
How long does it take to become a boatswain's mate?
Training for Boatswain's Mate is accomplished through 14 weeks of intensive training at BM “A” School located at Coast Guard Training Center Yorktown, VA. Students will be exposed to many facets of the Boatswain’s Mate rating; including marlinespike seamanship, navigation, and practical exercises underway.
What does boatswain's mate stand for?
Boatswain's mate (United States Navy) The rating of Boatswain's Mate dates from the American Revolutionary War and was one of the oldest U.S. Navy ratings in continuous existence from 1775 to present. For a period of three months at the end of 2016, the rating (along with all ratings in the Navy) was scheduled for elimination,...
What is a boatswain’s Mate hearing requirement?
Hearing is also important to the day-to-day job duties of an Aviation Boatswain’s Mate. Sailors are required to demonstrate normal hearing of the frequencies between 3,000Hz and 6,000Hz. The average hearing threshold level for the four frequencies needs to be lower than 30dB, with a level that is not higher than 45dB in any one frequency.

How long is Boatswain Mate a school navy?
5 weeksBoatswain Mate "A" School (5 weeks) in Great Lakes, IL, for training in basic general safety, watch standing, deck seamanship, underway replenishment and preventive maintenance. Following “A” School, there may be additional opportunities for training before receiving your first assignment, such as amphibious training.
Is boatswain's mate a rank?
The United States Navy occupational rating of boatswain's mate (abbreviated as BM) is a designation given by the Bureau of Naval Personnel (BUPERS) to enlisted members who were rated or "striking" for the rating as a deck seaman....Duties.AbbreviationTitleRankBM3Boatswain's mate third classPetty officer third class5 more rows
What pay grade is a Boatswain Mate?
Boatswain Mate SalariesJob TitleSalaryUS Navy Boatswain Mate salaries - 7 salaries reported$75,808/yrUS Coast Guard Boatswain Mate salaries - 4 salaries reported$75,483/yrMilitary Sealift Command Boatswains Mate salaries - 1 salaries reported$55,819/yrUS Navy Boatswains-mate salaries - 1 salaries reported$4,716/mo8 more rows•Dec 13, 2021
How much does a Boatswain Mate make in the Navy?
Average US Navy Boatswain's Mate yearly pay in the United States is approximately $49,196, which is 29% above the national average.
What's the lowest rank in the navy?
Seaman RecruitSeaman Recruit (E-1) Seaman recruit (SR) is the lowest enlisted rank in the Navy, just below seaman apprentice.
What's the oldest rate in the navy?
The oldest ratings in the US Navy are Quartermaster, Gunner's Mate, and Boatswain's Mate. Additionally, the term “Yeoman” was often used in reference to sailors responsible for administration onboard a ship, however, the rate would not exist until 1835.
Is a boatswain an officer?
boatswain, also called bosun, ship's officer responsible for maintenance of the ship and its equipment.
What is a boatswain's mate first class?
"Boatswain's Mate Petty Officer 1st Class is an official rank of the United States Navy. They 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.
What are the duties of a boatswain?
A boatswain, also known as a bosun, is the senior crewman of the deck. He is responsible for the ship's hull and all its components, including its rigging, anchors, cables, sails, deck maintenance and small boat operations.
How much does a boatswain mate make Coast Guard?
$44,564 per yearUS Coast Guard Salary FAQs The average salary for a Boatswains Mate is $44,564 per year in United States, which is 16% lower than the average US Coast Guard salary of $53,555 per year for this job.
What does mate mean in the Navy?
A mate is a deck naval officer aboard a merchant vessel, such as the chief mate (first mate), second mate, or third mate. Between 1800 and 1890 "mate" was also the naval rank now known as sub-lieutenant—master. One of the mates is always the watch keeping officer, unless the master takes that responsibility.
What does CBM stand for in the Navy?
Confidence-building measures (CBMs) are planned procedures to prevent hostilities, to avert escalation, to reduce military tension, and to build mutual trust between countries. They have been applied since the dawn of civilization, on all continents. At present, too few military CBMs are in place.
Is a boatswain an officer?
boatswain, also called bosun, ship's officer responsible for maintenance of the ship and its equipment.
What is an EM rate in the Navy?
Electricians Mates spend about 65 percent of their time assigned to fleet units and 35 percent to shore stations. The Navy defines EM as a “sea intensive and technical rating.”...Navy Electrician's Mates Sea/Shore Rotation.TourSea TourShore TourFirst Tour52 Months (4.5 Years)36 Months (3 Years)6 more rows•Aug 13, 2020
Is Navy a rank?
O-1 through O-4 are junior officers: ensign, lieutenant (junior grade), lieutenant, and lieutenant commander. O-5 and O-6 are senior officers: commander and captain. O-7 through O-10 are flag officers: rear admiral (lower half) (one star), rear admiral (two stars), vice admiral (three stars), and admiral (four stars).
What are the Navy enlisted ranks?
The Navy NCO equivalent, petty officer, is achieved at the rank of petty officer third class.E-5. Sergeant (SGT) Sergeant (Sgt) Petty Officer Second Class (PO2) ** ... E-6. Staff Sergeant (SSG) Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Petty Officer First Class (PO1) ** ... E-7. Sergeant First Class (SFC) Gunnery Sergeant (GySgt)
Boatswains Mate "A" School
The most versatile member of the Coast Guard's operational team is the Boatswain's Mate (BM). Boatswain's Mates are masters of seamanship. BMs are capable of performing almost any task in connection with deck maintenance, small boat operations, navigation, and supervising all personnel assigned to a ship's work force or small boat station.
Coast Guard Employee Access
It is recommended each Coast Guard employee visit TCYorktown's Portal site for additional Boatswains Mate training information. Coast Guard Employee Access.
What is a boatswain's mate?
Boatswain's Mates operate and maintain equipment used in loading and unloading cargo, ammunition, fuel, and general stores. Higher ranking Boatswain's Mates provide training and supervise others in caring for and handling deck equipment and small boats.
When was the Navy's Boatswain's Mate established?
The United States Navy Boatswain's Mate rating was officially established in 1794 . Boatswain's Mate and Gunner's Mate are the oldest, continually serving ratings in the United States Navy, and each has a rich history and celebrate honored traditions.
How long is BM school?
The BM rating requires a 60 month (5 year) service obligation. Boatswain's Mate class "A" school is six weeks long, and it is located in Great Lakes, Illinois.
What is a boatswain's mate?
Boatswains' mates are also a source rating for the Navy's mobile amphibious community. These duties include assault boat coxswain and Craftmaster, navigating specialized assault or working vessels during amphibious operations, salvage work, or inshore work. They are also a recognized source rating for the U.S. Navy's Special Warfare and Special Operations communities. Should a Boatswain's Mate meet eligibility requirements, he can elect to become an SO (formerly SEAL ), SB (formerly SWCC ), ND ( Navy Diver ), or EOD ( Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician ).
When was the Boatswain's Mate rating changed?
The rating of Boatswain's Mate dates from the American Revolutionary War and was one of the oldest U.S. Navy ratings in continuous existence from 1775 to present. For a period of three months at the end of 2016, the rating (along with all ratings in the Navy) was scheduled for elimination, but the proposed change was unpopular with both sailors and Navy veterans and was reversed in December of that year.
What is a boatwain?
Navy the ship's boatswain is a petty officer who assists the first lieutenant by supervising the deck force in the execution of major seamanship functions and the maintenance of topside gear. The ship's boatswain supervises cargo handling and inspects and maintains rigging and deck gear. His duties also include supervising anchoring, mooring, fueling, towing, transferring of personnel and cargo, and the operation and maintenance of ship's boats. The ship's boatswain is in charge of what the Navy deems "unusual" seamanship operations such as retrieving target drones, and also schedules training for deck division personnel. Another key duty of the ships' boatswain is supervision of the maintenance of abandon-ship equipment and instruction in abandon-ship techniques.
Why did the boatswain use the pipe?
On the ancient row-galleys, the boatswain used his pipe to "call the stroke". Later, because its shrill tune could be heard above most of the activity on board, it was used to signal various happenings such as pipe down, and the Side or Away Galley (the boarding or debarking of officials).
Why did Boatswain's mates prepare for an anchor drop test?
Boatswain's mates prepare for an "anchor drop test" aboard the USS George H.W. Bush to check the operability of the ship's anchor.
What are the duties of a boatswain?
Boatswain's mates duties cover a large spectrum and range widely de pending on the capacity and mission of the vessel or shore installation to which BMs are assigned. They act as landing signalmen enlisted (LSE, guiding helicopters to the designated flight deck of a ship) on air-capable ships. They act as or supervise lookouts of Navy ships, searching the sea for enemy vessels and hazards to navigation. They conduct Search and Rescue (SAR) operations and can respond to other military and civilian ships that request assistance. Ashore, they provide armed security for either their assigned vessel or for their assigned Naval installation.
What was the task of disciplining the crew of the Royal Navy?
In the Royal Navy the task of disciplining the crew fell to the quartermasters and quartermaster's mates. This was done using a rattan boatswain's cane on the boys and a rope's end on adult sailors.
What does a Navy Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (ABH) Do?
Aviation Boatswain’s Mates (ABH) have a number of responsibilities on top of an aircraft carrier. Image: DoDLive
What is the minimum score for a Navy mate?
Navy Aviation Boatswain’s Mates must pass the ASVAB with a minimum test score of 184.
What is the ABH requirement for Navy?
The Navy requires Aviation Boatswain’s Mates (ABH) to have decent eyesight. An eye examination will check for a minimum of 20/100 uncorrected vision that is correctable to 20/20. Furthermore, ABH candidates must demonstrate normal color perception, meaning no color blindness.
How long is Navy Boot Camp?
Recruit Training Command is also known informally as “Navy Boot Camp” and lasts eight weeks. Then, you progress to training related to your Navy rating. A Navy Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (ABH) receives Class A Technical School training in Pensacola, Florida.
What frequencies do sailors need to hear?
Sailors are required to demonstrate normal hearing of the frequencies between 3,000Hz and 6,000Hz.
What do you need to be a Navy recruit?
The U.S. Navy requires new recruits to have a high school diploma.
Why do people join the Navy?
One reason many people join the U.S. Navy is the opportunity to travel and see the world.

Overview
The United States Navy occupational rating of boatswain's mate (abbreviated as BM) is a designation given by the Bureau of Naval Personnel (BUPERS) to enlisted members who were rated or "striking" for the rating as a deck seaman. The colloquial form of address for a boatswain's mate is "Boats".
The rating of Boatswain's Mate dates from the American Revolutionary War and was one of the ol…
Duties
Boatswain's mates 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. Boatswain's mates take charge of working parties; perform seamanship tasks; act as petty officer-in-charge of picketboats, self-propelled barges, tugs, and other yard and district craft. They serve in, or take charge of damage control parties. B…
Ship's boatswain
In the U.S. Navy, the ship's Boatswain is a Warrant Officer who serves as a subject matter expert and assists the first lieutenant by supervising the deck force in the execution of major seamanship functions and the maintenance of topside gear. The ship's Boatswain supervises cargo handling and inspects and maintains rigging and deck gear. His duties also include supervising anchoring, mooring, fueling, towing, transferring of personnel and cargo, and the operation and maintenanc…
Background
The word boatswain has existed in one form or another longer than Modern English has (Modern English only dates back to the beginning of the Renaissance). It is derived from late Old English batswegen, from bat ("boat") + Old Norse sveinn ("swain"), meaning a young man, a follower, retainer, or servant. Various phonetic spellings (such as "bosun" and "Bos'n") have also been in use through the centuries.
Notable boatswain's mates
A number of boatswain's mates have achieved notable careers in the military. Carl Brashear, the first black American master diver, whose life was the inspiration for the movie Men of Honor, retired as a master chief boatswain's mate. James E. Williams a Medal of Honor recipient, also known as the most decorated enlisted sailor in U.S. Navy history for his actions during the Vietnam War, Reuben James and William Wiley famous for their heroism in the Barbary Wars and n…
See also
• Boatswain
• List of United States Navy ratings
• Boatswain's mate (US Coast Guard)
• Bootsmann
Sources
• The Bluejackets' Manual (21st ed.). Annapolis, MD: United States Naval Institute. 1996 [1902]. ISBN 1-55750-050-9.
External links
• Enlisted Ratings and Jobs in the US Navy (Historical)
• NAVPERS 18068F Navy Enlisted Occupational Standards; also available as a PDF file
• Navy Ratings, Past and present
• Navy Speciality ratings & Emergency ratings