Quartermaster
Quartermasters are the Navy's navigation experts. They maintain charts, plot courses, monitor weather, and stand bridge watches as helmsman and lookout supervisors.
Overall
Quick Stats
Security Clearance
None
This rate does not require a security clearance.
ASVAB Requirements
Who This Is Best For
Best for detail-oriented individuals who love the ocean and want to master the art and science of navigation. If you're drawn to the sea and enjoy precision work with charts, weather, and bridge operations, this rate offers one of the most traditional and satisfying Navy experiences. Skills transfer to merchant marine, maritime pilot, and NOAA careers.
+Pros
- ✓Strong civilian career transition
–Cons
- ✗Significant sea duty
Real Opinions
+Positive
“I think the QM rate is one of the better rates. I chose it after seeing a bunch of rates first hand.”
“The Navy offers travel and adventure, which serve as great stepping stones into life, and the benefits are amazing.”
“Deckplate leadership experience you cannot get anywhere else. BM/OS taught me how to lead under pressure.”
–Critical & Mixed
“Not many career opportunities exist outside the Navy as a QM, so sailors should be prepared for that.”
“Long hours on the bridge or topside in all weather. Not glamorous work but someone has to do it.”
“Not many career opportunities exist out of the Navy as a QM — the navigation and bridge watch skills are very niche. Quartermaster employees rated US Navy with 1.9 out of 5 for work-life balance. Only 34% of QM employees would recommend their employer.”
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
“QM is a historic and prestigious rate.”
💀 Reality
Source: sailor forumsThe tradition is real but the role has shrunk with modern navigation technology. Manning is limited and advancement can be slow. Consider whether the romantic appeal matches the daily reality.
🫡 Recruiter says
“Quartermasters navigate ships across the ocean.”
💀 Reality
Source: veteran feedbackQM does celestial navigation and chart work, but GPS handles most actual navigation now. QM work is primarily maintaining charts, standing bridge watches, and handling visual signals.
🫡 Recruiter says
“QMs still use celestial navigation with a sextant — it's a timeless skill.”
💀 Reality
This is true and one of the coolest parts of the rate. But celestial nav is a backup skill practiced occasionally — your daily work is maintaining ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display), updating digital charts, and logging positions from GPS. The sextant comes out for training, not routine navigation.
🫡 Recruiter says
“Quartermasters are responsible for safe navigation of the ship.”
💀 Reality
QMs assist the Navigator and OOD, but the legal responsibility rests with the CO and OOD. That said, if a QM plots a bad fix or fails to update a chart correction and the ship runs aground, your career is over too. The pressure is real — especially during restricted water transits.
🫡 Recruiter says
“QM is a small, respected rate with good quality of life.”
💀 Reality
QMs generally work on the bridge, which is a better work environment than a lot of rates. But the rate is small, meaning slow advancement and limited shore duty options. You will stand long bridge watches underway — often port-and-starboard (6 on, 6 off) during transits, exposed to weather on the bridge wing.
Training Pipeline — Total ~16 weeks (4 months)
Ship Date Calculator
Enter your MEPS ship date to see when you'll complete each stage.
Promotion SpeedEarn higher pay fasterSlowManning 94% (balanced)
| Cycle (Year) | Eligible | Selected | Promotion % |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-4252-Spring(2024) | 157 | 76 | 48% |
| E-4252-Fall(2024) | 221 | 16 | 7% |
| E-5252-Spring(2024) | 117 | 61 | 52% |
| E-5252-Fall(2024) | 110 | 14 | 13% |
| E-6252-Spring(2024) | 110 | 14 | 13% |
| E-6252-Fall(2024) | 134 | 19 | 14% |
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 Quartermaster rating
Advanced specialty code for experienced Quartermaster personnel
Potential Civilian Post-Navy Outcomes
Marine Navigator
Transferability: 5.5/10
$42k–$65k
Lifestyle5/10
Ship vs. Shore Split
70% / 30%
Deployment Frequency
High
Physical Demand
medium — mixed
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
—
Schools + spouse jobs
—
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