In today’s Navy, an Electrician’s Mate (EM) ensures that all electrical equipment and electrical systems aboard ship are properly maintained and operating efficiently.
The EM repairs, tests, and installs advanced electrical appliances and equipment both in port and underway.
Don’t confuse the Electrician’s Mates (EM) rating with the Nuclear Electrician’s Mates (EMN). These are a highly qualified and select group of EMs who attend the Naval Nuclear Power Training Command.
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Training And Career Path
What’s Life Like for an Electricians Mate (EM)?
Sea/Shore Rotation
Pay And Benefits
Job Reviews
Civilian Job Opportunities
Summary
Requirements and Qualifications
To serve as an EM in the United States Navy, you must meet these requirements:
- You must be between the ages of 18 and 41.
- Must have normal color perception
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- You must have an Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) score of VE (Verbal Expression) + AR (Arithmetic Reasoning) + MK (Mechanical Knowledge) + MC (Mechanical Comprehension) = 210 or AR (Arithmetic Reasoning) + MK (Mechanical Knowlege) + EI (Electronics Information) + GS (General Science) = 210
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Training and Career Path
Like all other sailors, Electrician’s Mates must successfully complete 10 weeks of Navy Recruit Training, at the Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes (RTC Great Lakes).
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Basic Engineering Common Core
Future Electrician’s Mates first attend ten weeks of Basic Engineering Common Core training in Great Lakes, IL, where they are introduced to basic mechanical theory and technical documentation.
Engineering Electrical Core
It is then on to Engineering Electrical Core training for the EM. For four weeks, still, at Great Lakes, Illinois, they will learn CPR, logic systems, solid-state characteristics, AC/DC circuits, electrical math, and basic schematics.
EM Strand Technical School
Training for the Electrician’s Mate headed for the fleet ends at Great Lakes with EM Strand Technical A School which consists of four weeks of learning the basic technical knowledge and skills of electronics and electricity required for their rating.
All three of the EMs’ initial training courses are comprised of classroom, group instruction, and shop.
Some select Electrician’s Mates are assigned to specialized training prior to deployment to the fleet after the initial training.
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What’s Life Like for Navy Electrician’s Mates (EM)?
The Navy charges its Electrician’s Mate with the operation of the ship’s electrical appliances, lighting systems, electrical power generation systems, and electrical equipment.
Their duties consist of the routine maintenance, installation, adjustment, testing, operation, and repair of electrical equipment.
They are also expected to perform repair and maintenance of related electrical equipment.
On a day-to-day basis, the Electricians Mate have a variety of duties, including:
- Repairing distribution circuits
- Installing lighting and power circuits
- Running wires for lights and other equipment
- Repairing appliances and electrical equipment
- Installing and maintaining storage batteries
- Ensuring the operating efficiency of electric motors.
- Connecting electric power equipment and machinery
- Repairing and maintaining shipboard elevator systems
- Maintaining the efficiency of voltage transformers, voltage regulators, current transformers, distribution panels, switchboards, switches, and controllers
- Inspecting, testing, and repairing electric power equipment
- Repairing and maintaining propulsion and auxiliary control consoles
EMs mostly work indoors both at sea and ashore in various conditions.
EMs do much of their work will be done in a shop-like environment, both physical and technical in nature. They also work closely with other ratings.
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Navy Electrician’s Mates Sea/Shore Rotation
The Sea/Shore Rotation for an Electricians Mate (EM) is:
| Tour | Sea Tour | Shore Tour |
|---|---|---|
| First Tour | 53 Months | 36 Months |
| Second Tour | 60 Months | 36 Months |
| Third Tour | 48 Months | 36 Months |
| Fourth Tour | 48 Months | 36 Months |
| Fifth Tour | 36 Months | 36 Months |
| Sixth Tour | 36 Months | 36 Months |
| Seventh Tour | 36 Months | 36 Months |
Note that some overseas assignments also count as sea tours.
Electrician’s 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.”
The Navy COOL website reports that placement opportunities are excellent for the approximately 4,300 EMs serving in today’s Navy.
Advancement opportunities for E7 and below are “at or above average” according to the Navy.
How Much Are Navy Electricians Mates (EM) Paid?
Like the other Armed Services, the Navy bases a sailor’s pay on their rank and length of service.
| Insignia | Pay Grade | Rank | Abbreviation | 2023 Minimum Monthly Pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | E-1 +4 months | Seaman Recruit | SR | $1,917.60 |
 | E-2 | Seaman Apprentice | SA | $2,149.20 |
 | E-3 | Seaman | SN | $2,259.90 |
 | E-4 | Petty Officer Third Class | PO3 | $2,503.50 |
 | E-5 | Petty Officer Second Class | PO2 | $2,730.30 |
 | E-6 | Petty Officer First Class | PO1 | $2,980.50 |
 | E-7 | Chief Petty Officer | CPO | $3,445.80 |
 | E-8 | Senior Chief Petty Officer | SCPO | $4,957.20 |
 | E-9 | Master Chief Petty Officer | MCPO | $6,055.50 |
 | E-9 | Command Master Chief Petty Officer | CMDCM | $6,055.50 |
 | E-9 | Master Chief Petty Officer Of The Navy | MCPON | $6,055.50 |
All sailors may be entitled to other forms of compensation including Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS), and billet pay (sea pay, submarine pay, hazardous duty pay, etc.) if eligible.
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Job Reviews
Reviews from current and former Electricians Mates on indeed.com are overwhelmingly positive:
Civilian Career Opportunities
Civilian career opportunities for former Electricians Mates are plentiful and include such jobs as:
- Electricians
- Electrical Engineering Technicians
- Electrical and Electronic Equipment Assemblers
- Power Plant Operators
- Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers
- Maintenance and Repair Workers
- Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers
- Home Appliance Repairers
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics
The Navy encourages EMs to take full advantage of on-the-job training (OJT) opportunities, and educational opportunities offered and afforded to them during their naval service.
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The United States Military Apprenticeship Program (USMAP) also allows EMs to complete their civilian apprenticeship requirements while on active duty.
A few of these include:
- Computer Operator
- Electric-Motor Repairer
- Electrician
- Electrician, Maintenance
- Hydroelectric-Machinery Mechanic (Utilities)
- Power-Plant Operator
Navy Electrician’s Mates can acquire over 20 national certifications, as well as over 10 state occupational licenses.
Summary
If you are considering the US Navy, are competent with tools, equipment, and machines, can do detailed work, possess a logical mind, are manually dexterous, resourceful, and willing to learn about electrical systems, electricity, and test equipment, a career as an Electricians Mate presents an excellent option for you.
References
Official Navy Mechanical and Industrial Technology Careers Description
Navy Personnel Command Electricians Mate (EM) Overview
U.S. Navy COOL Summary For Electricians Mate (EM)
U.S.Navy COOL Electricians Mate (EM) Rating Card
Navy Electricians Mate (EM) Reviews
After the Navy, Travis worked in the Information Technology sector for twenty-five years.
Connect with Travis @MichaelTRose.
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