Last Updated on November 16, 2023
Are you excited about a career in the Navy but uncertain which path to pursue?
The United States Navy provides a broad range of jobs for enlisted personnel, ranging from Combat roles to Technical Support Services to Health Care Services, based upon educational background, prior work experience and physical requirements.
This article gives a thorough look into the job options enlisted Sailors have in the Navy during Fiscal Year 2024. It goes over duties, qualifications, pay and benefits to help readers make a more educated choice when considering enlisting in the Navy.
This article will explain the most exciting career opportunities in the Navy for those who want to live an adventurous life at sea.
Navy Enlisted Rating Definition
Members of the United States Navy are placed into categories called enlisted ratings, based on their qualifications, knowledge and expertise in particular areas.
Enlisted ratings can be divided further into fields such as Airman (AM), Fireman (FN) or Seaman (SN), with each field having numerous ratings associated with it.
The Navy’s rating system is advantageous as it allocates particular duties and obligations to each enlisted person, based on their aptitudes and specialized skills. It is divided into ratings, like boatswain’s mate and electrician’s mate.
The ratings system utilized by the Navy enables swift assignment of personnel to their designated tasks or roles, resulting in better structure and performance within the organization.
Navy Enlisted Rate Definition
The U.S. Navy assigns personnel an official rank and pay grade, ranging from Seaman (E-1) to Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (E-9). This is known as their enlisted rate.
The Navy rate system is essential for guiding Navy personnel through their professional development, granting them titles ranging from apprentice to master and beyond.
A successful Navy career requires a clear and defined pathway, one that helps to ensure personnel are properly trained, informed, and motivated.
Comprehensive List of Navy Enlisted Jobs (Ratings)
ABE – Aviation Boatswain’s Mate—Launching and Recovery Equipment
ABF – Aviation Boatswain’s Mate—Fuels
ABH – Aviation Boatswain’s Mate—Aircraft Handling
AC – Air Traffic Controller
AD – Aviation Machinist’s Mate
AE – Aviation Electrician’s Mate
AG – Aerographer’s Mate
AM – Aviation Structural Mechanic
AME – Aviation Structural Mechanic, Safety Equipment
AO – Aviation Ordnanceman
AS – Aviation Support Equipmentman
AT – Aviation Electronics Technician
AWF – Naval Aircrewman Mechanical
AWO – Naval Aircrewman Operator
AWR – Naval Aircrewman Tactical-Helicopter
AWS – Naval Aircrewman Helicopter
AWV – Naval Aircrewman Avionics
AZ – Aviation Maintenance Administrationman
BM – Boatswain’s Mate
BU – Builder
CE – Construction Electrician
CM – Construction Mechanic
CS – Culinary Specialist
CSS – Culinary Specialist – Submarines
CTI – Cryptologic Technician Interpretive
CTM – Cryptologic Technician Maintenance
CTN – Cryptologic Technician Networks
CTR – Cryptologic Technician Collection
CTT – Cryptologic Technician Technical
DC – Damage Controlman
EA – Engineering Aide
EM – Electrician’s Mate
EMN – Electrician’s Mate, Nuclear Power
EN – Engineman
EO – Equipment Operator
EOD – Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician
ET – Electronics Technician
ETN – Electronics Technician, Nuclear Power
ETV – Electronics Technician, Submarine, Navigation
FC – Fire Controlman
FCA – Fire Controlman (AEGIS)
FT – Fire Control Technician
GM – Gunner’s Mate
GSE – Gas Turbine System Technician – Electrical
GSM – Gas Turbine System Technician – Mechanical
HM – Hospital Corpsman
HT – Hull Maintenance Technician
IC – Interior Communications Electrician
IS – Intelligence Specialist
IT – Information Systems Technician
ITS – Information Systems Technician Submarines
LN – Legalman
LS – Logistics Specialist
LSS – Logistics Specialist – Submarines
MA – Master-At-Arms
MC – Mass Communication Specialist
MM – Machinist’s Mate
MMA – Machinist’s Mate, Non-Nuclear, Submarine Auxiliary
MMN – Machinist’s Mate, Nuclear Power
MN – Mineman
MR – Machinery Repairman
MT – Missile Technician
MU – Musician
ND – Navy Diver
OS – Operations Specialist
PACT – Professional Apprenticeship Career Tracks
PR – Aircrew Survival Equipmentman
PS – Personnel Specialist
QM – Quartermaster
RP – Religious Program Specialist
RS – Retail Services Specialist
SB – Special Warfare Boat Operator
SO – Special Warfare Operator
STG – Sonar Technician Surface
STS – Sonar Technician Submarine
SW – Steelworker
TM – Torpedoman’s Mate
UT – Utilitiesman
YN – Yeoman
YNS – Yeoman – Submarines
More Information
If you want more information about becoming an enlisted Sailor in the United States Navy, the next logical step is to contact your local Naval Enlisted Recruiter.
Let us figure out how you can benefit from joining the Navy—or if it is even the right career move for you.
If you’re interested in learning more about Navy opportunities, read our How to Join the Navy guide.
Hope you found this helpful to your career planning.