
Aviation Support Equipment Technician(AS Navy Rating)
Maintains ground support equipment used to service aircraft.
Overall
Quick Stats
- ✓Normal color perception
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
- VE+AR+MK+MC≥206
- VE+AR+MK+EI≥206
Who This Is Best For
Best for mechanically inclined individuals who prefer working in hangars over flight decks. If you enjoy diesel and hydraulic mechanics and want transferable heavy equipment maintenance skills without the intensity of topside operations, this rate offers a calmer aviation career path.
+Pros
- ✓Strong civilian career transition
–Cons
Real Opinions
+Positive
“I would recommend AS to anyone considering it. The training is solid and the community takes care of its own.”
“Good training on diesel engines, hydraulic systems, and electrical troubleshooting. The work is varied — no two days are exactly the same because you maintain dozens of different types of support equipment. The certifications transfer to civilian jobs easily.”
–Negative & Mixed
“Like any rate, AS has its downsides. Long hours, time away from family, and Navy bureaucracy are real.”
“AS is one of those rates nobody talks about because it's not glamorous. You're fixing tow tractors and generators while everyone else works on the actual aircraft. It can feel like you're invisible even though nothing moves on the flight line without your equipment working.”
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0 charsRecruiter vs Reality
What the recruiter says vs. what it's actually like.
🫡 Recruiter says
“The AS 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 AS.
🫡 Recruiter says
“AS has great mechanical skills for civilian jobs.”
💀 Reality
Source: sailor forumsAS experience with hydraulics, pneumatics, and electrical systems transfers well to industrial maintenance careers. Many AS transition to facilities maintenance or heavy equipment repair.
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Horror Stories
Real stories people have shared about this rate. Swipe to browse.
“PO JD Bridges, 21, was sucked into an A-6E jet engine intake during Desert Storm on USS Theodore Roosevelt. He wedged his arm between the engine cone and wall, holding himself inches from turbine blades spinning at 20,000 RPM for 3 minutes until shutdown. Survived.”
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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