My stepson will be going to boot camp in late March and is to be a Bosun's Mate. What exactly does a Bosun's Mate do and are there ways to progress from that into other jobs?
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Bottom line, he is going to be chipping paint and handling mooring lines. Deck Department on a ship takes care of everything topside. Responsible for all the ship handling equipment topside. The junior personnel are not always the cream of the crop. However, should he decide on a different job before he takes the test for E4, he can strike that rate (job). It requires a formal request and command approval of that request.
Should he decide to stay a BM, it is a very honorable rate. As a E-4(third class petty officer), he will have more leadership responsibilities than most third class sailors in the Navy. I have had several very good friends that were bosun's and First Lieutenants (Deck Department Head). And normally, engineers and bosun's don't get along. I just really respected their job and contribution to the mission. Also, BM is a source rate for Navy Divers and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD). These are some pretty awesome jobs with great advancement opportunity.
Boatswain's Mates (BM) train, direct, and supervise personnel in ship's maintenance duties in all activities relating to marlinspike, deck, boat seamanship, painting, upkeep of ship's external structure, rigging, deck equipment, and boats. BM's also operate and maintain equipment used in loading and unloading cargo, ammunition, fuel, and general stores.
This is an enlistment program option which enables men and women to enlist without a specific rating. Such "seamen" are called Boatswain's Mates, and remain so, unless/until they "strike" (apply) for a Navy rating (job) at a later point in their career. Most recruits who enlist under this option due so because the rating of choice is not available at the time of their enlistment.
The duties performed by Seamen (Boatswain's Mates) include:
•serving as helmsmen and lookouts; •repairing, maintaining and stowing equipment in preparation for underway operations; •working in non-engineering divisions of the ship or station; •standing security watches while in port and under way; •operating sound-powered telephone systems; •doing temporary duty for 90-120 days with food services divisions or compartment cleaning; •serving as a member of damage control, emergency and security alert teams; •participating in naval ceremonies; •taking part in underway replenishment (transferring supplies from ship to ship at sea); •working with qualified personnel to gain job training and experience. Working Environment
After successful completion of this training, Seamen are usually assigned to shipboard duties where the Navy needs them the most. Seamen can request and may receive on-the-job training in a rating that they are interested in, qualified for and is 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.
A-School (Job School) Information
After completion of recruit training, enlistees in the Seaman Apprenticeship Training Program attend a three-week course on basic theory in shipboard operations and evolution's. This is not considered an "A-School." Seamen may also attend Navy schools to learn about general damage control, shipboard fire fighting, preventive maintenance of special equipment, and the use of special tools used in the rating they are working in or seeking.
ASVAB Score Requirement: None Established.
Security Clearance Requirement: None
Other Requirements
None
Sub-Specialties Available for This Rating: Navy Enlisted Classification Codes for BM
Current Manning Levels for This Rating: CREO Listing
Note: Advancement ( promotion ) opportunity and career progression are directly linked to a rating's manning level (i.e., personnel in undermanned ratings have greater promotion opportunity than those in overmanned ratings).
Sea/Shore Rotation for This Rating
•First Sea Tour: 60 months •First Shore Tour: 36 months •Second Sea Tour: 54 months •Second Shore Tour: 36 months •Third Sea Tour: 36 months •Third Shore Tour: 36 months •Fourth Sea Tour: 36 months •Forth Shore Tour: 36 months Note: 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.
Much of the above information courtesy of the Navy Personnel Command
Boatswain's Mates (BM) train, direct, and supervise personnel in ship's maintenance duties in all activities relating to marlinspike, deck, boat seamanship, painting, upkeep of ship's external structure, rigging, deck equipment, and boats. BM's also operate and maintain equipment used in loading and unloading cargo, ammunition, fuel, and general stores.
This is an enlistment program option which enables men and women to enlist without a specific rating. Such "seamen" are called Boatswain's Mates, and remain so, unless/until they "strike" (apply) for a Navy rating (job) at a later point in their career. Most recruits who enlist under this option due so because the rating of choice is not available at the time of their enlistment.
The duties performed by Seamen (Boatswain's Mates) include:
•serving as helmsmen and lookouts;
•repairing, maintaining and stowing equipment in preparation for underway operations;
•working in non-engineering divisions of the ship or station;
•standing security watches while in port and under way;
•operating sound-powered telephone systems;
•doing temporary duty for 90-120 days with food services divisions or compartment cleaning;
•serving as a member of damage control, emergency and security alert teams;
•participating in naval ceremonies;
•taking part in underway replenishment (transferring supplies from ship to ship at sea);
•working with qualified personnel to gain job training and experience.
Working Environment
After successful completion of this training, Seamen are usually assigned to shipboard duties where the Navy needs them the most. Seamen can request and may receive on-the-job training in a rating that they are interested in, qualified for and is 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.
A-School (Job School) Information
After completion of recruit training, enlistees in the Seaman Apprenticeship Training Program attend a three-week course on basic theory in shipboard operations and evolution's. This is not considered an "A-School." Seamen may also attend Navy schools to learn about general damage control, shipboard fire fighting, preventive maintenance of special equipment, and the use of special tools used in the rating they are working in or seeking.
ASVAB Score Requirement: None Established.
Security Clearance Requirement: None
Other Requirements
None
Sub-Specialties Available for This Rating: Navy Enlisted Classification Codes for BM
Current Manning Levels for This Rating: CREO Listing
Note: Advancement ( promotion ) opportunity and career progression are directly linked to a rating's manning level (i.e., personnel in undermanned ratings have greater promotion opportunity than those in overmanned ratings).
Sea/Shore Rotation for This Rating
•First Sea Tour: 60 months
•First Shore Tour: 36 months
•Second Sea Tour: 54 months
•Second Shore Tour: 36 months
•Third Sea Tour: 36 months
•Third Shore Tour: 36 months
•Fourth Sea Tour: 36 months
•Forth Shore Tour: 36 months
Note: 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.
Much of the above information courtesy of the Navy Personnel Command
Replies
Bottom line, he is going to be chipping paint and handling mooring lines. Deck Department on a ship takes care of everything topside. Responsible for all the ship handling equipment topside. The junior personnel are not always the cream of the crop. However, should he decide on a different job before he takes the test for E4, he can strike that rate (job). It requires a formal request and command approval of that request.
Should he decide to stay a BM, it is a very honorable rate. As a E-4(third class petty officer), he will have more leadership responsibilities than most third class sailors in the Navy. I have had several very good friends that were bosun's and First Lieutenants (Deck Department Head). And normally, engineers and bosun's don't get along. I just really respected their job and contribution to the mission. Also, BM is a source rate for Navy Divers and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD). These are some pretty awesome jobs with great advancement opportunity.
NavyDads Admin (Paul) said:
Boatswain's Mates (BM) train, direct, and supervise personnel in ship's maintenance duties in all activities relating to marlinspike, deck, boat seamanship, painting, upkeep of ship's external structure, rigging, deck equipment, and boats. BM's also operate and maintain equipment used in loading and unloading cargo, ammunition, fuel, and general stores.
This is an enlistment program option which enables men and women to enlist without a specific rating. Such "seamen" are called Boatswain's Mates, and remain so, unless/until they "strike" (apply) for a Navy rating (job) at a later point in their career. Most recruits who enlist under this option due so because the rating of choice is not available at the time of their enlistment.
The duties performed by Seamen (Boatswain's Mates) include:
•serving as helmsmen and lookouts;
•repairing, maintaining and stowing equipment in preparation for underway operations;
•working in non-engineering divisions of the ship or station;
•standing security watches while in port and under way;
•operating sound-powered telephone systems;
•doing temporary duty for 90-120 days with food services divisions or compartment cleaning;
•serving as a member of damage control, emergency and security alert teams;
•participating in naval ceremonies;
•taking part in underway replenishment (transferring supplies from ship to ship at sea);
•working with qualified personnel to gain job training and experience.
Working Environment
After successful completion of this training, Seamen are usually assigned to shipboard duties where the Navy needs them the most. Seamen can request and may receive on-the-job training in a rating that they are interested in, qualified for and is 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.
A-School (Job School) Information
After completion of recruit training, enlistees in the Seaman Apprenticeship Training Program attend a three-week course on basic theory in shipboard operations and evolution's. This is not considered an "A-School." Seamen may also attend Navy schools to learn about general damage control, shipboard fire fighting, preventive maintenance of special equipment, and the use of special tools used in the rating they are working in or seeking.
ASVAB Score Requirement: None Established.
Security Clearance Requirement: None
Other Requirements
None
Sub-Specialties Available for This Rating: Navy Enlisted Classification Codes for BM
Current Manning Levels for This Rating: CREO Listing
Note: Advancement ( promotion ) opportunity and career progression are directly linked to a rating's manning level (i.e., personnel in undermanned ratings have greater promotion opportunity than those in overmanned ratings).
Sea/Shore Rotation for This Rating
•First Sea Tour: 60 months
•First Shore Tour: 36 months
•Second Sea Tour: 54 months
•Second Shore Tour: 36 months
•Third Sea Tour: 36 months
•Third Shore Tour: 36 months
•Fourth Sea Tour: 36 months
•Forth Shore Tour: 36 months
Note: 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.
Much of the above information courtesy of the Navy Personnel Command