Rating

In the Navy, a 'rate' is the job (e.g., HM = Hospital Corpsman) and a 'rating' combines the rate with the pay grade (e.g., HM3 = Hospital Corpsman Third Class, pay grade E-4). When a sailor is promoted, their rating changes: HM3 → HM2 → HM1 → HMC (Chief). The term 'rating' is often used colloquially to mean the same thing as 'rate.'