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Master at arms - Definition and Overview |
| Related Words: Od, Abecedarian, Absorb, Ace, Adept, Administration, Administrator, Ancestors, Apprentice, Arch, Architect, Artisan, Artist, Ascendant, Assessor, Assimilate |
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A Master-at-Arms (MAA) is a rating responsible for discipline aboard a naval ship.
Royal Navy
The term has been used in the Royal Navy since the time of King Charles I. Originally the Master-at-Arms was a petty officer who looked after personal arms such as swords and firearms, ensuring they were kept in good order and their ammunition was prepared and ready for use in combat. He also instructed other members of the crew in the use of arms. He later also became responsible for discipline. The Ship's Corporals assisted the Master-at-Arms with his duties.
In the modern Royal Navy the MAA is both the ship's police chief and the senior rating, comparable in many respects to the Regimental Sergeant Major in the Army and the Station Warrant Officer in the Royal Air Force. A warrant officer or chief petty officer, the MAA is addressed as "Master". The MAA is assisted by regulators of the Royal Navy Regulating Branch, of which he is himself a member.
United States Navy
In the United States Navy, Master-at-Arms is the rating concerned with law enforcement. They serve as a police force, and are called "Shore Patrol" when performing that function on bases.
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