MINEMAN (MN)
The U.S. Navy general surface and combat mineman rating — MN.
OVERVIEW
Mineman (MN) is the U.S. Navy's offensive and defensive mine-warfare rating. MNs assemble, test, deliver, and maintain naval mines and the related Mine Countermeasure (MCM) systems including the AN/AQS-20A sonar, AN/SLQ-48 Mine Neutralization Vehicle, and Surface Mine Countermeasure systems aboard the Avenger-class MCM ships and Independence-class LCS Mine Countermeasures Mission Module.
The general community covers the U.S. Navy's traditional shipboard ratings — deck, engineering, weapons, and combat-systems Sailors who keep surface combatants and amphibious ships in the fight. Sailors in this community typically rotate between sea and shore tours and are eligible for a wide range of NECs, instructor billets, and enlisted commissioning programs.
A-school for the rating runs ~10 weeks at Naval Mine and Anti-Submarine Warfare Command, San Diego, CA, where Sailors complete the technical foundation needed to report to their first fleet command. Entry requires the ASVAB line score VE+AR+MK+AS=200 and an enlistment obligation of 4–6 years. MNs advance through the standard enlisted paygrade structure (E-1 through E-9), competing in the Navy-Wide Advancement Examination (NWAE) at E-4 through E-6 and via the Selection Board at E-7 through E-9. Senior MNs typically serve as Leading Petty Officer (LPO), Work Center Supervisor, Leading Chief Petty Officer (LCPO), or Command Master Chief (CMC), and may pursue Limited Duty Officer (LDO), Chief Warrant Officer (CWO), or commissioning programs such as STA-21, MECP, or OCS.
Across the active force, MN Sailors are essential to the Navy's mission readiness, and the rating remains an in-demand career field with strong reenlistment bonuses (SRB), advancement opportunities, and pathways into Navy Reserve, civilian DoD, and industry careers after service.
WHAT MNs DO
MNs assemble, test, and load Mk-65 Quickstrike and Mk-67 SLMM mines for delivery by aircraft and submarines; operate mine-hunting sonars, mine-neutralization vehicles, and unmanned mine-warfare systems; and conduct mine-clearance operations from MCM ships and LCS mine-warfare modules.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- MNs assemble, test, and load Mk-65 Quickstrike and Mk-67 SLMM mines for delivery by aircraft and submarines; operate mine-hunting sonars, mine-neutralization vehicles, and unmanned mine-warfare systems; and conduct mine-clearance operations from MCM ships and LCS mine-warfare modules.
- Stand watches and qualify on the rating's Personnel Qualification Standards (PQS), maintain training jackets, and mentor junior MNs as required by the chain of command.
- Lead the MN work center as Leading Petty Officer or Work Center Supervisor — managing maintenance documentation in 3M/MFOM, parts ordering, and personnel qualifications.
- Support general military training (GMT), damage control, force protection, and watch-bill assignments common to every Sailor regardless of rating.
HISTORY
Mineman was established in 1948, consolidating mine-warfare specialties from the World War II Bureau of Ordnance. The rating's modern force is concentrated at Naval Mine and Anti-Submarine Warfare Command in San Diego and aboard the remaining Avenger-class MCMs forward-deployed to Bahrain.
Like all surface-Navy general ratings, the rating evolved alongside the U.S. Navy's transition from sail to steam, then steam to gas-turbine and electric-drive propulsion, and continues to adapt to today's distributed maritime operations and integrated combat systems.
Today the Mineman (MN) rating is overseen by the Enlisted Community Management (ECM) office at My Navy HR and the Center for Personal and Professional Development. Modern MNs benefit from the Sailor 2025 personnel-system reforms, the Ready Relevant Learning (RRL) training continuum, and credentialing through the Navy COOL program — turning rating qualifications into industry-recognized certifications and licenses.
The rating's structure, training pipeline, and operational employment continue to evolve alongside the Navy's transition to Distributed Maritime Operations (DMO), Project Overmatch, and the Force Design 2045 fleet architecture, ensuring MNs remain central to the warfighting mission.
TRAINING PIPELINE
- 1. Recruit Training (Boot Camp)~10 weeksNaval Station Great Lakes, ILInitial entry training for all U.S. Navy enlisted Sailors at the Navy's only boot camp.
- 2. Mineman A-School~10 weeksNaval Mine and Anti-Submarine Warfare Command, San Diego, CAInitial rating-skills training for accessions
- 3. Fleet / Operational TourFirst sea or operational tourAvenger-class Mine Countermeasures Ships (MCM)On-the-job training and qualifications in the MN rating with a fleet unit.
TYPICAL CAREER PATH
- E-1/E-3Apprentice MNA-school in the general pipeline; first tour with a fleet unit.
- E-4/E-6Petty Officer MNLead a Mineman work-center, qualify in core watchstations and platform-specific tasks.
- E-7+Chief MinemanSenior enlisted leader of the rating in the command; instructor, detailer, or department leading chief assignments.
TYPICAL PLATFORMS & UNITS
- Avenger-class Mine Countermeasures Ships (MCM)
- LCS Mine Countermeasures Mission Module
- Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadrons
EXAMPLE NECs
- MN-0814 Mine Warfare Tactical Operator
- U.S. citizenship and minimum ASVAB VE+AR+MK+AS=200
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Pass the Navy physical and medical screening
- Avenger-class Mine Countermeasures Ships (MCM)
- LCS Mine Countermeasures Mission Module
- Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadrons