| United States Navy Master-at-Arms | |
|---|---|
&sq=Qlik&lang=&file=File:Navy_MMA_Law_Enforcement_Badges.png) Master-at-Arms badge | |
| Active | 1797–1921, 1973–present (1 August official birth date as per BUPERSNOTE 1440 CH-1 of 1973) |
| Country |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Navy |
| Type | Naval security forces |
| Size | 10,000+ Masters-at-Arms[1] |
| Part of | U.S. Department of the Navy |
| Garrison/HQ | United States Fleet Forces Command, Norfolk, Virginia, U.S. |
| Colors | Blue and gold |
| Engagements | American Revolutionary War Barbary War American Civil War Spanish–American War World War I World War II Vietnam War Persian Gulf War Kosovo War Operation Desert Storm/Operation Desert Shield Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom Operation Neptune Spear Operation Inherent Resolve |
| Commanders | |
| Commander, United States Fleet Forces Command | ADM Daryl L. Caudle |
| Director, Navy Security Forces United States Fleet Forces Command | Commander John Courtial |
| Master-at-Arms | |
|---|---|
&sq=Qlik&lang=&file=File:Rating_Badge_MA.jpg){kind=icon} Rating insignia | |
| Issued by | United States Navy |
| Type | Enlisted rating |
| Abbreviation | MA |
| Specialty | Force Protection |
The Master-at-Arms (MA) rating is responsible for law enforcement and force protection in the United States Navy—equivalent to the United States Army Military Police, the United States Marine Corps Military Police, the United States Air Force Security Forces, and the United States Coast Guard's Maritime Law Enforcement Specialist.[2] It is one of the oldest ratings in the United States Navy, having been recognized since the inception of the U.S. Navy.
It has had two rating badges during its history. Its original MA rating mark was an upright star (two points down) until the rating’s disestablishment in 1921.[citation needed] On 20 May 1958 the upright star reemerged as a nod to the Historical MA Rating whose duty was to provide good order and discipline aboard ships over the enlisted crews. When two senior pay grades were established in 1958, a single (E-8) or double (E-9) upright star (two points down) was placed above the anchor for all collar devices and rating badges.
The MCPON Rating (1971) specialty mark was established using the former MA upright star and later expanded to the Command Rates of Fleet / Command Master Chief (1995) or Senior Chief (2015) Ratings. The current MA rating mark following its reestablishment has been a police badge with internal star (1973–present), emblematic of its police or sheriff duties as a modern law enforcement specialist.
- ^ "Navy Security Force Community Manager". Bureau of Naval Personnel. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
- ^ "U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Law Enforcement Specialist". United States Coast Guard. Retrieved 4 May 2014.