Yeoman – Submarines
Performs administrative and clerical duties aboard submarines including correspondence, records management, and pay.
Overall
Quick Stats
Security Clearance
Secret~$3K–$15K civilian sector value
Requires a National Agency Check with Local Agency Check and Credit Check (NACLC). Processing typically takes 1–3 months and is initiated early in your training pipeline.
ASVAB Requirements
Who This Is Best For
Best for administrative professionals who want submarine duty pay and the tight-knit submarine community while building strong HR and clerical skills. If you want the YN career path enhanced by sub bonuses and the camaraderie of an elite crew, this offers a unique combination of professional development and military prestige.
+Pros
- ✓Strong civilian career transition
–Cons
- ✗Significant sea duty
Real Opinions
+Positive
“I would recommend YNS to anyone considering it. The training is solid and the community takes care of its own.”
“Submarine Yeoman is a small, specialized community that offers fast advancement compared to surface YN. The sub pay differential and sea pay add up quickly, and the skills in personnel administration transfer directly to civilian HR and office management careers. You're valued because the boat can't function without clean admin.”
“YNS advancement is historically better than surface YN because the submarine community is smaller and the demand is consistent. You earn submarine pay, sea pay, and often reenlistment bonuses. The administrative expertise you develop managing an entire crew's records is impressive to civilian employers.”
–Critical & Mixed
“Most people that have served as Yeomen admit that while the job can be demanding and stressful, it also can be rewarding and help launch a decent-paying civilian career.”
“Many think YN sailors perform simple clerical tasks like basic filing, overlooking their critical role in managing complex personnel security and command operations.”
“Like any rate, YNS has its downsides. Long hours, time away from family, and Navy bureaucracy are real.”
“You are the sole admin on a boat with no help. When underway, you still stand watches and do all the normal submarine qualifications on top of processing every piece of paperwork the command needs. It's a 24/7 job and the submarine lifestyle makes it exponentially harder than the same work on shore.”
Recruiter vs Reality
What the recruiter says vs. what it's actually like.
🫡 Recruiter says
“The YNS 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 YNS.
🫡 Recruiter says
“YNS does admin work on submarines.”
💀 Reality
Source: veteran feedbackYNS handles all administrative duties aboard submarines: evaluations, correspondence, personnel records. You are the only admin person on a sub crew of 130+, so the workload is heavy.
🫡 Recruiter says
“YNS is a great rate if you want submarine life with office skills.”
💀 Reality
Source: sailor forumsTrue, but being the sole YN on a submarine means you cannot take leave without leaving the crew without admin support. The responsibility is disproportionate to your rank.
🫡 Recruiter says
“"Your recruiter has been in the Navy — they know what every rate is really like."”
💀 Reality
Your recruiter served in one rate at a handful of commands. They do not have firsthand knowledge of every rate in the Navy. They have talking points and recruiting materials. For honest information about a specific rate, find someone who actually held that rate and served in it recently — not someone whose job is to sign you up.
🫡 Recruiter says
“"The MEPS counselor will walk you through everything — just go with the flow."”
💀 Reality
Source: general_red_flagThe MEPS classifier has a list of open rates and a goal to fill them. Go to MEPS with a researched list of acceptable rates. If nothing on your list is available, walk away and come back.
🫡 Recruiter says
“"You don't need to talk to anyone in that rate — I can tell you everything about it."”
💀 Reality
Source: general_red_flagNo recruiter has firsthand experience in every rate. The best information comes from sailors currently serving in that rate. Check r/navy or ask your recruiter to connect you with someone. If they refuse, that is a red flag.
🫡 Recruiter says
“"The chow hall is open 24/7 — you'll never go hungry."”
💀 Reality
Source: general_red_flagShip galleys serve meals at fixed times. If you miss chow, you eat whatever you stashed in your rack. "Never go hungry" assumes you can make it to the galley during the serving window, which watch schedules do not always allow.
🫡 Recruiter says
“"You'll have plenty of free time in the Navy."”
💀 Reality
Source: general_red_flagFree time can be taken away at any moment. Duty days, last-minute tasking, field day, and "voluntold" events eat into personal time constantly. Plan your life around the Navy's schedule.
🫡 Recruiter says
“"Your contract is flexible — things can be adjusted later."”
💀 Reality
Source: general_red_flagYour contract is a legal document. Once signed, the only person with flexibility is the Navy. Verbal promises from recruiters are not binding. If it is not written in your contract, it does not exist.
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 faster—Manning 99%
| Cycle (Year) | Eligible | Selected | Promotion % |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-4252-Spring(2024) | 199 | 111 | 56% |
| E-4252-Fall(2024) | 194 | 80 | 41% |
| E-5252-Spring(2024) | 169 | 45 | 27% |
| E-5252-Fall(2024) | 120 | 48 | 40% |
| E-6252-Spring(2024) | 70 | 32 | 46% |
| E-6252-Fall(2024) | 71 | 32 | 45% |
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 – Submarines rating
Advanced specialty code for experienced Yeoman – Submarines personnel
Potential Civilian Post-Navy Outcomes
Administrative Specialist
Transferability: 6/10
$40k–$65k
Lifestyle4/10
Ship vs. Shore Split
60% / 40%
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.