
Aviation Boatswain's Mate Handling(ABH Navy Rating)
Directs movement and positioning of aircraft on carrier flight decks and hangar bays.
Overall
Quick Stats
- ✓Vision: Corrects to 20/20 (uncorrected ≤ 20/100)
- ✓Normal color perception
- ✓Normal hearing
Security Clearance
Secret~$3K–$15K civilian sector value
Requires a National Agency Check with Local Agency Check and Credit Check (NACLC). Processing typically takes 1–3 months and is initiated early in your training pipeline.
ASVAB Requirements
AFQT Minimum
31
Line-score options — meet any one
Who This Is Best For
Best for natural leaders who stay calm under pressure and enjoy coordinating complex logistics in real time. If you have strong spatial awareness and communicate clearly in high-stakes situations, you'll excel here. Expect outdoor work in all weather conditions, but you'll develop exceptional leadership and crisis management experience that translates well to operations management roles.
+Pros
- ✓Strong civilian career transition
–Cons
Real Opinions
+Positive
“I would recommend ABH to anyone considering it. The training is solid and the community takes care of its own.”
“ABH is the most physical rate on the flight deck but also the most exciting. You're directing aircraft, operating elevators, and managing the movement of multi-million dollar jets. The adrenaline rush of launching aircraft never gets old — it's the closest thing to an action movie the Navy offers.”
–Negative & Mixed
“You move aircraft around the flight deck and hangar bay. It is physically demanding but there is a sense of teamwork that is hard to find anywhere else.”
“The flight deck is one of the most dangerous workplaces in the world. Hearing damage is almost guaranteed.”
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0 charsRecruiter vs Reality
What the recruiter says vs. what it's actually like.
🫡 Recruiter says
“The ABH rate offers great training and career advancement opportunities!”
💀 Reality
Source: MyNavyRates researchTraining and advancement are available but vary by command and manning. Ask specific questions about sea/shore rotation, typical duty stations, and advancement rates for ABH.
🫡 Recruiter says
“ABH is the most visible rate on a carrier.”
💀 Reality
Source: sailor forumsTrue during flight ops, but ABH also manages the hangar bay, operates elevators, and does crash and salvage duties. The glamorous directing role is a small part of the overall job.
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Horror Stories
Real stories people have shared about this rate. Swipe to browse.
“At 3:41 AM during Desert Storm, 21-year-old John Bridges was sucked into an A-6E Intruder jet engine intake on USS Theodore Roosevelt. He wedged his arm between the cone and wall, holding himself inches from blades spinning at 20,000 RPM for 3 minutes. He survived. The Navy uses the footage as a training film.”
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0 charsRelated Reading
Guides on picking a rate, ASVAB, bonuses, promotion, and life after the Navy.
Getting Started
How do you choose the right Navy rate for you?
Choosing a Navy rate means weighing your ASVAB scores, lifestyle preferences, civilian career goals, and willingness to deploy or go to sea. Start by identifying which ratings you qualify for, then narrow the list by what matters most to you.
Getting Started
What is the ASVAB and what scores do you need?
The ASVAB is a multi-aptitude test that determines which Navy ratings you qualify for. Your sub-test scores combine into line scores, and each rating has minimum line-score requirements. Higher scores open more options.
Career & Pay
Which Navy rates have the biggest enlistment bonuses in 2026?
Active Component (Active Duty) only. Per the CNRC GENADMIN dated 10 April 2026, the Nuclear Field carries the biggest source-rate bonus at $40,000 (FY26 ship dates) and a $75,000 EB cap. Top Special Operations and submarine ratings sit at $30,000 EBSR with a $60,000 EB cap. All other rates cap at $50,000. The Loan Repayment Program adds up to $65,000 on top, separately. Reserve component (SELRES) bonuses are governed by a different message and are not covered here.
Career & Pay