Arms and Armour

Master-at-arms (United States Navy)

The Master-at-Arms (MA) rating is responsible for law enforcement and force protection in the United States Navy—equivalent to the United States Army Military Police, the United States Marine Corps Military Police, the United States Air Force Security Forces, and the United States Coast Guard's Maritime Law Enforcement Specialist. It is one of the oldest ratings in the United States Navy, having been recognized since the inception of the U.S. Navy. It has had two rating badges during its history. Its original MA rating mark was an upright star (two points down) until the rating’s disestablishment in 1921. On 20 May 1958 the upright star reemerged as a nod to the Historical MA Rating whose duty was to provide good order and discipline aboard ships over the enlisted crews. When two senior pay grades were established in 1958, a single (E-8) or double (E-9) upright star (two points down) was placed above the anchor for all collar devices and rating badges. The MCPON Rating (1971) specialty mark was established using the former MA upright star and later expanded to the Command Rates of Fleet / Command Master Chief (1995) or Senior Chief (2015) Ratings. The current MA rating mark following its reestablishment has been a police badge with internal star (1973–present), emblematic of its police or sheriff duties as a modern law enforcement specialist.

Also on this shelf

See also

• ▸Dover Strait coastal guns
• ▸Baltimore and Ohio 4500
• ▸Hiram Berdan

Uncatalogued shelf

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