A quartermaster is a military term for a person who is in charge of all supplies, including weapons and food. If this person is a member of the coast guard or navy, he or she may also be in charge of various navigational efforts. The quartermaster is usually an officer, though some of the duties may be delegated to enlisted personnel under officer supervision.
The quartermaster is in charge of the majority of the army’s supplies. If supplies are running low, this person is usually in charge of ordering more supplies and making sure they arrive on time. As a result, the quartermaster’s role is critical to a military unit’s day-to-day operations. A mission could be jeopardized or training could be jeopardized if supplies run out too quickly.
One of the quartermaster’s main responsibilities is to keep track of all inventory. Certain areas, such as food, ammunition, or other supplies, may be under the control of quartermasters. A significant portion of the time will be spent tracking inventory, determining how quickly supplies are used and when they may need to be replenished. It is the quartermaster’s responsibility to understand the situation and predict when inventory will be depleted based on a set of circumstances that may change rapidly.
Quartermasters in the navy have a slightly different role. Though some will be in charge of inventory and supplies, others will assist with navigation. They’ll do this by communicating with other ships and deciding which routes to take, which will be especially important in crowded bays and other areas with little open water. This person is in charge of keeping the ship safe and ensuring that it does not collide with other ships or run aground.
Completing the Quartermaster Officer Basic Course is part of the army’s training. This will aid in the development of leadership and authority qualities, as well as inventory and accounting skills. The basic operations of the various vehicles and weapons used in the military unit will also be covered in this course.
In this position, those who have mastered the skills of an officer may be promoted to the rank of quartermaster captain. This person is in charge of company-sized units, which are typically made up of 200 to 300 soldiers. This person, like any other administrator, is in charge of making all hires and appointments in his or her field of expertise. Although there may be other opportunities for advancement, this position is generally regarded as a career position.