Quartermasters and Boat Operators

Background

The military operates many small boats for amphibious troop landings, harbor patrols, and transportation over short distances. Quartermasters and boat operators navigate and pilot many types of small watercraft, including tugboats, PT boats, gunboats, and barges.

What They Do

Quartermasters and boat operators in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

• Consult maps, charts, weather reports, and navigation equipment
• Direct the course and speed of boats
• Keep ship logs
• Maintain boats and deck equipment
• Operate amphibious craft during troop landings
• Operate ship-to-shore radios
• Pilot tugboats when towing and docking barges and large ships

Physical Demands

Quartermasters and boat operators may have to stand for several hours at a time. They must be able to speak clearly. Some specialties require normal depth perception and hearing.

Special Requirements

No information available.

Helpful Attributes

Helpful attributes include:

• Ability to follow detailed instructions and read maps
• Ability to work with mathematical formulas
• Interest in sailing and navigation

Helpful School Subjects

Helpful school subjects include:

• Math

Helpful Fields of Study

No information available.

Work Environment

Quartermasters and boat operators work aboard all types of boats and in all types of weather conditions. When not piloting boats, they may work on or below deck repairing boats and equipment or overseeing cargo storage. When ashore, they may work in offices that make nautical maps or in harbor management offices. Some boats are operated in combat situations.

Services offering this career:

• Army
• Marine Corps
• Navy

Hiring Practices

To serve in the military, a person must be at least 17; the maximum age for enlistment varies. To enlist, a person must pass a physical exam and an aptitude test. An enlistee must also meet military standards of discipline and be a US citizen or permanent resident alien.

This position is for enlisted personnel.

Wages

The military is competitive with the civilian world when it comes to pay and benefits. All branches offer the same basic pay and benefits.

Pay depends mainly on rank or grade as well as length of service. Bonuses and the situation in which the person is serving (for example: flight duty, sea duty, hazardous duty) also affect pay. 

Cost-of-living increases usually occur every year, based on inflation. The military also pays allowances for food, clothing, and housing. All these factors combined are called Regular Military Compensation (RMC). They should all be considered when comparing military pay to civilian pay.

There are two main parts to RMC: basic pay and allowances. There are also additional incentives for special abilities, training, or hazardous duty.

Check out the RMC Calculator to calculate your RMC based on your inputs.

Training Provided

Job training consists of six to 22 weeks of classroom instruction including practice in boat operations.

Course content typically includes:

• Boat handling procedures
• Log and message-handling procedures
• Navigational math
• Use of compasses, radar, charts, and other navigational aids

Civilian Counterparts

Civilian quartermasters and boat operators may work for shipping and cruise lines, piloting tugboats, ferries, and other small vessels. Depending upon specialty, they may also be called tugboat captains, motorboat operators, navigators, or pilots.

Related Civilian Careers

• Ship Captains and Mates
• Ship Pilots

Employment and Outlook

In peace time the services have about 2,000 quartermasters. In times of military action the number may be different, depending on the type of specialties required. Each year the services need new quartermasters and boat operators due to changes in personnel and the demands of the field. After job training, they assist more experienced operators in maintaining logs and charts, and operating navigational equipment. After gaining experience, they perform more difficult tasks, such as operating navigational equipment and calculating ship position. In time, they pilot boats and help train new quartermasters and boat operators.