Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:32:57-2:33:27

Why Royal Navy warrant-officer numbers appeared top-heavy

Removing Warrant Officer Second Class concentrated personnel in Warrant Officer First Class, making the senior rank larger and more expensive on paper.

Defence BudgetNaval RankPersonnelRoyal NavyWarrant Officers
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Question

Why did the Royal Navy have so many Warrant Officer First Class posts when leaders were discussing reductions?

Short answer

Warrant Officer Second Class had been removed, concentrating warrant officers in WO1 and increasing the apparent and financial weight of that rank.

Notes

Proposals to reduce senior and warrant-officer numbers followed an earlier change in the rank structure. The Royal Navy had removed Warrant Officer Second Class, so personnel were re-rated into Warrant Officer First Class. That made WO1 appear unusually heavy and increased the cost attached to the remaining rank. A personnel total can reflect administrative restructuring as well as a deliberate increase in senior posts.