Machinery Repairman
Operates lathes, milling machines, and other precision metalworking equipment.
Overall
Quick Stats
Security Clearance
None
This rate does not require a security clearance.
ASVAB Requirements
Who This Is Best For
Best for precision-minded individuals who enjoy CNC operations, machining, and fabrication from raw materials. If you take satisfaction in creating exact parts when no replacement exists, this rate provides exceptional hands-on machinist training transferable to manufacturing, aerospace, and industrial toolmaking careers.
+Pros
- ✓Above-average promotion rate
- ✓Strong civilian career transition
–Cons
- ✗Significant sea duty
Real Opinions
+Positive
“The Navy depends on about 770 sailors with this job to make parts that cannot be bought from anywhere else.”
“Senior petty officers and chiefs often remain until retirement, as skilled machinist jobs are valuable both inside and outside the Navy.”
“The 50-50 sea to shore rotation is considered favorable compared to many engineering rates.”
“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.”
“The Navy depends on only about 770 Sailors with this job — it is one of the smallest rates in the entire Navy. The small community size limits promotion opportunities compared to larger ratings.”
“People in the MR rating usually work indoors in a machine shop where many motor-powered machine tools are present. The skills are very niche — precision machining and lathe work — and while they transfer to manufacturing, the limited community size and few shore billets make career planning difficult.”
“Reviews from current and former MRs on Indeed are overwhelmingly positive, with many grateful for the training. But being one of roughly 770 sailors in the entire rate means you can be the best MR in the Navy and still get passed over because the quotas are so small. Tight community, tight advancement.”
Recruiter vs Reality
What the recruiter says vs. what it's actually like.
🫡 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
“MR can make anything.”
💀 Reality
Source: sailor forumsMR work is impressive but mostly involves fabricating replacement parts for aging ship equipment. You will not be designing products or doing creative metalwork.
🫡 Recruiter says
“Machinery Repairman is a skilled trade.”
💀 Reality
Source: veteran feedbackMR is one of the smallest rates in the Navy. You operate lathes, mills, and welding equipment to fabricate parts. The skills are genuinely valuable but billets are very limited.
🫡 Recruiter says
“MRs are precision machinists — you'll learn lathes, mills, and CNC machines.”
💀 Reality
Most shipboard machine shops have older manual equipment. You are making replacement parts from blueprints, often under pressure because the ship needs the part yesterday.
🫡 Recruiter says
“MR is a unique rate — you're the ship's custom fabrication expert.”
💀 Reality
When supply says 90 days for a part, you make it from raw material. That sounds impressive until you realize the machine shop is small, hot, noisy, and on a moving ship, and the "custom fabrication" is often an emergency at 0100.
🫡 Recruiter says
“MR skills transfer directly to civilian manufacturing and machining jobs.”
💀 Reality
Manual machining skills are valued in job shops, but the highest-paying civilian jobs require CNC programming that the Navy may not provide. Modern manufacturing leans on CNC and CAD/CAM — plan on additional training.
🫡 Recruiter says
“MR is a small, specialized rate with a strong identity.”
💀 Reality
With roughly 600 sailors total, MR is one of the smallest. Limited billet options, fewer ship types, and a small community where your reputation follows you everywhere. Advancement can be feast or famine.
🫡 Recruiter says
“MRs work independently in their own machine shop — more autonomy than most rates.”
💀 Reality
The autonomy is real. But "independence" also means if you are the only MR on a small ship, every machining request falls on you, and no one else understands your workload. You are the entire department.
🫡 Recruiter says
“MR A School is 17 weeks of hands-on machining training.”
💀 Reality
A School gives you fundamentals. The real proficiency comes from years of fleet experience making actual repair parts under pressure. Expect a steep learning curve translating classroom basics to real-world repair jobs on aging equipment.
Training Pipeline — Total ~20 weeks (5 months)
Ship Date Calculator
Enter your MEPS ship date to see when you'll complete each stage.
Promotion SpeedEarn higher pay fasterFastManning 81% (E-5/E-6)
| Cycle (Year) | Eligible | Selected | Promotion % |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-4252-Spring(2024) | 59 | 113 | 192% |
| E-4252-Fall(2024) | 130 | 59 | 45% |
| E-5252-Spring(2024) | 185 | 63 | 34% |
| E-5252-Fall(2024) | 180 | 11 | 6% |
| E-6252-Spring(2024) | 106 | 38 | 36% |
| E-6252-Fall(2024) | 103 | 6 | 6% |
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 Machinery Repairman rating
Advanced specialty code for experienced Machinery Repairman personnel
Potential Civilian Post-Navy Outcomes
CNC Machinist
Transferability: 7/10
$40k–$65k
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
—
Schools + spouse jobs
—
Avg waitlist for on-base
135
100 = national avg
—
Schools + spouse jobs
—
Avg waitlist for on-base
92
100 = national avg