U.S. Coast Guard · Deck and Operations

BM Boatswain's Mate

Coast Guard Boatswain's Mates (BM) perform deck operations, vessel handling, and supervise small-boat crews. The senior deck rating in the Coast Guard, BM carries one of the lowest ASVAB line-score requirements of any Coast Guard rating.

last verified 2026-06-02

BM (Boatswain's Mate) is in the Coast Guard and requires a minimum AFQT of 36 and VE+AR of at least 100. Last verified 2026-06-02 against asvabusa.org (Coast Guard rating ASVAB line scores).

Quick check

Can I qualify for this job?

Enter the scores you already know. Leave a box blank if you do not have that score yet.

AFQT minimum 36Enter AFQT
VE+AR minimum 100Enter VE+AR

Plain requirement

What you need.

  • Min AFQT36
  • Training~13 weeks
  • VE+AR line score≥ 100

Source: asvabusa.org (Coast Guard rating ASVAB line scores) · last verified 2026-06-02.

Role brief

About BM — Boatswain's Mate.

Coast Guard Boatswain's Mates (BM) perform deck operations, vessel handling, and supervise small-boat crews. The senior deck rating in the Coast Guard, BM carries one of the lowest ASVAB line-score requirements of any Coast Guard rating.

Starting pay · 2026

What this job pays as a junior enlisted member.

Base pay is set by pay grade, not by job — every Coast Guard enlistee at the same grade earns the same monthly base pay. These are the 2026 active-duty rates (3.8% raise, effective 2026-01-01).

GradeRankMonthly base payService
E-1Seaman Recruit (SR)$2,407after 4 months of service
E-2Seaman Apprentice (SA)$2,698under 2 years
E-3Seaman (SN)$2,837under 2 years
E-4Petty Officer 3rd Class$3,142under 2 years
  • Plus food allowance (BAS)$460/moFlat enlisted rate, tax-free, paid on top of base pay.
  • Plus housing allowance (BAH)Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is paid on top of base pay and is tax-free, but it varies by duty-station ZIP code, pay grade, and whether you have dependents — there is no single nationwide figure. Use the official DoD BAH calculator for your assignment location.DoD BAH rate lookup →

Source: DFAS 2026 active-duty basic pay tables (3.8% raise, effective Jan 1 2026) · last verified 2026-05-23 · date retrieved 2026-05-23.

Eligibility notes

What BM candidates should check.

What are the rating requirements for BM Boatswain's Mate?

The Coast Guard Boatswain's Mate rating (BM) requires a minimum AFQT of 36 and VE+AR of at least 100, with initial training of about 13 weeks. Those are the ASVAB-based entry requirements; a recruiter confirms the full enlistment picture (medical, background, and current openings). Source: asvabusa.org (Coast Guard rating ASVAB line scores), last verified 2026-06-02.

How long is BM Boatswain's Mate training?

BM initial training runs about 13 weeks. Source: asvabusa.org (Coast Guard rating ASVAB line scores), last verified 2026-06-02.

Source: asvabusa.org (Coast Guard rating ASVAB line scores) · last verified 2026-06-02 · date retrieved 2026-06-02.

Nearby targets

Related Coast Guard score targets.

Related

Practice AFQT plus BM line-score subtests.

AFQT + VE+AR practice targets

Independent test-prep — not affiliated with DoD or the ASVAB program. See officialasvab.com for the test program.

Sources