Leading rating

{{Short description|UK navy rank}} {{About|the Royal Navy rate|the equivalent rank in other navies|Leading seaman}} {{Use British English|date=March 2023}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{More citations needed|date=January 2010}}

'''Leading rating''' (or '''leading rate''') is the senior of the two most junior ranks in the Royal Navy. It is equal in status to the army rank of corporal. A leading rate is permitted entry into and full use of the corporals' mess when visiting other service bases. The rate was introduced under the authority of Admiralty Circular No. 121 of 14 June 1853.

A leading rate is normally addressed as "Leading Hand" or using their branch title, e.g. ''Leading Seaman'', ''Leading Regulator'' etc.<ref name=PBenyon>{{cite web |url=http://www.pbenyon.plus.com/Uniform/Rates_1918.html |title=Royal Navy Branches, Ranks and Ratings, 1918 |last=Perkins |first=Dave |publisher=www.pbenyon.plus.com |access-date=14 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190124152332/http://www.pbenyon.plus.com/Uniform/Rates_1918.html |archive-date= 24 January 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The insignia worn by a leading rate is a single fouled anchor on the left arm, when in dress uniform, No.2s or "Tropics". It also appears on the left arm of the white front{{what?|date=March 2023}} (before the introduction of short sleeved shirts for all ratings) or overalls. Until 2017, a "hook" was worn on each shoulder epaulette, when in working rig, woolly pully or burberry. This was before the introduction of the new uniforms with the single insignia in the chest centre. This led to the slang term ''killick'' or ''hooky'' used in reference to this rate.

==See also== * Able seaman (rank) * Leading seaman * Petty officer

== References == {{Reflist}}

Category:Marine occupations Category:Military ranks of the Royal Navy