Originally established in 1917, the Engineman (EN) rating was subsequently disestablished in 1931, only to be re-established during the great ratings overhaul the U.S. Navy conducted in 1948. Combining the ratings of Motor Machinist’s Mate and associated service ratings for Diesel Engine Mechanics and Gasoline Engine Mechanics, the reborn Engineman rating merged all their duties.
Sailors seeking to become Enginemen attend the Basic Engineering Common Core (BECC) school at Naval Station Great Lakes in Illinois, which also serves as the location for the ratings Class “A” Technical School. During the 14 weeks that comprise both courses, future Enginemen are taught the basics of mechanical theory, equipment maintenance, safety procedures, hand tools, piping systems, and other subjects affiliated with internal combustion engines, particularly diesel engines.
In fact, all the job titles in the EN rating contain the phrase “Diesel Engine Systems.” This is the result of a 2012 realignment of the Engineman and Machinist’s Mate (MM) ratings. Along with disestablishing the Full Time Support (FTS) EN rating, the move made EN sailors responsible for the operation, repair, and maintenance of all diesel-powered equipment. Engineman who had spent more of their careers working on auxiliary equipment such as compressors, refrigeration units, or desalinization plants or who had no diesel experience were converted to the MM rating.
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