Who should ideally serve as the rater on a Petty Officer's (E-5-E-6) evaluation?

The ideal rater for a Petty Officer (E-5-E-6) evaluation is the Division Chief. This choice is based on the understanding that the Division Chief has the relevant knowledge of the Petty Officer’s day-to-day tasks, responsibilities, and performance within the division. The rater’s familiarity with the individual's work environment and specific duties enables them to provide a detailed, meaningful, and constructive evaluation that accurately reflects the Petty Officer’s contributions and areas for improvement.

In a Navy context, the Division Chief typically has firsthand experience of the team’s dynamics and the individual performance of subordinates. This direct oversight is crucial for assessing not only the technical skills required of the Petty Officer's role but also their leadership potential, teamwork, and overall impact on the division's mission.

Other roles such as Chief Petty Officer, Master Chief, or Commanding Officer, while highly experienced and knowledgeable, may not be as closely involved with the specific actions and achievements of individual Petty Officers on a daily basis. As a result, their insights might lack the depth that comes from direct supervision at the division level, making them less ideal as raters.