Monday, April 2, 2018

A to Z Challenge - B is for Boatswain's Mate

NAVY - Boatswain's Mates [deck seaman] keep exterior surfaces of ships in good condition, maintain machinery and equipment on ships' decks, handle cargo, and operate small boats.
 

COAST GUARD - Boatswain's Mates perform almost any task in connection with deck maintenance, small boat operations, navigation, and supervising all personnel assigned to a ship's deck force. 

[did you get it right?]

https://www.navycs.com/navy-jobs/boatswain-mate.html 

The United States Navy Boatswain's Mate rating (job) was officially established in 1794. Boatswain's Mate and Gunner's Mate are the oldest ratings in the United States Navy, and each has a rich history and traditions.

The Boatswain's Mate rating requires a 60 month (5 year) service obligation. Boatswain's Mate class "A" school is six weeks long and is located in Great Lakes, Illinois.

Day in the Life videos


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gBgYtLGl38
 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPPCytLys3c
 

The Boatswain's Mate rating is often selected by some enlisted personnel who haven't decided which career to pursue (like a college freshman whose major is "undecided"), and by others who want a certain rating that is not available at the time they enlist.

Sea/Shore Rotation for This Rating
First Sea Tour: 56 months
First Shore Tour: 36 months
Second Sea Tour: 60 months
Second Shore Tour: 36 months
Third Sea Tour: 48 months
Third Shore Tour: 36 months
Fourth Sea Tour: 48 months
Fourth Shore Tour: 36 months

After completing four sea tours, the rotation is 36 months at sea followed by 36 months ashore until retirement.


What's next for C?
C is for Chaplain and Chaplain's Aid.  What's a Chaplain and Chaplain's Aid?  In which branch of the military would you find one?  What do they do?  Come back tomorrow and find out!

14 comments:

  1. Given the fact that I live on a boat, I love your post today :-)

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    1. How awesome to live on a boat. Where is it docked [if it is]?

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  2. I'm long past being a college freshman, and I'm still Undecided. Ugh.

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    1. LOL you're too funny. Thankfully, you're not dying every day this year, altho I do admit it was fun watching you =)

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  3. I'm learning so much from your posts. Confession: I thought it was Boatsman. How sad is that? Try not tease me too terribly. I love the beach and swimming in the water, but don't know a thing about Naval ranking. :)

    Elsie

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    1. I knew how to spell it but I didn't know what the job entailed. So we both learned something. No teasing here.

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  4. Visiting from the A-Z. No clue about boats so I learnt a lot of new things here.

    Nilanjana
    Madly-in-Verse

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    1. Thanks for stopping by. I'll check out your entry too.

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  5. That is awesome. I didn't realize the per-requisites, but I did know what it was.

    I'm learning so much! Thanks.

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  6. Learned something new today. Thanks for this post.:-)

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  7. I didn't know anything about boatswain's mates, but now I do!

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  8. Wow, the oldest rating in the Navy, huh? I guess being 'undecided' has always been a thing. Sounds like a tough job and a hard tour schedule, much respect to those who chose it (and any service!).

    Jamie Lyn Weigt | Writing Dragons 

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