Duties and Privileges of Warrange Officers, Chief Petty Officers, BRd 2

Petty Officers and Leading Rangings

CHAPTER 35

DUTIES AND PRIVILEGES OF WARRANT OFFICERS, PETTY OFFICERS AND

LEADING RATINGS

(MOD Sponsor: FLEET DCS LAW)

CONTENTS

Para
3501. Warrant Officers, Chief Petty Officers and Petty Officers of all Branches
3502. Leading Ratings

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BRd 2 Duties and Privileges of Warrange Officers, Chief Petty Officers,
Petty Officers and Leading Rangings

CHAPTER 35

DUTIES AND PRIVILEGES OF WARRANT OFFICERS, PETTY OFFICERS AND

LEADING RATINGS

3501. Warrant Officers, Chief Petty Officers and Petty Officers of all Branches

1. Discipline. The discipline, efficiency and morale of the Service depend in great
measure on the manner in which Warrant Officers, Chief Petty Officers and Petty Officers
carry out their duties and maintain their position.

2. Duties. Officers look to them for loyal support; their juniors look to them for guidance
and assistance.

3. They must have personality and tact as well as professional competence and must be
ready to accept their responsibilities. They should set an example of good discipline by
obeying the orders of their superiors with the alacrity and cheerfulness they expect from
their own subordinates.

4. It is the duty of every Warrant Officer, Chief Petty Officer and Petty Officer of every
branch of the Service to ensure that order and regularity are preserved in his vicinity
among those men, of whatever branch and whether on duty or not, who hold a rate junior
to him. See Para 3602 - Maintenance of good order, and Para 3421 - Regulating duties. A
copy of this clause is to be kept permanently posted on notice boards in all senior rates’
messes. (See Form S.1291).

5. Warrant Officers, Chief Petty Officers and Petty Officers are responsible to their
divisional and departmental officers for the discipline, training and welfare of the men in
their charge. They are also actively to encourage sports, adventurous training and other
forms of recreation, which contribute towards the well-being of their men.

6. Privileges. Warrant Officers, Chief Petty Officers and Petty Officers are to be granted
every reasonable privilege. They are to be made to feel that confidence is placed in them
and are to be treated with consideration due to the position of trust which they hold. To this
end, the following rules are to be observed:

a. Warrant Officers are to be addressed as ‘Mr’, ‘Miss’ or ‘Mrs’ by their superiors

and ‘Sir’ or ‘Ma’am’ by their subordinates. The prefix ‘Chief Petty Officer’ or
‘Petty Officer’, or the corresponding prefix for non-seaman ratings, is to be
used by all ratings when addressing them or speaking of them.

b. Warrant Officers, Chief Petty Officers and Petty Officers are to fall in
separately from their subordinates and are to be classed by themselves for
instruction.

c. They are not to be mustered in and out of the ship save with special reason.
Should a personal search be considered necessary see BR11 Chapter 3.

d. They are exempt from kit muster.

See also Para 8142, Para 8143, Para 4202-Para 4203 and BR 11, Manual of Naval Law.

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7. Substantive Rating and Technical Qualifications. The substantive rating and

technical qualifications of Warrant Officers, Chief Petty Officers and Petty Officers of the
technical branches are to be regarded as complementary to each other and of equal
importance.

3502. Leading Ratings

1. Leading Ratings of each branch and arm of the Service are an integral link in the
command chain being the first ‘superior officer’; they are to be afforded both roles and
status commensurate with this responsibility.

2. Duties.

a. It is the duty of every Leading Hand to ensure that order and regularity are
preserved in their vicinity whether on duty or not. See 3602–Maintenance of
good order.

b. They are responsible to their Divisional Senior Ratings and Officers for the
discipline, development, training and welfare of the able ratings in their
charge. They are to be encouraged and expected to play and active role in the
divisional system. They are also to encourage sports, adventurous training
and other forms of recreation, which contribute towards the well being of their
subordinates and the moral component of OC.

c. Specific duties of a LHOM are covered in Para 0344 and 0361 sub para 6. The
Command must carefully consider and select each LHOM. Once selected
they are to recieve the appropriate level of support and training.

3. Privileges. Leading Ratings are to be granted every reasonable privelege to reflect

both the particular complexity of exercising authority at their rate and the trust that is
placed in them. Although not exclusive, the following rules are to be observed:

a. They are to fall in separately from their subordinates, except on ceremonial

occasions, when they may be included in the ranks.

b. They are to be placed in charge of formed bodies of men and working parties
when ever practicable.

c. They are exempt from routine kit musters but are to muster their own kit
periodically.

d. Where practical ashore, they should have the opportunity to use a separate
recreational space which may include bar facilities. Such facilities are to
conform with 8147 sub para 3 and PAYD regulations when introduced (see
also Para 8149).

4. Leading Hands are the first superior officers. As key members of the command chain
they are to be afforded a level of personal development that allows a smooth transition to
further promotion. In particular, their command, leadership and management skills are to
be nurtured through their full participation in the Divisional Organisation in preparation for
the Senior Ratings Command Course (SRCC)

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