Boatswain's Mate
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
Quick Stats
Security Clearance
None
This rate does not require a security clearance.
ASVAB Requirements
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
“There are many different types of jobs aboard a ship but only the BM rate teaches you how to be a sailor.”
“Deckplate leadership experience you cannot get anywhere else. BM/OS taught me how to lead under pressure.”
“BMs do some of the hardest and most dangerous evolutions in the Navy, but the role rewards people who like physical, team-based work. Promotion opportunities are above average compared to other Navy ratings. Some sailors describe it as fun and rewarding once you reach a senior level. The camaraderie and leadership opportunities are real.”
–Critical & Mixed
“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.”
“The hours suck, it is outside so cold or hot wet dirty and miserable. Being a deck seaman is an unpleasant job a lot of the time.”
“Long hours on the bridge or topside in all weather. Not glamorous work but someone has to do it.”
“Best leadership training in the Navy, hands down. But don't expect the skills to translate to a specific civilian job.”
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 researchLeadership 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/newtothenavyBMs 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.
🫡 Recruiter says
“Boatswain's Mates are the backbone of the Navy.”
💀 Reality
Source: sailor forumsBMs do essential work but the job is physically demanding manual labor: painting, line handling, small boat operations. Promotion is slow because the rate is overmanned. The civilian transferability is limited.
🫡 Recruiter says
“You'll drive ships as a BM.”
💀 Reality
Source: reddit r/navyJunior BMs do not drive ships. You will spend years painting, chipping rust, and handling lines before you ever touch the helm. Ship driving is for senior BMs and Officers of the Deck.
🫡 Recruiter says
“UNREP is exciting — you'll be transferring cargo between ships at sea.”
💀 Reality
Underway replenishment is one of the most dangerous evolutions in the Navy. You are handling heavy cargo, fuel lines, and tensioned wire rigs while two ships steam side-by-side at 12+ knots. One mistake with a snapped line under tension can kill. The adrenaline is real, but so is the risk — BMs run the safety program for these evolutions because people get hurt.
🫡 Recruiter says
“BMs get great leadership experience — you'll manage large teams.”
💀 Reality
A senior BM can supervise 30-80+ sailors in the deck department, which is genuine large-scale leadership. But junior BMs (E-1 through E-4) spend years wielding needle guns, chipping paint, and handling lines before earning that authority. The path to leadership runs directly through the hardest manual labor on the ship, in every weather condition, on every watch rotation.
Training Pipeline — Total ~13 weeks (3 months)
Ship Date Calculator
Enter your MEPS ship date to see when you'll complete each stage.
Promotion SpeedEarn higher pay fasterAverageManning 98% (overmanned)
| Cycle (Year) | Eligible | Selected | Promotion % |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-4252-Spring(2024) | 239 | 40 | 17% |
| E-4252-Fall(2024) | 90 | 87 | 97% |
| E-5252-Spring(2024) | 50 | 20 | 40% |
| E-5252-Fall(2024) | 97 | 18 | 19% |
| E-6252-Spring(2024) | 116 | 10 | 9% |
| E-6252-Fall(2024) | 53 | 43 | 81% |
Bonuses — Click here to see your military pay
Enlistment Bonus
No active bonus for this rate
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.
Primary specialty code for Boatswain's Mate rating
Advanced specialty code for experienced Boatswain's Mate personnel
Potential Civilian Post-Navy Outcomes
Maritime Operations Manager
Transferability: 4/10
$38k–$58k
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
USCG Merchant Mariner Credential
USCG
Lifestyle4/10
Ship vs. Shore Split
80% / 20%
Deployment Frequency
High
Physical Demand
high — outdoor
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.
Common Duty Stations
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Schools + spouse jobs
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Avg waitlist for on-base
95
100 = national avg
—
Schools + spouse jobs
—
Avg waitlist for on-base
135
100 = national avg
—
Schools + spouse jobs
—
Avg waitlist for on-base
92
100 = national avg