1. MY CAREER COMPASS ON BECOMING A BOATSWAIN IN THE ROYAL CANADIAN NAVY
By: Mark Iversen

2. Job Description
A boatswain is the seamanship specialist aboard the ship. They are required for a ship to be able to run smoothly and effectively.
Tasks such as
Keeping equipment maintained and operation safely
Maintain cargo and inter-ship transfers
Operate and navigate small crafts
Storage, training and use of small arms including the 50 cal. Machine gun.

3. Salary Starts at $49, 400 per year
Depending on rank and experience
If the required ability, dedication and potential are shown you can be eligible for a promotion and a higher salary

4. Post Secondary Requirements
only one requirement to enter the Canadian Armed Forces
You must have completed grade ten

5. Post Secondary Program
There is not one specific school that has the steps needed to becoming a Boatswain
There are two separate schools for training
Basic Military Qualification (Saint-Jean-Sur- Richelieu, Quebec)
Basic Military Occupation training (Canadian Forces Fleet School Esquimalt, British Columbia)

6. Basic Military qualification (Saint-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, Quebec)
Provides basic skills and knowledge through all occupations in the Canadian Armed Forces
Maintain physical fitness standard
Thirteen weeks

7. Basic Military Occupation Training (Canadian Forces Fleet School Esquimalt, British Columbia)
Starts with naval environmental training
Five weeks long
Naval history and organization, ship safety and security, and seamanship
Later advance into the training
Specific to a Boatswain
Twelve weeks
Learn specific duties

8. After Basic Training Stationed aboard a Royal Canadian Naval ship
Hands on training with experienced Boatswain
Can be chosen for specialized training
Such as Naval Boarding party and ships diver

9. Tuition Fees No actual tuition payments for me to pay
Due to the government paying for the CAF to go to school
In order to get this payment
Must serve for two months for every month that is paid by government
Usually adds to around two years of mandatory service

10. Required Courses In order to enter the training to become a Boatswain
You only need to complete your grade ten education

11. Years of education
The training on becoming a boatswain is approximately one year
depending on specified training such as Naval Boarding party or the ship’s diver
After training you are stationed on a ship to learn many of the skills

12. Skills Needed Must be able to operate machinery
Be able to think fast and on the spot
Solve problems
Work as a team
Manage time
Active learning

13. Short Term Goals
Continue with Sea Cadets to learn more of the basic skills
Attend a seamanship summer training course
Attend every regular training and weekend training activity
Learn more Seamanship skills
Complete high school
Complete each class with at least a B
Study for test and work on projects well

14. Long term Goals Get accepted into the Canadian Armed Forces
Complete high school with good grades to be eligible to apply
Prepare for Basic Training
Continue in cadet training
Go to summer training
Work out more for the physical standard

15. Potential Hurdles In order to become Boatswain
Learning to operate some of the machinery on board
Completing the physically demanding basic training
After Becoming Boatswain
Being away from family for so long
Getting use to life on a ship

16. Overcoming Hurdles In order to overcome hurdles I must
Study everyday while training to become boatswain
Watch how others complete tasks
Practice every day
Get to know crew so you don’t feel homesick

17. Citations
Defence, National. “Boatswain.” Canada.ca, 27 Oct. 2017, options/fields-work/air-ship-crew/boatswain.html.
Government of Canada, National Defence, ADM(PA), DGM (Director general, Marketing), DEC (Directorate Electronic Communications). “Boatswain.” Government of Canada, National Defence, ADM(PA), DGM (Director general, Marketing), DEC (Directorate Electronic Communications),

18. The End
By: Mark Iversen