Any Botswains Mates or Quartermasters out there?

[Anonymous]

I am going to try to get into the Navy Reserve as unrated throught the AIA program, then appretice and strike for a BM or QM. Is anybody reading this message in these ratings? If so, can you answer a couple of questions for me?

Since I will be joining as unrated (my only choices in the reserves are to go in on an existing skill, or as unrated) does it matter what I get on my ASVAB? If it does matter, can anyone tell me what score they are looking for, or, if not the exact score, what areas should be my strong ones? What exactly do BMs and QMs do? I've read the descriptions and think I have a fairly good idea, but I'd like to hear from someone who actually is one or has worked with them. Is it true that QMs require several hours of standing at a time? It's what I read in one of the descriptions, but the descriptions wasn't specifically about the Navy, so I'm not sure. Standing for several hours at a time isn't my *favorite thing*, but... Ok, enough questions for now.

Jonnie

jonnie@poboxes.com

[Anonymous]

: I am going to try to get into the Navy Reserve as unrated throught the AIA
: program, then appretice and strike for a BM or QM. Is anybody reading this
: message in these ratings? If so, can you answer a couple of questions for
: me?
:
: Since I will be joining as unrated (my only choices in the reserves are to go
: in on an existing skill, or as unrated) does it matter what I get on my
: ASVAB? If it does matter, can anyone tell me what score they are looking
: for, or, if not the exact score, what areas should be my strong ones? What
: exactly do BMs and QMs do? I've read the descriptions and think I have a
: fairly good idea, but I'd like to hear from someone who actually is one or
: has worked with them. Is it true that QMs require several hours of
: standing at a time? It's what I read in one of the descriptions, but the
: descriptions wasn't specifically about the Navy, so I'm not sure. Standing
: for several hours at a time isn't my *favorite thing*, but... Ok, enough
: questions for now.
:
: Jonnie


well i am an ABE which is an aviation boatswain's mate in arresting gear. I also joined the navy as unrated. It doesn't matter what your asvab score is because if you enter the navy as unrated, they will basically put you where they need you. If you enlist as active duty then you have the apprentice programs to choose from and which ever one you pick, you will be put in a job from that field and it might not be what you want to do. I didn't want to be put in ABE, they just put me there because i am unrated and they need people in that rate. If you want to be a BM or QM then i would get the school for it. Hope this helps. if it doesn't then email me back and i will try to help you more. I am on the USS Enterprise in Newport News, VA so if you are in the area we can get together to talk more about this. talk to you later.

tamip69@yahoo.com

[Anonymous]

: If you want to be a BM or QM then i
: would get the school for it. Hope this helps.


Actually, my recruiter told me that, if you are going into the Reserve, you don't have the option of a school. You can either go in on a pre-existing skill (which, since I am interested in Bm, pretty much means someone who had active duty before and got to go to an A school as a BM -- and that's not me) or through the AIA program. AIA (Accelerated Initial Accession) is where you go in as a non-designated E-2 (Seaman, Airman or Fireman) and then strike for a position. I don't know how it works on the active duty side. Do they make you strike for a position you don't want?

jonnie@poboxes.com

[Anonymous]

: Actually, my recruiter told me that, if you are going into the Reserve, you
: don't have the option of a school. You can either go in on a pre-existing
: skill (which, since I am interested in Bm, pretty much means someone who
: had active duty before and got to go to an A school as a BM -- and that's
: not me) or through the AIA program. AIA (Accelerated Initial Accession) is
: where you go in as a non-designated E-2 (Seaman, Airman or Fireman) and
: then strike for a position. I don't know how it works on the active duty
: side. Do they make you strike for a position you don't want? they won't make you strike for any job that you don't want but if you stay undesignated for too long then they won't give you the option to reenlist. usually you will have to strike for a job when you go up for third class.


tamip69@yahoo.com

[Anonymous]

A non-aviation Boatswains Mate (pronounced "bo'sun")does not have an A school to attend. Boatswains Mates stirke for their raiting while in the fleet. They are tasked with deck maintenance, line handling and upkeep and steerage of the small boats.

Quartermasters, however do have an "A" school and you do have to spend several hours a day standing, especially when you are on watch on the bridge, as you are the one plotting the position of the ship.

Aquitane13@aol.com

[Anonymous]

: I am going to try to get into the Navy Reserve as unrated throught the AIA
: program, then appretice and strike for a BM or QM. Is anybody reading this
: message in these ratings? If so, can you answer a couple of questions for
: me?
:
: Since I will be joining as unrated (my only choices in the reserves are to go
: in on an existing skill, or as unrated) does it matter what I get on my
: ASVAB? If it does matter, can anyone tell me what score they are looking
: for, or, if not the exact score, what areas should be my strong ones? What
: exactly do BMs and QMs do? I've read the descriptions and think I have a
: fairly good idea, but I'd like to hear from someone who actually is one or
: has worked with them. Is it true that QMs require several hours of
: standing at a time? It's what I read in one of the descriptions, but the
: descriptions wasn't specifically about the Navy, so I'm not sure. Standing
: for several hours at a time isn't my *favorite thing*, but... Ok, enough
: questions for now.
:
: Jonnie


There are several advantages and disadvantages of going in any service unrated. Let's talk about the disadvantages first. If you are going in as a unrated seaman , especially if you are stationed on a ship, you will most likely be aasigned to physical labor. I'm talking about chipping paint, painting the ship and the general upkeep. This task can be degrading , it just depends on what your outlook is.

The advantage is that you will have the opportunity to decide(strike) for the rate that you deem most suitable. Yes, your scores matter as to what type of job that is offered to you. When I was in the Navy the highest ASVAB test score was 100. Let's face reality- they are not going to offer you a position of Air Traffic Controller is you rated a 50.

I noticed the the A.T.C.'s (females) usually scored about 80-90+. Alot of the Boatwain mates scores (females) usually fell in the 50 below range. I entered the Navy because I was anxious for a place to stay . If you appear "hungry " to enlist (sometimes) they have a tendency to throw rates at you that no one else really wants. After explaining to the Army that I needed a place to stay, I was offered the rate of laundry and bath specialist (Get Real !).

My ASVAB scores were not even bad !!!! Remember this...... For the most part, everyone with the same rank makes the same amount of money. If you are assigned a menial job that you do not like ....CHANGE IT !!!

Go to school both civ & military and better yourself.

Tiaxnavy@hotmail.com

[Anonymous]

I've heard that there are too many people in the BM rating. That the advancement to E-6 is under 1%, which sounds awful. Anyone know if this is true and what I ough to do, since I'm very interested in this rating, but I don't like the idea of being stuck at E-5 for my whole career?

[Anonymous]

Boatswains Mates and Quartermaster are great rates. If you join up as an undesignated seaman you will be assigned to a seagoing or a shore command. Depending on the needs of the Navy (I am not sure how the reserves do it) After you serve onboard your command for about 18 months you can opt to strike or go to an A school. Boatswains Mate does not have an A school, pretty much because you will be doing a Boatswains Mates job as a seaman. The only big diffrence between seamen and BM's is that BM's are in charge of seamen. As a 3rd you are in charge, comparing this to other rates a 3rd does not have as much pull as a BM does. Deck work can be difficult, long hours and considered undesirable. Good news is you get to try out rates just in case you happen to find something you like. But do not forget that you have to get all your work done before you can go check out other rates. It is not always easy thats for sure. Quartermasters are the people on the ship that plot courses, they work on the bridge taking bearings, plotting charts and making course change recommendations. Sometimes you will spend many many hours at the plotting table, but you will always be up where the action is, which is certanly an advantage. There is an A school for this rate and you can also strike QM as a seaman. My recommendation to you would be NOT to go undesignated unless you really like hard work (like I do) it is no easy life that is for sure.

As for advancement in the BM rate, yes it is slow... but the only thing you can do to help yourself is STUDY, which most people DO NOT do in the Navy so if you are one of the few that does you have a chance. Not to mention if you are an excellent sailor you can also be promoted (capped) by the captain. The Navy is all of what you make of it. If you work hard you will be rewarded in the end. Good luck

Cristina

kisnkity@yahoo.com

[Anonymous]

: I am going to try to get into the Navy Reserve as unrated throught the AIA
: program, then appretice and strike for a BM or QM. Is anybody reading this
: message in these ratings? If so, can you answer a couple of questions for
: me?
:
: Since I will be joining as unrated (my only choices in the reserves are to go
: in on an existing skill, or as unrated) does it matter what I get on my
: ASVAB? If it does matter, can anyone tell me what score they are looking
: for, or, if not the exact score, what areas should be my strong ones? What
: exactly do BMs and QMs do? I've read the descriptions and think I have a
: fairly good idea, but I'd like to hear from someone who actually is one or
: has worked with them. Is it true that QMs require several hours of
: standing at a time? It's what I read in one of the descriptions, but the
: descriptions wasn't specifically about the Navy, so I'm not sure. Standing
: for several hours at a time isn't my *favorite thing*, but... Ok, enough
: questions for now.
:
: Jonnie


ypbro@aol.com

[Anonymous]

: I am going to try to get into the Navy Reserve as unrated throught the AIA
: program, then appretice and strike for a BM or QM. Is anybody reading this
: message in these ratings? If so, can you answer a couple of questions for
: me? Off the subject for just a moment have you finished AIA training in New olreans and how was it. My e-mail is ypbro@aol.com Thanks Jonnie
:
: Since I will be joining as unrated (my only choices in the reserves are to go
: in on an existing skill, or as unrated) does it matter what I get on my
: ASVAB? If it does matter, can anyone tell me what score they are looking
: for, or, if not the exact score, what areas should be my strong ones? What
: exactly do BMs and QMs do? I've read the descriptions and think I have a
: fairly good idea, but I'd like to hear from someone who actually is one or
: has worked with them. Is it true that QMs require several hours of
: standing at a time? It's what I read in one of the descriptions, but the
: descriptions wasn't specifically about the Navy, so I'm not sure. Standing
: for several hours at a time isn't my *favorite thing*, but... Ok, enough
: questions for now.
:
: Jonnie


ypbro@aol.com