| The United States Navy occupational rating of Boatswain's Mate (abbreviated as BM) is a designation given by the Bureau of Naval Personnel (BUPERS) to enlisted members who "strike" for the rating as a deck seaman.
Boatswain's mates train, direct, and supervise personnel in ship's maintenance duties in all activities relating to marlinspike, deck, boat seamanship, painting, upkeep of ship's external structure, rigging, deck equipment, and boats.[1] 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.[1] They maintain discipline as master-at-arms and police petty officers.[1] They serve in, or take charge of, guncrews or damage control parties.[1] BM's also operate and maintain equipment used in loading and unloading cargo, ammunition, fuel, and general stores.[1]
Boatswain's mates enjoy a normal path of advancement to Chief Warrant Officer and Limited Duty Officer.[1] Candidates must have normal color perception, and no speech impediment.[1] Candidates needn't meet any special citizenship or security requirements.[1]
Boatswain's mates also summon the crew to work by a whistle known as a boatswain's call or boatswain's pipe.[2] On the ancient row-galleys, the boatswain used his pipe to "call the stroke."[3] Later because its shrill tune could be heard above most of the activity on board, it was used to signal various happenings such as knock-off and the boarding of officials.[3] 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 American Navies.[3]  |