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Home/Rates/AS
Aviation Support Equipment Technician sailor
Aviation Support Equipment Technician rating badgeAS

Aviation Support Equipment Technician(AS Navy Rating)

Maintains ground support equipment used to service aircraft.

Overall

4.9/10
Burnout4.7
Lifestyle6.0
Civilian ROI3.0
Happiness6.0
Manning %3.6
$$$ Pay5.0

Quick Stats

Enlistment BonusNo active bonus
Civilian Sector Transferability$38k–$58k
Advancement OutlookAverage
Manning %97%
Initial Contract2 yr active /
Medical Requirements
  • ✓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.”

    r/navy|
    ✓

    “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.”

    Indeed|

    –Negative & Mixed

    ✗

    “Like any rate, AS has its downsides. Long hours, time away from family, and Navy bureaucracy are real.”

    r/newtothenavy|
    ✗

    “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.”

    Reddit r/newtothenavy|

    Page 1 of 3

    Share your opinion about AS

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    Select one:

    Recruiter 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 research

    Training 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 forums

    AS experience with hydraulics, pneumatics, and electrical systems transfers well to industrial maintenance careers. Many AS transition to facilities maintenance or heavy equipment repair.

    Page 1 of 7

    😱

    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.”

    Source: military.com|

    Story 1 of 4

    Share a horror story about AS

    0 chars

    Related 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 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.

    Real Opinions

    +Positive

    ✓

    “I would recommend AS to anyone considering it. The training is solid and the community takes care of its own.”

    r/navy|
    ✓

    “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.”

    Indeed|

    –Negative & Mixed

    ✗

    “Like any rate, AS has its downsides. Long hours, time away from family, and Navy bureaucracy are real.”

    r/newtothenavy|
    ✗

    “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.”

    Reddit r/newtothenavy|

    Page 1 of 3

    Share your opinion about AS

    0 chars
    Select one:

    Recruiter 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 research

    Training 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 forums

    AS experience with hydraulics, pneumatics, and electrical systems transfers well to industrial maintenance careers. Many AS transition to facilities maintenance or heavy equipment repair.

    Page 1 of 7

    😱

    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.”

    Source: military.com|

    Story 1 of 4

    Share a horror story about AS

    0 chars
    MK+AS+AO≥157
    Calculate your score →

    Training Pipeline — Total ~16 weeks (4 months)

    8w
    8w
    Boot Camp— 8 weeks
    RTC Great Lakes, IL
    Basic military training for all recruits
    A-School— 8 weeks
    NATTC Pensacola, FL
    7.4% washoutDifficulty: 2.9/10
    Technical training for rating qualification
    Fleet Assignment— 0 weeks
    First duty station
    Report to operational command

    Calculate Your End Training Date and Holidays and Events You Will Miss During Training

    Ship dates are approximate and based on the weekly RTC Great Lakes schedule. Confirm your exact date with your recruiter. Source: bootcamp.navy.mil

    Career Progression Milestones

    Estimated timeline based on current advancement rates. Actual timing varies by individual performance and Navy needs.

    4 mo
    1 mo
    1yr 5mo
    6 mo
    1yr 6mo
    Training Complete— 4 mo
    Pipeline finished (~4 mo) — NATTC Pensacola, FL
    First Duty Station— 5 mo
    Sea or shore duty assignment
    NEC Specialization Options— 1yr 10mo
    17 specializations available
    F17AF18AF19A

    Advancement Outlook

    E-2 to E-4 Advancement Outlook

    Time to E-4: 30 months total

    • E-1 → E-2: 9 months at E-1. Automatic
    • E-2 → E-3: 9 months at E-2. Automatic
    • E-3 → E-4: 12 months at E-3. Automatic

    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.

    • E-2 →Easy
      2 years of JROTC completed. Easiest common path if your high school offers JROTC.
    • E-2 →Moderate
      24+ semester hours/ 36+ quarter hours of college credit (below the associate's threshold). Roughly one full year of college.
    • E-2 →Moderate
      Civil Air Patrol Billy Mitchell Award. Achievable with consistent cadet participation, but requires testing and leadership time.
    • E-2 →Moderate
      Sea Cadet Corps — reaching the Sea Cadet E-2 rate (join by age 17).
    • E-2 to E-3 →Moderate
      Boot camp leadership roles — roles don't auto-pin rank. Advancement comes from earning Honor Recruit or Hall of Fame at graduation (one award only, not stacked).
      • Honor Recruit up to E-2 — effectively the #1 ranked recruit in your division (~60-80 recruits), one Sailor per division per cycle. Selection is based on cumulative performance across all three academic exams, Physical Readiness Test (PRT) scores, uniform and personnel inspections, military bearing, and peer/Recruit Division Commander (RDC) evaluations. Roles that typically compete at this level:
        • Assistant LPO (ALPO) — deputy to the LPO.
        • Master-at-Arms (MAA) — barracks cleanliness, standards, and discipline.
        • Yeoman (YN) — division admin, paperwork, and tracking.
        • Educational Petty Officer (EPO) — study groups, test prep, and academic remediation.
        • Religious Petty Officer (RPO) — coordinates chapel and religious services.
        • Athletic Petty Officer (APO) — leads PT and fitness assessments.
        • Mail Petty Officer — handles mail distribution and tracking.
        • Section Leaders — squad-level leaders below the division-wide roles.
      • Hall of Fame up to E-3 — the most elite recognition at Recruit Training Command (RTC), awarded Navy-wide rather than per division. Requires exceptional performance in every training metric: top-tier scores on all three academic exams (typically 90%+), "Outstanding" on the final Physical Readiness Test (PRT), near-perfect uniform and personnel inspections, held a division leadership role with strong performance, and zero remediation, infractions, or negative marks across the full training cycle. Senior leadership roles positioned to compete:
    • E-3 →Moderate
      3 years of JROTC completed (any service branch). Straightforward if your high school has the program — three school years of enrollment.
    • E-3 →Hard
      Eagle Scout (BSA) or Gold Award (GSUSA) — the highest youth scouting awards. Typically takes years of participation and a capstone service project.
    • E-3 →Hard
      Associate's degree (or 48+ semester hours / 72+ quarter hours of college credit, 100-level or higher from an accredited institution). Two years of full-time college.
    • E-3 →Hard
      Civil Air Patrol Earhart Award. Uncommon — only a small fraction of CAP cadets reach this level.
    • E-3 →Hard
      Sea Cadet Corps — reaching the Sea Cadet E-3 rate (join by age 16).

    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

    • Very HardMeritorious Advancement Program (MAP) — Command-nominated promotion that skips the exam entirely. Each command gets a small seasonal quota of MAP slots and hands them to the top performers based on evaluation ranking. Fastest path on paper, but you're competing directly with every other sailor at your command.

    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

      E5 92%E6 102%
      Community is at or above authorized strength. Limited BBA billet gaps — expect more competition and slower promotion.

      Source: N12 Community Health Indicator brief (FY26)

    • ●

      Enlistment bonus

      No

      No active enlistment bonus for this rate. Most ratings do not offer one in any given fiscal year, so this is a neutral signal on its own.
    • ●

      Overall Selective Reenlistment Bonus (SRB) Outlook

      Competitive SRB added/increased · SRB reduced/eliminated
      This rating is not paying a Selective Reenlistment Bonus right now. No retention-pressure signal. Data pulled from the quarterly SRB NAVADMIN.

    Bonuses — Click here to see your military pay

    How to qualify & get paid

    1. Sign a contract for this rate at MEPS with the bonus(es) listed on your NAVCRUIT 1133/52 Enlistment Guarantee — eligibility is locked at signing.
    2. Ship to Recruit Training Command (RTC) Great Lakes inside the authorized window — EBSHP and EBPST are earned and paid at RTC graduation and cannot be recouped after.
    3. Complete A-school (and any required follow-on C-school or qualifying course) for your rating — EBSR is earned and paid at school graduation, except for the Special-Operations pipelines, which pay later (AIRR after FRS + first duty station; SO after SQT; SB after SWCC Charlie phase; EOD/ND after their respective A-schools).
    4. LRP is paid annually upon submission of a DD 2475; ~25% is withheld for federal taxes, and a W-2 is issued. LRP must be on your contract at accession — it cannot be added later via reclassification.

    Important details & disqualifiers

    • •All bonuses on this page are Active Component (Active Duty) only. Reservists (SELRES) follow a separate CNRF incentive message — ask your recruiter.
    • •Future Sailors with Tier 3 education credentials (HiSET / GED / alternative) are NOT authorized any EB.
    • •AFQT score must be ≥ 31 for EBSHP and ≥ 50 for LRP.
    • •EBSR is the only EB type that can be partially recouped if you separate before completing the obligated service. EBSHP / EBPST cannot be recouped after RTC.
    • •Bonus payments are subject to federal income tax withholding.
    • •EB-for-High-School (EBHS) is currently NOT authorized in the July 2026 GENADMIN — distinct from earlier cycles when it was offered.
    • •Funding: NDAA 2026 authorizes contracts through 31 December 2026; appropriations cover obligations through 30 September 2026; max-EB authority extends through 10 January 2027 — all subject to congressional reauthorization of 37 USC § 331.
    • •This rate requires a security clearance — failure to obtain clearance may affect bonus eligibility (and several special-operations footnotes explicitly require an earned NEC + clearance before payment).

    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.

    You May Qualify for a Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC)

    Specialties within this rate you can select, some with additional compensation. Each NEC has its own training, bonus potential, and career path.

    0000Any NEC or no NEC (all qualifying Sailors in this rating)

    Selective Reenlistment Bonus (SRB)

    🔴

    First Reenlistment (17 mo to 6 yrs Active Duty)

    $45,000

    Max

    Being Eliminated · effective 2025-12-18

    🔴

    Second Reenlistment (6 to 10 yrs Active Duty)

    $30,000

    Max

    Being Eliminated · effective 2025-12-18

    —

    Third Reenlistment (10 to 14 yrs Active Duty)

    Not eligible

    F17ASupport Equipment Cryogenic Mechanic

    Performs on-equipment repair and intermediate maintenance on liquid oxygen servicing trailers, gaseous oxygen servicing trailers, nitrogen servicing trailers, walk around bottles, and oxygen systems purging equipment. Repairs regulators, valves, manifolds, pumps, and gauges.

    Potential Civilian Post-Navy Outcomes

    Ground Support Equipment Mechanic

    Transferability: 6/10

    $38k–$58k

    Post-Navy Salary Trajectory

    Estimated civilian salary growth after separating from the Navy, based on industry data for this rating's skill set.

    Year 1

    $38K

    Year 5

    $48K

    Year 10

    $58K

    10-year growth: +53%

    Retention & Burnout

    First-Term Retention

    46%

    choose to reenlist

    Burnout Index

    4.7/10

    Moderate

    Watch Intensity

    5

    Hours/Day

    9

    Deploy Tempo

    6.5

    Manning Strain

    1

    Low Morale Risk

    4

    Attrition Signal

    5

    What this means: The Burnout Index combines watch intensity (25%), daily hours (20%), deployment tempo (15%), manning strain (15%), morale (15%), and attrition (10%) into a single risk score.

    Lifestyle6/10

    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.

    Watch Standing

    Flight schedule dependent, rotating duty days

    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.

    OPNAVINST 3120.32DUSNI ProceedingsNavy Watch Standing Manual

    Life on Watch — Sea Stories

    “I was on the SE line during flight ops when our primary tow tractor died mid-tow with an F/A-18 hooked up to it — dead on the flight deck between launch and recovery areas. We had maybe four minutes before the deck needed to be clear for recovery. I jumped into the backup tractor, hooked the tow bar, and pulled the jet clear with about a minute to spare. The Air Boss was counting down in my earpiece the entire time. If that jet hadn't moved, recovery would have been waved off and aircraft in the pattern were getting low on fuel. Nobody thinks about the tow tractor until it breaks.”

    Veteran account (composite)

    Story 1 of 4

    Common Duty Stations

    Naval Station NorfolkSea
    Family Friendly

    6.9/10

    Schools + spouse jobs

    Base Housing Wait

    10 months

    Avg waitlist for on-base

    Cost of Living

    95

    100 = national avg

    Naval Base San DiegoSea
    Family Friendly

    7.9/10

    Schools + spouse jobs

    Base Housing Wait

    14 months

    Avg waitlist for on-base

    Cost of Living

    135

    100 = national avg

    Naval Station JacksonvilleShore
    🎓

    Step-by-Step Strategy Guide to Getting an Associate's Degree After Boot Camp — For Free

    Most sailors don't know they already have 9 or more general education college credits just from graduating boot camp.

    Based on your rate, you may have more.

    You can earn an associate's degree for free in 12-30 months without spending a dime.

    Strategy Guide & Boot Camp College Credit Calculator →
    Not the rate for you? See other ratings side by side →

    Talk to a Sailor

    Community Poll

    If you could go back, would you pick AS again?

    Career & Pay

    How does promotion work in the Navy?

    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

    Which Navy jobs set you up best for a civilian career?

    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.

    Browse all articles →

    Life on Watch — Sea Stories

    “I was on the SE line during flight ops when our primary tow tractor died mid-tow with an F/A-18 hooked up to it — dead on the flight deck between launch and recovery areas. We had maybe four minutes before the deck needed to be clear for recovery. I jumped into the backup tractor, hooked the tow bar, and pulled the jet clear with about a minute to spare. The Air Boss was counting down in my earpiece the entire time. If that jet hadn't moved, recovery would have been waved off and aircraft in the pattern were getting low on fuel. Nobody thinks about the tow tractor until it breaks.”

    Veteran account (composite)

    Story 1 of 4

    F20A
    + more
    C-School / Advanced Training— 2yr 4mo
    1 follow-on school available
    Shore Duty Rotation— 3yr 10mo
    First shore rotation opportunity
    • Leading Petty Officer (LPO) — runs day-to-day ops inside the division.
    • Assistant RCPO (ARCPO) — backs up the RCPO and steps in when needed.
    • Recruit Chief Petty Officer (RCPO) — senior recruit in the division, overall accountability to the RDCs. Highest visibility for meritorious advancement.
    +0
    −2
    No current SRB
  • ●

    Billet-Based Advancement eligibility

    Legacy exam cycles

    This rating has not been integrated into Billet-Based Advancement yet. Advancement still runs through the traditional exam and Final Multiple Score (FMS) system — your exam score is one of the main factors in how you promote.
  • Sources: Manning NAVADMIN · SRB NAVADMIN · Billet-Based Advancement Handbook (NAVADMIN 255/24, updated via NAVADMIN 112/25). How to interpret these factors →

    F18ASupport Equipment Air Conditioning and Mobile Maintenance Facility (MMF) Technician

    Performs on-equipment repair and intermediate maintenance on mobile air conditioners and HBO-36 air conditioners and mobile maintenance facilities (MMF).

    F19ASupport Equipment Gas Turbine Mechanic

    Performs on-equipment repair and intermediate maintenance on gas turbine units. Troubleshoots and repairs air and electrical control systems, fuel systems, bleed air systems, oil systems, and power generation systems. Repairs and adjusts fuel controls, flow dividers, oil and fuel pumps, generators, motors, relays, voltage regulators, thermostats, and air valves.

    F20ASupport Equipment Tow Tractor Technician

    Performs on-equipment repair and intermediate maintenance on diesel engines, drive trains, brakes, and steering systems installed in mobile, hydraulic, pneumatic systems, and their components.

    F21ASupport Equipment Maintenance Manager

    Plans, organizes, implements, and controls maintenance on all assigned support equipment in compliance with policy statements and directives by NAVAIR, type commanders and local commands. Implements and supervises aviation programs and operator training. Manages the preventive maintenance system on assigned support equipment.

    F22ASE Hydraulic Intermediate Maintenance Technician

    Performs on-equipment repair and intermediate maintenance on hydraulic test stands, troubleshoots and repairs hydraulic and electrical control circuits and purifiers, hydraulic power supplies, flow dividers, hydraulic pumps, diesel engines and aircraft jacks.

    F23AMobile Electric Power Plants Intermediate Maintenance Technician

    Performs on-equipment repair and intermediate maintenance on Mobile Electric Power Plants (MEPP). Troubleshoots and repairs electric motors, generators, voltage regulator systems, over and under voltage systems, frequency control systems, fault indicator systems and other control circuits. Repairs voltage regulators, motors, rectifiers, oscillators and magnetic amplifier.

    F24AAshore Maintenance Crane Intermediate Maintenance Technician

    Performs intermediate level maintenance on A/S 32M-14 and A/S 32M-17 maintenance cranes and A/S 48M-2/3 man lifts. Troubleshoots and repairs diesel engines, electric hydraulic lifting systems, mechanical drive systems, suspensions and electric and hydraulic control circuits and components.

    F25ACrash Equipment Technician (SEA)

    Performs intermediate level maintenance on crash equipment including A/S32A 35/36 Shipboard Aircraft Crash Cranes. Troubleshoots and repairs electric and hydraulic lifting and drive systems, mechanical drive systems, suspensions, and electric and hydraulic control circuits and components.

    F26AAfloat Support Equipment Technician

    Performs on-equipment repair and intermediate maintenance on engines, diesel engines, shipboard aircraft handler, drive trains, brakes and steering systems installed in A/S32P-25 fire trucks, A/S32A and SD-2 aircraft tow tractors, including charging, starting, ignition, hydraulic, pneumatic systems and their components.

    702AUnmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Payload Operator

    Operates the EO/IR UAV sensor during all phases of flight.

    724BAviation Maintenance Material Control Master Chief

    Assists the Maintenance Material Control Officer in squadrons or Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Departments in carrying out readiness responsibilities. Provides liaison between the Maintenance Material Control Officer and the Production Division supervisors.

    Requirements

    • The AWF "Source Rating" is limited to the FTS community members who have previously earned the NEC code prior to 1 October 2008 ONLY. This NEC code is not authorized for NEW assignment to AWF members who did not previously earn the NEC code prior to 1 October 2008.
    • Due to the unique nature of the AWF FTS community, personnel who earned NEC codes 724B or 770B prior to the fixed wing AW rating merger may reapply for reinstatement of their previously awarded 724B or 770B. Member must provide documentation and NAVPERS 1221/6 to BUPERS- 312 via BUPERS-312 (Aviation ECM) showing NEC code was previously awarded or member completed all prerequisites prior to 1 October 2008. All AWF FTS personnel who previously held 770B and request reinstatement, will also be eligible to request 724B, provided all requirements are met. Awarding of this NEC code for Source Rating AW (E9) only applies to SELRES personnel.
    • For all other listed "Source Ratings" to be awarded this NEC code, personnel must be a Senior Chief or Master Chief who has held one or more of the following billets while at the E8 or E9 paygrade; and must have served in the billet for at least 12 consecutive months: Maintenance Control Supervisor, Production Control Supervisor, Quality Assurance Supervisor (O or I Level), Special Reconnaissance Team (SRT) LCPO. NEC code shall only be awarded to E8 and E9 personnel who are currently filling the role in one of the requisite billets at the O-Level, I-Level, or SRT. Requests to award the NEC code shall be made by the command where the member fulfilled the billet requirement. "FROCKED" E8 personnel are not eligible to hold the NEC code. Submit documentation of completed prerequisite billet along with NAVPERS 1221/6 to BUPERS-312 via the ECM.
    • Commanding Officers, Executive Officers, Maintenance Officers (at I-Level), or Officers in Charge are the approving authority to sign the NAVPERS 1221-6 requesting the 724B NEC code. Signature authority shall not be delegated.
    • Requests submitted from non-maintenance commands will not normally be considered. In the event that operational or other commitments preclude submission by the command where the qualifying duty was performed, the requesting personnel shall submit an endorsement from that command along with the official request from the current command.
    • Source rated personnel at the O-Level shall be Safe-For-Flight (SFF) qualified in the current type/model/series aircraft prior to awarding the NEC code. VX squadron personnel must be qualified in at least one platform of aircraft type/model/series.
    • Source rated personnel at the I-level shall complete the required Production Control PQS/JQR.
    • Source rated personnel (not including AW) assigned to SRT operating UAV's may qualify for the NEC code after completion of Maintenance Course, Operator Course, type/model Safe-For-Flight PQS, and at least one deployment cycle.
    726BDCMA Government Ground Representative (GGR)

    Administers contracts involving aircraft for which the Government contractually assumes ground and flight risks. Implements Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) and service directives ensuring contractor compliance with acquisitions policies and regulations.

    Requirements

    • Sailor must complete all certification requirements outlined in OPNAVINST 4790.
    • Sailor must complete Defense Acquisition University (DAU) course CMA-100 and CMA241, DCMA courses AO-250 and AO-350.
    • Prior experience as Safety of Flight qualified and/or quality assurance experience are highly desired.
    • Experience in the specific platform at the respective DCMA assignment is preferred.
    • Recertification after five (5) years is required by attendance of the GGR course.
    • Requirement for E-7 and above is waiverable to E-6 by the appropriate authorities per NAVAIRINST 3710.1 (Series) and DCMAINST 8210.2.
    • NEC code is applicable to E7-E9 GGR/GGFRs assigned to DCMA and not applicable to GGR/GGFRs assigned to fleet units. 247
    762BAeronautical Welder

    Welds, at the intermediate maintenance level, aeronautical equipment/parts manufactured from alum/alum alloys, steel/steel alloys, stainless steel alloys, and precipitating hardening nickel based alloys using shielded metal arc, gas tungsten arc, and oxy/fuel welding processes. Maintains aeronautical welding equipment.

    Requirements

    • AM/AS personnel may attend both CINs, if required by receiving command and funding permits.
    • Course N-701-0008 or N-701-0010 is authorized as a "requalification" course only.
    770BAviation Maintenance/Production Chief

    Supervises organizational and intermediate level maintenance on the Naval aircraft, aircraft components, aircraft engines, ground support equipment and Aviators Life Support Systems.

    Requirements

    • The AWF "Source Rating" is limited to the FTS community members who previously earned the NEC code prior to 1 October 2008 ONLY. This NEC code is not authorized for NEW assignment to AWF members who did not previously earn the NEC code prior to 1 October 2008.
    • Due to the unique nature of the AWF FTS community, personnel who earned the NEC codes 724B or 770B prior to the fixed wing AW rating merger may reapply for reinstatement of their previously awarded 724B or 770B. Member must provide documentation and NAVPERS 1221/6 to BUPERS- 312 via BUPERS-312 (Aviation ECM) showing NEC code was previously awarded or member completed all prerequisites prior to 1 October 2008. All AWF FTS personnel who previously held the 770B and request reinstatement, will also be eligible to request the 724B, provided all requirements are met.
    • Awarding of this NEC code for Source Rating AW (E9) only applies to SELRES personnel.
    • NEC is authorized for Billet Paygrades E7-E9 for TAR and SELRES.
    788AAcquisition Specialist

    Perform critical functions within acquisition type activities (i.e., Integrated Logistics Support (ILS), Naval Air Training Management Support Activity (NATMSACT) as defined in DoD Directive 5000.1 and DoD Instruction 5000.2.

    Requirements

    • NEC code awarded after one year of acquisition billet service, and completion of the currently published Defense Acquisition University (DAU) courses for Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) foundational certification in Lifecycle Logistics (LCL) and/or Test & Evaluation (T&E).
    • DAWIA training courses are obtained and funded for Navy personnel through the Defense Acquisition Talent Management (DATM) Office via the DON Acquisition Training Registrar, Naval Acquisition Career Management Center, 5450 Carlisle Pike, P.O. Box 2033, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 using quotas that are assigned to the requesting command. Individuals must be currently in or ordered to an identified Acquisition billet.
    792ASupport Equipment Asset Manager

    Manages aviation support equipment (SE) asset inventories as set forth by the Naval Aviation Maintenance Program and the Aircraft Maintenance Material Readiness List Program. Manages SE assets at the aircraft organizational and intermediate levels of maintenance afloat and ashore, naval air training activities, naval aviation depots, and aviation wings.

    Family Friendly

    6.8/10

    Schools + spouse jobs

    Base Housing Wait

    8 months

    Avg waitlist for on-base

    Cost of Living

    92

    100 = national avg

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