Machinist's Mate Submarines
MM AUX Community Overview
MM AUX Career Path
MM WEP Community Overview
MM WEP Career Path
General Description
Auxiliary Maintenance, Diesel Engine Technician, Fire Fighting, Torpedo Systems Specialist, Refrigeration Systems Technician, Air/Hydraulic Systems Technician
Machinist’s Mates (Submarines) receive extensive training in the operation and maintenance of hydraulic power plants, hoists and cylinders, oxygen generators, atmosphere control equipment, refrigeration systems, emergency diesel engines, pressurized air systems, plumbing systems and submarine weapons and weapons delivery systems. Responsible for the operation, routine care, and repair of submarine auxiliary and weapons systems as well as fire fighting and damage control equipment, these mechanical specialists are a vital element in the day-to-day operation and combat survivability of the submarine.
Job Categories. Machinist’s Mates (Submarines) specialize in one of two areas: weapons or auxiliary systems. The specialty area is determined at Basic Enlisted Submarine School.
Weapons systems specialists operate and maintain underwater weapons launch systems (including air and hydraulic systems). They are responsible for the safe loading, unloading, shipping and storage of these weapons and conduct limited maintenance on torpedoes and missiles.
Auxiliary systems specialists operate and maintain submarine non-nuclear mechanical systems in hydraulic, air, refrigeration, atmosphere control, plumbing and diesel engines.
The Machinist’s Mate (Submarines) focuses on mechanical work. Typical duties include:
manufacturing and storing oxygen
removing airborne waste products such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons
cleaning, adjusting, testing and performing preventive maintenance on submarine emergency diesel engines, mast and antenna hoists, hatches and watertight doors
repairing or replacing valves, filters, pumps, compressors and hydraulic or pneumatic control devices
operating, troubleshooting and repairing ship’s refrigeration systems using specialized equipment after receiving EPA certification
removing and installing as well as securing and reinstalling weapons components from containers
testing equipment using voltmeters, ammeters, meggers and ohmmeters
testing and replacing portable cable, self-contained relays, lamps and fuses
locating and identifying components and assemblies of electronic equipment using technical maintenance publications
checking weapons storage, security and alarm systems
maintaining equipment work logs and torpedo record books
identifying torpedo components, tools and test equipment as well as ordering replacements
using and caring for common hand tools, special tools and soldering equipment
performing preventive and corrective maintenance on hydraulic and pneumatic systems and components associated with launching systems
serving as team members performing inspections and final close-out checks on weapons
tracing mechanical/electrical circuits on schematics and drawings