Boatswains Mate

Job Title: Boatswain’s Mate
Category / Component: Enlisted • Both
Overview
Boatswain’s Mates are seamanship and deck operations experts who form the backbone of a ship’s crew. They handle small boats, maintain topside equipment, and support cargo handling, flight deck operations, and maritime security, keeping the fleet ready to sail and fight.
Key Responsibilities
- Stand watch as helmsman, lookout, and Boatswain’s Mate of the Watch
- Operate small boats and support flight deck and amphibious operations
- Repair and maintain deck equipment and exterior ship surfaces
- Conduct underway replenishment and cargo handling at sea
- Stand security watches in port and underway and participate in naval ceremonies
What to Expect
- Hands on, mostly outdoor work in varied weather and sea conditions
- Frequent watches day and night, at sea and in port, to support ship operations
- High tempo evolutions during replenishments, small boat operations, and flight deck activities
- Close teamwork within the deck department and opportunities to lead junior Sailors as you advance
Work Environment
- Assignments on surface ships and at shore installations in the United States and overseas - Work on decks, piers, small boats, and flight decks across a range of sea states and weather conditions - Operate in a physically demanding maritime environment with strict safety procedures and close team coordination
Pathways, Training & Advancement
- Recruit Training followed by Boatswain’s Mate A School in Great Lakes, Illinois
- On the job qualification in seamanship, small boat handling, deck operations, and watchstanding
- Advancement based on performance, time in rate, completion of required qualifications, and advancement exams, with historically strong promotion opportunity for qualified Sailors
- Enlist directly as a Boatswain’s Mate and attend BM A School after Recruit Training, subject to current classification and manning needs.
Qualifications
All Navy jobs require meeting general enlistment or commissioning standards, which typically include:

• Eligibility to serve in the United States Navy, which may involve United States citizenship or other legal residency and work status, depending on the program and current law and policy
• A high school diploma or equivalent for enlisted positions, and a bachelor’s or qualifying professional degree for officer positions
• Meeting age limits that vary by program and are set in law and Navy policy. Some communities have more restrictive age ranges
• Meeting medical, vision, and dental standards, including body composition and physical fitness requirements, with some jobs requiring more demanding standards
• Meeting character and conduct standards, including background screening
• Achieving required test scores for your program, such as the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery for enlisted roles or officer qualification tests for officer programs
• Eligibility for a security clearance when required for your rating or designator
• Additional qualifications can include specific skills, education, licensure, or experience that are unique to a job or community and will be reviewed with you by a recruiter.

Additional qualifications for this job may include:
- Physical strength and stamina to work safely in an outdoor maritime environment, often with repetitive tasks, ladders, and heavy loads.
- Ability to work well in a team, follow safety procedures, and communicate clearly in a shipboard environment.

Education
Education benefits are available through standard Navy programs such as Tuition Assistance, the Post-9/11 GI Bill, ACE-recommended college credit for Navy training, Navy COOL-funded certifications, USMAP apprenticeships, and other Navy College Program opportunities. Specific options depend on the Sailor’s status, training, and current Navy policy.
Pay, Benefits & Service
Pay, benefits, and service commitments follow standard Navy Active and/or Reserve policies for this type of role, including basic pay, allowances when eligible, health coverage, and retirement options. Exact entitlements, special pays, and service obligations depend on program, component, years of service, and current law and Navy guidance.
Incentives
Incentives such as bonuses, special pays, and loan repayment may be available at times for specific ratings or communities, but they change frequently and cannot be guaranteed. Applicants must confirm current incentives and eligibility with an official Navy recruiter or authoritative Navy source.
Notes and Disclaimers
This description is a general overview of typical duties, training, and opportunities in this community. It does not replace official Navy instructions, policies, or contracts and does not guarantee specific assignments, training, incentives, or outcomes. Actual opportunities depend on Navy needs, individual performance, screening results, and current law and policy.