Comment

Comment by Coco on March 31, 2010 at 1:45pm

Hello Paula #2! Bottom line with any job...they all have their ups and downs but as my son said...he knows his college tuition will be covered, will get to travel(hopefully) and learn some new skills regardless of what they are. Paula #1 - How exciting for Holly...it must be a relief to know she is job hunting already! Seabee - I can't wait to see the pictures from the Tiger Cruise.

In honor of my first week as a Navy mom....I decided it was time to be a single empty nester and planned a trip to Memphis for the weekend...and then my other son decided it was time for him to move back home till he leaves for the marines in August. :)

Comment by MissMySailor on March 31, 2010 at 12:50pm

WOW Debbie thanks for the info but is sounds like he should has not joined. They talked him into this saying it was the best way get to know people and move up. I think this is what they needed and he got a bunch of hogwash. The last thing any man need is to be the one least respected or be the "ape"
Thanks for the info I am at mixed feeling now, maybe he should not have joined he is smarter than this. I really do appriciat you explaining it though. Am I taking this in a negative way? Paula

Comment by Debbie (Stephen's mom) on March 31, 2010 at 10:39am

This is for you Paula (MissMySailor)

"Bosun Mates" (Boatswain Mates) are assigned most of the "classic" seamanship tasks on a Navy vessel. For example, they supervise the handling of mooring lines when leaving port and mooring (done wrong, the lines can snap and cut you in half). They know how to rig a tow line in an emergency. They drop the anchors, and haul them back up (very noisy and dangerous work) They operate the ships boats (which might be one or two, or as many as 20, depending on the type of ship). On certain ships, like Cruisers or Destroyers, they also run the flight deck, where the helicopters operate.
They work in "deck division" and usually provide most of the watchstanders on the bridge, such as the helmsman (who steers) and the lookouts, and of course the 'Boatswain's Mate of the Watch" BMOW, who talks on the 1MC and pipes various calls during the day (like for meals, etc). While they are not very numerous or necessarily respected on smaller ships, on larger amphibious ships there are MANY more of them and they play a huge role in what the ship does. Deck division is also assigned almost all of the "housekeeping" tasks like cleaining and painting the outside of the ship. Fresh air and manual labor are a very big part of the Bosun's day. (unlike a lot of other rates) The Boatswain's Mate rating is abbreviated BM, and does not have any requirements (in terms of ASVAB scores, etc), and Deck division is where most sailors go after boot camp IF they come to a ship WITHOUT an advanced school. If you don't have an advanced school (like an A or C school that trains you to be another rate, like an ET, Electronics Tech), then you are a "non-rate" and you either become a SN (Seaman) in deck, or a FN (Fireman) and work down in the engine rooms. BM's are often referred to as "Deck Apes" by other ratings who think they are smarter based on their schools, but this is not really the point. BM's do a variety of difficult tasks, for example, the Master Helmsman, who steers the ship during the most critical times, is almost always a Bosun Mate. Running the flight deck, or operating small boats is a very challenging task. The ship's "rescue swimmer" is usually from Deck division, and he is like a coast guard rescue swimmer. Also, the team that rescues you if you fall overboard, and the one who will (hopefully) see you if you do and sound the alarm... all Seamen or Boatswains mates! Lastly, BMs learn to do a variety of cool things with rope and canvas, making weird knots and doing decorative awnings, etc for the ship's quarterdeck. If you are a BM for two years, you would just be getting started, and would perhaps, if you were responsible, get to lead small groups of younger sailors in completing tasks like painting or maintenance. As you got to more like the 5-7 year point, you would be an LPO or Leading Petty Officer with real serious responsibilities, like being rig captain for underway replenishment, where if you make a mistake, people can die. You would learn a lot of classic seamanship stuff that would be useful if you were going to work on a ship somewhere, and you would do more practical leadership at a younger age than in most other rates, where even senior petty officers often only sit in chairs all day, fixing gadgets or standing watch (as opposed to leading). Lastly, if you want to, depending on the needs of your ship and your abilities, you can "strike" from deck division out to some other division and basically change your rate to something else. This is easier to do if you are still a SN (non-rate), but can be done as a BM.
Source(s):
I was in charge of a Deck division for 3 years.

Comment by Debbie (Stephen's mom) on March 31, 2010 at 10:27am

LOL Paula! My friends son was in the Navy someone did not file his paper work and he ended up being in the Navy 2 months longer. But they were real good to him when he had interviews he was aloud to go, it did work out for him, he is now working for the Navy, so I guess it all works out. Good luck to Holly, I will keep her in my prays and thoughts.

Comment by Debbie (Stephen's mom) on March 30, 2010 at 8:55pm

Hey MissMySailor (Paula) welcome, so glad you are here. I know a sailor that is a Boastswain Mate. So your sailor is at Great Lake for school? My son is Stephen and he is an ITSA and is station in Italy. Talk about missing my son, I have not seen him in over a year. I know you are proud of him, I am very proud of my son, and talk about him all the time. Any questions just ask and we will do the best to answer them.

Don't worry Paula I go right for the feet. LOL

Michelle I am glad you sailor is doing well!

Comment by MissMySailor on March 30, 2010 at 8:23pm

Hi all,
I am new to all this as my son is just about to finish A school. I am eelin the West suberb of Hinsdale and would really like to make some friends and get a feel for what my son will be doing. He is a Boatswain Mate and I never saw him so happy he loves the Navy and I am so proud of him.
Take care, Paula

Comment by Debbie (Stephen's mom) on March 30, 2010 at 2:58pm

Michelle, how is your son doing in school?

Comment by Debbie (Stephen's mom) on March 30, 2010 at 2:58pm

Tiger Cruise, how was it? I would love to do that one day, maybe I will get the chance.

Hey Annie, how are you? I do love seeing that sign Great Lakes, never noticed much before going that way but I should do now.

Comment by becky m on March 29, 2010 at 7:24pm

Collette he really does look like you. I am going to send you some money so you can buy me some shirts at the nex. Mine are worn alot and it i time for some new ones. Thts so funny about hime not ordering pic. Mine ordered the most expensive package I think. Don't look at it as an age thing...look at it as a HELL YA I am a proud navy mom thing. My son put his leave chit in on Friday, he thinks its not going to be approved. Please pray it gets approved he needs the break from the navy.

Comment by Coco on March 29, 2010 at 6:33pm

3 t-shirts - one with div flag, one for the gym and one for jeans plus a bumber sticker and license place holder. A sweatshirt is next and then who knows. It still feels wierd...almost an age thing...like I am announcing to the world I am old enough to have a child in the Navy.

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