Good day. I was hoping there were some salties around here that could shed some light on the MK rating for me. I was trying to find out about what time period the USCG sitched from Machinist Mate and Motor Machinist Mate to Machinery Technician. I am unable to find out any info on it. I was also curious if anyone knows why they did it and why they choose MK. Thanks for any help.

The MK rating was established 1 Jan 1974. It was a merger of the Machinist Mate, Boilertender, and Engineman ratings. MMs & BTs worked mainly on the steam cutters and EN dealt with internal combustion engines.

The Coast Guard was phasing out steam ships and it made sense to combine all the propulsion engineer ratings. MK was assigned, mainly because it was the letter combination that wasn't in use. The USN has MRs ( Machinery Repairman) and MTs ( Missile Technicians ). So MK it was. The specialty mark remained the EN gear. The three blade prop (MM) & Heros steam turbine (BT) were retired.

Motor Machinists Mate ( MoMM ) was around in the 20s & 30s. but came into its own in WW2. Originally it was only 2nd, 1st & Chief. By 1944 3rd class was established. In 1947 a major re alignment of rating took place in the USN. The Engineman rating was established, taking in a few machinery specialties. Ths Coast Guard followed suit with the USN re alignment.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Mastersmate,

Well, ask and you shall receive! Thank you very much for that info. I also just found a pdf on the historians website with a bit of info and all the rating symbols, but it didn't have as much info as you provided. Thanks again.

I know the guy that put that little booklet together, nice to hear someones actually looked at it.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Mastersmate,

Yah, it's a fantastic book/publication. A lot of effort went into that, and it shows. I'm gonna put a link to it on themkshop.com so that others can find it easily.

Very nice write up in the MK Shop, well done. Wondering about third class, eh ???
The engineroom ratings started at the PO2 grade. Third class didn't get authorized until near the end of WW2. The FIREMAN FIRST CLASS was the engineroom equivalent of the PO3. The Fireman First Class Clark award for boat engineer is an example.

The paygrades were :

1 - CPO
2 - PO1
3 - PO2
4 - PO3 or Fireman 1st Class
5 - Seaman 1st Class or Fireman 2nd Class
6 - Seaman 2nd Class or Fireman 3rd Class
7 - Apprentice Seaman

quote:

Originally posted by Mastersmate:
Very nice write up in the MK Shop, well done.

Thanks for your support. I updated the post and added the extra info you gave me. I also made sure to give you reference credit. I thought I already did, but I must have forgotten to put it in. Sorry. Thanks again for the help.