Boatswains Mate - Navy Enlisted Rating Description

Boatswains Mate - Navy Enlisted Rating DescriptionBoatswains Mate - Navy Enlisted Rating DescriptionThe Navys Boatswains Mate rating (which is what the Navy calls its jobs) is one of the two oldest in this branch of the military, dating back to 1794. This rating, which has Navy Occupational Specialty code number B400 allows new recruits to enlist without a specific career path identified. Its often used by some enlisted personnel who havent decided which career to pursue (think of it as a college freshman whose major is still undecided), and by others who want a certain rating that may not be available at the time they enlist. Duties Performed by Boatswains Mates Boatswains mates train, direct and supervise personnel in ships maintenance duties in all activities relating to marlinspike (a tool used to help tie large knots), deck, boat seamanship painting, upkeep of ships external structure, rigging, deck equipment and, of course, boats. Boatswains mates also operate and maintain equipment which may be used in a variety of areas aboard a ship, including loading and unloading cargo, ammunition, fuel and general stores. Since this rating is kind of an all-purpose position, the duties are variedand tend to cover work not assigned to other ratings. Boatswains mates may serve as helmsmen and lookouts, or stand as security watches (both in port and at sea), or serve as part of a damage control, emergency or security alert team. Their duties may also include repairing, maintaining and stowing equipment in preparation for underway operationsdoing temporary duty for 90-120 days with food services divisions or compartment cleaning working in non-engineering divisions of the ship or station or participating in naval ceremonies. Working Environment for Boatswains Mates After successful completion of recruit training, boatswains mates are usually assigned to shipboard duties where the Navy needs them the most. Boatswains mates can request and may receive on-the-job t raining for a rating that they are interested in, qualified for and whichis available at their first command by completing correspondence courses and personal advancement requirements. They must also be recommended by their commanding officer for the Navy rating they desire. Although this rating may seem like a jack-of-all-trades job with wildly varied duties, the Navy describes boatswains mates as the backbone of every ships crew. Technical School Training for Boatswains Mates After completion of recruit training, enlistees in the Seaman Apprenticeship Training Program attendsix weeks of training at boatswains mate class A school in Great Lakes, Illinois. Boatswains mates may also attend Navy schools to learn about general damage control, shipboard firefighting, preventive maintenance of special equipment and special tools used in the rating they are working in or seeking. Testing and Qualifications for Boatswains Mates Boatswains mates need a combined score of 175 in the v erbal expression (VE), arithmetic reasoning (AR) mathematics knowledge (MK) and automotive and shop (AS) information segments of the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) tests. Alternately, they could present with a combined score of 135 in the MK, AS and assembling objects (AO) sections of the ASVAB. There is no Department of Defense security clearance required for this position. Sea/Shore Rotation for Boatswains Mates First Sea Tour 56 monthsFirst Shore Tour 36 monthsSecond Sea Tour 60 monthsSecond Shore Tour 36 monthsThird Sea Tour 48 monthsThird Shore Tour 36 monthsFourth Sea Tour 48 monthsFourth Shore Tour 36 months Sea tours and shore tours for sailors that have completed four sea tours will be 36 months at sea followed by 36 months ashore until retirement.