Enlisted:
Seaman
To advance from Seaman Recruit to Seaman, the recruit must complete the following:
- Obtain a period correct working uniform.
- Pass the initial board of induction.
- The recruit must express a desire to learn a rating. He will then be assigned to the Seaman branch or Fireman branch to learn the basics of his job.
To advance from Seaman Recruit to Seaman, the recruit must complete the following:
- Obtain a period correct working uniform.
- Pass the initial board of induction.
- The recruit must express a desire to learn a rating. He will then be assigned to the Seaman branch or Fireman branch to learn the basics of his job.
Petty Officer 3rd Class
In order to advance from Seaman to Petty Officer 3rd Class, you must complete the following:
- Demonstrate a basic knowledge of your chosen rating.
- Stand before the promotion board.
In order to advance from Seaman to Petty Officer 3rd Class, you must complete the following:
- Demonstrate a basic knowledge of your chosen rating.
- Stand before the promotion board.
Petty Officer 2nd Class
In order to advance from Petty Officer 3rd Class to Petty Officer 2nd Class, you must complete the following:
- Demonstrate your ability to perform your job as your rating dictates
- Demonstrate your knowledge of your duty station
- Obtain an undress white or dress blue uniform.
- Complete the Submariner's Qualification Exam.
- Stand before the promotion board.
In order to advance from Petty Officer 3rd Class to Petty Officer 2nd Class, you must complete the following:
- Demonstrate your ability to perform your job as your rating dictates
- Demonstrate your knowledge of your duty station
- Obtain an undress white or dress blue uniform.
- Complete the Submariner's Qualification Exam.
- Stand before the promotion board.
Petty Officer 1st Class
In order to advance from Petty Officer 2nd Class to Petty Officer 1st Class, you must complete the following:
- Hone your ability to lead tours through the boat
- Have a thorough knowledge of all compartments and their functions.
- Obtain an undress white or dress blue uniform (the one you didn't get for your 2nd Class rate).
- Stand before the promotion board.
In order to advance from Petty Officer 2nd Class to Petty Officer 1st Class, you must complete the following:
- Hone your ability to lead tours through the boat
- Have a thorough knowledge of all compartments and their functions.
- Obtain an undress white or dress blue uniform (the one you didn't get for your 2nd Class rate).
- Stand before the promotion board.
Chief Petty Officer
In order to advance from Petty Officer 1st Class to Chief Petty Officer, you must complete the following:
- Have a thorough understanding of all compartments.
- Know how most systems operate.
- Understand the physics of how the boat operates.
- Have an understanding of the BLHA regulations and how they apply to individual sailors.
- Express your desire to become a CPO.
- Be dependable (always on time for formations, always accountable, tries to show at the majority of events).
- Exhibit signs of good leadership.
- Take charge in the absence of leadership.
- Remain in good standing within the BLHA for a minimum of 2 years.
- Obtain your CPO Khaki working uniform (we recommend waiting on your approval before purchasing your khakis).
- Stand before the promotion board.
In order to advance from Petty Officer 1st Class to Chief Petty Officer, you must complete the following:
- Have a thorough understanding of all compartments.
- Know how most systems operate.
- Understand the physics of how the boat operates.
- Have an understanding of the BLHA regulations and how they apply to individual sailors.
- Express your desire to become a CPO.
- Be dependable (always on time for formations, always accountable, tries to show at the majority of events).
- Exhibit signs of good leadership.
- Take charge in the absence of leadership.
- Remain in good standing within the BLHA for a minimum of 2 years.
- Obtain your CPO Khaki working uniform (we recommend waiting on your approval before purchasing your khakis).
- Stand before the promotion board.
Chief Petty Officer (Good Conduct)
The CPO Good Conduct rate will be worn in conjunction with the Good Conduct service stripes. It is awarded for 12 years of continuous service with the BLHA. GC CPO’s are the most respected enlisted men. To receive the GCCPO rate, you must complete the following:
- Complete 12 years of service to the BLHA.
- Obtain a CPO Service Dress Blue uniform.
- Maintain good standing with the BLHA. If this in any way changes, the GC rates are reduced to the standard CPO rate.
The CPO Good Conduct rate will be worn in conjunction with the Good Conduct service stripes. It is awarded for 12 years of continuous service with the BLHA. GC CPO’s are the most respected enlisted men. To receive the GCCPO rate, you must complete the following:
- Complete 12 years of service to the BLHA.
- Obtain a CPO Service Dress Blue uniform.
- Maintain good standing with the BLHA. If this in any way changes, the GC rates are reduced to the standard CPO rate.
Enlisted Ratings Available in the BLHA:
There are 14 different ratings that are available within the BLHA. Some have many openings within the crew and some ratings were only present with one or two sailors. These are the only ratings that will be accepted within the BLHA.
Coxwain: A part of the Boatswain's Mate rating group, the Coxwain was a PO3c. It is, in essence, a default rating for those that don't want to do a specialized job. As every crew member was required to qualify in every area of each submarine, very few of these were aboard. The Batfish usually saw no more than one at a time since the men would rather use what they learned and complete a rating.
Bakers, Cooks, Ship's Cooks, Steward's Mates: This position is arguably the most important within the BLHA. Our meals are what separates us from other museum ships. These are the men that make those meals happen.
Electrician's Mates: These are the men that kept the boat alive. The submarine is diesel-electric and thus runs entirely on electrical power. The diesel engines do nothing more than generate electricity. Our EM's are in charge of keeping the lights on and electrical systems going often by just changing light bulbs or fuses.
Fire Controlman: The Batfish, like most subs, had one aboard. He helped to coordinate the Fire Control Party during attacks. He frequently operated as a watch stander or in other areas as needed.
Gunner's Mates: The GM's were responsible for all of the surface warfare weapons and small arms. These crewmembers take care of the various small arms and operate as part of the 40mm, and 20mm crews aboard the Batfish.
Motor Machinist's Mates: The submarine was a series of systems and subsystems which worked together to accomplish a job. Most of those systems required the use of motors to operate them. The MoMM helped to operate these systems as well as keep the diesel motors in good working order. They were the most prevalent rating aboard most submarines. The MoMM's in the BLHA often work in the engine rooms or function as watch standers.
Pharmacist's Mate: Most subs had only one PhM and he rarely rose above the rate of PhM1c before transferring. The Batfish was no exception. Our PhM must be a trained EMT, Paramedic, or Doctor and operates as our medical staff.
Quartermaster's Mate: The QM was responsible for ensuring that all watch standers were fully equipped for what they faced. They furnished the watch standers with foul weather gear, night devices, and cold weather gear. They also kept a log of necessary information in the Control Room and Conning Tower.
Radarman: The RaM operated the different radar systems aboard the boat. As our radar is not operational, our radarmen function as such only during Battle Stations Surface scenarios. Otherwise, they are utilized when and where needed in various other compartments.
Radioman and Radio Technician: The RMs transmit and receive messages via the radios aboard the boat. Our RM's are not required to be licensed ham operators but it is strongly encouraged as our radio system is operational. RT's help to repair the radios when they go down or need servicing.
Signalman: When on the surface, the SM would operate silent surface communication devices. Semaphore flags, signal lamps, and flares were used to signal and communicate with other vehicles. There was usually one aboard the Batfish.
Soundman: The So operated the hydrophone listening devices as well as the sonar in the later years of the war. Their station aboard the Batfish was located in the Forward Torpedo Room.
Torpedoman's Mate: The TM's were in charge of delivering the punch that made the submarines famous. They took care of and loaded the 24 torpedoes stored in the submarine.
Yeoman: The Y is another important position within the BLHA. They are responsible for the administrative tasks within the BLHA. They enlist new crew members, assign bunks and billets, conduct pay calls, and are otherwise in charge of ensuring the crew is administratively taken care of. Our yeomen ensure that promotions and awards are awarded on time.
Officer:
Officers are not promotable. Officer positions within the BLHA are considered some of the most difficult and rewarding jobs and are based upon availability. It requires the individual to give of time, finances, and self for the good of the BLHA. The officers within the BLHA help to establish policies, SOPs, and other administrative tasks. They are ultimately responsible for their divisions and sections. They will ensure that all enlisted men are trained, held up to the standards as outlined in the SOP, and ensure that all enlisted men within their command are cared for. They will always put their men before themselves.
When an officer resigns his commission within the BLHA, his position and rank is then open to filling by either a new recruit or a BLHA crewmember of any rate. All requests for commission or transfer must be submitted to the C.O. for review. The candidate must then complete the Submarine Qualification Exam if they haven't already done so. As officers are considered key to the success of the BLHA, their attendance is crucial. See attendance policy.
Officers are not promotable. Officer positions within the BLHA are considered some of the most difficult and rewarding jobs and are based upon availability. It requires the individual to give of time, finances, and self for the good of the BLHA. The officers within the BLHA help to establish policies, SOPs, and other administrative tasks. They are ultimately responsible for their divisions and sections. They will ensure that all enlisted men are trained, held up to the standards as outlined in the SOP, and ensure that all enlisted men within their command are cared for. They will always put their men before themselves.
When an officer resigns his commission within the BLHA, his position and rank is then open to filling by either a new recruit or a BLHA crewmember of any rate. All requests for commission or transfer must be submitted to the C.O. for review. The candidate must then complete the Submarine Qualification Exam if they haven't already done so. As officers are considered key to the success of the BLHA, their attendance is crucial. See attendance policy.