What They Do:

QMs are responsible for procuring, correcting, using and stowing the ship's navigational and oceanographic publications and oceanographic charts. In addition they maintain the ship's navigational instruments, keep correct navigational time; render "honors and ceremonies" in accordance with national observance and foreign customs; send and receive visual messages; and may also serve as petty officers in charge of tugs, self-propelled barges and other yard and district craft.

The nature of the Quartermaster's work depends on the type of ship to which he is assigned. Aboard carriers, cruisers, and other deep draft ships, the Quartermaster force is likely to be quite large, with the senior Quartermaster spending much of his time on administrative duties and supervision. Aboard medium size ships, the senior Quartermaster is often the assistant to the navigator, and may spend most of his time in actual navigational duties. On very small ships, the senior Quartermaster usually is the navigator's assistant, and may also be responsible for supervision of the ship's signal force.

Qualifications:

    ASVAB Score:   VE+AR=96

    Must have normal color perception.

    Security Clearance, (SECRET) Requirement.

    Must be U.S. citizen.

    Visual acuity must be correctable to 20/20.

Technical Training Information:

Enlistees are taught the fundamentals of this rating through on-the-job training and formal Navy schooling. Advanced technical and operational training is available in this rating during later stages of career development.

Great Lakes, IL --40 calendar days

Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to operate electronic navigation equipment. They will be able to conduct weather observations, determine compass and gyro error, compute tide and tidal current data, keep logs and records, determine their ship's position by visual and electronic means, compute times of sunrise and sunset; and follow the nautical rules-of-the-road to prevent collisions at sea.

After "A" school, USN Quartermasters are assigned to all types of ships. TAR QMs are assigned to NRF ships in CONUS. Upon completion of sea tours, TAR QMs will be assigned to reserve centers across the country including the heartland. While assigned to reserve centers TAR QMs will train and administer Selected Reserve Personnel. During a 20 year period in the Navy, QMs spend about 60 percent of their time assigned to fleet units and 40 percent to shore stations.

From the Quartermaster 1 & C Manual:

Quartermaster is one of the few ratings for which billets exist in virtually all types of Navy ships, from the largest to the smallest--both surface craft and submarines. The nature of the First Class or Chief Quartermaster's work depends mainly on the type of ship to which he is assigned. Aboard carriers, cruisers, and other deep draft ships, the Quartermaster force is likely to be quite large; the senior Quartermaster spends much of his time on administrative duties and supervision. Aboard meduim size ships, the senior Quartermaster frequently is the assistant to the navigator, and most of his time is taken up in actual navigational duties. Aboard very small ships, the senior Quartermaster usually is the navigator's assistant, and may have the additional responsibility of supervising the ship's signal force. At the first class and chief level, Quartermasters may also be assigned to sea duty as petty officer in charge of tugboats or other types of yard craft.

Working Environment:

Quartermasters usually work in a clean, air-conditioned electronic equipment space or the ship's bridge/pilot house, and frequently perform their work as part of a team, but may work on individual projects. Their work is mostly mental analysis and problem solving. USN QMs are stationed primarily aboard USN deploying ships, TAR QMs are stationed aboard Naval Reserve Force (NRF) ships that deploy or conduct local operations.