With the dawning of the 21st century, the U.S. Navy was faced with a threat which for years had lurked as only a peripheral concern: terrorism. The problem was particularly thorny because no matter how broad and powerful a military response might be, it would, by definition, come after the damage had already been done. In response, the Navy expanded the duties of the Master-at-Arms (MA) rating, creating Service Ratings tasked with the prevention of terrorist attacks through the implementation of security protocols by highly trained specialists.
But the justifiable focus on the detection of terrorists and the prevention and minimization of any attacks did come at a price. Because terrorist attacks are much more likely to take place at land-based installations rather than on the closed environs of a Navy vessel, more Masters-at-Arms worked security at shore installations or at forward bases, leaving considerably fewer of them to handle the jobs of security and detention aboard ships at sea.
To fill the gap, the Navy began assigning Sailors from other ratings to temporary duty as MAs. But this was merely a stopgap measure, and its shortcomings were highlighted in 2014 when a new regulation was issued specifying that all crew working as security forces aboard the fleet’s aircraft carriers must be rated Masters-at-Arms.
Besides being a prudent decision, the move comes as good news for veteran MAs: their opportunities for advancement will naturally increase as the number of incoming Sailors in the rating is boosted. Upon reach a paygrade of E6, an MA may apply for the Limited Duty Office Program, and Chief Petty Officers may submit an application to become a Chief Warrant Officer.
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