First ‘RS’ class receives certs

NAS MERIDIAN, Miss. - The first Retail Services Specialist (RS) “A” school class received course completion certificates after graduating from Naval Technical Training Center (NTTC) Meridian on Oct. 9. The Navy changed the rating name from ship’s serviceman, which the Navy established in 1943 to manage and operate all shipboard retail and service activities, to retail services specialist. The change directly translates the skills and expertise of the work performed by the Sailors in the rating to work performed in the civilian sector and better representing the functions performed by Sailors within the rating. Rating modernization continues to redefine career fields and professional development opportunities. With the progression from the original four specialty ratings (barber, laundryman, cobbler and tailor) to ship’s serviceman, the rating name change is in keeping with the Navy tradition of defining the occupation. The four-week RS “A” School trains Sailors for their first tour as an RS in the fleet. Topics include the entry-level tasks associated with performing duties as a ship's store retail operator and a shipboard laundry operator. Over 2,400 Sailors work in the RS rating. (Source: NAS Meridian 10/21/19)