Imagine standing in the middle of a four-lane highway. Cars flying past at 70 mph. Now, add jet engines.
The heat from afterburners pressing against your face. The roar so loud it shakes your bones.
The ground? It’s not even solid—it’s a moving steel island, floating in the middle of the ocean.
That’s the world of an Aviation Boatswain’s Mate—Aircraft Handling (ABH).
They don’t sit in an office. They don’t push paperwork.
They’re the ones keeping aircraft from slamming into each other on a flight deck that is, by any reasonable definition, an occupational death trap.
What an ABH Actually Does (Hint: It’s Not Just “Moving Planes”)
Navy Reserve Aviation Boatswain’s Mate – Handling (ABH) personnel direct aircraft traffic on flight decks and hangars to maintain safety during takeoffs and landings as well as aircraft movements. ABH members apply their skills in military operations to civilian aviation or logistics fields during their part-time Reserve service. Successful candidates for this position must possess excellent coordination abilities and situational awareness, alongside an enthusiasm for working in high-speed aviation settings.
People assume pilots are the stars of Navy aviation. That’s cute. Because without ABHs, those pilots are just passengers in multi-million-dollar machines that aren’t going anywhere.
Here’s what ABHs actually do:
- Aircraft Handling: Every fighter jet, every helicopter, every single aircraft that moves? That’s them. Taxiing, securing, repositioning—sometimes within inches of another aircraft. One screw-up, and the Navy is down a plane (or a sailor).
- Crash & Firefighting: Let’s say something goes wrong. A jet slams into the deck too hard. A helicopter catches fire. Maybe there’s just a fuel spill in the wrong place. Who’s running straight toward that mess while everyone else backs away? The ABHs.
- Equipment Management: You think a 60,000-pound jet just rolls into place by itself? No shot. ABHs operate the tow tractors, the aircraft elevators, the arresting gear that catches incoming planes. They’re the unseen force keeping everything exactly where it needs to be.
And here’s the kicker: they do all of this in an environment that is actively trying to kill them. Jet blasts that can throw a person overboard. Propellers spinning inches from their heads. 130-degree heat bouncing off the deck, frying their boots to the steel.
It’s not a job. It’s survival.
Doing It in the Navy Reserve: Same Pressure, Different Schedule
Active-duty ABHs live this life every day. Navy Reserve (SELRES) ABHs? They step back into it part-time, one weekend a month, a few weeks a year.
They train, they stay sharp, and when the Navy needs them—they’re ready.
That could mean working on a carrier. It could be an emergency deployment. It could be supporting a naval air station that’s stretched thin.
But the mission doesn’t change: Move aircraft. Keep the deck safe. Stay alive.
The Truth About Being an ABH
This job isn’t for people who like “routine.” It’s not for people who want a “safe career.” It’s for people who can thrive in absolute chaos.
Most people wouldn’t last a week on the flight deck. The noise, the heat, the pressure—it’s too much. But for the ones who can handle it?
There’s nothing else like it.
Climbing the Ranks as an ABH in the Navy Reserve
Nobody stays the new guy forever. In the Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (ABH) world, rank isn’t just about time served—it’s about proving you can handle more responsibility, more chaos, and more people looking to you for answers when things go sideways.
E-1 to E-4: Learning How Not to Get Yourself (or Others) Killed
- ABH Airman, Seaman, Petty Officer Third Class
- This is where you learn the basics. How to move aircraft without turning them into expensive scrap metal. How to work the flight deck without becoming part of it. How to run toward a fire when every normal instinct tells you to run the other way.
- Progression here is all about qualifications. Knock out your Job Qualification Requirements (JQR) and Personnel Qualification Standards (PQS) early, and you move up faster. Drag your feet, and you stay at the bottom.
E-5 to E-6: From “Doer” to “Leader”
- Petty Officer Second Class, Petty Officer First Class
- The flight deck doesn’t run on brute force—it runs on leadership. And this is when you start leading. By now, you’re training new sailors, supervising aircraft movements, and making real-time decisions that affect mission success.
- This is also where you prove your technical knowledge. It’s not enough to know how things work—you need to be able to teach it and fix it when it goes wrong.
E-7 to E-9: The Ones Who Call the Shots
- Chief Petty Officer, Senior Chief, Master Chief
- This is where you stop being just another name on the watch bill. You’re running divisions, overseeing operations, and setting the tone for every sailor below you. You’re the one they come to when things get complicated.
- Chiefs mentor, train, and manage the madness of flight ops. And they don’t just execute the mission—they shape how it gets done. If a Chief says something’s impossible, the conversation is over.
What Separates Those Who Move Up from Those Who Stay Stuck?
- Warfare Qualifications: If you’re serious, you’re earning warfare pins—like the Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist (EAWS) badge.
- Leadership Development: Programs like Sailor 360 exist for a reason. The best leaders aren’t just promoted—they’re developed.
- Command Collateral Duties: Want to make rank? Take on extra responsibilities. The people who step up when they aren’t required to are the ones the Navy bets on.
Nobody gets handed stripes. You earn them by proving you can do the job at the next level—before you even get there.
Training & Qualifications: How ABHs Learn to Own the Flight Deck
Nobody steps onto a flight deck knowing how to handle jets, fight fires, and direct aircraft without causing a million-dollar disaster. That takes training.
And for an ABH in the Navy Reserve (SELRES), training never really stops.
Step One: Learning the Basics (A-School)
- Before you touch an aircraft, you go through Accession Training—aka A-School—where the Navy drills the fundamentals into you. Aircraft handling, securing, towing, firefighting, and the unspoken but critical skill of not dying on the flight deck.
- For Active Duty, this happens immediately after boot camp.
- For SELRES (Reserve) ABHs, training is often broken up—some hands-on, some online, some learned through drilling with your unit. But the expectation is the same: When you step onto a deck, you know what you’re doing.
Specialized Qualifications: The Extra Edge
- Being an ABH isn’t just about moving aircraft. It’s also about firefighting and rescue operations—because when things go wrong, ABHs are the first ones in.
- Some of the high-value specialty certifications include:
- Firefighting (NEC D13A): Advanced fire suppression and damage control techniques.
- Aircraft Crash & Rescue Operations: Extracting personnel from burning wreckage and handling fuel-related hazards.
- Here’s the kicker for SELRES (Reserve) ABHs—you can also attend civilian firefighting academies to earn equivalent certifications. That means your Navy training can translate into real-world career opportunities.
Leadership Development: Moving Beyond the Deck
- The best ABHs don’t just learn the job—they teach it, lead it, and own it.
- For those aiming higher, there are two major career-shaping programs:
- Command Senior Enlisted Leader (CSEL): If you want to lead at the highest enlisted levels, this is where you sharpen those skills.
- Officer Candidate School (OCS): Some ABHs don’t stop at enlisted—they commission as officers. The ones who do? They started proving they had leadership potential long before they put in their application.
You Get Out What You Put In
There’s no coasting in this job. The people who push for extra qualifications, leadership training, and specialized skills are the ones who move up.
The ones who don’t? They stay where they are—watching others take charge.
Why It Pays to Be an ABH in the Navy Reserve
Nobody joins the Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (ABH) rating just for the perks—you do it because you can handle the chaos.
But let’s be real: if you’re going to stand on a moving runway with jets roaring past your head, the Navy better make it worth your while. And they do.
Enlistment Bonuses: Get Paid Just for Signing Up
- The Navy Reserve offers enlistment bonuses, especially for high-demand ratings like ABH.
- How much? That depends. Bonuses are tiered based on service commitment, prior experience, and qualifications.
- The shorter version: If the Navy really needs ABHs, they pay more. If you’re coming in with prior service, you might get extra incentives just for bringing your experience back into uniform.
Retention Bonuses: More Time, More Money
- Already in? The Navy doesn’t just want you to stay—they’re willing to pay you to stay.
- Retention bonuses are offered at critical career points to keep skilled ABHs in the fight. The longer you stay, the more valuable you become—and the Navy knows it.
Education Benefits: The Navy Pays for Your Future
- The GI Bill: Want to go to college? Get a trade certification? The GI Bill covers tuition, sometimes 100%, depending on how long you serve.
- Tuition Assistance (TA): Even if you’re not eligible for full GI Bill benefits, Reserve sailors can get financial aid for classes while still serving.
- Professional Training: If the military teaches you to fight fires, move aircraft, and manage operations—you can turn those skills into civilian certifications that employers actually care about.
Healthcare & Family Support: More Than Just a Paycheck
- Tricare Reserve Select: If you’re drilling as a SELRES (Selected Reserve) ABH, you qualify for affordable military healthcare for you and your family.
- Active Duty Healthcare: If you’re activated for orders over 30 days, you get the same full medical and dental benefits as Active Duty sailors.
- Support Programs: The Navy isn’t just about the service member—family support programs make sure your loved ones have resources while you’re training, drilling, or deployed.
They Pay You. They Train You. They Set You Up for Life.
The Navy Reserve isn’t just a side job—it’s a strategic career move. Whether you’re in for a few years or the long haul, the incentives stack up fast.
Bonuses, education, healthcare, and real-world skills—all while keeping one foot in the civilian world.
Where ABHs Work: The Flight Deck, The Fire, and Everywhere in Between
Picture this: It’s midnight. The ocean is black. The wind is ripping across the deck at 40 knots. You’re standing on a moving airstrip the size of a city block, surrounded by multimillion-dollar fighter jets that could flatten you if you take one wrong step.
That’s where ABHs work. Watch this:
The job doesn’t happen in an air-conditioned office. It happens in the places where things actually move—where aircraft take off, land, catch fire, need fuel, need to be secured, need to be put exactly where they belong so the next jet can take its place.
And whether that happens in the middle of the ocean or on solid ground, ABHs are in the thick of it.
Naval Air Stations (NAS): The Slower, Safer Version
- A Naval Air Station (NAS) is where ABHs get a taste of what life would be like if it weren’t absolute madness all the time.
- It’s still an aviation job—aircraft need to be handled, moved, secured—but there’s no pitching deck beneath your feet, no risk of getting sucked into an intake if you don’t time your movement right.
- Some ABHs do a tour at an NAS to train new sailors, handle logistics, or prep for their next sea rotation.
Aircraft Carriers & Amphibious Assault Ships: The Real Pressure Cooker
- This is the big leagues. The flight deck of an aircraft carrier isn’t just hazardous—it’s one of the most dangerous workplaces on the planet.
- There’s no room for hesitation. Jets are launching every 60 seconds. Helicopters are kicking up rotor wash strong enough to throw a person off balance. And if you’re not paying attention? The flight deck doesn’t forgive mistakes.
- Amphibious assault ships are a different beast. The deck is smaller. The space is tighter. Instead of just jets, you’re dealing with helicopters, Ospreys, and the occasional Harrier or F-35B—meaning every single movement has to be precise.
Expeditionary Sea Bases (ESBs): No Flight Deck, No Problem
- Not every Navy aircraft needs a runway, and Expeditionary Sea Bases (ESBs) exist for that reason.
- These floating forward bases are often stationed near conflict zones or high-priority operational areas, giving helicopters and tiltrotors a place to land, refuel, and launch again.
- It’s not as chaotic as a carrier deck, but the stakes? Just as high. When you’re supporting special ops teams or combat missions, nothing about the job is routine.
How to Enlist as an ABH in the Navy Reserve
Becoming an Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (ABH) in the Navy Reserve isn’t complicated—but it’s also not something you just sign up for on a whim.
There’s a process, a set of hoops to jump through, and a series of tests to prove you’re ready.
The Navy isn’t looking for just anyone to handle aircraft and manage chaos on the deck. They want people who can keep up.
Here’s how you get there:
Step 1: Meet the Basic Requirements
- Age: 18-39. There’s some flexibility if you’ve served before, but if you’re pushing 40 with no prior experience, this probably isn’t happening.
- Citizenship: U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents only. No workarounds.
- ASVAB Scores: You’ll need to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) and hit the right numbers.
- The Navy Reserve requires a minimum AFQT score of 31 for enlistment.
- For ABH, you need a line score of at least 161 (VE + AR + MK + AS).
- If those numbers don’t make sense to you yet, don’t worry—your recruiter will break it down. Just know you’ll need to score well in math, mechanical reasoning, and verbal expression.
- Physical Fitness: The Navy has height and weight standards. You’ll also undergo a full medical exam to make sure you’re fit for duty. If you can’t pass the basic fitness requirements, this job is going to be tough.
- Background Check: The military isn’t handing out jobs to people with serious criminal records. If you have felonies, you might need a waiver—and even then, no guarantees.
Step 2: Talk to a Navy Recruiter
- A recruiter is your gatekeeper to the process. They’ll:
- Go over your ASVAB scores and qualifications.
- Help schedule your Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) visit.
- Explain your commitment options (6-year contracts tend to come with better bonuses).
Step 3: Take the ASVAB
- If you haven’t already taken it, this is where you prove you have the aptitude for the job.
- If your scores aren’t high enough for ABH? You might be looking at a different rating or retaking the test.
Step 4: Get Cleared at MEPS
- Medical exams, background checks, and fitness screenings—MEPS is where the Navy figures out if you’re actually good to go.
- If you pass, you’ll be cleared for enlistment. If not? You might need waivers, or you might be disqualified altogether.
Step 5: Enter the Delayed Entry Program (DEP)
- You don’t ship off to boot camp immediately. Most recruits spend time in DEP, where you get:
- Pre-training to prepare for boot camp.
- Fitness guidance (because failing at boot camp is not an option).
- A better idea of what’s coming next.
Step 6: Survive Boot Camp
- Nine weeks at Naval Station Great Lakes. That’s where you’ll learn:
- How to function in the military.
- Basic firefighting, damage control, and seamanship.
- How to follow orders and work as a team.
- If you can’t hack it? You don’t move on. Simple as that.
Step 7: ABH A-School – Where You Learn the Job
- After boot camp, you head to Naval Air Technical Training Center (NATTC) in Pensacola, Florida.
- A-School lasts about 16 weeks, covering:
- Aircraft handling, movement, and security.
- Emergency response—firefighting, crash rescue, damage control.
- Ground support equipment operation.
- This is where you go from “new recruit” to “someone who actually knows what they’re doing.”
Step 8: Drill as a Reservist
- Once trained, you’ll be assigned to a Navy Reserve unit where you:
- Train one weekend a month.
- Participate in two weeks of active-duty training per year.
- Stay ready in case you’re called up for active service.
- Expect to work on aircraft launch and recovery, firefighting drills, and aviation support ops.
Step 9: Keep Training, Keep Advancing
- Being an ABH isn’t about just showing up and standing around. You’ll need to keep training, keep qualifying, and keep proving yourself.
- This means:
- Completing Personnel Qualification Standards (PQS).
- Pursuing leadership training (Sailor 360, Senior Enlisted Leader programs).
- Earning warfare pins like Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist (EAWS).
- If you want to make rank (E-4 and beyond), you’ll need to take advancement exams and show you’ve mastered your job.
Step 10: Get Paid for It
- Enlistment Bonuses: The Navy pays more for high-demand ratings. ABHs often qualify for signing bonuses—especially with a 6-year contract.
- Retention Bonuses: The longer you stay, the more valuable you become. If the Navy needs ABHs, they’ll pay to keep you.
- Education Benefits:
- GI Bill for college or trade school.
- Tuition Assistance (TA) to take classes while serving.
- Certifications that translate to civilian careers (firefighting, aircraft handling).
- Healthcare & Family Support:
- Tricare Reserve Select for affordable military healthcare.
- Full active-duty benefits when deployed for more than 30 days.
Ready for This?
Let’s be real. Not everyone is built for this job.
The Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (ABH) rating isn’t some cushy desk gig. You’re working in one of the most dangerous, high-pressure environments on Earth.
You’ll be standing on a moving runway, directing jets that could rip you apart if you lose focus for even a second.
You’ll be hauling firefighting gear toward burning aircraft while everyone else runs the other way. You’ll be expected to stay sharp, stay fast, and stay alive.
If that sounds like too much? Walk away now.
But if this sounds like something you can handle—if the thought of running flight ops at sea gets your adrenaline going—then you might be exactly what the Navy Reserve is looking for.
You already know the steps. Meet the requirements. Pass the tests. Survive the training. Get to work.
The Navy Reserve offers you a career, skills that translate into the civilian world, education benefits, and bonuses.
You might also be interested in other Navy Reserve aviation jobs, such as:
But the real reward? Knowing that nothing moves without you.
The only question left is: Are you in or not?
