The Boatswain’s Mate (BM) is the lifeblood of the United States Navy.
Without BMs, a ship cannot get underway, cannot stay underway, and certainly cannot dock in port.
Boatswain’s Mate is the oldest rate in the Navy. Its origins can be traced back to the 1775 Continental Navy, the Revolutionary War, and John Paul Jones.
Yeoman, Quartermasters, and Gunner’s Mates may argue this point, but they would be wrong. Even the Navy’s cool.navy.mil BM rating page begins “Boatswain’s Mate, the oldest rate in the Navy, has a rich history of honored traditions…”
The Naval Act of 1794, often referred to as the “Act to provide a Naval Armament” officially established the BM rate.
The BM is an expert in all things related to marlinspike, boat seamanship, and upkeep of the ship’s external structure including scraping, priming, and painting.
Related Article – Navy Jobs List: A List Of All 71 Ratings In The Navy
There are approximately 4,800 BMs serving in the US Navy today.
The Boatswain in Boatswain’s Mate is often pronounced as bosun or Bos’n.
Notable Navy BMs include:
- James E. Williams, Medal Of Honor recipient, the most decorated enlisted sailor in U.S. Navy history for his actions during the Vietnam War.
- Medal of Honor recipients Francis P. Hammerberg and George Robert Cholister.
- Navy Cross recipient Stephen Bass.
- Carl Brashear, the first African-American master diver (whose life was the subject for the movie Men of Honor) retired as a Master Chief Boatswain’s Mate.
Jump To A Section
Requirements and Qualifications
To become a Navy BM, there are specific requirements and qualifications that you must meet:
- Must be a member of the US Navy.
- No security clearance is required.
- Must be between the ages of 18 and 39.
- Must have no record of adversely adjudicated drug abuse offenses.
- Must have normal vision and normal color perception.
- Must have an Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) score of VE (Verbal Expression) + AR (Arithmetic Reasoning) + MK (Math Knowledge) + AS (Auto Shop) = 163 or MK (Math Knowledge) + AS (Auto Shop) + AO (Assembly Objects) = 126.
Related Article: Navy Height And Weight Standards
Training and Career Path
Prior to becoming a Navy Boatswain’s Mate, you must first become a US Navy Sailor. Recruits accomplish this via successful completion of Navy Recruit Training, commonly referred to as Boot Camp.
All sailors attend Boot Camp at the Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes (RTC Great Lakes).
Located at Naval Station Great Lakes in North Chicago, Illinois in Lake County. RTC Great Lakes is commonly referred to as “The Quarterdeck of the Navy.”
Boot Camp is eight weeks long. During these eight weeks, the Navy teaches future seaman, airman, and fireman the basic skills required of all US Sailors.
Related Article – Is Navy Boot Camp Hard?
Navy Boatswain’s Mate Technical Class “A” School
After Boot Camp, future BMs attend Navy Boatswain Mate “A” School in Great Lakes, Illinois.
The five-week course provides sailors with group instruction and practical management in basic general safety, watch standing, deck seamanship, and preventive maintenance.
BMs should also pursue warfare qualifications depending on their duty station, such as ESWS (Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist) and/or EAWS (Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist).
In addition, The Navy provides online training to qualified Navy BMs through their Credentialing Opportunities On-Line website, referred to as Navy COOL.
However, many BMs do not attend BM “A” school. These individuals are referred to as undesignated seaman. They are also referred to as PACT (Professional Apprenticeship Career Track) seaman.
These PACT seamen qualify for the BM rate through on-the-job training.
In addition to many seamen, some firemen and airmen also join the Navy as undesignated sailors.
The PACT program allows sailors to choose a specific track to narrow their naval career choice to an Aviation, Engineering, or Surface rate. In addition to BM, there are a number of other rates that are eligible to PACT seamen, airmen, and fireman.
Additional training is available to Boatswain’s Mates as their Navy career progresses.
How Much Are Boatswain’s Mates Paid?
Like all other enlisted personnel (in all branches), the Navy bases a sailor’s pay on their rank and length of service. BMs are no different.
| 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 |
Navy Boatswain’s Mates may be entitled to other forms of compensation including base allowance for housing (BAH), base allowance for subsistence (BAS), and billet pay (sea pay, hazardous duty pay, etc.) if eligible.
Related Article: Navy Ranks And Pay For 2019
What’s Life Like as a Navy Boatswain’s Mate?
A Boatswains Mate is responsible for deck handling machinery and equipment, maintaining the exterior surfaces of ships, cargo-handling, and small boats operations.
As there’s never a shortage of work aboard ship in the Deck Department, the duties of a BM are numerous and varied. They include:
- Stand watch as helmsman, lookout, and Boatswain Mate of the Watch.
- Repair, maintain and stow equipment to prepare for underway operations.
- Serve as search and Rescue Swimmer (if qualified).
- Stand security watches both in port and underway.
- Operate sound-powered telephone systems.
- Serve as a member of damage control, emergency and security alert teams.
- Participate in Naval ceremonies.
- Supervise deck crew in painting, maintenance, and cleaning ships and associated equipment.
- Operate in both flight deck and amphibious operations.
- Command of tugs, barges and other small craft.
- Serve as flight deck crew during helicopter operations.
- Direct boat crews during landing and rescue operations.
- Teach undesignated seaman seamanship.
- Serve as a key member of the underway replenishment team (transferring supplies from ship to ship at sea).
- Serve as small boat operators.
The job of a Navy BM is physical and demanding work, mostly performed outside in all weather conditions. Training and supervising younger green, untrained sailors requires a lot of patience and the day-to-day duties of being a deckhand can oftentimes be monotonous.
Typical Rotation
Sailors in specific jobs (or rates as the Navy refers to them) must adhere to a Sea/Shore rotation based on their rate.
The Boatswain’s Mate rate is one of the most sea-intensive rates in the US Navy.
During a twenty-year career in the Navy, BMs will spend about 65 percent of their career at sea, and 35 percent assigned to shore stations.
Specifically, the Sea/Shore Rotation for a BM is:
| Tour | Sea Tour | Shore Tour |
|---|---|---|
| First Tour | 56 Months (4.5 Years) | 36 Months (3 Years) |
| Second Tour | 60 Months (5 Years) | 36 Months (3 Years) |
| Third Tour | 48 Months (4 Years) | 36 Months (3 Years) |
| Fourth Tour | 48 Months (4 Years) | 36 Months (3 Years) |
| Fifth Tour | 36 Months (3 Years) | 36 Months (3 Years) |
| Sixth Tour | 36 Months (3 Years) | 36 Months (3 Years) |
| Seventh Tour | 36 Months (3 Years) | 36 Months (3 Years) |
Note that some overseas assignments count as sea tours.
Shipboard life and life on shore duty are drastically different. The Navy expects Boatswain’s Mates, as they do all their sailors, to adapt and meet the challenges presented by these different environments.
Here are a few reviews featured on indeed.com from ex- and current Navy BMs:
Navy Boatswain’s Mates enjoy the same benefits as all Navy personnel does, such as the opportunity to travel the world, unlimited opportunities for learning and advancement, and control over their career to some degree.
BMs should not be confused with Aviation Boatswain’s Mates (AB).
There are three types of ABs in the US Navy:
Aviation Boatswains Mates, Launch/Recovery Equipment (ABE)
ABEs maintain, operate, and perform maintenance on barricades, steam catapults, arresting gear and associated equipment both afloat and ashore.
ABEs are charged with aircraft handling duties related to the operation of aircraft launching and recovery equipment. This entails the operation of jet blast defectors, jet blast deflector control panels, arresting gear engines, deckedge control stations, catapult hydraulic systems, water brakes, retraction engines, Integrated Catapult Control Stations (ICSS), sheave dampers, and associated equipment.
ABE Class “A” Technical School is in Pensacola, Florida and is five weeks long.
Aviation Boatswains Mates, Fuels (ABF)
ABFs maintain, operate, and perform organizational fueling and lubricating oils systems in LHDs, LPDs, LHAs, and CVNs. This includes valves, pumps, piping, tanks, aviation fuel, lubricating service stations and pump rooms related to the fuel system.
In addition, ABFs service and operate motorized fueling equipment and ensure fuel quality and control in aviation fuel systems. ABFs are also responsible for training, directing, and supervising shipboard firefighting crews, fire rescue teams, and damage control parties in their assigned lubrication and oil spaces. They ensure fuel handling safety precautions are adhered to.
The Pensacola, Florida-based ABF Class “A” Technical School is six weeks in duration.
Aviation Boatswains Mates, Aircraft Handler (ABH)
ABHs direct the spotting and movement of aircraft both ashore and afloat. They are charged with the maintenance, operation, organizational maintenance of ground-handling equipment utilized in the hoisting and moving of aircraft. They also supervise the proper securing of aircraft and equipment.
ABHs also perform damage control, crash rescue, firefighting, and crash removal duties.
ABH Class “A” Technical School in Pensacola, Florida is four weeks in duration.
ABEs, ABFs, and ABHs normally work outdoors on the deck of aircraft carriers in all types of weather. The work is fast-paced and often in potentially hazardous environments.
Sea/Shore Rotation for ABs is almost identical to that for BMs.
Approximately 9,570 sailors serve as Aviation Boatswain’s Mates in all three specialties.
Civilian Career Opportunities
Civilian career opportunities for Navy Boatswains’ Mates include ship, boat, and barge mates, motorboat operators, painters (transportation equipment), ship pilots, riggers, ship and boat captains, sailors and marine oilers, municipal fire fighting and prevention supervisors, laborers, stock and material movers, and installation, maintenance, and repair helpers.
All sailors should take full advantage of on-the-job (OJT) training opportunities, and educational opportunities offered and afforded them during their naval service.
Related Article – Dishonorable Discharge: Reasons, Consequences, And More
The United States Military Apprenticeship Program (USMAP) also allows BMs to complete their civilian apprenticeship requirements while on active duty.
According to cool.navy.mil, these apprenticeships include:
- Canvas Worker
- Computer Operator
- Correction Officer (Government Service)
- Counselor (Professional & Kindred)
- Rigger (Any Industry)
- Rigger (Ship & Boat Building)
- Upholsterer, Inside
If you are considering the US Navy, not allergic to hard work, and are seeking adventure, a career as a Navy BM, or AB might just be for you.
Having served alongside BMs aboard the USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) in the late eighties and early nineties, some of my favorite friends and best shipmates were BMs. They worked hard, all day, every day. They played hard too. There is no more “salt of the earth” rate in the Navy than a Boatswain’s Mate.
I have a tremendous amount of respect and admiration for BMs. They take pride in what they do, and what they do, they do very well.
Boatswain’s Mate is a hard job and not always appreciated. But BM’s make the Navy happen.
I stated earlier that the BM is the lifeblood of the Navy. They are. However, they are also the backbone of our fleet.
References
Official Navy Page for Boatswain’s Mate
Navy COOL Summary For Boatswain’s Mate (BM)
Navy COOL Summary for Aviation Boatswain’s Mate, Aircraft Handling (ABH)
Navy COOL Summary for Aviation Boatswain’s Mate, Launching and Recovery Equipment (ABE)
Navy COOL Summary for Aviation Boatswain’s Mate, Fuels (ABF)
After the Navy, Travis worked in the Information Technology sector for twenty-five years.
Connect with Travis @MichaelTRose.
- Gas Turbine Systems Technician (GSM and GSE): Career Details - June 18, 2024
- Interior Communications Electrician (IC): 2023 Career Details - June 18, 2024
- Religious Program Specialist (RP): 2023 Career Details - June 18, 2024
General FAQ
What is a Boatswains Mate?
Also known as a BM, Boatswains mate's are the lifeblood of the US Navy. They are experts in all things Marlinspike, seamanship, and ship upkeep.
Where is their A School conducted?
Navy BM's A school is located at Great Lakes, IL.
How much are they paid?
An average Boatswains Mate with a rank of E-3 would make $2,195 per month.
How many are there?
While there are no official tally's, it's thought that there are close to 1,500+ boatswains mate's in the Navy.
