The EM Rating

The Navy Electrician rating was established in 1883, then promptly disestablished in 1884, only to be re-established as a Navy rating in 1898. The Electrician rating changed to its current name, Electrician's Mate, in 1921.

The Navy's computerized personnel system associates the rating name with an alphanumeric Navy Enlisted Manning Code (EMC). For EM, the EMC is B210.

Electrician's Mates (non-nuclear) are responsible for the operation of a ship's electrical power generation systems, lighting systems, electrical equipment and electrical appliances.

The duties include installation, operation, adjustment, routine maintenance, inspection, test and repair of electrical equipment. EM's also perform maintenance and repair of related electronic equipment. (Nuclear Electrician's Mates Information)

Electrician's Mate class "A" school is approximately 18 weeks long, and the school is located in Great Lakes, Illinois. The EM rating requires a 5 year minimum enlistment contract.

Electrician's Mate job description (EMC B210)

The duties performed by EMs include installing power and lighting circuits, and repairing distribution circuits. They run wiring for lights and other equipment, and maintain operating efficiency of distribution panels, switches, switchboards, controllers, voltage regulators, current transformers, voltage transformers, and electric motors.

EMs repair electrical equipment and appliances, and install and maintain storage batteries, and inspect, maintain, test and repair electric power equipment. The ships electricians also provide maintenance and repair of shipboard elevator systems, and interpret electrical sketches, diagrams and blueprints. They maintain and repair various propulsion and auxiliary control consoles, and connect electric power machinery and electric power equipment.

Career Sea - Shore Rotation Chart

Rating's Sea (SEA) Shore (SH) Rotation (months)
RatingSEA1SEA2SEA3SEA4SEA/SH
EM 5360484836/36
SH1SH2SH3SH4
36363636

Sea tours and shore tours for Sailors that have completed four sea tours will be 36 months at sea followed by 36 ashore until retirement.

Sailors in the Electrician's Mate rating can expect to spend more than half their career on sea duty assignment. Sea tour lengths for the EM rating will not involuntarily exceed 60 months for Sailors with less than 20 years of service (YOS) and 48 months for Sailors with more than 20 YOS. Shore tour lengths between sea tours will be set to 36 months long. Manning conditions at sea may require the need to request sea tour extension or shore tour curtailments to ensure all sea duty billets are filled.

Qualifications, Interests, and Working Environment

The most important qualifications for the EM rating are manual dexterity; competence with tools, equipment and machines; ability to do detailed work; a logical mind; resourcefulness; and a willingness to learn about electricity, electrical systems and test equipment.

Normal color perception is required. Members of this rate are not required to be citizens of the United States.

Most work in the EM rating is performed indoors, under varied conditions at sea and ashore. Work may be done in a shop-like environment. EM's do mostly physical work of a technical nature and usually work closely with other ratings. EM's are stationed primarily aboard USN ships. EM ASVAB Test score requirement.

Approximately 4,300 men and women perform duties in the Electrician's Mate rating aboard ships and at shore stations. Opportunities for placement are excellent for qualified candidates.

Personnel in the Electrician's Mate rating are paid allowances (BAH, BAS, etc. if eligible) and billet pay (sea pay, etc. if eligible), and military basic pay based on years of service and paygrade.

Credit Recommendations

The American Council on Education recommends that semester hour credits be awarded in the vocational certificate and lower-division bachelor's/associates degree categories for courses taken in this rating on electricity and electronics.

Page written and maintained by .

If you are seeking information about joining the Navy, feel free to contact me.