As an Aviation Ordnanceman, you are the fire behind the firepower, in charge of all aircraft ammunition. Whether you’re stationed on a ship or with a flight squadron, you’ll pack everything from guns and ammo to missiles and bombs onto helos and fighter jets. You’ll move weapons, lift them, store them, track them and transfer them to neighboring ships.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Aviation Ordnancemen (AO) are weapons specialists charged with managing all types of ammunition carried on Navy aircraft. Your job responsibilities as an AO may include:

• Inspecting, maintaining and repairing mechanical and electrical weapons and ordnance systems on aircraft
• Stowing, assembling, servicing and loading weapons and aviation ammunition including mines, torpedoes, missiles and rockets
• Servicing ammunition releasing and launching devices
• Loading supplemental munitions
• Assembling, testing and maintaining air-launched guided missiles
• Supervising operation of aviation ordnance shops, armories and stowage facilities

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Navy AOs perform their duties at sea on flight decks and ashore in hangars, air station flight lines or in shops. In this role, you can expect to perform work of a physical nature as a member of a team.

QUALIFICATIONS

• A high-school diploma or equivalent is required to become an Enlisted Sailor and an Aviation Ordnanceman. You must also be a U.S. citizen eligible for security clearance.
• AO applicants should possess good math skills and a strong aptitude for working with tools, equipment and machinery. You should be able to perform detailed work, keep accurate records, and work well as part of a team.
• Important physical attributes include a high level of fitness, normal use of your hands, normal hearing, and normal color and depth perception.
• General qualifications may vary depending upon whether you’re currently serving, whether you’ve served before or whether you’ve never served before

PAY AND BENEFITS

From the day you start, you’ll receive:

• Competitive salary
• Potential to earn a bonus upon enlistment
• Free health insurance
• Free housing
• A retirement plan
• Paid training

EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES

• Navy College Program and Tuition Assistance
• Post-9/11 GI Bill, up to 100% tuition
• Professional credentials and certifications
• College credit hours toward a bachelor’s or associate degree through the American Council on Education

PART-TIME OPPORTUNITIES

• Serving part-time as a Navy Reserve Sailor, your duties will be carried out during your scheduled drilling and training periods. During monthly drilling, Aviation Ordnancemen in the Navy Reserve typically work at a location close to their homes.
• For annual training, you may serve anywhere in the world, including locations in the U.S., at bases overseas, or in areas where humanitarian needs are great.

America’s Navy is approximately 450,000 Sailors, 300 ships and submarines, and 3,700 aircraft strong. Water and salt flow through our veins in the same proportion as the sea. That mighty force is the lifeblood of the greatest Navy ever to sail unstoppably upon it, slip stealthily beneath it or fly unchallenged above it. And we defend with honor, courage, and commitment every hour of every day. We are America’s Navy. We are forged by the sea.