Undesignated airman apprentice working in aviation-related divisions while awaiting rating assignment.
PACT (Professional Apprenticeship Career Track) — Aviation. Airman Apprentice (AN) is an undesignated Sailor working in aviation-related divisions aboard aircraft carriers or at aviation shore commands while awaiting permanent rating assignment. AN Sailors have not yet selected ("struck for") a rating.
Overall
The Professional Apprenticeship Career Track (PACT) is a program where Sailors enlist into the Navy without a guaranteed rating. After boot camp, they report to a fleet command as an undesignated apprentice and work alongside a variety of rated Sailors in their community. At roughly the 18-to-24-month mark, they can apply for a permanent rating through either (a) the "A-School" path (going back to formal training) or (b) the "on-the-job" strike path (qualifying in rate at their current command). See the striking for a rate article for how this process works. PACT enlistment is riskier than a rated contract — there is no guarantee that a Sailor will convert into their desired rating, and some PACT Sailors serve their full enlistment undesignated.
After completing OJT and submitting a conversion package, AN Sailors commonly convert into these aviation ratings:
Conversion depends on community needs, ASVAB scores for the target rating, and chain-of-command recommendations.
No Clearance — Open to Permanent Residents
This rate does not require a security clearance and is open to lawful permanent residents (green card holders) as well as U.S. citizens.
AFQT Minimum
35
No rate-specific line-score combo applies to AN. Apprentice rates only need the Navy's minimum AFQT. Rate-specific ASVAB line scores come into play when you PACT-convert into a designated rating — those line-score requirements are set by the target rate, not the apprenticeship.
Must have full field of vision. Must have normal depth perception.
Special Requirements for AN and SN: Must be eligible for Security Clearance. Permanent Resident Aliens may be classified into Professional Apprenticeship Career Track (PACT) Program only if security clearance eligible in all other aspects and will be expected to obtain US Citizenship while on active duty at the earliest opportunity. This applies ONLY to PACT Program.
Source: CNRC / ECM Rating List, 19 Jan 2026. Verify current guidance with your recruiter before signing.
Best for undecided individuals who know they want aviation but need hands-on exposure before choosing a specialty. The trade-off is slower advancement until you strike a rate, but you gain broad visibility into multiple career paths before committing. Ideal if you're uncertain but motivated.
“I would recommend AN to anyone considering it. The training is solid and the community takes care of its own.”
“The PACT Airman program gave me a chance to see multiple aviation shops before choosing my rate. I got exposure to avionics, power plants, and airframes before deciding. That firsthand experience was invaluable — I picked a rate I actually enjoy instead of guessing from a pamphlet.”
“Being undesignated means you do whatever needs doing. You have little control over your day-to-day until you strike a rate.”
“Going undes airman means you're basically the flight deck's extra pair of hands. You'll be chocking and chaining aircraft, sweeping the flight deck for FOD, and doing whatever grunt work the aviation department needs. It's physically exhausting and you have no guaranteed career path until you strike.”
Page 1 of 3
What the recruiter says vs. what it's actually like.
🫡 Recruiter says
“Going undesignated lets you try different jobs before committing to one!”
💀 Reality
Source: MyNavyRates researchBeing undesignated means you will likely do the jobs nobody else wants until you strike a rate. You have less control over your career path and may wait months to get into A-school.
🫡 Recruiter says
“Airman is better than Seaman because aviation has better quality of life.”
💀 Reality
Source: veteran feedbackAviation commands can have better facilities, but as an undesignated AN you do not enjoy the same benefits as rated aviation sailors. You are still doing manual labor, just in a hangar instead of on deck.
Page 1 of 8
Real stories people have shared about this rate. Swipe to browse.
“An undes airman was given contradicting orders from two different chiefs during flight ops — one said move the chocks, the other said stay put. He moved. A taxiing aircraft nearly ran him over. Nobody took responsibility. The airman was blamed for not following the second order.”
Story 1 of 5
Ship dates are approximate and based on the weekly RTC Great Lakes schedule. Confirm your exact date with your recruiter. Source: bootcamp.navy.mil
E-2 to E-4 Advancement Outlook
Time to E-4: 30 months total
E-4 is automatic — competitive advancement starts at E-5
How to advance faster to E-4
Your recruiter can process you in at E-2 or E-3 on day one if you qualify. Every rung skipped shortens the path to E-4 by months. Official transcripts / certificates required at enlistment.
How to qualify & get paid
Important details & disqualifiers
Aviation Ground Crew
Transferability: 3/10
$28k–$42k
Estimated civilian salary growth after separating from the Navy, based on industry data for this rating's skill set.
Year 1
$28K
Year 5
$35K
Year 10
$42K
10-year growth: +50%
Ship vs. Shore Split
55% / 45%
Sea Duty Tempo
Moderate — 6.5/10
Physical Demand
medium — mixed
Sea Duty Tempo measures how much of a career is spent in deployable billets — ships, submarines, deploying squadrons, and expeditionary units — and how often those units leave homeport. It is separate from physical demand: an administrative job aboard a deployed unit still deploys, and a hands-on maintenance job at a shore command does not.
Assigned to division watch bill (varies by command)
Watch standing is a 24-hour duty rotation where sailors take turns manning critical positions aboard the ship or at their command. The rotation determines how frequently you stand watch and how much rest time you get between shifts.
Watch qualifications vary by command and platform. Expect to qualify within 90 days of reporting.
Guides on picking a rate, ASVAB, bonuses, promotion, and life after the Navy.
Getting Started
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
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
Active Component (Active Duty) only. Per the CNRC GENADMIN dated 24 July 2026, the biggest source-rate bonus is $40,000 — Nuclear Field on FY26 ship dates ($75,000 EB cap). Special Warfare Boat Operator (SB) follows at $35,000, then EOD and SEAL (SO) at $30,000, and Aviation Rescue Swimmer (AIRR) and Cryptologic Technician Maintenance (CTM) at $25,000. Special Operations Future Sailors who clear the elevated PST standards add a flat $20,000 EBPST. Most rates cap at $50,000 total EB. 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
Navy advancement depends on exam scores, evaluations, time in rate, and available quotas. Some ratings promote over 50% of eligible sailors while others promote less than 5%. Your rate choice directly affects how fast you can advance.
Career & Pay
Information warfare ratings (IT, CTN, IS) and medical ratings (HM) offer the strongest civilian career pipelines. Security clearances, technical certifications, and hands-on experience make these sailors highly competitive in the private sector.
“I would recommend AN to anyone considering it. The training is solid and the community takes care of its own.”
“The PACT Airman program gave me a chance to see multiple aviation shops before choosing my rate. I got exposure to avionics, power plants, and airframes before deciding. That firsthand experience was invaluable — I picked a rate I actually enjoy instead of guessing from a pamphlet.”
“Being undesignated means you do whatever needs doing. You have little control over your day-to-day until you strike a rate.”
“Going undes airman means you're basically the flight deck's extra pair of hands. You'll be chocking and chaining aircraft, sweeping the flight deck for FOD, and doing whatever grunt work the aviation department needs. It's physically exhausting and you have no guaranteed career path until you strike.”
Page 1 of 3
What the recruiter says vs. what it's actually like.
🫡 Recruiter says
“Going undesignated lets you try different jobs before committing to one!”
💀 Reality
Source: MyNavyRates researchBeing undesignated means you will likely do the jobs nobody else wants until you strike a rate. You have less control over your career path and may wait months to get into A-school.
🫡 Recruiter says
“Airman is better than Seaman because aviation has better quality of life.”
💀 Reality
Source: veteran feedbackAviation commands can have better facilities, but as an undesignated AN you do not enjoy the same benefits as rated aviation sailors. You are still doing manual labor, just in a hangar instead of on deck.
Page 1 of 8
Real stories people have shared about this rate. Swipe to browse.
“An undes airman was given contradicting orders from two different chiefs during flight ops — one said move the chocks, the other said stay put. He moved. A taxiing aircraft nearly ran him over. Nobody took responsibility. The airman was blamed for not following the second order.”
Story 1 of 5
Estimated timeline based on current advancement rates. Actual timing varies by individual performance and Navy needs.
Ceiling is E-3 at accession — stacking qualifications doesn't push you to E-4 out of the gate.
Ways to accelerate E-4 after you're in
Rules can change — verify current criteria with your recruiter and in the latest Navy Recruiting Manual (COMNAVCRUITCOM) before signing any paperwork that assumes a specific entry paygrade.
E-5 and E-6 Advancement Outlook
Average★☆☆☆
0 of 4 factors working in your favor · 1 working against you
Manning
99% — Overmanned (E-5/E-6)
Source: Navy Personnel Command FY25 manning snapshot
Billet-Based Advancement eligibility
Legacy exam cycles
Sources: Manning NAVADMIN · SRB NAVADMIN · Billet-Based Advancement Handbook (NAVADMIN 255/24, updated via NAVADMIN 112/25). How to interpret these factors →
No initial enlistment bonus for this rate per the current CNRC GENADMIN. Career Sailors may still qualify for a Selective Reenlistment Bonus (SRB) — see the Reenlistment section below.
“I was doing FOD walkdown on the flight deck at sunrise — the entire undes airman crew walking shoulder-to-shoulder across the deck looking for any debris that could get sucked into a jet engine. I found a bolt. One small bolt that had come off something during night ops. The FOD officer said that single bolt could have caused a $30 million engine failure if it had been ingested during the first launch. I was an E-2 airman doing the most basic job on the ship, and that one moment of attention kept a pilot safe. They put my name on the FOD board for the week.”
Story 1 of 5
6.8/10
Schools + spouse jobs
4 months
Avg waitlist for on-base
98
100 = national avg
5.1/10
Schools + spouse jobs
6 months
Avg waitlist for on-base
95
100 = national avg
6.8/10
Schools + spouse jobs
8 months
Avg waitlist for on-base
92
100 = national avg
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