. US Navy ships carry the prefix of USS for United States Ship. British Navy ships have HMS for Her Majesty's Ship.
What is the name of a non commissioned sailor?
"Rate" refers to a non commissioned member of the US Navy.
When did US Navy uniforms switch rate insignias from right arm to left arm?
1949
What does SB mean for a us navy submarine?
submersible boat
What does SEALs mean in the US Navy?
SEa Air and Land
Is SSK3C a US Navy rank?
Not SSK3c, but SK3c is the old rate designation for Ship's Storekeeper, 3rd Class. The Storekeeper rate, one of the oldest in the Navy, has always used the designator SK. Today the rate/rank would be designated SK3.
