If you fancy yourself as kind of a jack of all trades and you like things that way, then you may be a good fit to enlist in the US Navy as a Navy Airman.
Those that do this Navy job fill a lot of important gap positions on-board ships and at Naval Air Stations.
Make no mistake about it; Navy Airman have a very important role to play in today’s modern and fast-paced Navy.
Here are just some of the duties that a Navy Airman may be asked to perform:
- Help stow aircraft and repair and maintain the associated equipment in order to keep it prepared at all times for flight operations
- Work closely with qualified personnel at your duty assignment to gain experience at any number of tasks that may be assigned to you
- Performing ground and deck duties that play a key role in the take-off and landing of aircraft
- Stand security watches on flight lines or flight decks when required
- May volunteer to do temporary duty of 90-120 days with a foodservice division
- Many Navy Airman double as members of crash crews and security alert teams
Being a Navy Airman also is a great way to get a Navy career started while trying to decide exactly what you want to do with your long term Navy future.
Related Article – Navy Aircrewman Career Details
That’s because those enlisted members that choose to be Navy Airman can eventually choose to enter into one of several more specific Navy skill specialties (ratings).
This is done through what is known as the on-the-job Airman Professional Apprenticeship Career Track (PACT) training.
More on what PACT training is all about can be seen on the below Youtube video:
Navy Airman Requirements and Qualifications
Here is what it takes to qualify to start training to become an enlisted US Navy Airman:
Educational Requirements
- High School Diploma
- GED
ASVAB Requirements
- Minimum combined ASVAB Score of 185 on Verbal Expression, Arithmetic Reasoning, Math Knowledge and Auto & Shop Information
Additional Qualifications
-
- Be between the ages of 17 and 34 unless in possession of a waiver
- Be a United States Citizen
- Must be able to speak clearly
- 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 which is located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, close to Chicago. (Not required of those with prior military experience or training)
Related Article – Navy Grooming Standards: Hair, Mustache, and Nail Regulations
Training and Career Path to Become a Navy Airman
Once the above requirements and qualifications have been met, the enlisted member wishing to become a Navy Airman will undergo the following training steps:
Navy Technical Training Information
For those that are not keen on spending extended periods of time in a classroom setting this is a great career field to get into in the Navy.
It features one of the shortest Navy technical training A-schools at just over 3 weeks long.
The Class “A” Technical School for Navy Airman takes place at the Navy Technical Training Center (NATTC) located in Pensacola, Florida.
The Navy recruits that attend this technical school will only receive training on the fundamental skills that are required to do this type of Navy job specialty.
On the Job Training
Since technical training just lays a basic foundation for this Navy job specialty, extensive on the job training is the main way that Navy Airman recruits will learn the skills necessary to do their jobs.
This training will take place at their first permanent duty assignment after technical training school has been completed.
Related Article – Navy Intelligence Specialist (IS): Career Details
On the job training will be related to the specific job skills that are needed from the recruit at their new permanent duty assignment.
How Much Are US Navy Airman Paid?
US Navy Airman pay is based on two characteristics.
These are an enlisted member’s current rank and the amount of time they have spent in the military.
Most new US Navy Airman will start out at the pay grade of Seaman Recruit (E-1).
Longer-term commitment to the Navy or special job-related skills that have already been acquired may result in a starting Navy Airman rank of Seaman Apprentice (E-2) or Seaman (E-3).
Here is the current paytable for Navy enlisted based on rank and time in service:
| Insignia | Pay Grade | Rank | Abbreviation | 2021 Minimum Monthly Pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | E-1 | Seaman Recruit | SR | $1,785.00 |
 | E-2 | Seaman Apprentice | SA | $2,000.70 |
 | E-3 | Seaman | SN | $2,103.90 |
 | E-4 | Petty Officer Third Class | PO3 | $2,330.40 |
 | E-5 | Petty Officer Second Class | PO2 | $2,541.60 |
 | E-6 | Petty Officer First Class | PO1 | $2,774.40 |
 | E-7 | Chief Petty Officer | CPO | $3,207.60 |
 | E-8 | Senior Chief Petty Officer | SCPO | $4,614.60 |
 | E-9 | Master Chief Petty Officer | MCPO | $5,637.00 |
 | E-9 | Command Master Chief Petty Officer | CMDCM | $5,637.00 |
 | E-9 | Master Chief Petty Officer Of The Navy | MCPON | $5,637.00 |
Advancement through the Seamen ranks (E-1 to E-3) is done simply by time in grade.
Those wishing to become enlisted non-commissioned officers in the Navy (E-4 and above) will need to achieve a good test score combined with their current time in grade to advance in rank.
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 too.
These include:
- Housing allowance for those that live off base (BAH)
- Subsistence allowance (Food – BAS)
- Temporary duty pay
- Hazardous duty pay
- Sea duty pay (Separation pay)
- 100% paid healthcare
- Tuition reimbursement
What’s Life Like as a Navy Airman?
Variety is the spice of life as far as job assignments and duty stations go for Navy Airman.
This job specialty offers many opportunities for traveling and seeing the world.
Shipboard and temporary duty assignments are also very common for those in this Navy specialty.
Needless to say, it does not make a great career path most of the time for those that are raising a family.
Related Article – How To Get Into The US Naval Academy: 5 Challenging Steps
Since there are a lot of demands placed on Navy Airman, their hours can sometimes be long but the teamwork and camaraderie involved while doing the work often makes it worth it.
During peacetime, Navy Airman are allowed weekly days off, shore leave, and 30-days paid leave each year.
Job Reviews
Here is what a few former enlisted members who are Ex-Navy Airman had to say about their job experiences on the website Indeed.com:
US Navy Airman Civilian Career Opportunities
Many people do not think that this type of Navy training will lead to gainful civilian employment but this is certainly not the case.
This is especially true given the fact that most career Navy Airman will chart a course through PACT training that will teach them a specific skill that can lead to well-paying civilian employment.
Those who only learn the basic skills required of first term Navy Airman can apply and often will be accepted into jobs such as the following:
- Working for airport, city or local fire departments
- Becoming an equipment mechanic, shop worker or other industrial trades worker
- Working in different capacities for domestic and cargo airlines
- Gain employment working as policemen or security personnel
- Handle a variety of airfield operations duties
Although decent paying jobs that Ex-Navy Airman qualify for don’t always jump out at a person, they are out there and there are a lot of them.
References:
https://www.cool.Navy.mil/usn/LaDR/a_pact_e1_e3.pdf
- Air Force Ranks and Basic Pay for 2022 - March 20, 2022
- Air Force Age Limit For 2022 - March 20, 2022
- Air Force Jobs List:A List Of All 135 AFSC’s In The Air Force (2022) - March 20, 2022
