Torpedoman's mate

Torpedoman's mate - merged into Gunner's Mate rating.
Rating insignia
Issued byUnited States Navy
TypeEnlisted rating
AbbreviationTM
SpecialtyWeapons

Torpedoman's Mate (abbreviated as TM) is a United States Navy occupational rating. It was disestablished on submarines in 1995 and on surface ships on 1 October 2007. Surface torpedomen were merged into the gunner's mate rating, while submarine torpedomen were merged into the machinist's mate (non-nuclear) rating, becoming MM(W) or machinist mates (weapons).[1] It was re-established on 30 September 2019 via NAVADMIN 225/19. The TM rating badge will be the same one in use when the rating was disestablished in 1995.[2]

The re-establishment of the rate is in direct support of the Sailor 2025 and Rating Modernization initiative, which aim to empower Sailors and expand professional development opportunities.[3]

A torpedoman's mate:[4]

  • Torpedomen perform organizational and intermediate level maintenance on underwater ordnance
  • Handle torpedoes and antisubmarine rockets (ASROC) launched from surface ships, submarines, and aircraft, as well as missiles (Tomahawk/Harpoon), decoys, and countermeasures launched from submarines
  • Originally loaded Polaris and Poseidon missiles aboard Fleet Ballistic Missile submarines; in port and underway, maintained and operated the missile launch tubes and their associated pneumatic/hydraulic/electrical systems. These functions have been taken over by Missile Technicians for the Trident missile.
  • Operate and maintain test equipment, launching/firing systems, and stowage facilities associated with underwater ordnance
  • Prepare underwater ordnance for launching, conduct postfire/post-run routines, and weapons performance evaluation procedures
  • Maintain and operate the anchor on board submarines
  • Maintain, issue, and conduct training for small arms and act as subject matter experts in force protection on board submarines[5]
  1. ^ "Torpedoman's Mate and Gunner's Mate Ratings Merge". Navy.mil. U.S. Navy. Retrieved 2010-10-14.
  2. ^ "'Man the Torpedoes!' Navy Announces Re-establishment of Torpedoman's Mate Rating". US Navy. Bangor, Washington. 30 September 2019. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
  3. ^ "NAVADMIN 225/19". U.S. Navy.
  4. ^ "Navy enlisted manpower and personnel classifications". Bureau of Naval Personnel. US Navy. Retrieved 2010-10-14.
  5. ^ "Nukes, Nubs and Coners: The Unique Social Hierarchy Aboard a Nuclear Submarine".