Last Updated on November 16, 2023
This guide provides helpful information for those looking into joining the Navy as a Naval Aircrewman Tactical-Helicopter (AWR) during the Fiscal Year 2024.
Being a Tactical Helicopter Aircrewman is like looking for a needle in a haystack, except the needle is a deadly weapon and the haystack is 139 million square miles.
As a member of the helicopter crew, you use MH-60 Romeos to look for submarines in open water. These air crew members are also trained rescue swimmers who jump from helicopters into the water to save lives.
Get ready to find what others say is impossible to find as an AWR.
Job Description
Naval Aircrewmen (Tactical Helicopter) (AWR) are Navy enlisted Sailors who find, analyze, classify, and track sub-surface, surface, and air contacts. They use Sound Navigation and Ranging (SONAR), sonobuoy, Radio Detection and Ranging (RADAR), Electronic Support Measures (ESM), Electro-Optical (EO)/Infrared (IR), Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar (ISAR), and LINK-16.
To support tactical missions, AWRs set up tactical communications relays and deliver weapons.
They also help with Naval Special Warfare (NSW) missions, Search and Rescue (SAR), Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), Night Vision Device (NVD) operations, navigation, passenger and cargo transport, Vertical Replenishment (VERTREP), Medical Evacuations (MEDEVAC), and crew-served weapons use.
AWR Sailors act as observers to make sure the flight is safe and help directly with aircrew operations, training, and management.
You will go on missions all over the world as an Aircrewman Tactical Helicopter and could be sent to sea or land squadrons on nearly every continent.
You will have the chance to work in a variety of places, from aircraft in the air to hangars, hangar decks to flight decks, and flight lines at air stations and on aircraft carriers.
Specific Responsibilities
The Naval Aircrew Tactical Helicopter crew members identify, evaluate, categorize, and monitor sub-surface encounters.
They also have the following extra duties:
- Operating sonar and sonobuoy systems
- Aiding in the organization of tactical communications relay
- Executing the delivery of weapons to support tactical tasks
- Contributing to Naval Special Warfare and Aircrew operations, such as Search and rescue (SAR), combat search and rescue (CSAR), night vision device (NVD) operations, navigation, passenger and freight transport, vertical replenishment (VERTREP), and medical evacuations (MEDEVAC)
- Using crew-served weaponry
- Carrying out observer duties to ensure flight safety
- Directly assisting with aircrew operations, training, and management
Different Roles
Aircraft Carrier Tactical Support Center (CV-TSC) Operator
CV-TSC Operators support the CV-TSC mission by utilizing tactical and sensor functions of the AN/SQQ-34 system and supporting peripheral equipment, as well as performing AN/SQQ-34C set-up and configuration dependent on mission task.
They operate the AN/SQQ-34C to assist all aspects of carrier-based anti-submarine warfare (ASW), surface surveillance, search and rescue (SAR), and operations conducted by organic (MH-60R) and inorganic (P-3/P-8/NATO/UAS) tactical aircraft.
Aircrew Readiness Manager (Tactical Helicopter)
Aircrew Readiness Managers (Tactical Helicopter) play an important role in staffs, operational commands, and squadrons.
Their responsibilities include coordinating the organization’s operational, administrative, and aircrew scheduling functions, administering and managing naval aircrew training programs and resources, managing standardization of aircrew training programs to improve proficiency and readiness, and coordinating all aspects of aircrew training to meet the rigorous demands of operational commitments around the world.
Aircrew Readiness Managers also oversee the Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization (NATOPS) and Search and Rescue (SAR) programs, as well as tactics, training and readiness, ordnance and weaponry, and aircrew training.
As program managers, they examine and approve contract options for new training devices and programs, develop and revise curriculum, incorporate and launch new aircrew training programs, manage student quotas, qualifications, and certifications, and coordinate aircrew physical fitness and health program initiatives.
Multi-Mission Helicopter Sensor Operator
The Multi-Mission Helicopter Sensor Operator is part of the helicopter’s integrated tactical crew.
Their tasks include coordinating communications during tactical missions at sea, delivering weapons, detecting, analyzing, classifying, and tracking surface, subsurface, and air contacts, operating electronic sensor equipment, and performing ground-based aircrew tasks that contribute directly to aircrew operations, training, and administration to keep aircrew qualifications and certifications up to date.
These operators also do Basic Life Support (BLS), use crew-served weapons and ordnance, transport people and things, do Vertical Replenishment (VERTREP), Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), Medical Evacuations (MEDEVAC), and Search and Rescue missions (SAR).
Training Pipeline
After completing basic training at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes (also known as Navy Boot Camp), you will report for specialized training, which will include:
Naval Aircrew Candidate School
Naval Aircrew Candidate School (NACCS) at Pensacola, FL (six weeks) for training in water and land survival, as well as flight safety. This course involves classroom lectures and group instruction.
Enlisted aircrew and rescue swimmer candidates are trained at the Aviation Enlisted Aircrew Training School (AEATS).
Naval Aircrew candidates must meet the following physical fitness standards to complete NACCS:
- Pass the Navy Physical Readiness Test (PRT) with a “good-medium” for their individual category
- Challenging daily calisthenics
- Jump from a 12 foot tower into a pool, then swim underwater for 15 yards with full flight suit
- Swim 75 yards in full flight gear (must perform sidestroke, backstroke, and breaststroke for 25 yards each)
- Swim one mile in full flight suit within 80 minutes
- Tread water for two minutes in full flight gear
- Complete three minutes of drown-proofing
- Float for five minutes with a life preserver
The training is physically tough, with topics such as aircrew tasks and assignments, survival, first aid, and water rescue procedures covered. Enlisted aviation personnel from the Navy and Marine Corps will eventually be deployed to fleet squadrons as Naval Aircrewmen with these skills.
Naval Aircrew Rescue Swimmer School
Naval Aircrew Rescue Swimmer School at Pensacola, FL (seven weeks) to learn Search and Rescue (SAR) swimming skills. This course involves classroom lectures and group instruction.
Naval Aircrew candidates must demonstrate the following physical fitness standards to complete Aircrew Rescue Swimmer School:
- Be at ease in a water surface and underwater environment
- Rapidly adjust to use diving mask, fins, and snorkel
- Be proficient in administering lifesaving medical procedures
- Pass the Rescue Swimmer Fitness Test:
- Four proper pull-ups within two minutes (wearing flight suit and boots)
- Carry a pair of 50-pound dumbbells
- Complete 42 proper push-ups within two minutes
- Complete 50 proper sit-ups within two minutes
- Complete a 400-meter swim (buddy tow) within 18 minutes
- Pass all in-course test evolutions:
- 35 minutes of vigorous daily runs
- 90 minutes of intense calisthenics
- Complete an 800-meter swim within 20 minutes
- Complete a 1,500-meter swim within 35 minutes
- Complete a 2,000-meter swim within 55 minutes
- Complete a 400-meter swim (buddy tow) within 16 minutes
- Complete an 800-meter swim (buddy tow) within 35 minutes
Applicants must recognize the details and benefits of volunteering for rescue swimmer training.
If they voluntarily discontinue their training as a rescue swimmer or otherwise fail to achieve the program’s requirements, they will be ineligible for automatic advancement to E4 and may be unable to remain in the Aircrew Program.
Following training will be determined by the Navy’s demands, performance at ARSS, training credentials, and the applicant’s personal desires.
AWR Class “A” Technical School
Candidates must then attend AWR “A” school at Pensacola, Florida for approximately 13 weeks where they learn basic aviation theory and develop skills for the specialized AWR rating. This course involves classroom lectures, group instruction, and workshops.
SERE School
Candidates must also attend SERE school in San Diego, CA or Brunswick, ME for approximately two weeks where they learn Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) techniques. This course involves classroom lectures and group instruction.
Fleet Replacement Squadrons
This training is conducted in different Naval Air Stations for approximately two to 18 weeks, depending on the aircraft type. This is where AWRs learn specific aircraft systems through classroom lectures, group instruction, and workshops.
After Initial Training
Depending on your assignment, more training may be required. Before reporting for operational actions, AWRs can expect to undergo specialized training on specific aircraft or equipment pertinent to your mission.
Following training, you may be assigned to naval air stations, squadrons, aircraft carriers, or other aviation facilities in the United States or abroad. As an AWR, you may expect to spend around 50% of your time at sea.
Promotions are provided regularly. However, they are competitive and dependent on performance.
Advanced Training
Advanced training as an Aircrewman Tactical-Helicopter may be possible later in your career. Navy Officer roles may be available for people with additional leadership aspirations and a college degree, allowing possibilities to lead and train others.
Qualifications to Join
To become an Enlisted Sailor in the Navy’s Flight Operations branch, you must have a high school graduation or equivalent. Those interested in working as an Aircrewman Tactical-Helicopter must be United States citizens who meet the security clearance standards.
To be given a SECRET clearance, you must meet citizenship and character requirements, as well as meet reliability standards for assignment to the Personal Reliability Program (PRP as specified in SECNAVINST 5510.30).
Prior to beginning the training, all aircrew applicants must be able to swim. They should also have manual dexterity, physical strength, and a preference for working with tools and machinery.
They must be self-motivated and capable of working as a part of a team. An interest in ideas and knowledge, resourcefulness, curiosity, proficiency with tools, equipment, and machines, high manual dexterity, and teamwork are all beneficial characteristics.
This work requires normal hearing and color perception.
Specific Criteria
- Physical Fitness Requirement: Aircrew applicants must pass the Navy’s Physical Readiness Test (PRT) with a satisfactory-medium score for your age and gender while in the Delayed Entry Program (DEP) (refer to OPNAVINST 6110.1) Prior to taking the PRT, aircrew candidates must sign a Hold Harmless Agreement.
- Drug Usage Restriction: Because this program is inherently dangerous, the use of illicit or restricted substances is grounds for application rejection. Drug waivers will be accepted individually.
- Medical Requirements: Normal color and depth awareness, vision corrected to 20/20 in both eyes, and correction must be worn. Hearings are conducted under MANMED P-117, Article 15-92. There is no speech impairment allowed. MANMED P-117 Article 15-95 requires that all applicants take a “reading aloud” test. Minimum and maximum nude body weights for aircraft employment are 103 to 245 pounds, respectively. Hay fever, asthma, insect stings, food allergies, and severe motion sickness are all disqualifying factors.
General criteria may differ depending on whether you are currently serving, have previously served, or have never served.
ASVAB Requirement
When you are classified at NACCS, your ASVAB scores will be checked to ensure that you are qualified for a specific source rating. Applicants must score the minimum ASVAB score below to qualify to join the Navy as a Naval Aircrewman Tactical-Helicopter.
- VE+AR+MK+MC=210; or
- AR+AS+MK+VE=210
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 a Naval Aircrewman Tactical-Helicopter (AWR), contact your local Navy Enlisted Recruiter. They will provide you with more detailed information you’re unlikely to find online.
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