General Description
Damage Controlmen (DC) perform organizational and intermediate level maintenance and repair of damage control equipment and systems; plan, supervise, and perform tasks necessary for damage control, ship stability, preservation of watertight integrity, fire fighting, and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Explosive (CBRNE) defense; instruct and coordinate damage control parties; instruct personnel in the techniques of damage control and CBRNE defense; and prepare records and reports.
What They Do
The duties performed by DC's include: Operating, repairing and maintaining installed firefighting systems and equipment, damage control equipment, and chemical, biological and radiological defense equipment; Training shipboard personnel in the operation, maintenance and repair of damage control systems and equipment, life saving devices, and various firefighting methods; Performing emergency repairs to decks, structures and hulls by emergency pipe patching, plugging, and shoring; Performing maintenance and repair of watertight closures and assorted fittings; Performing emergency repairs to piping fittings and fixtures; Acting as the ships Fire Marshal and fire fighting leaders; training ship's company in chemical, biological and radiological defense.
Working Environment
Damage Controlmen work in a variety of climates at sea and ashore. They normally perform their work at sea in a controlled climate, but are often called upon, to work in machinery spaces and flight decks in various sea states and weather conditions. USN DC's are stationed primarily aboard USN deploying ships, FTS DCs are stationed aboard Naval Reserve Force (NRF) ships that deploy or conduct local operations. They may work in noisy environments on some assignments. People in this rating work closely with others, usually supervise and teach others and often do physical work.
ASVAB Requirements (waivers are considered on a case-by-case basis)
VE + AR + MK + AS = 200 OR MK + AS + AO = 150
Must have normal color perception
** While a security clearance is not required for this rating, there may be certain billets that do - contact your Command Security Manager to ensure yours is updated. **