The BM Rating
The Navy Boatswain's Mate rating was officially established in 1797, but was in use as far back as 1775. BM is the oldest rating in the Navy, and has a rich history of honored traditions.
BM's are the leaders and backbone of every ship's crew. A Boatswain's Mate maintains the exterior surfaces of ships, deck handling machinery and equipment, handle cargo and operate small boats during a number of evolutions including Anti-Terrorism Operations and Maritime Interdiction boardings of suspect ships.
Boatswain's Mate (BM)
Boatswain's Mates train, direct, and supervise personnel in ship's maintenance duties in all activities relating to marlinespikes, decks, boat seamanship, painting, upkeep of ship's external structure, rigging, deck equipment, and life boats.
BMs take charge of working parties, and act as petty officer-in-charge of picket boats, self-propelled barges, tugs, and other yard and district crafts. They serve in, or take charge of gun crews and damage control parties. 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.
Qualifications, Interests, and Working Environment
BM's must be able to get along well with others and to speak clearly and distinctly. Other qualities include resourcefulness, a good memory, curiosity, physical strength, manual dexterity, the ability to work as a team member and to perform repetitive tasks. Boatswain's mates perform most of their duties outdoors, working closely with others, and the majority of work is of a physical nature. BM's ASVAB Test requirement.
Credit Recommendations
The American Council on Education recommends that semester hour credits be awarded in the vocational certificate and lower-division Bachelor's degree categories for courses take in this rating on seamanship.