Last Updated on November 16, 2023
This guide provides helpful information for those looking to join the Navy as a Gunner’s Mate (GM) during the Fiscal Year 2024.
In the Navy, Sailors work hard to defend our country, and that requires serious ammunition.
However, firing naval weapons requires more than just pulling a trigger.
As a Gunner’s Mate, your role is to mount, stow, and secure all weaponry, as well as repair and calibrate defense systems.
You will also maintain guided missile launching, rocket launchers, gun mounts, and all other ordnances.
If it shoots, it’s your responsibility…
The role of a Gunner’s Mate entails overseeing all onboard weaponry, including support for Marines in combat operations and protection against terrorist threats.
Job Description
Gunner’s Mates (GM) are Navy enlisted Sailors who operate, perform, and coordinate maintenance on various weapons systems and equipment. These professionals conduct detailed analysis, inspections, and repairs on electrical, electronic, hydraulic, and mechanical systems.
Gunner’s Mates also test and inspect ammunition, missiles, and their components, as well as supervise personnel and ensure proper handling and stowing of ordnance equipment.
Gunner’s Mates can work on ships and onshore, both in the U.S. and overseas, in various indoor and outdoor environments.
Their assignments may involve working in shops or on ship decks in different climates.
As a GM, you can expect engaging in physically demanding work as part of a team.
Approximately 4,500 individuals are employed in the GM rating, working individually or collaboratively with varying levels of supervision.
Specific Responsibilities
The GM team members maintain and operate missile launch systems, gun mounts, underwater explosive weapons, and other ordnance equipment.
Job responsibilities as a GM may include:
- Up keeping various ordnance systems and equipment, such as guided missile launch systems, torpedo and rocket launch systems, and gun mounts.
- Overseeing that the crews can effectively operate all ordnance equipment, including large caliber guns, missile systems, and small arms.
- Arranging, securing, and organizing explosives.
- Engaging in the operation and maintenance of magazine flooding and sprinkler systems.
- Creating systems casualty analysis using blueprints, schematics, and diagrams.
- Performing repairs, maintenance, and conducting calibration tests on equipment.
- Ensuring the upkeep of hydraulic and pneumatic components related to launching systems.
- Examining internal wiring, connections, cables, and transformers for tracing.
- Engaging in the operation and upkeep of optical scanning, optical marking, and night optical devices used for labeling, identifying, and reporting the use of explosives.
- Conducting inspections on weapons.
Different Roles
Small Arms Technician
Small Arms Technicians handle a variety of weapons and equipment.
These weapons include 9mm, 12gauge, M14, M16, .50cal, and 40mm to 25mm small arms.
These professionals also operate and maintain magazine flooding and sprinkler systems, as well as night optical devices.
Small Arms Technicians analyze mechanical, electrical, and electronic casualties using technical publications, circuit diagrams, and blueprints.
These Sailors handle training gun crews and managing operations for the armory, ordnance, magazine, and lockers associated with these weapons.
Weapons Administrator
Weapons Administrators maintain programs that track the utilization and expenditures of explosives, as well as the ordering of ammunition and weapons.
These professionals also ensure that personnel qualifications and certifications are up to date, coordinate ammunition load and off-load plans, and handle the receipt, inspection, sentencing, segregation, and issuance of ordnance.
Weapons Administrators inspect ordnance stowage spaces and test and maintain fire suppression systems.
Weapons Delivery System Technician
Weapons Delivery System Technicians have the responsibility of managing major caliber weapons systems, such as Vertical Launching Systems (VLS), 5-inch 54/62 caliber lightweight gun mounts, 30MM lightweight gun mounts, 57MM lightweight gun mounts, and Surface Vessel Torpedo Tubes (SVTT).
These specialists perform mechanical, electrical, and electronic casualty analysis using technical publications, circuit diagrams, and blueprints.
These technicians repair, maintain, test, and calibrate ordnance equipment and micro-processing equipment, as well as servicing and repairing hydraulic and pneumatic systems and maintaining and repairing magazine sprinkler and deluge systems.
Training and Promotion Opportunities
After completing initial training at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes (Boot Camp), you will report for a 17-week specialized training, including Class “A” Technical School in Great Lakes, IL.
This training will cover topics such as electricity, electronics, and the operation of launch systems and torpedoes.
Once your training is complete, you may be assigned to various positions within the Navy, both in the U.S. and overseas.
Promotion opportunities are available but competitive and depend on performance.
Advanced Training
Advanced training as a Gunner’s Mate may also be available later in your career.
If you have leadership aspirations and a college degree, Naval Officer roles may be an option, allowing you to lead and train others.
Post-Service Opportunities
The training and experience gained during service can lead to valuable credentials and job opportunities in related fields in the civilian world, such as the mechanical industry, aviation industry, or explosives and ordnance handling.
Accordingly, former Navy Gunner’s Mates may find jobs as electronics technicians, aerospace maintenance technicians, or industrial maintenance technicians. They may also pursue civilian opportunities in the weapons and defense industry.
Qualifications to Join
To become an Enlisted Sailor and a Gunner’s Mate (GM), you need a high-school diploma or equivalent. You must also be a U.S. citizen eligible for security clearance. GM applicants should have an aptitude for using hand tools and electrical, digital, and mechanical equipment.
You should be able to perform detailed work and keep accurate records.
Given the sensitive nature of the position, Gunner’s Mates are required to meet specific eligibility criteria for reliability, integrity, and trustworthiness.
A prerequisite for this role is having standard hearing and color perception abilities.
General qualifications may vary depending on your current or past service.
ASVAB Requirement
Applicants must score the minimum ASVAB score below to qualify to join the Navy as a Gunner’s Mate (GM).
ASVAB for GM:
AR+MK+EI+GS=204
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 Gunner’s Mate (GM), contact your local Navy Enlisted Recruiter. They will provide you with more detailed information you’re unlikely to find online.
You may also be interested in the following related Navy Enlisted jobs:
