If in the corps branch, the petty officer would wear their insignia on the left sleeve, and if in the executive branch, the right sleeve. The Navy separated personnel between the executive branch, which was charged with operating ships, and the line branch, which was the corps branch. In the chart shown below, each rank insignia denotes a Boatswain, or Bosun, by displaying its rating device between the perched eagle and the chevrons. While Seamen and Petty Officers wore the typical white fatigue cap and rig, the Chief Petty Officer's uniform was nearly identicle to the Navy officer's uniform, with the exception of a special cap emblem and his rank insiginia. The primary means of rank, rating, and experience identification in the United States Navy during World War II was dependent on uniform and rank insignia found on the upper arm and the cuffs. For visibility, pin-on insignia are illustrated on a larger scale. The color of headgear varied according to uniform the following tables illustrate cap insignia with blue caps.

World war 2 enlisted navy ranks