Interior Communications Electrician
Maintains shipboard communication and alarm systems.
Overall
Quick Stats
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
Who This Is Best For
Best for electronics-minded individuals who want a less-common but highly technical specialty with good civilian telecommunications prospects. If you enjoy wiring and troubleshooting electronic circuits and prefer a focused niche over a generalist role, this rate offers steady work with transferable skills.
+Pros
- ✓Strong civilian career transition
–Cons
- ✗Significant sea duty
Real Opinions
+Positive
“I loved the Navy. It taught me how far the human mind can stretch and be used in situations that may be dangerous. It was fun working with all of my shipmates.”
“The pay is good depending on rank and the majority of it is not taxed which is nice.”
“Engineering rates get a bad rap but the job security and trade skills are legit. I went straight into a union job.”
–Critical & Mixed
“Underway life in engineering is hot, loud, and exhausting. You will stand watch in some miserable conditions.”
“IC sounds like a glorified phone technician from the description. The IC rating is one of the most sea-intensive ratings in the Navy — about 65% of a 20-year career is spent at sea. The skills are very Navy-specific and don't transfer as cleanly to civilian work as other electrical rates.”
“I was placed in the IC Rate because it was the best option out of everything they had. The rate maintains gyrocompass systems, 1MC announcing systems, and SITE TV — niche equipment that doesn't have a direct civilian equivalent.”
“I loved the Navy. It taught me how far the human mind can stretch in dangerous situations. It was fun working with all of my shipmates. But the IC equipment is very Navy-specific, and the sea-intensive schedule means you spend the majority of your career deployed.”
Recruiter vs Reality
What the recruiter says vs. what it's actually like.
🫡 Recruiter says
“ICs work all over the ship — you're not stuck in the engine room.”
💀 Reality
Mostly true and a genuine advantage. But every division thinks their broken intercom is the top priority, so you get pulled in every direction.
🫡 Recruiter says
“Engineering rates are always in demand and you will learn a valuable trade!”
💀 Reality
Source: MyNavyRates researchThe trade skills are real but underway life in engineering spaces is hot, loud, and physically demanding. Watch rotations can be exhausting, especially on older ships.
🫡 Recruiter says
“IC is a great electrical career.”
💀 Reality
Source: sailor forumsIC skills in electrical troubleshooting transfer well, but the specific Navy systems you work on do not exist in the civilian world. General electrical knowledge and an electrician license are what employers want.
🫡 Recruiter says
“Interior Communications Electrician works on high-tech comms systems.”
💀 Reality
Source: veteran feedbackIC maintains shipboard announcing systems (1MC), phone systems, gyrocompasses, and alarm panels. It is more about legacy wiring and troubleshooting than cutting-edge technology.
🫡 Recruiter says
“ICs maintain the ship's communications and navigation systems — high-tech work.”
💀 Reality
You maintain the 1MC, sound-powered phones, alarm systems, CCTV, and the gyrocompass. Some of this is genuinely old technology. Your "high-tech" day might involve tracing a bad wire in a 30-year-old announcing circuit.
🫡 Recruiter says
“IC is a small, tight-knit rate with great quality of life.”
💀 Reality
Less physically demanding than other engineering rates. But "small rate" means sometimes just two or three ICs on a ship. When one goes on leave, the others absorb everything.
🫡 Recruiter says
“IC training prepares you for civilian telecommunications and networking jobs.”
💀 Reality
IC work is more about analog systems — synchros, gyrocompasses, announcing circuits — than modern IT networking. Civilian telecom companies use completely different technology. You need additional certifications.
🫡 Recruiter says
“ICs handle critical shipboard navigation equipment like the gyrocompass.”
💀 Reality
The gyro is critical, and when it fails the bridge calls you immediately. But the gyro is one piece of a much larger workload that includes SITE TV entertainment systems and engine order telegraphs.
🫡 Recruiter says
“IC is one of the more relaxed engineering rates.”
💀 Reality
Compared to a 110-degree engine room, yes. But you are still part of engineering — you participate in drills, field day cleanings, and duty rotations. You are a snipe, just one with a slightly better workspace.
Training Pipeline — Total ~18 weeks (4 months)
Ship Date Calculator
Enter your MEPS ship date to see when you'll complete each stage.
Promotion SpeedEarn higher pay fasterSlowManning 86% (E-4/E-5)
| Cycle (Year) | Eligible | Selected | Promotion % |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-4252-Spring(2024) | 235 | 104 | 44% |
| E-4252-Fall(2024) | 133 | 44 | 33% |
| E-5252-Spring(2024) | 187 | 35 | 19% |
| E-5252-Fall(2024) | 89 | 56 | 63% |
| E-6252-Spring(2024) | 114 | 11 | 10% |
| E-6252-Fall(2024) | 43 | 8 | 19% |
Bonuses — Click here to see your military pay
Enlistment Bonus
No active bonus for this rate
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.
Primary specialty code for Interior Communications Electrician rating
Advanced specialty code for experienced Interior Communications Electrician personnel
Potential Civilian Post-Navy Outcomes
Electrician
Transferability: 7/10
$45k–$72k
Ship Electrician
Transferability: 8/10
$48k–$78k
Lifestyle4/10
Ship vs. Shore Split
60% / 40%
Deployment Frequency
Moderate
Physical Demand
medium — indoor
Watch Standing
3-section underway, 4-section in port
In a 4-section rotation, the crew is divided into four teams. Each team stands a 6-hour watch shift, then has 18 hours off before their next watch. In port, you stand 24-hour duty roughly every 4 days — meaning you stay aboard the ship overnight on your duty day.
Watch qualifications vary by command and platform. Expect to qualify within 90 days of reporting.
Common Duty Stations
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Schools + spouse jobs
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Avg waitlist for on-base
95
100 = national avg
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Schools + spouse jobs
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Avg waitlist for on-base
135
100 = national avg
—
Schools + spouse jobs
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Avg waitlist for on-base
92
100 = national avg