myNavyRates.rg
Home/Compare All Rates/BM
Donate
Compare All RatesBest ListsQuizPayBonusesASVAB CalculatorAdvancement Name SearchDuty StationsFamily ImpactFree DegreeRecruitersBe an OfficerArticlesFAQs
myNavyRates.rg
Donate

Explore

  • All Rates
  • Side-by-Side
  • Best Lists
  • Articles
  • FAQs

Tools

  • Take the Quiz
  • Anti-Match Quiz
  • ASVAB Calculator
  • Pay
  • Pay Value
  • Bonuses
  • Advancement

Life in the Navy

  • Duty Stations
  • Family Impact
  • Free Degree
  • Be an Officer
  • Recruiters

About

  • About
  • Contact
  • Changelog
  • Donate
  • Privacy
  • Disclaimer
  • Sitemap

Not affiliated with the U.S. Navy or Department of Defense.·© 2026 myNavyRates.org. All rights reserved.

HomeCompare RatesQuizBonusesASVAB CalculatorMore
Home/Rates/BM
Boatswain's Mate sailor
Boatswain's Mate rating badgeBM

Boatswain's Mate(BM Navy Rating)

Boatswains Mates are the Navy's oldest rate, responsible for deck seamanship, small boat operations, underway replenishment, and anchoring. They lead deck divisions and train junior sailors.

Overall

3.9/10
Burnout5.1
Lifestyle3.5
Civilian ROI2.1
Happiness5.5
Manning %2.4
$$$ Pay5.0

Quick Stats

Enlistment BonusNo active bonus
Civilian Sector Transferability$38k–$58k
Advancement OutlookAverage
Manning %103%
Initial Contract4 yr, 5 yr
Medical RequirementsNone listed

Security Clearance

No Clearance — Open to Permanent Residents

This rate does not require a security clearance and is open to lawful permanent residents (green card holders) as well as U.S. citizens.

ASVAB Requirements

Line-score options — meet any one

  • VE+AR+MK+AS≥163
  • MK+AS+AO≥126
Calculate your score →

Who This Is Best For

Best for natural leaders who want to be outdoors, in charge of people, and developing core seamanship skills. Leadership experience is unmatched, but civilian technical transferability is limited compared to other rates — choose this if you value leadership credentials and love the sea over a direct trade skill.

+Pros

  • ✓Strong civilian career transition

–Cons

  • ✗Significant sea duty

Real Opinions

+Positive

✓

“Deckplate leadership experience you cannot get anywhere else. BM/OS taught me how to lead under pressure.”

r/navy|
✓

“There are many different types of jobs aboard a ship but only the BM rate teaches you how to be a sailor.”

Quora|

–Negative & Mixed

✗

“Long hours on the bridge or topside in all weather. Not glamorous work but someone has to do it.”

r/newtothenavy|
⚬

“BMs work and do some of the hardest and dirtiest jobs on the ship, and also do some of the most dangerous evolutions in the Navy.”

Quora|

Page 1 of 3

Share your opinion about BM

0 chars
Select one:

Recruiter vs Reality

What the recruiter says vs. what it's actually like.

🫡 Recruiter says

“You will be on the bridge driving ships and leading sailors from day one!”

💀 Reality

Source: MyNavyRates research

Leadership opportunities are real but come with long hours on the bridge or topside in all conditions. These rates tend to have heavy workloads and less personal time underway.

🫡 Recruiter says

“Boatswain's Mate is the backbone of the Navy — you'll be respected everywhere”

💀 Reality

Source: r/newtothenavy

BMs work harder physically than almost any other rate for less pay and fewer transferable skills. You'll do the jobs nobody else wants — painting, cleaning, loading stores. The leadership experience is real, but civilian employers don't know what a BM is. Be honest with yourself about why you're choosing this rate.

Page 1 of 5

😱

Horror Stories

Real stories people have shared about this rate. Swipe to browse.

💀

“Seaman Spearman, 19, had fainted four times aboard ship including once while steering. Despite this he was cleared for full duty. He fell overboard in the Baltic Sea while working alone — in violation of what was agreed. His father filed a $7M wrongful death claim.”

Source: stripes.com|

Story 1 of 7

Share a horror story about BM

0 chars

Related Reading

Guides on picking a rate, ASVAB, bonuses, promotion, and life after the Navy.

Getting Started

How do you choose the right Navy rate for you?

Choosing a Navy rate means weighing your ASVAB scores, lifestyle preferences, civilian career goals, and willingness to deploy or go to sea. Start by identifying which ratings you qualify for, then narrow the list by what matters most to you.

Getting Started

What is the ASVAB and what scores do you need?

The ASVAB is a multi-aptitude test that determines which Navy ratings you qualify for. Your sub-test scores combine into line scores, and each rating has minimum line-score requirements. Higher scores open more options.

Career & Pay

Which Navy rates have the biggest enlistment bonuses in 2026?

Active Component (Active Duty) only. Per the CNRC GENADMIN dated 24 July 2026, the biggest source-rate bonus is $40,000 — Nuclear Field on FY26 ship dates ($75,000 EB cap). Special Warfare Boat Operator (SB) follows at $35,000, then EOD and SEAL (SO) at $30,000, and Aviation Rescue Swimmer (AIRR) and Cryptologic Technician Maintenance (CTM) at $25,000. Special Operations Future Sailors who clear the elevated PST standards add a flat $20,000 EBPST. Most rates cap at $50,000 total EB. The Loan Repayment Program adds up to $65,000 on top, separately. Reserve component (SELRES) bonuses are governed by a different message and are not covered here.

Real Opinions

+Positive

✓

“Deckplate leadership experience you cannot get anywhere else. BM/OS taught me how to lead under pressure.”

r/navy|
✓

“There are many different types of jobs aboard a ship but only the BM rate teaches you how to be a sailor.”

Quora|

–Negative & Mixed

✗

“Long hours on the bridge or topside in all weather. Not glamorous work but someone has to do it.”

r/newtothenavy|
⚬

“BMs work and do some of the hardest and dirtiest jobs on the ship, and also do some of the most dangerous evolutions in the Navy.”

Quora|

Page 1 of 3

Share your opinion about BM

0 chars
Select one:

Recruiter vs Reality

What the recruiter says vs. what it's actually like.

🫡 Recruiter says

“You will be on the bridge driving ships and leading sailors from day one!”

💀 Reality

Source: MyNavyRates research

Leadership opportunities are real but come with long hours on the bridge or topside in all conditions. These rates tend to have heavy workloads and less personal time underway.

🫡 Recruiter says

“Boatswain's Mate is the backbone of the Navy — you'll be respected everywhere”

💀 Reality

Source: r/newtothenavy

BMs work harder physically than almost any other rate for less pay and fewer transferable skills. You'll do the jobs nobody else wants — painting, cleaning, loading stores. The leadership experience is real, but civilian employers don't know what a BM is. Be honest with yourself about why you're choosing this rate.

Page 1 of 5

😱

Horror Stories

Real stories people have shared about this rate. Swipe to browse.

💀

“Seaman Spearman, 19, had fainted four times aboard ship including once while steering. Despite this he was cleared for full duty. He fell overboard in the Baltic Sea while working alone — in violation of what was agreed. His father filed a $7M wrongful death claim.”

Source: stripes.com|

Story 1 of 7

Share a horror story about BM

0 chars

Training Pipeline — Total ~13 weeks (3 months)

8w
5w
Boot Camp— 8 weeks
RTC Great Lakes, IL
Basic military training for all recruits
A-School— 5 weeks
Great Lakes, IL
12.5% washoutDifficulty: 2.2/10
Technical training for rating qualification
Fleet Assignment— 0 weeks
First duty station
Report to operational command

Calculate Your End Training Date and Holidays and Events You Will Miss During Training

Ship dates are approximate and based on the weekly RTC Great Lakes schedule. Confirm your exact date with your recruiter. Source: bootcamp.navy.mil

Career Progression Milestones

Estimated timeline based on current advancement rates. Actual timing varies by individual performance and Navy needs.

3 mo
1 mo
1yr 5mo
2yr
Training Complete— 3 mo
Pipeline finished (~3 mo) — Great Lakes, IL
First Duty Station— 4 mo
Likely sea duty assignment
NEC Specialization Options— 1yr 9mo
15 specializations available
W07AW08AW10AW11A+ more

Advancement Outlook

E-2 to E-4 Advancement Outlook

Time to E-4: 30 months total

  • E-1 → E-2: 9 months at E-1. Automatic
  • E-2 → E-3: 9 months at E-2. Automatic
  • E-3 → E-4: 12 months at E-3. Automatic

E-4 is automatic — competitive advancement starts at E-5

How to advance faster to E-4

Your recruiter can process you in at E-2 or E-3 on day one if you qualify. Every rung skipped shortens the path to E-4 by months. Official transcripts / certificates required at enlistment.

  • E-2 →Easy
    2 years of JROTC completed. Easiest common path if your high school offers JROTC.
  • E-2 →Moderate
    24+ semester hours/ 36+ quarter hours of college credit (below the associate's threshold). Roughly one full year of college.
  • E-2 →Moderate
    Civil Air Patrol Billy Mitchell Award. Achievable with consistent cadet participation, but requires testing and leadership time.
  • E-2 →Moderate
    Sea Cadet Corps — reaching the Sea Cadet E-2 rate (join by age 17).
  • E-2 to E-3 →Moderate
    Boot camp leadership roles — roles don't auto-pin rank. Advancement comes from earning Honor Recruit or Hall of Fame at graduation (one award only, not stacked).
    • Honor Recruit up to E-2 — effectively the #1 ranked recruit in your division (~60-80 recruits), one Sailor per division per cycle. Selection is based on cumulative performance across all three academic exams, Physical Readiness Test (PRT) scores, uniform and personnel inspections, military bearing, and peer/Recruit Division Commander (RDC) evaluations. Roles that typically compete at this level:
      • Assistant LPO (ALPO) — deputy to the LPO.
      • Master-at-Arms (MAA) — barracks cleanliness, standards, and discipline.
      • Yeoman (YN) — division admin, paperwork, and tracking.
      • Educational Petty Officer (EPO) — study groups, test prep, and academic remediation.
      • Religious Petty Officer (RPO) — coordinates chapel and religious services.
      • Athletic Petty Officer (APO) — leads PT and fitness assessments.
      • Mail Petty Officer — handles mail distribution and tracking.
      • Section Leaders — squad-level leaders below the division-wide roles.
    • Hall of Fame up to E-3 — the most elite recognition at Recruit Training Command (RTC), awarded Navy-wide rather than per division. Requires exceptional performance in every training metric: top-tier scores on all three academic exams (typically 90%+), "Outstanding" on the final Physical Readiness Test (PRT), near-perfect uniform and personnel inspections, held a division leadership role with strong performance, and zero remediation, infractions, or negative marks across the full training cycle. Senior leadership roles positioned to compete:
  • E-3 →Moderate
    3 years of JROTC completed (any service branch). Straightforward if your high school has the program — three school years of enrollment.
  • E-3 →Hard
    Eagle Scout (BSA) or Gold Award (GSUSA) — the highest youth scouting awards. Typically takes years of participation and a capstone service project.
  • E-3 →Hard
    Associate's degree (or 48+ semester hours / 72+ quarter hours of college credit, 100-level or higher from an accredited institution). Two years of full-time college.
  • E-3 →Hard
    Civil Air Patrol Earhart Award. Uncommon — only a small fraction of CAP cadets reach this level.
  • E-3 →Hard
    Sea Cadet Corps — reaching the Sea Cadet E-3 rate (join by age 16).

Ceiling is E-3 at accession — stacking qualifications doesn't push you to E-4 out of the gate.

Ways to accelerate E-4 after you're in

  • Very HardMeritorious Advancement Program (MAP) — Command-nominated promotion that skips the exam entirely. Each command gets a small seasonal quota of MAP slots and hands them to the top performers based on evaluation ranking. Fastest path on paper, but you're competing directly with every other sailor at your command.

Rules can change — verify current criteria with your recruiter and in the latest Navy Recruiting Manual (COMNAVCRUITCOM) before signing any paperwork that assumes a specific entry paygrade.

E-5 and E-6 Advancement Outlook

Average★☆★☆

1 of 4 factors working in your favor · 1 working against you

  • ▼

    Manning

    E5 99%E6 106%
    Community is at or above authorized strength. Limited BBA billet gaps — expect more competition and slower promotion.

    Source: N12 Community Health Indicator brief (FY26)

  • ●

    Enlistment bonus

    No

    No active enlistment bonus for this rate. Most ratings do not offer one in any given fiscal year, so this is a neutral signal on its own.
  • ▲

    Overall Selective Reenlistment Bonus (SRB) Outlook

    Average SRB added/increased · SRB reduced/eliminated
    Navy is paying a substantial bonus to retain sailors. Strong signal that billets are staying empty at senior paygrades.

Bonuses — Click here to see your military pay

How to qualify & get paid

  1. Sign a contract for this rate at MEPS with the bonus(es) listed on your NAVCRUIT 1133/52 Enlistment Guarantee — eligibility is locked at signing.
  2. Ship to Recruit Training Command (RTC) Great Lakes inside the authorized window — EBSHP and EBPST are earned and paid at RTC graduation and cannot be recouped after.
  3. Complete A-school (and any required follow-on C-school or qualifying course) for your rating — EBSR is earned and paid at school graduation, except for the Special-Operations pipelines, which pay later (AIRR after FRS + first duty station; SO after SQT; SB after SWCC Charlie phase; EOD/ND after their respective A-schools).
  4. LRP is paid annually upon submission of a DD 2475; ~25% is withheld for federal taxes, and a W-2 is issued. LRP must be on your contract at accession — it cannot be added later via reclassification.

Important details & disqualifiers

  • •All bonuses on this page are Active Component (Active Duty) only. Reservists (SELRES) follow a separate CNRF incentive message — ask your recruiter.
  • •Future Sailors with Tier 3 education credentials (HiSET / GED / alternative) are NOT authorized any EB.
  • •AFQT score must be ≥ 31 for EBSHP and ≥ 50 for LRP.
  • •EBSR is the only EB type that can be partially recouped if you separate before completing the obligated service. EBSHP / EBPST cannot be recouped after RTC.
  • •Bonus payments are subject to federal income tax withholding.
  • •EB-for-High-School (EBHS) is currently NOT authorized in the July 2026 GENADMIN — distinct from earlier cycles when it was offered.
  • •Funding: NDAA 2026 authorizes contracts through 31 December 2026; appropriations cover obligations through 30 September 2026; max-EB authority extends through 10 January 2027 — all subject to congressional reauthorization of 37 USC § 331.

No initial enlistment bonus for this rate per the current CNRC GENADMIN. Career Sailors may still qualify for a Selective Reenlistment Bonus (SRB) — see the Reenlistment section below.

You May Qualify for a Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC)

Specialties within this rate you can select, some with additional compensation. Each NEC has its own training, bonus potential, and career path.

0000Any NEC or no NEC (all qualifying Sailors in this rating)

Selective Reenlistment Bonus (SRB)

🟢

First Reenlistment (17 mo to 6 yrs Active Duty)

$30,000

Max

Active (unchanged)

—

Second Reenlistment (6 to 10 yrs Active Duty)

Not eligible

—

Third Reenlistment (10 to 14 yrs Active Duty)

Not eligible

W07ATugmaster

Operates YTB/YT tugs to assist in docking, undocking, dry-docking, and cold iron moves. Directs use of head, breast and power lines and stern tow makeups. Employs International and Inland Rules of the Road, navigational, visual, and radio communications procedures. Directs the operation and maintenance of engineering plant, deck machinery, firefighting and other emergency equipment.

Potential Civilian Post-Navy Outcomes

Maritime Operations Manager

Transferability: 4/10

$38k–$58k

Post-Navy Salary Trajectory

Estimated civilian salary growth after separating from the Navy, based on industry data for this rating's skill set.

Year 1

$35K

Year 5

$42K

Year 10

$48K

10-year growth: +37%

Free Certifications & Credentials

Certifications and licenses the Navy will pay for free through Navy COOL and on-the-job training.

OSHA 30-Hour Maritime

OSHA

COOL Funded~$3K civilian sector value

USCG Merchant Mariner Credential

USCG

~$8K civilian sector value

Retention & Burnout

First-Term Retention

40%

choose to reenlist

Burnout Index

5.1/10

Moderate

Watch Intensity

5

Hours/Day

9

Deploy Tempo

8.5

Manning Strain

0

Low Morale Risk

5

Attrition Signal

6

What this means: The Burnout Index combines watch intensity (25%), daily hours (20%), deployment tempo (15%), manning strain (15%), morale (15%), and attrition (10%) into a single risk score.

Lifestyle4/10

Ship vs. Shore Split

80% / 20%

Sea Duty Tempo

High — 8.5/10

Physical Demand

high — outdoor

Sea Duty Tempo measures how much of a career is spent in deployable billets — ships, submarines, deploying squadrons, and expeditionary units — and how often those units leave homeport. It is separate from physical demand: an administrative job aboard a deployed unit still deploys, and a hands-on maintenance job at a shore command does not.

Watch Standing

3-section underway (8 on / 16 off)

In a 3-section rotation, the crew is divided into three teams. Each team stands an 8-hour watch shift, then has 16 hours off. In port, you stand 24-hour duty roughly every 3 days — one out of every three nights you stay aboard the ship. Underway (when attached to a ship command), the watch schedule runs continuously with shorter rest periods between shifts.

Bridge and topside watches in all weather conditions. Helmsman, lookout, and BMOW are common stations.

OPNAVINST 3120.32DUSNI ProceedingsNavy Watch Standing Manual

Life on Watch — Sea Stories

“I was BMOW during a sea and anchor detail pulling into Naples. The Captain wanted the ship alongside the pier in one shot — no tugs. Every eye on the bridge was on me as I called out distances and relayed commands to the line handlers on the foc'sle. The wind kicked up to 25 knots crosswind at the worst possible moment. I piped 'all hands to mooring stations' on the 1MC and you could hear 300 people scrambling. We got her tied up clean. The Captain just nodded at me — that's the highest compliment a BM ever gets.”

DVIDSHUB / Veteran account

Story 1 of 6

Common Duty Stations

Naval Station NorfolkSea
Family Friendly

6.9/10

Schools + spouse jobs

Base Housing Wait

10 months

Avg waitlist for on-base

Cost of Living

95

100 = national avg

Naval Base San DiegoSea
Family Friendly

7.9/10

Schools + spouse jobs

Base Housing Wait

14 months

Avg waitlist for on-base

Cost of Living

135

100 = national avg

Naval Station MayportSea
Family Friendly
🎓

Step-by-Step Strategy Guide to Getting an Associate's Degree After Boot Camp — For Free

Most sailors don't know they already have 9 or more general education college credits just from graduating boot camp.

Based on your rate, you may have more.

You can earn an associate's degree for free in 12-30 months without spending a dime.

Strategy Guide & Boot Camp College Credit Calculator →
Not the rate for you? See other ratings side by side →

Talk to a Sailor

Community Poll

If you could go back, would you pick BM again?

Career & Pay

How does promotion work in the Navy?

Navy advancement depends on exam scores, evaluations, time in rate, and available quotas. Some ratings promote over 50% of eligible sailors while others promote less than 5%. Your rate choice directly affects how fast you can advance.

Career & Pay

Which Navy jobs set you up best for a civilian career?

Information warfare ratings (IT, CTN, IS) and medical ratings (HM) offer the strongest civilian career pipelines. Security clearances, technical certifications, and hands-on experience make these sailors highly competitive in the private sector.

Browse all articles →

Life on Watch — Sea Stories

“I was BMOW during a sea and anchor detail pulling into Naples. The Captain wanted the ship alongside the pier in one shot — no tugs. Every eye on the bridge was on me as I called out distances and relayed commands to the line handlers on the foc'sle. The wind kicked up to 25 knots crosswind at the worst possible moment. I piped 'all hands to mooring stations' on the 1MC and you could hear 300 people scrambling. We got her tied up clean. The Captain just nodded at me — that's the highest compliment a BM ever gets.”

DVIDSHUB / Veteran account

Story 1 of 6

Shore Duty Rotation— 3yr 9mo
First shore rotation opportunity
  • Leading Petty Officer (LPO) — runs day-to-day ops inside the division.
  • Assistant RCPO (ARCPO) — backs up the RCPO and steps in when needed.
  • Recruit Chief Petty Officer (RCPO) — senior recruit in the division, overall accountability to the RDCs. Highest visibility for meritorious advancement.
+0
−0
$30,000 max
  • ●

    Billet-Based Advancement eligibility

    Legacy exam cycles

    This rating has not been integrated into Billet-Based Advancement yet. Advancement still runs through the traditional exam and Final Multiple Score (FMS) system — your exam score is one of the main factors in how you promote.

    • Sources: Manning NAVADMIN · SRB NAVADMIN · Billet-Based Advancement Handbook (NAVADMIN 255/24, updated via NAVADMIN 112/25). How to interpret these factors →

    Requirements

    • Candidates for and personnel holding this NEC code must meet and maintain qualification standards (including physical requirements) contained in OPNAVINST 3171.2.
    • Must pass night vision test.
    • Color vision must pass the Farnsworth lantern test of 12 to 14 Pseudo isochromatic Plates (PIP).
    W08APatrol Boat Coxswain

    Supervises boat crew in hoisting and lowering operations. Handles all types of cargo including stowing in boat. Assists in salvage operation.

    Requirements

    • If OJT experience supports NEC award, submit NAVPERS 1221/6 with documentation attached to BUPERS-312.
    W10ACauseway Lighterage Craftmaster

    Operates the Improved Navy Lighterage System Warping Tug (WT) and/or Causeway Ferry (CF).

    Requirements

    • Must be second class swimmer qualified and have normal color perception.
    W11ANavy Lighterage Deck Supervisor

    Responsible for the safe and effective operation of all deck equipment on the Improved Lighterage Warping Tug (WT) and/or Causeway Ferry (CF).

    Requirements

    • Must be second class swimmer qualified and have normal color perception.
    • Must pass night vision test.
    W14AHarbor/Docking Pilot

    Pilots naval ships of ALL classes and unlimited tonnage in and out of harbors and naval bases or to and from docks and berths. Supervises naval and civilian personnel in docking, berthing and mooring of all classes of vessels, floating docks, cranes, and barges. Directs operations of all classes of vessels, floating docks, cranes, and barges.

    Requirements

    • Member must have earned NEC code W07A or W09A or 800A or qualified as OOD U/W to be awarded this NEC code.
    • Submit completed Harbor Pilot nomination package and endorsed 1306/927 to the Office of Chief Pilot, Little Creek, VA for review and selection.
    701CLanding Craft Utility Craftmaster

    Directs movement of Landing Craft Utility (LCU) in Amphibious assault operations. Directs docking and undocking in landing types (LHA, LHD, LPD, LSD), beaching and retracting, loading stowage, and security of equipment and supplies in the various ship and shore movement assault elements.

    Requirements

    • Must be ESWS qualified; second class swimmer per NAVPERS 15560C; no eval mark below 3.0 in the last 36 months; no record of NJP or financial problems in the last 36 months; minimum ASVAB WK+AR=104 (waiverable); no PRT failures in the past 36 months. Must be eligible for a secret clearance. Night blindness will be cause for rejection. Color Vision must pass the Farnsworth lantern test of 12 to 14 Pseudoisochromatic Plates (PIP). Member must have a 2-year obliserve requirement to be awarded the NEC. Submit NAVPERS 1221/6 with completed qualifications to BUPERS-312 to be awarded this NEC code.
    721BGeneral Dynamics (GD) Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Core Crew Mission Specialist

    Performs organizational level preventive and corrective maintenance, troubleshooting, fault isolation procedures, and operation of equipment for the GD Systems Suite onboard LCS class.

    Requirements

    • Member must complete required prerequisite training; GD ship unique training, and COMLSCRON training to be awarded this NEC code. Submit NAVPERS 1221/6 via COMLCSRON ONE to BUPERS-312.
    746BOutboard Engine Maintenance Technician

    Performs periodic and routine maintenance, preoperational and operational inspections, troubleshooting procedures, and repairing outboard eng1nes.

    757BExpeditionary Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (ExUUV) Supervisor

    Performs UUV operations to enable the amphibious task forces, special operations and other component commanders with intelligence preparation of the battlespace, mine countermeasures and other joint operations support.

    Requirements

    • Member must have successfully completed the required OJT/JQR as outlined in COMEODGRUTWO/ONE INST 1221.1 to earn this NEC code.
    • Submit NAVPERS 1221/6 to BUPERS-312 with Commanding Officer's endorsement.
    775BExpeditionary - Maritime Security

    Performs and executes major combat operations; security in support of counter-insurgency operations; port security/harbor defense; humanitarian assistance/ disaster response; theater security cooperation; law enforcement operations; security, stability, transition, and reconstruction operations; maritime interdiction operations.

    Requirements

    • NEC code may be awarded after completion of one year of OJT familiarization with Maritime Expeditionary Security tasks and functions while assigned to a sea duty command subordinate to Coastal Riverine Group ONE (CRG-1) or Coastal Riverine Group TWO (CRG-2). Commanding Officers shall submit NAVPERS 1221/6 for awarding of NEC code.
    • NEC code may also be awarded retroactively to source rating personnel who meet the following requirements: a. Previously earned component NEC code 804G. b. Completed a minimum 1-year tour of duty subsequent to 1 April 2009 at a sea duty command subordinate to CORIVGRU ONE (formerly Maritime Expeditionary Security Group ONE) or CORIVGRU TWO (formerly Maritime Expeditionary Security Group TWO). Includes former subordinate sea duty commands of Coastal Riverine Groups ONE and TWO.
    777BLockheed Martin (LM) Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Core Crew Mission Specialist

    Performs organizational level preventive and corrective maintenance, troubleshooting, fault isolation procedures, and operation of equipment for the LM Systems Suite onboard LCS class.

    Requirements

    • Member must complete required prerequisite training; LM ship unique training, and COMLSCRON training to be awarded this NEC code. Submit NAVPERS 1221/6 via COMLCSRON ONE to BUPERS-312.
    778BSurface Warfare (SUW) Mission Specialist

    Performs organizational level preventive and corrective maintenance, troubleshooting, fault isolation procedures, and operation of equipment for the SUW Systems Suite onboard Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) class.

    Requirements

    • Member must complete required prerequisite training; mission package (MP) unique training, and COMLSCRON training to be awarded this NEC code. Submit NAVPERS 1221/6 via COMLCSRON ONE to BUPERS-312.
    789AUnmanned Undersea Vehicle (UUV) Operator

    Performs duties as a member, or in support of a UUV activity, to include sortie planning, launch and recovery, local or remote watch, post mission analysis, and organizational level maintenance.

    Requirements

    • To be eligible for this NEC Code member must have: a. Qualified on a Navy UUV system. b. Completed at least two weeks of formal classroom instruction on the operation and maintenance of UUVs (e.g., factory schooling, university short-course, MK-18 operator course, etc.). c. Completed twelve months of OJT and primary duties involved UUV operations.
    • Reserve Force members may satisfy the OJT requirement by 100 days of Annual Training (AT) and Active Duty for Training (ADT) or 18 months of Individual Duty for Training (IDT) and AT in support of UUV operations.
    • Submit NAVPERS 1221/6 to BUPERS-312 with endorsement from UUV activity. 277
    799ACauseway Barge Ferry Coxswain

    Operates Causeway Section Powered and Improved Navy Lighterage Warping Tug with 360-degree water jet propulsion system in support of amphibious operations and Maritime Prepositioned Ship operations.

    Requirements

    • Personnel may earn this NEC code by completing applicable OJT/PQS.
    • Must be a second class swimmer per NAVPERS 15560C.
    • Color vision must pass the Farnsworth lantern test of 12 to 14 Pseudoisochromatic Plates (PIP).
    799BBasic MK 18 Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) Operator and Maintainer

    Performs system operation and maintenance, sonar image interpretation, sensor data analysis, and mine warfare mission execution essentials of the MK 18 UUV Family of Systems (FoS) to safely and effectively conduct assigned tasking.

    Requirements

    • Must be eligible to hold a SECRET security clearance.
    • Personnel must be currently filling a UUV Operator and Maintainer billet or in route to an operational command or learning site where the MK 18 FoS is currently being utilized to earn this NEC code. 283

    6.4/10

    Schools + spouse jobs

    Base Housing Wait

    6 months

    Avg waitlist for on-base

    Cost of Living

    90

    100 = national avg

    View all stations →

    ⚓ Related Navy Ratings in Surface

    Other surface ratings sailors often compare against BM Boatswain's Mate.

    CSCulinary SpecialistCSSCulinary Specialist SubmarinesEODExplosive Ordnance Disposal TechnicianFCFire ControlmanFCAFire Controlman – AegisFTFire Control TechnicianGMGunner's MateLSLogistics SpecialistLSSLogistics Specialist – SubmarinesMAMaster-at-ArmsMNMinemanMTMissile TechnicianOSOperations SpecialistQMQuartermasterRSRetail Services SpecialistSBSpecial Warfare Combatant-craft CrewmanSTSonar TechnicianSTGSonar Technician SurfaceSTSSonar Technician – SubmarinesTMTorpedoman's Mate
    Compare BM side-by-side with these ratings→

    Real questions from people considering Boatswain's Mate, answered by current and former sailors.

    No questions yet for Boatswain's Mate.

    Be the first to ask!

    0/500