Navy Aerographer’s Mate (AG) is the Navy’s weather and oceanography specialist.
These sailors collect and analyze atmospheric and ocean data to provide accurate forecasts that directly support ship movements, aircraft operations, and mission planning.
Their work affects everything from safe navigation in rough seas to timing airstrikes and planning humanitarian missions.
This 2026 guide explains exactly what the AG rating involves, the training pipeline, daily responsibilities, deployments, and the real pros and cons so you can decide if it is the right fit.
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Navy Aerographers Mate Requirements and Qualifications
Here is what it takes to qualify to start training to become an enlisted Navy Aerographers Mate:
Educational Requirements
- High School Diploma
- GED
ASVAB Requirements
- Minimum combined ASVAB Score of 162 on Verbal Expression, Math Knowledge and General Science
Additional Qualifications
- Be between the ages of 17 and 34
- Be a United States Citizen
- Must be able to speak clearly
- Has to have normal color vision
- Must have at least average physical strength and have good manual dexterity
- Successful completion of 8 weeks of Navy Basic Recruit Training held at Great Lakes Naval Training Center in North Chicago, Illinois.
- Completion of a current Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) that will allow an enlisted person being to obtain a Secret or higher level security clearance
Training and Career Path to Become a Navy Aerographers Mate
Completion of these training steps is necessary in order for any Seaman to be able to properly perform the duties of a Navy Aerographers Mate.
Navy Technical Training Information
The technical training Navy A School to become a Navy Aerographers Mate takes place at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi.
Training is done over a 19 week period.
During this training, a recruit will familiarize themselves with the equipment a Navy Aerographers Mate uses and learn how to read weather charts, interpret atmospheric data, and how to determine current ocean conditions.
Once Navy technical training is finished, the recruit will head to their first duty assignment for further on the job training in these same areas.
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How Much Are US Navy Aerographers Mate Paid?
Most new US Navy Aerographers Mate will start out at the pay grade of Seaman Recruit (E-1).
Any recruit that has job applicable training or skills may start out as a Seaman Apprentice (E-2) or Seaman (E-3).
As with all military jobs, the pay is based on rank and time in service.
Here is the current paytable for Navy enlisted based on rank and time in service:
| Insignia | Pay Grade | Rank | Abbreviation | 2026 Minimum Monthly Pay (<2 Years) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | E-1 | Seaman Recruit | SR | $2,407.20 (after 4 months; $2,225.70 for first 4 months) |
 | E-2 | Seaman Apprentice | SA | $2,697.90 |
 | E-3 | Seaman | SN | $2,836.80 |
 | E-4 | Petty Officer Third Class | PO3 | $3,142.20 |
 | E-5 | Petty Officer Second Class | PO2 | $3,342.90 |
 | E-6 | Petty Officer First Class | PO1 | $3,401.10 |
 | E-7 | Chief Petty Officer | CPO | $3,932.10 |
 | E-8 | Senior Chief Petty Officer | SCPO | $5,656.50 (starts at over 8 years) |
 | E-9 | Master Chief Petty Officer | MCPO | $6,910.20 (starts at over 10 years) |
 | E-9 | Fleet/Command Master Chief Petty Officer | FMCPO/CMCP | $6,910.20 (starts at over 10 years) |
 | E-9 | Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy | MCPON | $6,910.20 (starts at over 10 years) |
Miscellaneous Pay, Allowances, and Incentives
There are other forms of payment that may add to someone’s paycheck while they are serving their country in the Navy and some other nice benefits too.
These include:
- Housing allowance (BAH)
- Subsistence allowance (BAS)
- Temporary duty pay
- Hazardous duty pay
- Sea duty pay (Separation pay)
- 100% paid healthcare
- Tuition reimbursement
What People Get Wrong About Navy Aerographer’s Mate (AG)
Many people assume the AG rating is a relaxed desk job where you simply look at weather maps and issue forecasts.
In reality it is a demanding technical role that requires constant monitoring of rapidly changing conditions, precise data analysis, and the ability to deliver critical forecasts under tight deadlines during high tempo operations.
Another frequent misunderstanding is that the job has very little deployment time because it is weather related.
The opposite is true.
AGs deploy regularly on ships, with expeditionary units, and in support of special operations where accurate weather intelligence can make the difference between mission success and failure.
Some applicants believe the training is short and easy.
After boot camp, AGs attend a 19 week technical school at Keesler Air Force Base that covers advanced meteorology, oceanography, satellite imagery interpretation, and sophisticated forecasting tools.
The academic load is heavy and requires strong math and science aptitude.
Many sailors think once you finish training you will spend most of your time in a comfortable office.
Junior AGs often work long shifts in operations centers, on the bridge of ships in rough seas, and in field environments supporting joint exercises.
A common mistake is underestimating the accountability. AGs provide forecasts that affect the safety of entire ships and aircrews.
Inaccurate information can have serious operational and safety consequences.
Finally many assume the rating has limited promotion potential or civilian value.
In reality experienced AGs promote well and transition very successfully into civilian meteorology, oceanography, emergency management, and government forecasting roles with their security clearance and technical expertise.
Understanding these realities helps sailors enter the AG rating with accurate expectations and prepares them for one of the most important environmental support roles in the Navy in 2026.
What’s Life Like as a Navy Aerographers Mate?
This can best be described as a very important and comfortable Navy job.
Most do not consider this a high-stress position, although the information that Navy Aerographers Mates give to those it impacts must be as accurate as possible.
The recruit who fills this position will most likely be working from a very clean office-like setting.
A Navy Aerographers Mate work setting may be one where there is few other people work beside them or a much more busy work setting at a major command center.
The duties that a Navy Aerographers Mate is tasked with include:
- You will become a Navy meteorological and oceanographic expert
- Must be proficient at analyzing weather characteristics such as humidity, air pressure, temperature, wind speed, and wind direction
- Using a variety of weather instruments such as Doppler radar to monitor current weather patterns anywhere in the world
- You will be charged with recording and distributing weather data to ships, aircraft, and shore-based commands those weather reports are pertinent to
- Navy Aerographers serve as an important part of the Navy’s ‘Information Dominance Corps’ whose mission is to provide unmatched knowledge of the enemy and battlespace during wartime.
There is some temporary duty travel associated with this type of Navy position and they do pull shipboard assignments too.
Those who are stationed stateside at bases will have plenty of time to spend with their families and doing extracurricular activities.
Here is a YouTube video that describes in more detail what a Navy Aerographers Mate does:
Job Reviews
Here is what one current and one former Aerographer Mates had to say about their Navy job experience on the website Glassdoor.com:
US Navy Aerographers Mate Civilian Career Opportunities
There is not a huge demand for former Navy Aerographers Mates in the civilian world.
Do not mistake that for meaning there are no jobs available for Ex-Navy Aerographers Mates who know their craft well.
There is always some need stateside for those that know how to forecast and interpret the weather.
For instance; a former Navy Aerographers Mate that has some public speaking experience can land a job as a TV or radio weather personality.
There are also positions that come open at the various weather centers across the country.
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Most of these jobs will be in areas with larger populations.
There is also the possibility that an Ex-Navy Aerographers Mate can be employed based on the oceanography side of what they learned in the Navy.
There are even some government contracting jobs that will have former Navy Aerographers Mates performing similar jobs to what they did in the military.
Here are some examples of companies that have the need for the skills that former Navy Aerographers Mates possess:
- US Department of Homeland Security – Miami, FL
- Guidehouse – McLean, VA
- Earth Resources Technology, Inc. – Santa Cruz, CA
- DTN, LLC – Norman, OK
- Walt Disney Television – Durham, NC
- Tribune Media Company – Salt Lake City, UT
- New York City Office Of Emergency Management – New York, NY
The starting pay for many of these jobs is $50,000 + a year depending on experience.
References:
After the Navy, Travis worked in the Information Technology sector for twenty-five years.
Connect with Travis @MichaelTRose.
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