navy mt rate
Navy

Navy Missile Technician (MT): 2023 Career Details

Navy Missile Technicians (Submarines) (MT) maintain and operate the electronic computers and electromechanical support systems that control submarine strategic weapons systems

MTs operate the computer systems, controllers, and other digital systems that control fleet ballistic missile systems.

This includes maintaining electrical panels, rectifiers, switches, voltage regulators, and transformers that operate the system.

Missile Technicians test and repair the guidance systems for these weapons, calibrating, aligning, and repairing optical measuring components and support handling equipment.

MTs are also charged with providing security in missile launch areas on submarines.

Missile Technicians have been a part of the US Navy since 1953 when the Navy established the Guided Missileman rating. The Navy changed the rating name to Missile Technician In 1961.

Related ArticleNavy Jobs List: A List Of All 71 Ratings In The Navy

Jump To A Section

Requirements and Qualifications

To serve as a Missile Technician (MT) in the United States Navy, recruits must meet multiple requirements:

  • US citizenship is required
  • Must be between the ages of 18 and 41.
  • Must have good vision and normal color perception.
  • High school diploma or equivalent.
  • Must volunteer for duty onboard submarines.
  • Must have no adversely adjudicated drug abuse offenses
  • Can have no history of drug or alcohol abuse
  • Must pass the Navy’s Personal Reliability Program (PRP) screening
  • Must be eligible for a security clearance based on a Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI).

Those hoping to join the Navy as a Submarine Missile Technician must also meet the minimum ASVAB aptitude scores:

Arithmetic Reasoning (AR) + Mathematics Knowledge(MK) + Mechanical Comprehension (MC) +Verbal Expression (VE) >=218.

Related Article: Navy Height And Weight Standards

Missile Technicians incur a six-year active-duty obligation. 

The sailors enlist for four years and concurrently sign an agreement to extend their enlistment for an additional two years.

Training and Career Path

Like all other Navy enlisted personnel, MTs must successfully complete 10 weeks of Navy Boot Camp, at the Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes (RTC Great Lakes).

The training Missile Technicians complete is much more extensive than that required of most other ratings in the US Navy.

After Boot Camp, MTs spend four weeks of indoctrination at Basic Enlisted Submarine School, commonly referred to as BESS in Groton, Connecticut.

While still at Groton, Missile Technicians then go on to attend three weeks of classes at the Basic Mechanical Skills School.

MT2(SS) Wood and MTC(SS) Hendrix, instructors at the Trident Training Facility (TTF) in Kings Bay, Georgia, go over the launch control simulator. (Source: U.S. Navy / PHC Chris Desmond)

Related ArticleNavy Fire Controlman (FC): Career Details

A School for Navy Missile Technicians is five weeks long, and these take place at Kings Bay, Georgia. 

During A School, MTs learn basic electronics,  basic digital theory and the fundamentals of electricity

Class “C” School for Missile Technicians takes place at either Kings Bay, Georgia, or Bangor, Washington. 

These advanced classes include 23 weeks of advanced training in electronics, electricity, and mechanical systems. They learn how to repair Trident II missiles and the associated launching systems.

This training entails both group instruction and equipment labs.

Advanced Training and Advanced Rank for MTs

Sailors who will be assigned to SSGNs (the SS denotes submarine, the G stands for guided missile, and the N indicates that the submarine is nuclear-powered) must also attend the five-week AWS Replacement course in Kings Bay, Georgia. 

Here, the SSGN-bound MTs further instructed in advanced electronics, electricity, and mechanics as related to the Tomahawk missile system. 

MTs enjoy an accelerated advancement to E-4 after successful completion of their training, provided they maintain their eligibility for the MT rating.

An MT could undergo as much as 40 weeks of training prior to deploying to their first duty station. 

Related ArticleNavy Aviation Support Equipment Technician (AS): Career Details

What’s Life Like for a Navy Missile Technician (MT)?

Missile Technicians are the sailors responsible for the repair, maintenance, and assembly of the nuclear-capable ballistic missiles aboard submarines. 

The extensive training that they receive also enables them to maintain and repair the associated electro-mechanical navigation and targeting systems. 

SCMT (SS) Wyatt Harris, center, Blue Team assistant navigator aboard the USS Florida (SSBN 728) supervises two Machinist’s Mates as they simulate driving a submarine in the dive simulator.  (Source: U.S. Navy / MC1 Kimber)

On a day-to-day basis, there is no shortage of work for the Missile Technician (MT). 

Their numerous and various duties include:

  • Maintaining ballistic missiles and their components
  • Testing and maintaining missile launch systems, including hydraulic and high-pressure air systems.
  • Maintaining and operating ballistic missile fire control systems and equipment for Trident submarines. 
  • Testing and ensuring the operating efficiency of electrical components, such as distribution panels, controllers, rectifiers, voltage regulators, and transformers.  
  • Testing, calibrating, and repairing ballistic guidance systems. 
  • Operating and adjusting optical measuring equipment
  • Maintaining logs and preparing reports on testing, calibration, and equipment maintenance.
  • Providing security in the missile launch area when aboard submarines and maintaining control of any classified material.  

MTs normally work indoors, with the occasional outside duty doing tasks such as missile loading. Their duties are both physical and mental in nature.

You can check out life aboard the USS Wyoming in the YouTube video below:

The most common duty stations for MTs are aboard submarines homeported on the Naval Submarine Bases in Bangor, Washington, and Kings Bay, Georgia. 

Navy Missile Technician (MT) Sea/Shore Rotation

I was honestly surprised at the Sea/Shore rotation sailors in the MT rating enjoy. It is about 50/50. 

This is one of the best Sea/Shore rotations of any submarine ratings.

TourSea TourShore Tour
First Tour48 Months36 Months
Second Tour42 Months36 Months
Third Tour36 Months36 Months
Fourth Tour30 Months30 Months
Fifth Tour30 Months30 Months
Sixth Tour30 Months30 Months
Seventh Tour30 Months30 Months

How Much Are Missile Technicians (MT) Paid?

Like the other members of the U.S. Armed Services, the Navy pays Sailors based on 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

In addition, MTs may also receive further compensation, including Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) and Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS).

They may also receive sea pay, submarine pay, or other incentives.

As of the date of this article, monthly submarine pay is currently from $85.00 to $600.00 per month for enlisted Sailors. The final amount depends on rank and time in service as well. 

MTs, as do all submariners, receive sea pay in addition to their submarine pay.

Navy Submarine Duty Incentive Pay – 2023

Pay GradeUnder 2 YearsOver 2 YearsOver 3 YearsOver 4 YearsOver 6 YearsOver 8 Years
E-1$85$85$85$85$85$85
E-2$85$100$100$100$100$100
E-3$90$100$105$105$105$105
E-4$90$105$110$270$270$270
E-5$155$170$170$275$315$315
E-6$175$190$190$335$370$430
E-7$445$445$445$445$445$445
E-8$450$450$450$450$450$450
E-9$450$450$450$450$450$450

Additionally, there are various bonus opportunities available to MTs. 

For example, sometimes the Navy offers a Selective Reenlistment Bonus (SRB) for MTs who sign up for additional years. 

There is also a Student Loan Repayment Program that Missile Technicians are eligible for.

MTs and fellow submariners enjoy a swim call while at sea. (Source: US Navy / MT2(SS) Lawing)

Job Reviews

Reviews from current and former MTs on indeed.com are varied. Some reference the arduous life onboard a submarine, including long hours and deployment woes. 

However, they are surprisingly positive. They also point out such positives as great pay and benefits, as well as the opportunity for training and experience:

Current and former MTs on glassdoor.com shared similar sentiments:

MT3 (SS) Austin Brossaurd, a Missile Technician aboard the USS Kentucky (SSBN-737) is certainly happy with his choice of the MT rating.

“The job is very rewarding, especially because it’s so important to the mission of the ship.  It always keeps you on your toes, which I appreciate. Being able to say I do something that not everyone gets to do is a rewarding feeling for me. Submariners are an elite bunch that I’m proud to be a part of.”

The Department of the Navy’s Credentialing Opportunities Online (COOL) website estimates that only about 450 sailors serve in the elite Missile Technician rating in today’s Navy.

Related Article: 5 Best Navy Combat Jobs

Civilian Career Opportunities

Civilian career opportunities for former MTs are plentiful and include such jobs as:

  • Electrical Equipment Assemblers and Installers
  • Electronics Technicians
  • Electronics Engineers
  • Electrical Engineers
  • Ordnance Handling Experts
  • Explosive Workers / Blasters
  • Equipment Inspectors

In addition, MTs should take advantage of their security clearance in their job search after leaving the Navy.

Sailors in the Missile Technician rating should use any and all educational opportunities offered during their service in the Navy.

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

Missile Technicians can obtain a number of different national certifications, federal licenses, and state licenses that qualify them for well-paying jobs in civilian life. 

MT2(SS) Eychner paints the side of the USS Florida (SSGN 728) pierside in Diego Gardia. (Source: U.S. Navy / MCSNJohnson)

If you are thinking of joining the US Navy, and think you can handle life aboard a submarine, consider the benefits of an MT rating. 

Missile Technician rating might be your ticket to an exciting career in the Navy’s “Silent Service.”

Related Article5 Types Of Military Discharge: Benefits (and Consequences) Explained

References

Find A Navy Recruiter

Official Navy Careers Page

Navy Personnel Command Missile Technician (MT) Overview

U.S. Navy COOL Summary For Missile Technician (MT)

Navy COOL Missile Technician (MT) Rating Card

MT3 (SS) Broussard Article – The Advocate

Navy Missile Technician (MT) Reviews – glassdoor.com

Navy Missile Technician (MT) Reviews – indeed.com

Travis R.

Originally posted on August 25, 2019 @ 2:50 am

Affiliate Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click and purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I have personally vetted. Learn more.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *