Sonar Technician – Submarines
Operates and maintains sonar systems aboard submarines to detect and classify underwater contacts.
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 submarine sailors who want an intellectually challenging specialty in the cat-and-mouse world of undersea warfare. Submarine pay bonuses plus strong defense industry prospects make this ideal for analytically minded individuals who thrive in elite, close-quarters environments where every decision matters.
+Pros
- ✓Strong civilian career transition
–Cons
- ✗Long A-school pipeline
- ✗Significant sea duty
Real Opinions
+Positive
“Traveled around the world and learned many things about people and cultures. Would not change it for the world.”
“I would recommend STS to anyone considering it. The training is solid and the community takes care of its own.”
“STS on a fast attack sub is one of the most tactically important jobs in the fleet. You're the one who detects the enemy first. The pride of being the boat's ears during an actual mission is something most sailors never experience. The submarine community treats sonar techs with genuine respect.”
–Critical & Mixed
“I enjoyed my time as a sailor, but it is a lot of hard work and long hours. Not for everyone.”
“Like any rate, STS has its downsides. Long hours, time away from family, and Navy bureaucracy are real.”
“Submarine sonar life is isolating — you spend months underwater with the same 130 people in a metal tube. The watches are long, the sleep schedule is brutal, and you can't tell anyone what you actually do. Family relationships suffer from the prolonged and often unannounced deployments.”
Recruiter vs Reality
What the recruiter says vs. what it's actually like.
🫡 Recruiter says
“The STS 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 STS.
🫡 Recruiter says
“STS is perfect for people who love acoustics.”
💀 Reality
Source: sailor forumsTrue, but submarine life means 6+ month deployments with no sunlight, limited communication with family, and tight living quarters. The sonar work is fascinating but the lifestyle is not for everyone.
🫡 Recruiter says
“STS operates the most advanced sonar in the submarine fleet.”
💀 Reality
Source: veteran feedbackSTS runs sonar aboard submarines, which is the primary sensor for finding other subs. The work is intellectually demanding but involves long watches in a quiet, dark sonar room during 6-month deployments.
🫡 Recruiter says
“STS is the eyes and ears of the submarine — you are the most important person on board.”
💀 Reality
Sonar is the primary sensor on a submarine, so the pressure is real. But being the eyes and ears means sitting in a dark sonar room wearing headphones for 6-hour watches, listening to ocean ambient noise. If you miss a contact or misclassify one, the entire chain of command knows.
🫡 Recruiter says
“Submarine duty means sub pay and fast advancement.”
💀 Reality
Submarine pay is real — roughly $75-$425/month extra depending on rank. But you earn every dollar. SSBN deployments are 6-7 months with zero port calls, limited communication with family, no sunlight, hot-racking, and 18-hour work cycles. The money is compensation for a lifestyle most people cannot sustain long-term.
🫡 Recruiter says
“STS operates the BQQ-10 sonar system — the most advanced submarine sonar in the world.”
💀 Reality
The AN/BQQ-10(V) is genuinely state-of-the-art. But when the system has issues at depth during deployment, there is no tech rep, no parts warehouse, and no port to pull into. You and your small team figure it out with what you have on board.
Training Pipeline — Total ~32 weeks (7 months)
Ship Date Calculator
Enter your MEPS ship date to see when you'll complete each stage.
Promotion SpeedEarn higher pay faster—Manning 92% (E-4/E-5)
| Cycle (Year) | Eligible | Selected | Promotion % |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-4252-Spring(2024) | 228 | 71 | 31% |
| E-4252-Fall(2024) | 122 | 78 | 64% |
| E-5252-Spring(2024) | 131 | 41 | 31% |
| E-5252-Fall(2024) | 85 | 11 | 13% |
| E-6252-Spring(2024) | 111 | 21 | 19% |
| E-6252-Fall(2024) | 102 | 39 | 38% |
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 Sonar Technician – Submarines rating
Advanced specialty code for experienced Sonar Technician – Submarines personnel
Potential Civilian Post-Navy Outcomes
Underwater Acoustics Engineer
Transferability: 7/10
$70k–$120k
Sonar Technician
Transferability: 6/10
$50k–$78k
Defense Contractor — ASW Systems Analyst
Transferability: 8/10
$75k–$130k
Free Certifications & Credentials
Certifications and licenses the Navy will pay for free through Navy COOL and on-the-job training.
Certified Electronics Technician (CET)
ETA International
CompTIA Security+
CompTIA
Secret Security Clearance
U.S. Department of Defense
Lifestyle4/10
Ship vs. Shore Split
65% / 35%
Deployment Frequency
High
Physical Demand
medium — indoor
Watch Standing
3-section underway (8 on / 16 off)
In a 3-section rotation, the crew is divided into three teams. Each team stands an 8-hour watch shift, then has 16 hours off. In port, you stand 24-hour duty roughly every 3 days — one out of every three nights you stay aboard the ship. Underway (when attached to a ship command), the watch schedule runs continuously with shorter rest periods between shifts.
Watch qualifications vary by command and platform. Expect to qualify within 90 days of reporting.