AWOAircrewman Operator(AWO Navy Rating)
Operates airborne electronic sensors and communications systems.
Overall
Quick Stats
- ✓Vision: Corrects to 20/20
- ✓Normal color perception
- ✓Normal hearing
- ✓No speech impediment
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
50
Who This Is Best For
Best for analytically minded individuals who enjoy technical work, data analysis, and want the thrill of flying combined with intelligence-gathering. Strong intelligence community career prospects make this ideal for someone who wants both excitement and intellectual challenge.
+Pros
- ✓Strong civilian career transition
–Cons
Real Opinions
+Positive
“Flying is amazing. Aircrew life has its downsides but nothing beats looking out the window on a mission.”
“AWO is the premiere tactical operator role in naval aviation. You operate sensors, radar, and electronic warfare systems on P-8A Poseidons and other maritime patrol aircraft. The mission impact is direct — you are hunting submarines and tracking adversary ships. It feels like a real-world Tom Clancy novel.”
–Negative & Mixed
“The schedule is unpredictable. You could be gone for weeks with little notice. Hard on relationships.”
“The NACCS pipeline is demanding and not everyone makes it. Once in the fleet, the operational tempo of maritime patrol can be grueling — you deploy frequently to locations like Bahrain, Japan, and Sicily. The time away from home adds up even though the deployments are shorter than carrier rotations.”
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0 charsRecruiter vs Reality
What the recruiter says vs. what it's actually like.
🫡 Recruiter says
“You will fly in Navy aircraft and see the world from above!”
💀 Reality
Source: MyNavyRates researchYou do fly, but much of your time is spent on ground maintenance, pre-flight checks, and qualifications. Flight schedules can be unpredictable and hard on family life.
🫡 Recruiter says
“AWO is like being a tactical operator.”
💀 Reality
Source: sailor forumsAWO does tactical work during missions but also spends significant time on ground duties, training, and qualifications between flights. The flying is the highlight, not the entirety.
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Horror Stories
Real stories people have shared about this rate. Swipe to browse.
“VP-9 P-3C ditched into 30-foot Arctic seas in the Bering Sea after engine fires. 15 sailors escaped into freezing water. Three crew died of exposure before a Soviet fishing trawler rescued survivors. Nobody believed anyone could survive an open-ocean ditching in winter.”
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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