The Navy refers to its occupational specialties as ratings and Navy Enlisted Classifications (NECs).
There are numerous enlisted career opportunities available across technical, operational, and support fields.
Qualification for Navy jobs is determined in part by performance on specific ASVAB subtests and the Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) score.
This guide outlines current ASVAB testing components and general score requirements for Navy enlistment.
ASVAB Scores and Navy Jobs (Ratings)
| NEC | Navy Job Title | ASVAB Subtest Scores (Minimum) |
|---|---|---|
| AG | Aerographers Mate | VE+MK+GS>=162 or GS+AR+MK>=165 |
| PR | Aircrew Survival Equipmentman | VE+AR+MK+AS>=185 or MK+AS+AO>=140 |
| AW | Aircrewman | VE+AR+MK+MC=210 or VE+AR+MK+AS=210 |
| AN | Airman | AR+AS+MK+VE>=173 |
| AC | Air Traffic Controller | VE+AR+MK+MC=220 or VE+MK+MC+CS=220 |
| AB | Aviation Boatswains Mate | VE+AR+MK+AS>=173 |
| AE | Aviation Electrician’s Mate | VE+AR+MK+MC>=217 or VE+AR+MK+AO>= 217 |
| AT | Aviation Electronics Technician | VE+AR+MK+MC>=217 Or VE+AR+MK+AO>=217 |
| AD | Aviation Machinist’s Mate | VE+MK+AS>=158 or VE+MK+EI>=155 |
| AZ | Aviation Maintenance Administration Man | VE+AR>=102 |
| AO | Aviation Ordnanceman | VE+AR+MK+AS=185 or MK+AS+AO=140 |
| AM | Aviation Structural Mechanic | VE+AR+MK+AS=210 or VE+AR+MK+MC=210 |
| AME | Aviation Structural Mechanic – Equipment | VE+AR+MK+AS=210 or VE+AR+MK+MC=210 |
| AS | Aviation Support Equipment Technician | VE+AR+MK+AS=210 or VE+AR+MK+MC=210 |
| BM | Boatswain’s Mate | VE+AR+MK+AS>=173 |
| BU | Builder | AR+MC+AS>=145 or VE+AR+MK+AO>=209 |
| CE | Construction Electrician | AR+MK+EI+GS=201 |
| CM | Construction Mechanic | AR+MC+AS=162 |
| CTT | Cryptologic Technician – Technical | AR+2MK+GS>=212 or AR+MK+CT>=159 and CT>=60 |
| CTR | Cryptologic Technician – Collection | MK+PC >=110 or AR+MK+PC >= 164 |
| CTI | Cryptologic Technician Interpretive | VE+MK+GS=162 and DLAB CAT 4 = 110 CAT 3 = 105 CAT 1 = 100 or MK+VE >=126 |
| CTM | Cryptologic Technician – Maintenance | AR+MK+EI+VE >=221 |
| CTN | Cryptologic Technician – Networks | AR+2MK+GS>=212 Or AR+MK+CT>=159 and CT>=60 |
| CS | Culinary Specialist | VE+AR>=82 |
| DC | Damage Controlman | VE+AR+MK+AS>=193 or VE+AR+MK+MC>=193 |
| EM | Electrician’s Mate | VE+AR+MK+MC>=210 or AR+MK+EI+GS>=210 |
| ET | Electronics Technician | AR+MK+EI+GS>=222 or AR+2MK+GS>=230 |
| NUC | Electronics Technician (Nuclear) ET | VE+AR+MK+MC+NAPT=290 and NAPT=55 or AR+MK+EI+GS+NAPT=290 and NAPT=55 or AR+MK+EI+GS=252 or VE+AR+MK+MC=252 |
| EA | Engineering Aide | AR+2MK+GS>=207 |
| EN | Engineman | VE+AR+MK+AS>=188 or VE+AR+MK+AO>=193 |
| EO | Equipment Operator | AR+MC+AS=145 |
| EOD | Explosive Ordnance Disposal | VE+AR>=109 and MC>=51 or GS+MC+EI>=169 |
| FT | Fire Control Technician | AR+MK+EI+GS=222 or VE+AR+MK+MC=222 |
| FC | Fire Controlman | AR+MK+EI+GS>=222 OR AR+2MK+GS>=230 |
| GSE | Gas Turbine Systems Technician – Electrical | VE+AR+MK+MC=210 or AR+MK+EI+GS=210 |
| GSM | Gas Turbine Systems Technician – Mechanical | VE+AR+MK+AS=200 or VE+AR+MK+AO=205 |
| GM | Gunner’s Mate | AR+MK+EI+GS>=205 or AR+GS+2MK>=205 |
| HM | Hospital Corpsman | VE+AR+MK+GS>=209 or MK+GS+2VE>=209 |
| HT | Hull Maintenance Technician | VE+AR+MK+AS>=193 or VE+AR+MK+MC>=193 |
| IT | Information Systems Technician | AR+VE+MK+GS >=222 or VE+MK+GS >=162 or CT+MK+VE >=162 and CT >=60 |
| IS | Intelligence Specialist | VE+AR+MK+GS >=215 |
| IC | Interior Communcations Electrician | AR+MK+EI+GS>=213 or AR+MK+VE+AO>=218 |
| LN | Legalman | VE+MK>>=105 and VE>=52 or VE+AR>=105 and VE>=52 |
| LS | Logistics Specialist | VE+AR>=96 |
| LS (SS) | Logistics Specialist – Submarines | AR+MK+EI+GS>=200 or VE+AR+MK+MC>=200 |
| MR | Machinery Repairman | VE+AR+MK+AS=205 or VE+AR+MK+MC=205 or AS+MK+AO>=148 |
| MM | Machinist’s Mate | VE+AR+MK+AS>=188 or VE+AR+MK+AO>=193 |
| MC | Mass Communication Specialist | VE+AR>=115 and VE>=55 |
| MA | Master-At-Arms | WK+AR=98, Minimum WK = 43 |
| MN | Mineman | VE+AR+MK+MC>=210 or VE+AR+MK+AO>=216 |
| MT | Missile Technician | AR+MK+VE+AO>=218 or VE+AR+MK+MC>=218 |
| MU | Musician | N/A |
| NC | Navy Counselor | GS+MK+VE>=156 |
| ND | Navy Diver | VE+AR=103 and MC=51 |
| OS | Operations Specialist | AR+2MK+GS>=198 or VE+MK+CS>=148 |
| PS | Personnel Specialist | VE+MK>=103 or VE+MK+CS>=148 |
| QM | Quartermaster | VE+MK>>=100 or VE+MC+MK+GS>>=196 |
| RP | Religious Program Specialist | VE+MK>=105 or VE+MK+CS>=1577 |
| RS | Retail Service Specialist | VE+AR>=89 |
| ST | Sonar Technician | AR+MK+EI+GS>=223 or AR+MK+VE+AO>=228 |
| SB | Special Warfare Boat Operator | VE+AR=103 and MC=51 |
| SO | Special Warfare Operator | GS+MC+EI=170 or VE+MK+MC+CS=220 or AR+VE=110 an MC>50 |
| SW | Steel Worker | AR+MC+AS=145 |
| SECF | Submarine Electronics/Computer Field | AR+MK+EI+GS=222 or VE+AR+MK+MC=222 |
| UCT | Underwater Construction Team | VE+AR=103 and MC=51 |
| UT | Utilitiesman | AR+MK+EI+GS>=205 or AR+AS+MK>=145 |
| YN | Yeoman | VE+MK>=99 or VE+MK+CS>=148 |
What People Get Wrong About Navy ASVAB Scores
Many applicants assume there is a single ASVAB score that guarantees qualification for any Navy job.
In reality, eligibility for specific ratings is determined by combinations of individual ASVAB subtest scores rather than the overall AFQT score alone.
Another common misunderstanding is that meeting the minimum AFQT score automatically qualifies a recruit for their preferred specialty.
The minimum AFQT score establishes basic enlistment eligibility but does not ensure qualification for competitive or technical ratings.
Some people believe the Navy uses only one version of the ASVAB test.
The Navy uses standard ASVAB subtests, and composite line scores are calculated using specific combinations of those subtests depending on the rating.
There is also confusion about how the AFQT score is calculated.
The AFQT is derived from specific verbal and math subtests and does not include every ASVAB section.
Some applicants assume that ASVAB score requirements remain fixed across all recruiting environments.
Score requirements may vary depending on current staffing needs and recruiting goals.
Another misconception is that higher education automatically substitutes for required ASVAB performance.
Educational background does not replace required qualifying scores for specific Navy ratings.
It is also commonly believed that once a score is earned, job qualification is permanent.
ASVAB scores are valid for a limited period under Department of Defense policy.
Minimum qualifying scores, composite requirements, and rating availability are subject to change based on Navy manpower needs and official policy updates.
ASVAB Score Requirements For Other Branches:
References
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A St. Louis, Missouri native, Travis served eight years in the United States Navy. Duty stations include Air Test and Evaluation Squadron One (AIRTEVRON ONE), NAS Patuxent River, MD, the USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20), Commander Second Fleet (COMSECONDFLT), and US Transportation Command, (USTRANSCOM) Scott Air Force Base, Illinois.
After the Navy, Travis worked in the Information Technology sector for twenty-five years.
Connect with Travis @MichaelTRose, or on his LinkedIn profile.