The United States Navy Yeoman (YN) rating serves as the administrative and clerical specialist for nearly every command across the fleet. Yeomen are the primary office managers who ensure the smooth flow of official communication and personnel information. This enlisted specialization maintains the official records and administrative processes necessary for a command to function effectively, whether aboard a ship at sea or at an installation on shore.
The Role of a Navy Yeoman
The Yeoman (YN) functions as the command’s primary administrative assistant, handling the complex framework of Navy regulations. They are responsible for implementing and maintaining administrative processes that comply with the Navy’s extensive set of instructions, directives, and manuals. This ensures that all documentation is legally sound and adheres to the established standards of the Bureau of Naval Personnel (BUPERS). The Yeoman manages the flow of official paperwork up and down the chain of command, supporting the Commanding Officer and Executive Officer.
Day-to-Day Duties and Tasks
The daily work of a Yeoman centers on the precise drafting, processing, and routing of official Navy correspondence. This includes composing, formatting, and sending official letters, memorandums, and naval messages according to the Department of the Navy Correspondence Manual. Yeomen maintain and audit critical service records, making accurate and timely entries into a sailor’s electronic service record (ESR). This responsibility includes managing the Page 2 (NAVPERS 1070/602) for emergency data and dependency information, and the Page 13 (NAVPERS 1070/613) for administrative remarks and counseling.
Yeomen handle all aspects of personnel entitlements, such as processing official travel claims and managing pay entitlements for the command. They frequently process paperwork related to non-judicial punishment (NJP) and administrative separation proceedings, acting as the administrative liaison for the command’s legal office. They must also manage classified materials, maintaining secure filing systems and ensuring the proper disposal of sensitive documents in accordance with security protocols.
Working Environments for Yeomen
Yeomen are assigned to virtually every type of command in the Navy, creating a wide variety of working environments. The primary division is between Sea Duty and Shore Duty. Sea Duty billets include aircraft carriers, destroyers, amphibious ships, and various smaller vessels. Shore Duty assignments place Yeomen at naval bases, administrative headquarters, recruiting commands, and training centers across the globe.
Yeomen serving on ships often work in a fast-paced environment where they are also required to perform standard sailor duties, such as standing watches and participating in damage control efforts. Specialized billets offer unique opportunities, such as serving on Flag Staffs, supporting high-ranking admirals and their executive teams. This role requires extensive knowledge of protocol, honors, and ceremonies, managing executive-level correspondence and travel. A specialized rating, the Yeoman Submarine (YNS), allows personnel to serve aboard submarines, where their administrative duties often include acting as the ship’s pay clerk.
Qualifications and Training to Become a Yeoman
A prospective Yeoman must first meet the Navy’s general enlistment requirements and pass the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test. The rating requires specific line scores on the ASVAB, typically a combination of Mathematics Knowledge (MK) plus Verbal Expression (VE) equaling 99 or a combination of Clerical (CS) plus Mathematics Knowledge (MK) plus Verbal Expression (VE) totaling 148. Due to the nature of handling sensitive and classified personnel information, all Yeomen must also be eligible to obtain a minimum of a Secret security clearance.
After completing Navy Recruit Training, new Yeomen attend a specialized “A” School at the Naval Technical Training Center (NTTC) in Meridian, Mississippi. This seven-week training pipeline provides instruction on the fundamentals of Navy administration and records management. Students learn to use specialized Navy computer systems, format official correspondence, manage personnel files, and understand the administrative aspects of military law and legal terminology. The school focuses on developing the typing, organizational, and attention-to-detail skills necessary to manage a command’s administrative functions accurately.
Career Progression and Advancement Opportunities
Advancement for a Yeoman follows the standard enlisted ranks, progressing from Petty Officer Third Class (E-4) up to Master Chief Petty Officer (E-9). Promotions are based on performance evaluations and Navy-wide advancement exams. The administrative knowledge and command-level exposure gained by Yeomen makes the rating highly competitive for special career paths. Experienced Yeomen frequently pursue opportunities to become a Warrant Officer or apply for the Limited Duty Officer (LDO) program, leveraging their expertise in administrative and personnel management leadership roles.
The career path involves a required rotation between sea and shore tours, typically lasting 36 months each, ensuring a balanced depth of experience. Yeomen can also pursue specialized assignments, such as transitioning to the Legalman (LN) rating after extensive legal office experience. Serving as a Flag Writer on a high-visibility staff provides unique executive-level experience and advanced training beneficial for future leadership positions.