“Life aboard a warship is filled with hazards unique to the Navy.”

Philippine Sea. (May 4, 2023): So long as there are sailors at sea, there will always be a need for a few brave souls willing to risk their lives to do damage control in an emergency. In this photo by MC2 Caitlin Flynn, Sailors operate a firehose during a damage control training exercise aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz while under routine operations. These sailors confront the inherent dangers of working aboard warships, from explosives to biological hazards, which often puts them in harm’s way.

The Damage Control specialist must know how to respond quickly to explosions, fires, and chemical, biological, and radiological threats. Sailors are trained in first aid, fire suppression techniques, and emergency equipment repair. After Basic Training, Damage Controlmen attend the Basic Engineering Common Core course at Great Lakes, Illinois where they study firefighting, shipboard damage control, ventilation systems,  and emergency breathing systems.

Upon graduation, Damage Controlmen can expect to be stationed on nearly every type of vessel operating anywhere in the world. As the first responders for the fleet, Damage Controlmen operate around the clock to keep their fellow Sailors safe.