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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Training And Career Path
What’s Life Like For An Aviation Maintenance Administrationman (AZ)?
Sea/Shore Rotation
Pay and Benefits
Job Reviews
Civilian Career Opportunities
Requirements and Qualifications
To serve as an Aviation Maintenance Administration-man (AZ) in the United States Navy, you must meet certain requirements:
- Must be a US citizen.
- Must be between the ages of 18 and 41.
- Must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
- Must be eligible for a security clearance.
- Must have an Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) score of VE (Verbal) + AR (Arithmetic Reasoning) = 102.
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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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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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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.
| Tour | Sea Tour | Shore Tour |
|---|---|---|
| First Tour | 55 Months | 36 Months |
| Second Tour | 48 Months | 36 Months |
| Third Tour | 42 Months | 36 Months |
| Fourth Tour | 36 Months | 36 Months |
| Fifth Tour | 36 Months | 36 Months |
| Sixth Tour | 36 Months | 36 Months |
| Seventh Tour | 36 Months | 36 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.
| Insignia | Pay Grade | Rank | Abbreviation | 2023 Minimum Monthly Pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | E-1 +4 months | Seaman Recruit | SR | $1,917.60 |
 | E-2 | Seaman Apprentice | SA | $2,149.20 |
 | E-3 | Seaman | SN | $2,259.90 |
 | E-4 | Petty Officer Third Class | PO3 | $2,503.50 |
 | E-5 | Petty Officer Second Class | PO2 | $2,730.30 |
 | E-6 | Petty Officer First Class | PO1 | $2,980.50 |
 | E-7 | Chief Petty Officer | CPO | $3,445.80 |
 | E-8 | Senior Chief Petty Officer | SCPO | $4,957.20 |
 | E-9 | Master Chief Petty Officer | MCPO | $6,055.50 |
 | E-9 | Command Master Chief Petty Officer | CMDCM | $6,055.50 |
 | E-9 | Master Chief Petty Officer Of The Navy | MCPON | $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.
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
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
After the Navy, Travis worked in the Information Technology sector for twenty-five years.
Connect with Travis @MichaelTRose.
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