Leading Seaman
Leading Seaman (
LS or
L/S) is a
non-commissioned rank or rate in
navies, particularly those of the
Commonwealth.
The badge in the
Royal Australian Navy is the fouled anchor over the word "Australia". it is senior to Able Seaman but junior to Petty Officer. Leading Seaman is the equivalent of Corporal in the Royal Australian Airforce and The Australian Army
In the
Canadian Navy,
Leading Seaman (LS) is senior to the rank of
Able Seaman, and junior to
Master Seaman (which is actually an appointment of Leading Seaman). Its
Army and
Air Force equivalent is
Corporal and it is part of the cadre of
junior non-commissioned officers, and one of the
Junior Ranks. In
French the rank is
Matelot de 1re classe (Mat 1).
The rank insignia of the Leading Seaman is two gold chevrons, point down, worn on the left upper sleeve of the Service Dress tunic, and in gold thread on black slip-ons on other uniforms. The former rank insignia worn in the
Royal Canadian Navy was a foul anchor; thus Leading Seamen are colloquially termed
killicks, from a dialectic term for an anchor. This tradition was inherited from the
Royal Navy.
Leading Seamen are generally initially addressed as "Leading Seaman Bloggins", and thereafter as "Leading Seaman". The same rank title is used for female members.
Leading Seamen generally mess and billet with other
Seamen and their Army and Air Force equivalents:
Privates,
Corporals, and
Master Corporals. Their mess on naval bases or installations is generally named the "Junior Ranks Mess".
The rate of
Leading Seaman or
Leading Rating in the
Royal Navy is senior to
Able Seaman and junior to
Petty Officer. It is approximately equivalent to
Corporal in the other services, although used to be considered junior to that rank (but always senior to
Lance-Corporal). The badge is the fouled
anchor (an anchor with a length of rope twisted around it), worn on the upper arm in formal uniform and on the shoulder slides in working dress.
Specialists use the "Leading" before their speciality (e.g. Leading Writer, Leading Cook, Leading Regulator).
A Leading Seaman is often jocularly referred to as a "killick", a type of homemade anchor.
*
Non-commissioned member*
Seaman*
Non-commissioned officer
