The crow is another name for the rating badge worn on the sleeve of petty officers, E4-E6. It is the black eagle for petty officer rank used on a white uniform. On the working and dress blue uniform the crow is white with red chevrons. Then when you are a good sailor after 12 years your crow and chevrons is gold.

Not really sure when, where, and why the term came about, but it is a major milestone for any sailor. I was what they called a pushbutton petty officer. My enlistment was for 6 years and I received my crow for finishing A-school and attending extra training. I still had to follow all the other rules everyone else did, but I did not have to take the advancement test for E4.

When some people receive their crow it changes then, these guys are the ones destine to fail. Wearing a funny looking eagle on your sleeve is just another stepping stone in the Navy, but it is important. Just as the sergeants make the other armed forces work correctly, Petty officers make the Navy work.