Did you know?
By Jim Harris, CWO-2, USN (Ret.)
Makakilo, Hawaii
The title of “Chief” has resonated aboard ships since the 1700s, but wasn’t formally established by the U.S. Navy until 1893.
The first documented use of the title occurred during the Revolutionary War when a Cook’s Mate aboard the Continental Navy’s warship Alfred was promoted to Chief Cook to indicate his status as the cook with the most authority.
The ratings of Chief Boatswain’s Mates, Chief Gunner’s Mates and Chief Quartermasters also appeared in pay charts in the mid-1800s, but the Navy’s Regulations Circular No. 1 (dated 13 March 1893) was the first delineation of the Chief Petty Officer grade.
The rates of E-8 and E-9, Senior Chief and Master Chief were created in June of 1958. The office of Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy was established in 1967.
