Yeoman
Yeomen perform administrative and clerical duties including correspondence, reports, and service records. They are the backbone of Navy command administration.
Overall
Quick Stats
Security Clearance
None
This rate does not require a security clearance.
ASVAB Requirements
Who This Is Best For
Best for organized professionals with strong writing skills who want a career path that leads directly to civilian office management, human resources, and government administration positions. Generally excellent work-life balance and shore duty availability make this ideal for those who prioritize stability alongside professional growth.
+Pros
- ✓Strong civilian career transition
–Cons
Real Opinions
+Positive
“Good work-life balance compared to most rates. You work in an office with air conditioning. That alone is a huge plus.”
“The admin skills transfer well to government and corporate jobs. Many YNs go into HR or office management after the Navy.”
“I would recommend YN to anyone considering it. The training is solid and the community takes care of its own.”
–Critical & Mixed
“YN is the backbone of every command. Nothing happens without the paperwork being done right, and that is your job.”
“Like any rate, YN has its downsides. Long hours, time away from family, and Navy bureaucracy are real.”
“Leadership is extremely toxic including the chief's mess. Your schedule is constantly changing so there is no such thing as work-life balance. Leadership has told our personnel that if you want to succeed you need to choose the Navy over your family.”
“The benefits are great and you can get stationed in cool places, but almost every supervisor is horrible. In the early years, the camaraderie and structure make it rewarding. But as you progress in rank, political dynamics and widespread poor leadership gradually take a toll. Work-life balance is rated only 2.6 out of 5.”
Recruiter vs Reality
What the recruiter says vs. what it's actually like.
🫡 Recruiter says
“The YN rate offers great training and career advancement opportunities!”
💀 Reality
Source: MyNavyRates researchTraining and advancement are available but vary by command and manning. Ask specific questions about sea/shore rotation, typical duty stations, and advancement rates for YN.
🫡 Recruiter says
“YN skills transfer easily to civilian HR.”
💀 Reality
Source: reddit r/navyYN work is government-specific admin. Civilian HR uses different systems, laws, and processes. You will need HR certifications like PHR or SHRM-CP to transition effectively.
🫡 Recruiter says
“YN has great hours.”
💀 Reality
Source: veteran feedbackAt shore commands, yes. On a ship, YN works the same hours as everyone else plus extra during admin crunch times. You are also standing watches like every other sailor.
🫡 Recruiter says
“Yeoman is an easy office job.”
💀 Reality
Source: sailor forumsYN handles all administrative paperwork for the command: evaluations, awards, correspondence, travel orders. The workload is heavy during evaluation season and transfer cycles. You are everyone's go-to for paperwork problems.
🫡 Recruiter says
“Yeoman is a great office job — you work with the command leadership team.”
💀 Reality
You do work closely with the CO, XO, and CMC, which gives you visibility. But that visibility means your mistakes are noticed by the people who write your eval. One typo on an official letter reflects directly on the command.
🫡 Recruiter says
“YN has regular office hours and good work-life balance.”
💀 Reality
Eval season and PCS season will destroy your work-life balance. When the entire command's evaluations are due, you are working 12-hour days processing paperwork. When sailors are transferring, you are the bottleneck for their orders and records.
🫡 Recruiter says
“YN is perfect preparation for civilian administrative and office management careers.”
💀 Reality
The administrative principles transfer, but Navy correspondence format is unique and not used anywhere in the civilian world. You will need to learn civilian office software, email etiquette, and business writing from scratch.
🫡 Recruiter says
“YN handles classified correspondence — you get a security clearance.”
💀 Reality
Handling classified material means absolute accountability. One misrouted classified document or improperly secured safe can end your career. The clearance is valuable, but the responsibility for handling classified material is serious and unforgiving.
🫡 Recruiter says
“YN has great advancement because every command needs admin support.”
💀 Reality
YN is a mid-sized rate with average advancement. Every command does need YNs, but that means you are always busy, not that promotion is easy. Your admin skills need to be combined with strong eval performance.
🫡 Recruiter says
“YN is easy — it's just paperwork.”
💀 Reality
The paperwork affects real people's careers and pay. A misrouted evaluation, a late submission, or an incorrect service record entry can delay someone's promotion or PCS orders. The job is not physically demanding but the stakes of accuracy are high.
Training Pipeline — Total ~14 weeks (3 months)
Ship Date Calculator
Enter your MEPS ship date to see when you'll complete each stage.
Promotion SpeedEarn higher pay fasterAverageManning 96% (overmanned)
| Cycle (Year) | Eligible | Selected | Promotion % |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-4252-Spring(2024) | 228 | 26 | 11% |
| E-4252-Fall(2024) | 64 | 49 | 77% |
| E-5252-Spring(2024) | 68 | 63 | 93% |
| E-5252-Fall(2024) | 76 | 24 | 32% |
| E-6252-Spring(2024) | 66 | 16 | 24% |
| E-6252-Fall(2024) | 48 | 20 | 42% |
Bonuses — Click here to see your military pay
Enlistment Bonus
No active bonus for this rate
You May Qualify for a Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC)
Specialties within this rate you can select, some with additional compensation. Each NEC has its own training, bonus potential, and career path.
Primary specialty code for Yeoman rating
Advanced specialty code for experienced Yeoman personnel
Potential Civilian Post-Navy Outcomes
Administrative Manager
Transferability: 6.5/10
$42k–$68k
HR Specialist
Transferability: 6.8/10
$45k–$72k
Lifestyle8/10
Ship vs. Shore Split
40% / 60%
Deployment Frequency
Moderate
Physical Demand
low — indoor
Watch Standing
Standard shore hours, CDO/DCPO rotation when assigned
Watch standing is a 24-hour duty rotation where sailors take turns manning critical positions aboard the ship or at their command. The rotation determines how frequently you stand watch and how much rest time you get between shifts.
Watch qualifications vary by command and platform. Expect to qualify within 90 days of reporting.
Common Duty Stations
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Schools + spouse jobs
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Avg waitlist for on-base
95
100 = national avg
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Schools + spouse jobs
—
Avg waitlist for on-base
135
100 = national avg
—
Schools + spouse jobs
—
Avg waitlist for on-base
155
100 = national avg