More Information

Responsibilities

When Navy Sailors aren’t on-duty, they’re doing normal everyday activities, such as going shopping, renting movies, grabbing a snack or dropping off laundry. Ship’s Servicemen operate and manage the businesses that deliver all these goods and services and more. Specific responsibilities may include:

  • Managing and operating retail and service activities afloat
  • Procuring and receiving ship's store stock
  • Renting out movies and video games
  • Maintaining financial records and accounting systems
  • Maintaining inventory and procurement databases
  • Managing and operating ship’s barber shops
  • Serving as cash collection agents
  • Operating and maintaining vending and cash collection machines
  • Managing and operating ship's laundry and tailor shops

When Navy Sailors aren’t on-duty, they’re doing normal everyday activities, such as going shopping, renting movies, grabbing a snack or dropping off laundry. Ship’s Servicemen operate and manage the businesses that deliver all these goods and services and more. Specific responsibilities may include:

  • Managing and operating retail and service activities afloat
  • Procuring and receiving ship's store stock
  • Renting out movies and video games
  • Maintaining financial records and accounting systems
  • Maintaining inventory and procurement databases
  • Managing and operating ship’s barber shops
  • Serving as cash collection agents
  • Operating and maintaining vending and cash collection machines
  • Managing and operating ship's laundry and tailor shop

Work Environment

As a Ship’s Serviceman, you’ll have the opportunity to work in diverse environments, both ashore and afloat, in numerous places around the world. You may find yourself in an office, a ship's store, a barber shop, or a laundry plant. The wide range of jobs offers outstanding opportunities to learn valuable retailing, marketing and shop management skills.

Serving part-time as a Navy Reserve Sailor, your duties will be carried out during your scheduled drilling and training periods. During monthly drilling, Sailors in the business management field in the Navy Reserve typically work at a location close to their homes.

For Annual Training, you may serve anywhere in the world, whether on a ship at sea or bases and installations on shore.

Take a moment to learn more about the general roles and responsibilities of Navy Reserve Sailors.

Training & Advancement

Upon completion of the initial 7–9 week Recruit Training (known as Boot Camp), those pursuing a role in business management report to “A” School in Meridian, MS, where they receive formal training for 5 weeks. Here, they become familiar with essential skills including cash handling, retail operations and laundry operations.

Promotion opportunities are regularly available but competitive and based on performance. It’s also important to note that specialized training received and work experience gained in the course of service can lead to valuable credentialing and occupational opportunities in related fields.

Most of what you do in the Navy Reserve is considered training. The basic Navy Reserve commitment involves training a minimum of one weekend a month (referred to as drilling) and two weeks a year (referred to as Annual Training) – or the equivalent of that.

Business management specialists in the Navy Reserve serve in an Enlisted role. Before receiving the ongoing professional training that comes with the job, initial training requirements must be met.

For current or former military Enlisted servicemembers: Prior experience satisfies the initial Recruit Training requirement – so you will not need to go through Boot Camp again.

For those without prior military experience: You will need to meet the initial Recruit Training requirement by attending Boot Camp for seven to nine weeks in Great Lakes, IL. This training course will prepare you for service in the Navy Reserve and count as your first Annual Training.

Education Opportunities

Beyond offering access to professional credentials and certifications, Navy training in the field of business management can translate to credit hours toward a bachelor’s or associate degree through the American Council on Education. You may also continue your education through opportunities like the following:

Beyond offering access to professional credentials and certifications, Navy training in the field of business management can translate to credit hours toward a bachelor’s or associate degree through the American Council on Education. You may also continue your education through opportunities like the following:

Qualifications & Requirements

A high-school diploma or equivalent is required to become an Enlisted Sailor in the business management field in the Navy. Those seeking a position in this area must be U.S. citizens who are personable and enjoy working with people in a customer service environment. Good arithmetic and verbal skills, the ability to handle money and to perform detailed work are also requirements for this rating.

General qualifications may vary depending upon whether you’re currently serving, whether you’ve served before or whether you’ve never served before.

A high-school diploma or equivalent is required to become an Enlisted Sailor in the business management field in the Navy. Those seeking a position in this area must be U.S. citizens who are personable and enjoy working with people in a customer service environment. Good arithmetic and verbal skills, the ability to handle money and to perform detailed work are also requirements for this rating.

General qualifications may vary depending upon whether you’re currently serving, whether you’ve served before or whether you’ve never served before.