Damage Controlmen (DC's) do the work necessary for damage control, ship stability, firefighting, fire prevention, and chemical, biological and radiological (CBR) warfare defense. They also instruct personnel in the methods of damage control and CBR defense, and repair damage control equipment and systems.
The duties performed by DCs 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 DC's 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.
A-School (Job School) Information
Great Lakes, IL -- 8 weeks
Security Clearance Requirement: None
Sea/Shore Rotation for This Rating
- First Sea Tour: 54 months
- First Shore Tour: 36 months
- Second Sea Tour: 54 months
- Second Shore Tour: 36months
- Third Sea Tour: 48 months
- Third Shore Tour: 36 months
- Fourth Sea Tour: 36 months
- Forth Shore Tour: 36 months
Note: Sea tours and shore tours for sailors that have completed four sea tours will be 36 months at sea followed by 36 months ashore until retirement.
Note: The Navy has announced a merger of the DC, HT, and MR Ratings into Repair Technician (RT) but it's pending and has not announced a timeline.
110203-A-0566T-331 CARIBBEAN SEA (Feb. 3, 2011) Damage Controlman Daniel O'Connor acts as a safety as members of the Colombian coast guard demonstrate the use of an aqueous film forming foam fire extinguisher as part of a damage control exercise aboard the Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44). The subject matter expert exchange was part of the Amphibious Southern Partnership (SPS) 2011. SPS is an annual deployment of U.S. ships to the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility in the Caribbean and Latin America. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Nashaunda Tilghman/Released)
110117-N-6477M-143 PACIFC OCEAN (Jan. 17, 2011) Damage Controlman Fireman Joshua R. Wilshusen and Yeoman 2nd Class John Williams exchange salutes during a burial at sea aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS Cleveland (LPD 7). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Eli J. Medellin/Released)
