aviation maintenance administrationman
Navy

Navy Aviation Maintenance Administrationman (AZ): 2023 Career Details

A Navy Aviation Mechanical Administrationman is referred to as an AZ. 

This is perhaps fitting, as sailors in this diverse rating, as AZs seem to do everything from “A to Z.”

Normally working in production or maintenance control, you’ll find the AZ doing tasks from performing clerical and administrative duties (typing, filing, etc.).

They may maintain engine logbooks and associated aircraft records, schedule aircraft inspections, or issue aircraft work orders, among other duties.

The duties of an AZ are defined by the Naval Aviation Maintenance Program (NAMP).

These are all in addition to their collateral military duties such as standing watch, serving on the ship’s firefighting team, or the ship’s security force.

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The Navy officially established the AZ rating in 1963.

A two-year (24 months) or five-year obligation (60 months) is required to join the Navy as an Aviation Maintenance Administrationman.

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Requirements and Qualifications

To serve as an Aviation Maintenance Administration-man (AZ) in the United States Navy, you must meet certain requirements:

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Aviation Maintenance Administrationman at work
AZAN Leo G. Greene reviews request forms in the aircraft intermediate maintenance department administration office aboard the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77).  (Source: U.S. Navy / MCSN Treece)

Training and Career Path

AZs, like all other Navy enlisted personnel, must successfully complete 10 weeks of Navy Recruit Training, at the Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes (RTC Great Lakes).

The 10-week-long Aviation Maintenance Administrationman (AZ) Class “A” Technical School is located in Meridian, Mississippi.

In a formal setting of group instruction, future AZs learn subjects such as basic aircraft maintenance practices and the proper recording and reporting on aircraft maintenance. 

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AVAN Zachary Spangler, assigned to the Battle Cats of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 73, pulls a pallet of supplies from an elevator to the hangar bay of the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) during a replenishment-at-sea. (Source: U.S. Navy / MC3  Cates)

What’s Life Like for an Aviation Maintenance Administrationman (AZ)?

AZs normally work in an office environment. Most of the work is clerical in nature and combines managerial and administrative tasks. Close communications with those in aviation maintenance ratings are critical.

The day-to-day duties of an Aviation Maintenance Administrationman include:

  • Maintaining aircraft logbooks and updating engine records.
  • Tracking and reporting on aircraft efficiency and performance
  • Scheduling aircraft inspections.
  • Preparing work orders for inspections and repairs.
  • Maintaining and organizing the technical publication libraries (Navy Aeronautical Technical Publications Library (ATPL)) to include relevant reports and related maintenance data. 
  • Operating the Naval Aviation Logistics Command Management Information System (NALCOMIS).

AZs work at helicopter and aircraft squadrons deployed on Navy ships, as well as squadrons within the continental United States or based overseas.

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AZ2 Linda Le, assigned to the Fighting Omars of Fighter Squadron Composite (VFC) 12, makes entries in the F/A-18 Aviation Maintenance Environment (AME) reporting system. (Source: U.S. Navy MC2 Kuzlik)

Navy Aviation Maintenance Administrationman (AZ) Sea/Shore Rotation

The Sea/Shore Rotation for Aviation Maintenance Administrationman (AZ) is about average, with AZs spending about 50 percent of their time ashore and 50 percent of their time assigned to the fleet over the course of a 20-year career.

Most of the most sea-intense months fall at the beginning of their careers. 

TourSea TourShore Tour
First Tour55 Months 36 Months
Second Tour48 Months36 Months
Third Tour42 Months36 Months
Fourth Tour36 Months36 Months
Fifth Tour36 Months36 Months
Sixth Tour36 Months36 Months
Seventh Tour36 Months36 Months

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How Much Are Aviation Maintenance Administrationman (AZ) Paid?

Like all the other Armed Services, the Navy bases a sailor’s pay on their rank and length of service.

InsigniaPay Grade RankAbbreviation2023 Minimum Monthly Pay
N/AE-1 +4 monthsSeaman RecruitSR$1,917.60
E-2Seaman ApprenticeSA$2,149.20
e-3 navy seamanE-3SeamanSN$2,259.90
petty officer third classE-4Petty Officer Third ClassPO3$2,503.50
petty officer second classE-5Petty Officer Second ClassPO2$2,730.30
petty officer first classE-6Petty Officer First ClassPO1$2,980.50
chief petty officerE-7Chief Petty OfficerCPO$3,445.80
senior chief petty officerE-8Senior Chief Petty OfficerSCPO$4,957.20
master chief petty officerE-9Master Chief Petty OfficerMCPO$6,055.50
command master chief petty officerE-9Command Master Chief Petty OfficerCMDCM$6,055.50
master chief petty officer of the navyE-9Master Chief Petty Officer Of The NavyMCPON$6,055.50

AZs may also receive other forms of compensation. This includes Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS), sea pay, and other incentives. 

Job Reviews

Sailors serving as AZs seem especially happy with the opportunity to have joined the Navy and with AZ as their rating selection.

AZ3 Elvaughn Riley serving aboard the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) states:

“Being forward deployed feels special. I feel my command is unique and very important.”

Adds AZ3 Riley:

“The Navy has made me see things in a new light  — getting to travel and see the world and appreciate living more.”

Deployed aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), AZ1 Mary Quenga feels much the same:

“Serving in the Navy means being a part of something bigger than yourself. Now that I have kids and a husband, I do it for them.”

Reviews on indeed.com by former and current AZs are extremely positive, with one AZ even declaring, “This was an awesome job.”

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The Department of the Navy’s Credentialing Opportunities Online (COOL) website estimates that there are about 2,800 sailors serving as Aviation Maintenance Administrationman (AZ) in the Navy today.

AZ3 Daquan Blakeney plots coordinates on a diagram in a repair locker during a general quarters drill aboard the USS George Washington (CVN 73).  (Source: U.S. Navy /MC3 Pittman)

Civilian Career Opportunities

There is no shortage of civilian career opportunities for Aviation Maintenance Administrationman retiring or departing military service. 

Just a few of these include:

  • Administrative Services Managers
  • Correspondence Clerks
  • Database Managers
  • Industrial Production Managers
  • Logistics Analysts
  • Procurement Clerks
  • Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks
  • Statistical Assistants
  • Training and Development Specialists
  • Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers

Some of these professions may require higher education, so an AZ should take advantage of the educational opportunities offered during their naval service.

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The United States Military Apprenticeship Program (USMAP) also allows AZs to complete several of their civilian apprenticeship requirements while on active duty.

AZs can obtain a wide selection of national certifications, federal licenses, or state licenses.

So, there are plenty of civilian jobs that allow an Aviation Maintenance Administrationman the opportunity to use their Navy skills. 

The field is an especially good fit for those interested in aviation and working around or with aircraft. 

Basic skills in record keeping, speaking, writing, and arithmetic, along with a keen interest in avionics are particularly useful in the AZ rating.

Life as an AZ in the US Navy allows women and men to not only learn valuable skills while seeing the world but also the opportunity to provide a much-needed service to their nation.

References

Find A Navy Recruiter

Official Navy Flight Support Careers Page

Navy Personnel Command Aviation Maintenance Administrationman (AZ) Overview

U.S. Navy COOL Summary For Aviation Maintenance Administrationman (AZ)

Navy COOL Aviation Maintenance Administrationman (AZ) Rating Card

Globe Gazette – AZ1 Mary Quenga Article

Milwaukee Independent – AZ3 Elvaughn Riley Article

Aviation Maintenance Administrationman (AZ) Reviews – indeed.com

Travis R.

Originally posted on September 4, 2019 @ 2:18 am

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