THE NAVY Whether   you   have   made   the   decision   to strike   for   Yeoman   (YN)   or   want   more knowledge   to   perform   your   administrative duties  better,  this  training  manual  (TRAMAN) is  designed  to  help.  Information  from  people surveyed  throughout  the  Navy  is  used  to  set minimum  standards  of  knowledge  and  skill needed   to   perform   in   each   rating   and paygrade.  These  are  the  Navy  occupational standards   (OCCSTDs).   This   TRAMAN   is written  to  provide  the  knowledge  needed  to perform  as  a  YN  third  or  second  class  in  a way  that  will  encourage  learning  and  provide a   solid   base   from   which   you   can   grow professionally. Review  the  OCCSTDs  to  get  an  idea  of what  this  TRAMAN  will  teach  you.  Keeping them  in  mind  as  the  course  progresses  will help   you   understand   why   information   is included  and  where  the  information  will  lead you. The word  Yeoman  has  several  definitions, but the best for our purposes is “an assistant.” Nearly  every  office  in  every  command  in  the Navy  will  have  a  YN  assigned.  Ever  since the  day  it  was  decided  help  was  needed  to keep   things   in   order,   YNs   have   existed. Duties   have   changed   and   branched   out   to other  specialties,  such  as  supply  and  pay,  but the  YN  remains  as  a  key  person  to  organize and   maintain communications   for   the department   or   division   where   assigned.   The better  you  do  your  job,  the  better  the  whole organization  will  run. To  function  well  as  a  YN,  you  must understand   how   the   Navy   is   organized   and how   each   area   functions   and   interacts   with every  other  area. This  goes  along  with  the ability   to   administer   and   organize   yourself, your  job,  your  office,  and  eventually,  the administrative   functions   of   an entire YEOMAN command. The   knowledge   you   need   to support  this  ability  increases  all  the  time. There  are  always  changes  and  improvements to  keep  track  of.  The  better  you  do  that,  the more  effective  you  will  be. Your   advancement   to   petty   officer depends, in part, on your ability to take on the role   of   leader   as   well   as   to   show   specific knowledge o f    y o u r    j o b. You   will   be responsible  to  senior  personnel  for  your  own actions  as  well  as  the  actions  of  those  who work   for   you. The  best  way  to  meet  this responsibility   is   to   learn   all   you   can,   teach others,  and  set  the  example  to  be  followed. Don’t  forget,  though,  that  you  are  a member   of   the   armed   forces. We   are responsible  to  a  much  greater  goal—the  safety of  our  country  and  way  of  life.  As  such,  we are   sometimes   called   upon   to   fight   for   that security.   As   a   YN   aboard   ship,   you   will   be assigned to a general quarters station that will in  some  way  be  connected  with  maintaining communications during b a t t l e — a s    a phone-talker  on  the  bridge,  as  a  messenger  for a   damage   control   party,   maybe   as   a   status board  writer  in  the  combat  information  center (CIC).   Remember   the   word   communicate. Traditionally,  and  in  fact,  YNs  are  considered to   be   experts   in   communicating.   We   “pass the  word”  and  through  that  act  affect  every aspect  of  naval  life  and  operations.  It’s  an important  responsibility. OCCUPATIONAL   AREAS As  said  before,  YNs  can  be  assigned  to  a large  number  of  different  offices.  Despite  the various areas each office oversees, administrative  procedures  are  fairly  constant. With   a   basic understanding of   these procedures,  you  will  fit  easily  into  the  routine of   any   office. 1-1 CHAPTER 1