People who are in the damage controlman (DC) rating are the Navy's and Coast Guard’s maintenance and emergency repair specialists.

Coast Guard damage controlmen assigned to cutters are responsible for maintaining watertight integrity, emergency equipment associated with firefighting and shipboard flooding; plumbing repairs; welding fabrication and repairs; and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) warfare, detection, and decontamination.

DCs assigned ashore are responsible for the maintenance and repairs to facility structures and Coast Guard–owned housing units.

Navy DCs do the work necessary for damage control, ship stability, firefighting, fire prevention, and CBRN warfare & defense.

Upon completing sea tours, USN damage controlmen will be assigned to shore duty in fleet concentration areas.