Machinist Mates On The Front Lines: The Story Of Afghanistan's Unsung Heroes

Machinist's Mates are a rating in the United States Navy's engineering community. They are responsible for operating, maintaining, and repairing machinery and equipment, including propulsion machinery, auxiliary equipment, and outside machinery. While Machinist's Mates can be assigned to ships and naval repair activities in the U.S. and overseas, there is no specific mention of Afghanistan as a potential deployment location. However, given that Machinist's Mates can be assigned to ships and naval repair activities overseas, it is possible that they could be deployed to Afghanistan if there is a naval presence or requirement for their skills in that country.

Machinist's Mate job description

Machinist's Mates are responsible for operating and maintaining propulsion machinery, auxiliary equipment, and outside machinery on ships. They work on every inch of a ship, from the engine room to the boiler room, and are in charge of aligning piping systems for oil, water, air, and steam. They also operate ship boilers and steam turbines, as well as turbogenerators, to produce electrical power.

Machinist's Mates are also responsible for cleaning, adjusting, testing, and maintaining boilers, engines, and generators. They maintain auxiliary machinery, including steering engines, elevators, winches, pumps, and valves. They also operate and maintain water desalination plants, refrigeration plants, air conditioning systems, and galley equipment.

Additionally, Machinist's Mates repair valves, pumps, heat exchangers, compressors, steam turbines, and hydraulic and pneumatic devices. They maintain and analyze machinery operating records and reports.

There are several types of Machinist's Mates:

• Machinist's Mate Nuclear (MMN): These MMs operate and maintain steam-powered propulsion plants aboard aircraft carriers and submarines. They are responsible for the maintenance of steam turbines, reduction gears, turbogenerators, pumps, and oil purifiers. They also maintain auxiliary machinery outside the main machinery spaces, such as electrohydraulic steering engines, elevators, refrigeration plants, and air conditioning systems.
• Aviation Machinist's Mate (AD): These MMs are aircraft engine mechanics. They inspect, adjust, test, repair, and overhaul aircraft engines and propellers. They install, maintain, and service aircraft engine types, fuel systems, lubrication systems, gearboxes, and related accessories. They also handle and service aircraft both ashore and aboard ships.
• Machinist's Mate Auxiliary (MMA): These MMs are systems specialists who operate and maintain non-nuclear mechanical systems aboard submarines. They manufacture and store oxygen, remove carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbons from breathable air, and maintain and test emergency diesel engines, watertight doors, and hatches. They repair and replace onboard equipment, operate and repair refrigeration systems, and maintain air conditioning systems and galley equipment.

Machinist's Mates receive specialized training and can expect to work in a variety of environments, including fire rooms, boiler rooms, engine rooms, or shops. These locations can be hot and noisy, and MMs may be required to perform heavy physical work as part of a team.

To become a Machinist's Mate, one must have a high school diploma or equivalent and be a U.S. citizen eligible for security clearance. Applicants should possess good speaking skills, physical stamina, manual dexterity, and an aptitude for working with tools and mechanical devices.

Machinist's Mate training

Machinist's Mates (MM) are responsible for operating and maintaining ship propulsion machinery, auxiliary equipment, and outside machinery.

Training

To become a Machinist's Mate, one must first become a US Navy Sailor. Recruits accomplish this via successful completion of Navy Recruit Training, commonly referred to as Boot Camp. Boot Camp is eight weeks long and takes place at the Recruit Training Command Great Lakes (known as RTC Great Lakes).

After Boot Camp, future MMs attend Basic Engineering Common Core and "A" School at Great Lakes, Illinois. The school is nine weeks long and consists of group instruction in a classroom and shop. The course covers:

• Introduction to Technical Documentation
• Basic Mechanical Theory
• Safety Precautions and Programs
• Alignment and Operation of Piping Systems and Equipment
• Safe and Proper Handling and Operation of Hand Tools, Precision Instruments, Lubricants, Bearings, Couplings, Gears, Valves, and Pumps
• Course Instruction to the Maintenance Material Management System (3M)
• Basic Watch Standing Procedures
• Basic Technical Knowledge, Terminology and Watch Standing Procedures for the Operation of Conventional Marine Steam Propulsion Systems
• Preventive Maintenance of Plant Equipment

Machinist's Mate (Surface) class "A" school is approximately 9 weeks long and takes place in Great Lakes, Illinois. Machinist's Mate (Submarine) class "A" school is also nine weeks in duration and takes place in Groton, Connecticut.

Machinist's Mate Nuclear (MMN) Training

Those pursuing a Machinist's Mate Nuclear role report to "A" School in Charleston, South Carolina, for six months. Here, they develop a working knowledge of technical mathematics and power distribution. Students learn to:

• Solve basic equations using phasors, vector notations, and basic trigonometry
• Analyze DC and AC circuits
• Operate electrical equipment using controllers
• Properly test, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair electrical circuits, motors, and other related electrical equipment

From there, MMNs move on to Naval Nuclear Power School (NNPS), also in Charleston, South Carolina. Here they learn the theory and practical application of nuclear physics and reactor engineering. The six-month course provides a comprehensive understanding of a pressurized-water Naval nuclear power plant, including:

• Reactor core nuclear principles
• Heat transfer and fluid systems
• Plant chemistry and materials
• Mechanical and electrical systems
• Radiological control

Following NNPS, MMNs begin prototype training in their rating specialty at one of two Nuclear Power Training Units (NPTUs) – located in Charleston, South Carolina, and Ballston Spa, New York. This six-month course teaches the fundamentals of a Naval nuclear power plant and the interrelationship of its mechanical, electrical, and reactor subsystems. Students develop oral communication skills, obtain an understanding of nuclear radiation, and gain knowledge of the safe operation of a complex Naval nuclear power plant.

Machinist's Mate qualifications

To become a Machinist's Mate in the US Navy, you must meet certain qualifications and requirements.

Requirements

• A high school diploma or equivalent.
• US citizenship with eligibility for security clearance.
• Good speaking skills.
• Aptitude for working with tools and mechanical devices.
• Ability to work well in a team.
• Good physical stamina.
• Good manual dexterity.
• Normal hearing.
• No record of adversely adjudicated drug abuse offences.
• Normal vision.

Training

Once you have joined the Navy, you will need to complete the following training:

• Basic training (Boot Camp) at the Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Illinois.
• Basic Engineering Common Core and "A" School (9 weeks) in Great Lakes, Illinois, for training in basic mechanical theory, technical documentation, safety precautions, piping systems, tools and instruments, etc.
• For Machinist's Mate Nuclear (MMN) roles, you will attend "A" School in Charleston, South Carolina, for six months, followed by six months at the Naval Nuclear Power School, also in Charleston.
• For MMNs, there is then a further six months of training at one of two Nuclear Power Training Units (NPTUs) in Charleston or Ballston Spa, New York.
• Advanced technical and operational training is available during later career stages.

Qualifications

• Machinist's Mates should have a strong interest in math, chemistry, physics and engineering.
• They should have clear speech, physical stamina, manual dexterity and the ability to work with others as a team.
• They should know how to use common hand and power tools and enjoy working with mechanical devices.
• Other helpful characteristics include resourcefulness and an interest in learning new ideas and skills.

Machinist's Mate work environment

Machinist's Mates work in a variety of settings, including fire rooms, boiler rooms, engine rooms, and shops within the hull of a ship. These locations can be hot and noisy, and the work is often physically demanding. Machinist's Mates may be required to work closely with others and, in some cases, with limited supervision.

Machinist's Mates are responsible for operating and maintaining ship propulsion machinery, auxiliary equipment, and outside machinery. This includes aligning piping systems for oil, water, air, and steam, as well as controlling the operation of ship boilers, steam turbines, and turbogenerators. They also maintain and repair auxiliary machinery, such as steering engines, elevators, pumps, valves, and refrigeration and air conditioning systems.

In addition to their work aboard ships, Machinist's Mates may also be assigned to shore stations or naval repair activities in the U.S. and overseas. They may work on conventional steam-propelled ships or at submarine and aircraft carrier stations.

For those seeking a more specialized role, there is the option of becoming a Machinist's Mate Nuclear (MMN). MMNs work with nuclear-powered ships and submarines, performing maintenance on steam-powered propulsion plants. This role requires additional training in nuclear physics and reactor engineering.

Another specialized role is the Aviation Machinist's Mate (AD), who works specifically on aircraft engines and propellers. ADs may be assigned to sea or shore duty anywhere in the world and can work in hangars, on flight decks, or at air stations.

Machinist's Mate career progression

Machinist's Mates (MM) are a rating in the United States Navy's engineering community. The role involves operating, maintaining, and repairing ship propulsion machinery, auxiliary equipment, and outside machinery.

Training and Career Progression

To become a Machinist's Mate, you must first become a US Navy Sailor. Recruits do this via successful completion of Navy Recruit Training, commonly referred to as Boot Camp. This training is eight weeks long and takes place at the Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes (RTC Great Lakes).

After Boot Camp, future MMs attend Basic Engineering Common Core and "A" School. This is nine weeks long and takes place in Great Lakes, Illinois. The course consists of group instruction in a classroom and shop.

Once initial training is complete, MMs may be assigned to ships and naval repair activities afloat and at shore stations in the US and overseas.

Advanced Training

Advanced training as a Machinist's Mate is available during later stages of career development. For those with leadership aspirations and a college degree, Officer roles may be available.

Post-Service Opportunities

Specialized training and work experience gained as a Machinist's Mate can lead to valuable credentialing and occupational opportunities in related fields in the civilian world, such as industrial machinery, engineering, power plant operation, and more.

Frequently asked questions