Is Everyone In The Navy A Seaman?

When most people think of the Navy, they think of a force composed of sailors, or seamen as they are formally referred to, who have dedicated their lives to military service and protection of our country. But is everyone in the Navy considered a seaman?

The answer is no, not everyone in the Navy is a seaman, but seamen do make up the largest group within the ranks of those who serve in both the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard alike.

Definition of a Seaman

In official naval language, a seaman is an enlisted member with a rank between E-3 and E-9 (usually ranging from Petty Officer Third Class to Command Master Chief). These enlisted personnel are responsible for performing various duties on board ships and submarines as well as participating in combat operations when required.

Seamen must have good physical stamina and strength to perform their duties effectively and efficiently, which can include hoisting or shifting heavy gear or equipment, working on deck during bad weather, etc.

They are also expected to have good knowledge about navigation, communications systems, security procedures, weapons systems, etc., depending on their job description on board ship or submarine. Seamen must be able to take orders from their superiors as well as work well with other members of the crew in order to get their jobs done correctly and safely.

Navy Roles & Seaman Responsibilities

The Navy has four main roles, General Deck Group (GDS), Technical Group (TGS), Weapons Group (WGS) and Administrative Group (AGS).

Depending on which group they belong to determines what type of duties they will be responsible for performing onboard ship or submarine while deployed overseas or docked at port home base station.

General Deck Group:

Seamen belonging to this group are responsible for activities such as steering the ship or submarine, operating mooring lines for docking, anchoring, lookout duty, maintaining deck equipment, tending lines during underway replenishment operations, launching small boats from onboard ship, firefighting, manning searchlights, etc., as instructed by their superior officers onboard ship/submarine during operations at sea/port home base stations/in transit periods for overseas deployments/training missions etc..

Technical Group:

Seamen belonging to this group are responsible for maintenance activities such as engine room watch keeping and repair work such as welding tasks and fabrication work onboard ship/submarine while deployed overseas/at port home base station/in transit periods for overseas deployments/training missions etc.

They may also be responsible for maintaining electrical systems such as light fixtures, generators, batteries etc., operating mechanical systems such as pumps, winches, capstans etc., operating radio systems/radar systems etc., performing damage control duties including firefighting drills/damage control exercises onboard ship etc..

Weapons Group:

Seamen belonging to this group are responsible for operating weapons systems such as gun turrets, missile launchers etc., maintaining weapons systems such as guns and missiles onboard ship while deployed overseas/at port home base station/in transit periods for overseas deployments/training missions etc..

They may also be responsible for loading ammunition into weapons systems aboard ship during combat operations if necessary..

Administrative Group:

Seamen belonging to this group are responsible for administrative tasks such as filing paperwork related to personnel issues such pay grades or promotions onboard ship while deployed overseas/at port home base station/in transit periods for overseas deployments/training missions etc.. They may also be responsible for issuing orders related to personnel matters aboard ship during combat operations if necessary..

Difference Between Seaman & Other Navy Personnel

Although all members of the Navy serve an important role within the military organization there is still a distinct difference between those that fall under the general term “seaman” versus those that hold other ranks within the organization such as officers or noncommissioned officers (NCOs).

Officers typically hold ranks between O-1 (Ensign) up through O-10 (Admiral) while NCOs typically hold ranks between E-4 (Petty Officer Second Class) up through E-9 (Command Master Chief).

In addition officers possess more authority than seamen do due their higher rank within the military hierarchy which allows them to make more decisions regarding operations without needing approval from higher ranking officers whereas seamen would need approval from their superior officers before making any major decisions onboard ship/submarine during operations at sea/port home base stations./in transit periods for overseas deployments/training missions etc.

Aviation Administration Men

There is one exception within the four groups mentioned above that does not fall under the definition of “seamen” despite them being part of both the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard alike – Aviation Administration Men (AAMs).

AAMs typically hold rank between E-2 (Airman) up through E-5 (Airman First Class) and they are primarily responsible for providing administrative support related tasks such filing paperwork related to aviation operations aboard ships while deployed overseas /at port home base station./in transit periods for overseas deployments /training missions etc..

Summary

To summarize it can be said that not everyone who serves in either branch of the United States Armed Forces – The U.S Navy or Coast Guard – is considered a seaman despite them all serving an important role within each respective organization’s hierarchy structure where each individual serves an important duty related task depending on which branch they belong too – either The U S Naval Forces or Coast Guard respectively .

Those in the general deck , technical , weapon’s , administrative groups with exception being aviation administration men , are called “seamen” . It is these individuals who make up largest proportion of personnel within both branches in pay grades ranging from E3 – below .

Conclusion

In conclusion it can be seen that although all members serve an important role in protecting our country it is only those that fall under general term “seamen” who make up largest proportion within both branches .

This includes those serving general deck , technical , weapons , administrative roles with exception being aviation administration men which falls separately due different responsibilities performed by them compared rest .

It should also noted that despite having same title these individuals differ greatly when it comes power vested upon them due different pay grades assigned .