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Navy Rating · Combat & Infantry

SB Special Warfare Boat Operator

Current service use not established

This code is listed in the directory. Inclusion alone does not confirm current service use.

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Overview

A Special Warfare Boat Operator conducts maritime special operations and inserts or extracts Special Operations Forces in open ocean, littoral, and riverine environments. Special Warfare Boat Operators operate, maintain, and repair specialized maritime craft, weapons systems, tactical communications equipment, and unmanned systems.

Minimum clearance: Secret

Minimum ASVAB: VE+AR 105 or AR+2MK+GS 210

ASVAB policy: Not policy-reviewed · coverage unknown · as of 2026-10-19

Program scope has not been reviewed.

Policy applicability and coverage of the program's score routes have not been reviewed. Shown-route arithmetic is not an eligibility decision.

Source: milpersman-1306-618-rating-list-2026-04 (source date 2026-04). Policy applicability has not been established.

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Core Skills

  • Special operations personnel insertion and extraction
  • Specialized maritime craft maintenance and repair
  • Tactical communications and unmanned systems maintenance
  • Maritime craft deployment using joint-force mobility

Civilian Career Paths

Career associations are editorial assessments of the cited evidence, not an official crosswalk unless the evidence explicitly says so. O*NET supplies civilian occupation information, not proof of a military match. Related experience does not confer civilian qualifications. Tasks and tools below describe civilian work, not military training.

Motorboat Operators

Operating special warfare craft for personnel insertion and extraction in ocean, coastal, and river environments transfers directly to civilian small-boat operation.

How to prepare: Request an official sea-service transcript or assignment history with vessel tonnage, routes, propulsion power, underway time, and duties for National Maritime Center evaluation; a DD-214 is not acceptable sea-service evidence. Most water transportation jobs require a TWIC and Merchant Mariner Credential with appropriate endorsements, and open-ocean service requires USCG-verified STCW training.

What the civilian work involves
  • Operate engine throttles and steering mechanisms to guide boats on desired courses.
  • Maintain desired courses, using compasses or electronic navigational aids.
  • Secure boats to docks with mooring lines, and cast off lines to enable departure.
Civilian tools and software (examples)
  • Global positioning system GPS software
  • Radar software
  • Echo sounder software

Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians

Maintaining and repairing specially configured naval craft provides directly relevant experience for civilian motorboat service and operational testing.

How to prepare: Seek hands-on training in civilian marine-engine diagnostics, focusing on engine types and diagnostic scanners not covered by your documented craft-maintenance experience.

What the civilian work involves
  • Start motors and monitor performance for signs of malfunctioning, such as smoke, excessive vibration, or misfiring.
  • Repair engine mechanical equipment, such as power tilts, bilge pumps, or power take-offs.
  • Perform routine engine maintenance on motorboats, such as changing oil and filters.
Civilian tools and software (examples)
  • Engine diagnostic scanners
  • CDI Electronics M.E.D.S.

Notes & Sources

Evidence for this guidance (5 documents)
  1. NAVPERS 18068F Vol I (NEOCS, Jan 2026 edition): SPECIAL WARFARE BOAT OPERATOR (SB)

    [1] Rating chapter "SCOPE OF RATING"; cached text line 18338; NAVPERS 18068F Vol I, 2026-01 edition

    Supports: Special operations personnel insertion and extraction, Specialized maritime craft maintenance and repair, Tactical communications and unmanned systems maintenance, Maritime craft deployment using joint-force mobility, Motorboat Operators (O*NET 53-5022.00), Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians (O*NET 49-3051.00)

  2. O*NET: Motorboat Operators

    [2] O*NET 30.3 occupational data

    Supports: Motorboat Operators (O*NET 53-5022.00)

  3. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Water Transportation Workers

    [3] How to Become; training, licenses and related experience; updated August 27, 2026, checked September 23, 2026

    Supports: Motorboat Operators (O*NET 53-5022.00)

  4. USCG: 46 CFR 10.232 military sea-service evidence and credit

    [4] Paragraphs (a) and (d)(1), official eCFR snapshot September 21, 2026; retrieved September 24

    Supports: Motorboat Operators (O*NET 53-5022.00)

  5. O*NET: Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians

    [5] O*NET 30.3 occupational data

    Supports: Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians (O*NET 49-3051.00)

Defense contractor jobs for SB

Descriptions may be summarized for clarity. Verify all information with your branch career counselor or official military documentation before making career decisions.

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