Navy Rating · Logistics

SN Seaman

Current service use not established

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

Overview

A Seaman maintains ship compartments, decks, machinery, equipment, external structures, lines, and rigging. This sailor stands underway and in port watches and operates small boats, booms, cranes, and winches.

Minimum ASVAB: AR+VE 90

ASVAB policy: Not policy-reviewed · coverage unknown · as of 2026-10-22

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.

See if you would hit this score: free ASVAB practice test

Core Skills

Shipboard deck machinery and rigging maintenance
Surface preparation, preservation, and painting
Helm and lookout watch standing
In-port anchor and fire security watches

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.

Sailors and Marine Oilers

Maintaining decks, lines, and rigging and standing helm and lookout watches directly support civilian deckhand work within this occupation.

How to prepare: Ask the National Maritime Center which Merchant Mariner Credential endorsements apply to the deckhand jobs you are targeting. Most water transportation jobs require a Transportation Worker Identification Credential and Merchant Mariner Credential with related endorsements; open-ocean service requires USCG-verified STCW training.

What the civilian work involves

Handle lines to moor vessels to wharfs, to tie up vessels to other vessels, or to rig towing lines.
Stand watch in ships' bows or bridge wings to look for obstructions in a ship's path or to locate navigational aids, such as buoys or lighthouses.

Riggers

Maintaining shipboard lines and rigging provides a practical foundation for learning civilian load-rigging work.

How to prepare: Take hands-on rigging training covering gear selection by load weight, rigging inspection, and hoisting signals before pursuing entry-level rigging work.

What the civilian work involves

Test rigging to ensure safety and reliability.
Signal or verbally direct workers engaged in hoisting and moving loads to ensure safety of workers and materials.
Select gear, such as cables, pulleys, and winches, according to load weights and sizes, facilities, and work schedules.

Notes & Sources

Evidence for this guidance (4 documents)

NAVPERS 18068F Vol I (NEOCS, Jan 2026 edition): SEAMAN (SN)
[1] Rating chapter "SCOPE OF RATING"; cached text line 67972; NAVPERS 18068F Vol I, 2026-01 edition
Supports: Shipboard deck machinery and rigging maintenance, Surface preparation, preservation, and painting, Helm and lookout watch standing, In-port anchor and fire security watches, Sailors and Marine Oilers (O*NET 53-5011.00), Riggers (O*NET 49-9096.00)
O*NET: Sailors and Marine Oilers
[2] O*NET 30.3 occupational data
Supports: Sailors and Marine Oilers (O*NET 53-5011.00)
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: Sailors and Marine Oilers (O*NET 53-5011.00)
O*NET: Riggers
[4] O*NET 30.3 occupational data
Supports: Riggers (O*NET 49-9096.00)

Defense contractor jobs for SN

Predecessor codes

Historical codes with documented links to SN. Each history page explains the change.

BUGBugler SSeaman

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

Report an error on this page