336:
344:
328:
234:, painting, upkeep of ship's external structure, rigging, deck equipment, and boats. Boatswain's mates take charge of working parties; perform seamanship tasks; act as petty officer-in-charge of picketboats, self-propelled barges, tugs, and other yard and district craft. They serve in, or take charge of damage control parties. BMs also operate and maintain equipment used in loading and unloading cargo, ammunition, fuel, and general stores. BMs take charge of and supervise UNREP (Underway Replenishment) procedures and equipment. They are integral to ship's navigation and serve as ship's Helmsman and the ship's
29:
319:
personnel and cargo, and the operation and maintenance of ship's boats. The ship's
Boatswain is in charge of what the Navy deems "unusual" seamanship operations such as retrieving target drones, and also schedules training for Deck department or Deck division personnel. Another key duty of the ships' Boatswain is supervision of the maintenance of abandon-ship equipment and instruction in abandon-ship techniques.
269:
act as or supervise lookouts of Navy ships, searching the sea for enemy vessels and hazards to navigation. They conduct Search and Rescue (SAR) operations and can respond to other military and civilian ships that request assistance. Ashore, they provide armed security for either their assigned vessel or for their assigned Naval installation.
475:. They maintained and sailed the ships and were the standing officers of the navy. Soldiers commanded by captains would be on board the ships to do the fighting, but they had nothing to do with sailing the ships. The word "soldiering" came about as a seaman's term of contempt for the soldiers and anyone else who avoided shipboard duties.
318:
by supervising the deck force in the execution of major seamanship functions and the maintenance of topside gear. The ship's
Boatswain supervises cargo handling and inspects and maintains rigging and deck gear. His duties also include supervising anchoring, mooring, fueling, towing, transferring of
264:
or boatswain's pipe. On the ancient row-galleys, the boatswain used his pipe to "call the stroke". Later, because its shrill tune could be heard above most of the activity on board, it was used to signal various happenings such as pipe down, and the Side or Away Galley (the boarding or debarking of
272:
Boatswains' mates are also a source rating for the Navy's mobile amphibious community. These duties include assault boat coxswain and
Craftmaster, navigating specialized assault or working vessels during amphibious operations, salvage work, or inshore work. They are also a recognized source rating
268:
Boatswain's mates duties cover a large spectrum and range widely depending on the capacity and mission of the vessel or shore installation to which BMs are assigned. They act as landing signalmen enlisted (LSE, guiding helicopters to the designated flight deck of a ship) on air-capable ships. They
105:
in continuous existence from 1775 to present. For a period of three months at the end of 2016, the rating (along with all ratings in the Navy) was scheduled for elimination, but the proposed change was unpopular with both sailors and Navy veterans and was reversed in
December of that year.
478:
The warranted officers were often the permanent members of the ships' companies. They stayed with the ships in port between voyages as caretakers, supervising repairs and refitting. Other crewmen and soldiers might change with each voyage. Early in the fourteenth century, the
343:
510:
on adult sailors. Punishment could lawfully be inflicted on an officer's instruction or at his own will, or more formally on deck on the captain's or a court martial's orders.
335:
273:
for the U.S. Navy's
Special Warfare and Special Operations communities. Should a Boatswain's Mate meet eligibility requirements, he can elect to become an SO (formerly
1222:
265:
officials). So essential was this signaling device to the well-being of the ship, that it became a badge of office and honor in the
British and U.S. navies.
94:(BUPERS) to enlisted members who were rated or "striking" for the rating as a deck seaman. The colloquial form of address for a boatswain's mate is "Boats".
734:
1150:
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would have been typical in the latter case. In a large crew he could delegate this to the boatswain's mates, who might alternate after each dozen lashes.
260:
Boatswain's mates also stand watch on ship's bridges, passing information relating to routine and special activities to the crew with the distinctive
664:
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Boatswain's mates prepare for an "anchor drop test" aboard the USS George H.W. Bush to check the operability of the ship's anchor.
278:
102:
1056:
305:(responsible for maintaining order and enforcing regulations among a ship's crew or the complement of a shore installation).
638:
1202:
957:
930:"Why is the Colonel Called "Kernal"? The Origin of the Ranks and Rank Insignia Now Used by the United States Armed Forces"
685:
1217:
544:
recipient, also known as the most decorated enlisted sailor in U.S. Navy history for his actions during the
Vietnam War,
302:
1167:
990:
633:
444:, and its origins can be traced back to the year 1040. The Royal Navy's last official boatswain, Commander E W Andrew
432:. The boatswain's technical tasks have been modernized with the advent of steam engines and subsequent mechanisation.
1129:
695:
226:
Boatswain's Mates train, direct, and supervise personnel in ship's maintenance duties in all activities relating to
615:" in Vietnam. In 1958 BMCM Sherman Byrd became the first African-American explosive ordnance disposal technician.
315:
314:
In the U.S. Navy, the ship's
Boatswain is a Warrant Officer who serves as a subject matter expert and assists the
738:
242:
327:
605:
619:
began his United States Navy career as a
Boatswain's Mate in 1978 before going on to become a SEAL in 1984.
836:
115:
483:
joined the warrant officers. He was originally "the clerk of burser." During the following centuries the
590:
192:
153:
140:
98:
815:
730:
557:
456:
205:
179:
91:
929:
282:
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235:
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986:
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549:
286:
820:
Manual of Navy
Officer Manpower and Personnel Classifications, Volume I, Major Code Structures
574:
achieved the rating of chief boatswain's mate aboard the Coast Guard manned assault transport
598:
582:
781:
611:, named for BM1 James E. Williams, who was awarded the Medal of Honor while serving in the "
301:(responsible for maintenance and operation of gunnery equipment and associated systems) and
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246:
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8:
887:
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Note: The Boatswain's is one of the four oldest professions in the U.S. Navy, along with
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530:, the first black American master diver, whose life was the inspiration for the movie
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in exchange for certain privileges, they also furnished crews whose officers were the
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612:
484:
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The rank of boatswain was until recently the oldest active rank in Great Britain's
298:
1185:
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665:"Ratings restored: Effective immediately, sailors will get their job titles back"
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238:. In addition they also serve as RHIB (rigid-hulled inflatable boat) coxswains.
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297:(responsible for safe navigation, shiphandling, and chart/record maintenance),
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A number of boatswain's mates have achieved notable careers in the military.
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1124:(21st ed.). Annapolis, MD: United States Naval Institute. 1996 .
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424:, and the ship's boats. The boatswain would also be in charge of the
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28:
735:"Navy Enlisted Occupational Standards for Boatswains's Mate (BM)"
425:
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In the Royal Navy the task of disciplining the crew fell to the
480:
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Boatswain's mates enjoy a normal path of advancement to Chief
1198:
Boatswain's Mate Job Description at the Royal Australian Navy
359:
has (Modern English only dates back to the beginning of the
421:
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and quartermaster's mates. This was done using a rattan
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Enlisted Ratings and Jobs in the US Navy (Historical)
729:
1117:
1209:
1203:Boatswain's Job Description at the Canadian Navy
683:
663:David B Larter; Mark Faram (December 20, 2016).
401:") have also been in use through the centuries.
1178:Navy Speciality ratings & Emergency ratings
1057:"Navy Medal of Honor: Interim Period 1920-1940"
471:. Later these officers were "warranted" by the
355:has existed in one form or another longer than
347:Boatswain's Mate 1st Class pipes arrival honors
536:, retired as a master chief boatswain's mate.
97:The rating of Boatswain's Mate dates from the
1223:1775 establishments in the Thirteen Colonies
521:
435:
1061:Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships
1028:Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships
995:Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships
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589:were U.S. Navy boatswain's mates, as was
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408:the boatswain was in charge of a ship's
342:
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901:
393:. Various phonetic spellings (such as "
253:. Candidates need not meet any special
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867:
860:
858:
856:
822:. Department of the Navy. p. 150.
768:
766:
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710:
570:were all U.S. Navy boatswain's mates.
287:Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician
831:
829:
795:
690:. Naval Institute Press. p. 51.
495:, schoolmaster and others signed on.
385:"), meaning a young man, a follower,
1153:Navy Enlisted Occupational Standards
1063:. United States Navy. Archived from
1030:. United States Navy. Archived from
997:. United States Navy. Archived from
737:. United States Navy. Archived from
853:
761:
309:
13:
826:
634:List of United States Navy ratings
14:
1234:
1139:
962:USS Reuben James Official Website
939:. United States Navy. August 1983
639:Boatswain's mate (US Coast Guard)
339:Boatswain's mate guiding an LCAC.
552:famous for their heroism in the
90:) is a designation given by the
27:
1078:
1045:
1012:
979:
950:
684:Thomas J. Cutler (4 May 2009).
1164:Navy Ratings, Past and present
752:
677:
656:
189:Boatswain's Mate Second Class
150:Senior Chief Boatswain's Mate
137:Master Chief Boatswain's Mate
1:
649:
455:began furnishing warships to
322:
249:. Candidates must not have a
202:Boatswain's Mate Third Class
176:Boatswain's Mate First Class
774:"Origin of Navy Terminology"
581:. Medal of Honor recipients
116:Navy Enlisted Classification
7:
841:Online Etymology Dictionary
622:
556:and namesakes of the ships
363:). It is derived from late
10:
1239:
1218:United States Navy ratings
1110:
1086:"CPO Stephen Bass, U.S.N."
257:or security requirements.
193:Petty Officer Second Class
154:Senior Chief Petty Officer
141:Master Chief Petty Officer
99:American Revolutionary War
816:Bureau of Naval Personnel
731:Bureau of Naval Personnel
522:Notable boatswain's mates
457:King Edward the Confessor
436:Origins in the Royal Navy
215:Seaman Boatswains’s Mate
206:Petty Officer Third Class
180:Petty Officer First Class
109:
92:Bureau of Naval Personnel
64:
56:
48:
38:
26:
21:
16:United States Navy rating
1192:Enlisted Rating Insignia
103:oldest U.S. Navy ratings
1120:The Bluejackets' Manual
1053:Naval Historical Center
1020:Naval Historical Center
987:Naval Historical Center
937:Naval Historical Center
778:Naval Historical Center
687:The Bluejackets' Manual
587:George Robert Cholister
163:Chief Boatswain's Mate
1156:; also available as a
428:while the ship was in
348:
340:
332:
583:Francis P. Hammerberg
404:Originally, on board
346:
338:
330:
758:USNI, 1992, 345–353.
247:limited duty officer
864:Chisholm, 1911:100.
448:, retired in 1990.
167:Chief Petty Officer
119:
1184:2008-04-24 at the
1170:2013-03-27 at the
506:on the boys and a
453:five English ports
349:
341:
333:
114:
101:and is one of the
76:United States Navy
43:United States Navy
1089:LegionOfValor.com
958:"Ship's Namesake"
601:James E. Williams
538:James E. Williams
516:cat o' nine tails
473:British Admiralty
251:speech impediment
224:
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118:/rank comparison
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1091:. Archived from
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886:. Archived from
884:royalnavy.mod.uk
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818:(October 2006).
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613:brown-water navy
609:-class destroyer
504:boatswain's cane
316:first lieutenant
310:Ship's boatswain
277:), SB (formerly
262:boatswain's call
120:
113:
86:(abbreviated as
84:boatswain's mate
31:
22:Boatswain's Mate
19:
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1186:Wayback Machine
1172:Wayback Machine
1151:NAVPERS 18068F
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451:In 1040 when
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78:occupational
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25:
20:
1191:
1177:
1163:
1152:
1119:
1097:. Retrieved
1093:the original
1088:
1080:
1069:. Retrieved
1065:the original
1060:
1047:
1036:. Retrieved
1032:the original
1027:
1024:"Hammerberg"
1014:
1003:. Retrieved
999:the original
994:
981:
970:. Retrieved
966:the original
961:
952:
941:. Retrieved
936:
892:. Retrieved
888:the original
883:
844:. Retrieved
840:
819:
786:. Retrieved
782:the original
777:
754:
743:. Retrieved
739:the original
701:. Retrieved
686:
679:
668:
658:
606:
600:
595:Stephen Bass
577:
572:Cesar Romero
566:
560:Reuben James
559:
554:Barbary Wars
546:Reuben James
533:Men of Honor
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497:
477:
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259:
240:
236:Lee Helmsman
225:
96:
87:
83:
73:
57:Abbreviation
837:"Boatswain"
617:Don Shipley
487:, surgeon,
374:("boat") +
365:Old English
361:Renaissance
285:), or EOD (
255:citizenship
228:marlinspike
1212:Categories
1099:2007-05-26
1071:2007-05-26
1038:2007-05-26
1005:2007-05-26
972:2007-05-26
943:2015-12-29
894:2007-05-26
846:2007-05-25
788:2007-05-26
745:2007-05-24
703:2013-06-21
670:Navy Times
650:References
593:recipient
591:Navy Cross
508:rope's end
442:Royal Navy
323:Background
283:Navy Diver
232:seamanship
644:Bootsmann
629:Boatswain
599:USS
576:USS
565:USS
558:USS
465:carpenter
376:Old Norse
368:batswegen
353:boatswain
351:The word
65:Specialty
39:Issued by
1182:Archived
1168:Archived
1158:PDF file
1055:(1997).
1022:(1981).
989:(1981).
623:See also
578:Cavalier
512:Birching
489:chaplain
387:retainer
1111:Sources
991:"Wiley"
426:rigging
420:, deck
414:cordage
410:anchors
397:" and "
391:servant
370:, from
281:), ND (
1128:
694:
604:is an
585:, and
485:gunner
481:purser
461:master
418:colors
379:sveinn
219:Seaman
126:Title
110:Duties
80:rating
933:(PDF)
567:Wiley
399:Bos'n
395:bosun
389:, or
383:swain
212:SNBM
147:BMCS
134:BMCM
129:Rank
1126:ISBN
692:ISBN
563:and
548:and
469:cook
467:and
430:dock
422:crew
279:SWCC
275:SEAL
245:and
199:BM3
186:BM2
173:BM1
160:BMC
74:The
68:Deck
49:Type
446:OBE
372:bat
289:).
82:of
1214::
1059:.
1026:.
993:.
960:.
935:.
903:^
882:.
869:^
855:^
839:.
828:^
797:^
776:.
763:^
733:.
712:^
667:.
597:.
540:a
491:,
416:,
412:,
381:("
88:BM
60:BM
1134:.
1102:.
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