Last Updated on November 16, 2023
This guide provides helpful information for those looking into joining the Navy as an Aviation Machinist’s Mate (AD) during Fiscal Year 2024.
Some people are afraid of complicated machines, while others want to work with them. As a Navy Aviation Machinist’s Mate, you could be one of the few mechanics who can say they have fixed the engines of an F-35C Lightning II.
As soon as you get to your first squadron, you will be up close and personal with the engines of the Navy’s biggest, most powerful fighter jets and other aircraft. Get your hands dirty by testing and fixing things like engines, fuel systems, propellers, and more. In the real world, this kind of experience takes years to get. We think you are ready to join the Navy now.
Job Description
Aviation Machinist’s Mates (AD) are Navy enlisted Sailors who maintain, inspect, troubleshoot, store, and de-store aircraft engines and their related systems, such as fuel, lubrication, compression, combustion, exhaust, accessory gearbox, aircraft mounted accessory drive, propeller, anti-ice, and bleed air systems.
They also do special and conditional inspections, oil analysis, functional checks, and necessary adjustments on engines and related systems, and supervise and train power plant mechanics.
Aviation Machinist’s Mates can be sent anywhere in the world to work at sea or on land, so they can expect to work in a lot of different places. Some of these places are hangars on land, hangar decks, flight decks on aircraft carriers, and flight lines at air stations.
Specific Responsibilities
Aviation Machinist’s Mates (AD) fix the engines of airplanes. As an AD, it is your job to keep planes in good shape and get them ready to fly. You do this by inspecting, fixing, and overhauling planes’ engines and propellers. As an AD, you may have to:
- Installing, maintaining, and fixing aircraft engines, fuel and lubrication systems, drive accessories, and gear boxes
- Taking care of and fixing up planes on land and on ships
- Repairing the entire turboshaft or turboprop engine of an aircraft
- Using oil analysis tests to figure out how an engine is breaking down
- Evaluating jet engine performance for fixed turbojet engines
- Taking care of helicopter repairs
- Getting repairs done on the propeller
- Working as an Aircrewman in Navy planes
Different Roles
Aviation Machinist Mate Intermediate Level
Aviation Machinist’s Mates, Intermediate Level, fix airplane engines at an intermediate level. They fix all parts of intermediate-level turboshaft, turbofan, turbojet, and turboprop engines, such as propellers, rotors, gearboxes, and drive accessories. They also test the performance of turbine engines using jet test cells and other high-tech calibration equipment.
Aviation Machinist Mate Organizational Level
Aviation Machinist’s Mate Organization Level does scheduled and unscheduled maintenance on aircraft engines, transmission, rotor, propeller, fuel, and lubrication systems, such as inspections, removal, installation, configuring, and troubleshooting, so that daily flight operations can happen.
Training and Promotion Opportunities
When you are done with basic training at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, also known as “Navy Boot Camp,” you will report to initial training, also known as “A” school.
AD Core “A” School is a five-week course in Pensacola, Florida, that teaches basic aviation skills and theory.
AD Strand “A” School (two weeks) in Lemoore, California, Norfolk, Virginia, San Diego, California, Whidbey Island, Washington, Jacksonville, Florida, or Tinker, Oklahoma, for specialized training in one of three strands: Helo, Turbojet, or Turboprop.
Following completion of AD Core “A” school, Aviation Machinist’s Mates attend one of three strands for two weeks before being assigned to aviation squadrons, aircraft carriers, or other Navy ships carrying aircraft, Naval Air Stations, or other aviation shore facilities in the United States or abroad.
You will also most likely attend an advanced technical school (“C” school) on your way to your first duty post. You will specialize in the aircraft at your ultimate duty station in “C” school, such as the F/A-18 Hornet or EA-6B Prowler.
During a 20-year career in the Navy, ADs spend roughly half of their time assigned to fleet units and half at shore stations.
Advanced Technical “C” School (on your way to your first duty station) for specialized training in the aircraft at your duty station, such as the F/A-18.
Promotions happen often, but they are competitive and based on how well you do your job.
Advanced Training
In the later stages of your career as an Aviation Machinist’s Mate, you may also get more training. If you want to become a better leader and have a college degree, you may take on an Officer role, which gives you the chance to lead and train other people.
Qualification to Join
To become an Enlisted Sailor or an Aviation Machinist’s Mate, you need a high school diploma or something like it. To get a security clearance, you must also be a U.S. citizen.
Those who want to be an AD should have superb communication skills, especially in writing and speaking. You should also be able to do detailed work, keep accurate records, and work well with others.
Physically, people who want to be AD should be able to use their hands well and speak well. You also need to hear and see colors well.
Hearing Frequencies: 3000hz 4000hz 5000hz 6000hz
The average hearing threshold level for these four frequencies must be less than 30db, and no frequency can have a level higher than 45db. If a person’s hearing level is higher than these limits, they cannot join the rating.
Whether you are currently serving, have served before, or have never served before can change the general requirements.
ASVAB Requirement
Applicants must score the minimum ASVAB score below to qualify to join the Navy as an Aviation Machinist’s Mate.
- VE+MK+EI=152; or
- VE+MK+AS=152
The enlistment qualification requirements above are current as of Fiscal Year 2024, per the Navy Personnel Command. This information is not readily available to the public. So, contact your local Navy Enlisted Recruiter for the most current requirements to join the Navy as an enlisted Sailor.
More Information
If you wish to learn more about becoming an Aviation Machinist’s Mate (AD), contact your local Navy Enlisted Recruiter. They will provide you with more detailed information you’re unlikely to find online.
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