Navy
COMBAT

Rating

SN

Seaman

Description

Seamen (SN) maintain ship's compartments, decks, deck machinery, equipment, external structure, lines, and riggings; stand underway deck watches, such as: helmsman, lookout, and messenger; stand pier sentry, fire security, anchor, and other special watches in port; and man and operate small boats, booms, cranes, and winches.

Core Skills

  • shipboard deck maintenance
  • line handling and rigging
  • helm and lookout watchstanding
  • small boat operations
  • crane and winch operation
  • anchor handling
  • pier and fire security
  • deck machinery maintenance
  • maritime watchstanding

Common Certifications

  • Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC)
  • STCW Basic Training
  • OSHA Crane Operator Certification
  • OSHA Powered Industrial Trucks Certificate
  • NCCCO Rigger Level I
  • Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)

Civilian Career Paths

  • TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT
  • PHYSICAL SECURITY
  • PRIVATE SECURITY
  • MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Training & Development

Getting Started

  • STCW Basic Training
  • Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
  • OSHA Powered Industrial Trucks Certificate
  • NCCCO Rigger Level I

Career Growth

  • Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC)
  • NCCCO Crane Operator Certification
  • STCW Able Seafarer Deck
  • NCCCO Rigger Level II

Equivalent Roles in Other Branches

Data sourced from official Navy publications and public military occupational references. Descriptions may be summarized for clarity. Verify all information with your branch career counselor or official military documentation before making career decisions.