| Warrant Officer to the Royal Navy | |
|---|---|
 Ensign of the Royal Navy | |
| Ministry of Defence | |
| Warrant Officer | |
| Abbreviation | WORN |
| Reports to | Navy Command |
| Nominator | Second Sea Lord |
| Appointer | Navy Board |
| Term length | Not fixed (typically 1–4 years) |
| Precursor | Second Sea Lord's Command Warrant Officer |
| Formation | 2010 |
| First holder | Terry Casey |
| Website | Official Website |
The Warrant Officer to the Royal Navy (WORN) (previously known as the Warrant Officer of the Naval Service) is the most senior warrant officer and rating of the Royal Navy. The person holding this appointment's main responsibility is to act as a channel between the non commissioned ranks and Senior Naval officers, enabling communication between the Sailors and Marines and the Senior Navy leadership.[1]
The post was created in 2010, replacing the post of Second Sea Lord's Command Warrant Officer.[2] WO1 Jim Wright will be the the first Royal Marine to hold the appointment.[3]
Insignia[]
A command warrant officer badge is worn on the left breast of their uniform during the period of the appointment.[4]
For ceremonial occasions they may carry a ceremonial cane, made out of wood from HMS Victory.[4][5]
Appointees[]
| № | Name | Took office | Left office | Time in office | Ref | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Terry Casey MBE | July 2010 | December 2013 | 3 years, 5 months | . | |
| 2 | Steve Cass | December 2013 | 17 March 2017 | 3 years, 3 months | [6] | |
| 3 | Nicholas Sharland MBE | 17 March 2017 | February 2020 | 2 years, 11 months | [7][8] | |
| 4 | Carl Steedman (born 1973) | 31 January 2020 | Incumbent | 4 years, 8 months | [9][10] | |
| 5 | Jim Wright |
See also[]
- Army Sergeant Major - the British Army's equivalent
- Chief of the Air Staff's Warrant Officer - the Royal Air Force equivalent
References[]
- ↑ "Chapter 20". http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/News-and-Events/Reference-Library/~/media/Files/Navy-PDFs/News-and-Events/Naval%20Publications/BR%202/brd2book/ch20.pdf.
- ↑ WO1MickTurnbull (20 July 2022). "Yesterday RN Galaxy 07-2022 announced the selection of the 3 new SLTWOs. Timelines/handovers still to be arranged, but the new incumbents will be: WORN - WO1 Jim Wright RM, 2SLWO - WO1 Dave Smith MBE RN and FCWO - WO1 Mick Stanion RM.". https://twitter.com/WO1MickTurnbull/status/1549681967842660352.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "DETAILS OF RANK/RATE AND OTHER DISTINGUISHING INSIGNIA". pp. 39–9. http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-events/reference-library/~/media/files/navy-pdfs/news-and-events/naval%20publications/br%203/br3book/ch39.pdf.
- ↑ "Warrant Officer in a class of his own". http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/News-and-Events/Latest-News/2013/April/24/130424-Warrant-Officer-First-Class-in-a-class-of-his-own.
- ↑ "New man takes over as top warrant officer". http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/defence/new-man-takes-over-as-top-warrant-officer-1-5776060.
- ↑ First Sea Lord [AdmPhilipJones] (16 March 2017). "Good to talk with WO Sharland, who tomorrow becomes Warrant Officer of the Naval Service -a key link between my top team & frontline Navy.". https://twitter.com/AdmPhilipJones/status/842403233708572672.
- ↑ First Sea Lord [AdmTonyRadakin] (31 January 2020). "Today, WO Nick Sharland officially stood down from his duties as Warrant Officer of the Naval Service. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to serve with him. Fair winds and following seas, Nick, and thank you for all that you have done.". https://twitter.com/AdmTonyRadakin/status/1223314042716069888.
- ↑ SEAC_Defence (30 January 2020). "Congratulations to the newly appointed Warrant Officer of the Naval Service @WOCarlSteedman . And welcome to the world of Twitter! Give him a follow, I look forward to regular sea stories and shenanigans from the @RoyalNavy". https://twitter.com/SEAC_Defence/status/1222768725012684800.
- ↑ First Sea Lord [AdmTonyRadakin] (31 January 2020). "But as one WONS steps down, another steps up. Welcome to WO Carl "Speedy" Steedman, who takes up the role from today. Looking forward to working with him. Please do follow him on Twitter @WOCarlSteedman.". https://twitter.com/AdmTonyRadakin/status/1223314044918157313.
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