This guide provides helpful information for those considering to enlist in the Navy Reserve as an Naval Aircrewman—Tactical Helicopter (AWR) during Fiscal Year 2025.
There’s no room for hesitation at 500 feet above an unforgiving ocean. AWRs don’t just sit in the back of a helicopter—they run the show when it matters most.
Sub-hunting? That’s on you. Rescuing a downed pilot in enemy waters? Your call, your hoist, your hands pulling them to safety.
You operate from the MH-60R Seahawk, the Navy’s deadliest sub-hunting aircraft, deploying sonar buoys, tracking underwater threats, and executing rescue missions where failure isn’t an option.
This is Naval Aircrewman Tactical Helicopter (AWR) in the Navy Reserve—a part-time role with full-time intensity. One weekend a month, two weeks a year, and when the nation calls—you answer.
This post breaks down everything you need to know: What you’ll do, where you’ll train, how you’ll deploy, and what it takes to be the best.
Still interested? Keep reading.
Job Role and Responsibilities
Job Description
There are no passengers on an MH-60R Seahawk. Everyone has a role, and yours is to find, track, and eliminate threats. The Naval Aircrewman Tactical Helicopter (AWR) is the Navy’s aerial anti-submarine warfare specialist. You listen to sonar. You analyze movement. You decide if something beneath the waves lives or dies.
And if a rescue call comes in? You strap in, go down, and bring them back.
Daily Tasks
- Hunt Submarines – Drop sonar buoys, read the signals, relay strike data.
- Engage Targets – You find it? You kill it. Mark 54 torpedoes don’t ask questions.
- Rescue Operations – Hover over chaos, descend into the unknown, make the save.
- Operate Advanced Sensors – FLIR, radar, infrared—you see what others can’t.
- Triage & Medical Aid – Stabilize a survivor mid-flight. You might be the only reason they live.
- Aircraft Readiness – A malfunction at 1,000 feet means you never see the ground again. Check everything.
Mission Contribution
Nothing moves in the ocean without you knowing.
Your role decides whether an enemy submarine gets within striking distance of a carrier group. You prevent ambushes. You turn an unseen threat into a known target.
And when things go wrong? You’re the one they send. The hoist operator. The lifeline. The only thing between a stranded sailor and oblivion.
Technology and Equipment
- MH-60R Seahawk – Your office. Your battlefield.
- Sonobuoys – The ocean keeps secrets. These force it to talk.
- Dipping Sonar – Drops into the abyss. Brings back truth.
- FLIR (Forward-Looking Infrared) – Darkness means nothing. You see heat, movement, life.
- Rescue Hoist & Harness – A cable, a hook, and your grip. That’s all between them and the deep.
Training and Skill Development
Boot Camp: Your First Test
Before you ever touch a helicopter, you have to earn the uniform. Every AWR candidate starts with Navy Recruit Training Command (RTC), better known as Boot Camp.
- Location: Great Lakes, Illinois
- Duration: Nine weeks
- Purpose: Break old habits, build warfighters.
Here, they rip out anything soft. You’ll march, you’ll run, you’ll push until failure—and then push past it.
You’ll memorize Navy protocols, train in damage control, and qualify in firearms. You’ll learn that excuses don’t exist here.
The final test: Battle Stations-21—a 12-hour gauntlet simulating real combat scenarios. Sink or swim, literally.
Pass this, and you become a Sailor. Fail, and you go home.
Once Boot Camp is behind you, then the real training starts.
Initial Training
There’s no “easing into it.” They throw you in, and you either adapt or fail. The first stop: Naval Aircrew Candidate School (NACCS) at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Florida—where they weed out the uncommitted.
- Location: NAS Pensacola, FL
- Duration: 3 brutal weeks
- Purpose: Break you down, rebuild you right.
- Reality check: Water survival, aircraft egress, physical punishment. If you can’t swim, think fast—or think about a different career.
Pass NACCS? Good. Now prove you can survive in the water—Aviation Rescue Swimmer School (ARSS).
- Location: NAS Pensacola, FL
- Duration: 5 weeks of pure attrition.
- Focus: Rescue swimming, hoist operations, and high-risk recoveries.
- Attrition rate: Brutal. Many tap out. Some get pulled. Only those who refuse to quit make it.
Then comes Aircrew School—where you transition from “survivor” to operator.
- Location: NAS Pensacola, FL
- Duration: 4 weeks
- Focus: Helicopter safety, emergency procedures, and mission systems.
- Why it matters: If something goes wrong at 500 feet, you are the backup plan.
Advanced Training
Making it this far isn’t enough. Now, they make you lethal.
Your next home: Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS), where you get hands-on with the MH-60R Seahawk.
- Location: Varies (NAS Jacksonville, FL or NAS North Island, CA)
- Duration: 6 months
- Training focus:
- Deploying sonar buoys
- Analyzing acoustic signatures
- Operating advanced radar and infrared systems
- Hoist and rescue operations in live scenarios
By the end of FRS, you’re not just qualified—you’re dangerous.
Continuous Development
Training doesn’t stop after qualification. It never stops.
- Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) Training – Because getting shot down isn’t a theory.
- Advanced Tactical Training – If submarine warfare evolves, so do you.
- Instructor & Leadership Training – The best AWRs become the next generation’s teachers.
The bottom line: If you don’t commit to constant improvement, you become a liability. And in this job, liabilities don’t last.
Physical Demands and Medical Evaluations
Physical Requirements
This isn’t a job for gym bros who lift heavy but gas out in 30 seconds. This is endurance. Strength. Explosive power. You’re swimming against ocean currents, hoisting people twice your size, and pulling yourself into a helicopter while soaked and exhausted. If your body quits, someone dies.
Minimum Physical Standards (Navy PST for Aircrew Candidates)
| Event | Minimum Standard | Competitive Standard |
|---|---|---|
| 500-yard swim | 12:00 min | Under 9:00 min |
| Push-ups | 42 in 2 min | 80+ in 2 min |
| Sit-ups | 50 in 2 min | 80+ in 2 min |
| Pull-ups | 6 | 15+ |
| 1.5-mile run | 12:00 min | Under 9:30 min |
- Water Confidence Training: You’ll be tested in drown-proofing, underwater problem-solving, and long-distance swims. Panic means failure.
- Load-Bearing Strength: Hoisting and securing casualties mid-air requires raw grip, core, and shoulder strength.
- Cardio and Endurance: You operate in high-stress, oxygen-deprived conditions—think 30-minute swims in full gear, then sprinting to a hoist extraction.
If these numbers look easy, you don’t understand the conditions. Try doing them after swimming for 20 minutes in full flight gear.
Medical Evaluations
Baseline Requirements
- Vision: 20/100 uncorrected, correctable to 20/20
- Hearing: No significant hearing loss (must pass audiogram)
- Depth Perception: Must pass specialized testing
- General Health: No history of asthma, seizures, or chronic illness
Aircrew-Specific Medical Testing
- Aviation Physiology Screening: Tests your ability to function under G-forces and hypoxia.
- Swim Tests Under Stress: Evaluates how your body handles exhaustion in water survival scenarios.
- Altitude & Pressure Chamber Training: If you can’t handle rapid altitude shifts, you don’t belong in the air.
The bottom line: The Navy doesn’t need people who are “almost” physically ready. You either meet the standard, or you’re gone.
Deployment and Duty Stations
Deployment Details
AWRs operate where the ocean turns hostile. Carrier strike groups, destroyers, forward operating bases—wherever helicopters launch, that’s your battlefield. Deployments last 6 to 12 months, dictated by mission tempo. Reserve AWRs deploy when activated, not on a fixed schedule. When not deployed, you train. Constantly.
- Theater of Operations: Pacific, Atlantic, Mediterranean, Arabian Gulf—anywhere with a coastline.
- Primary Aircraft: MH-60R Seahawk. You launch from aircraft carriers, destroyers, or forward bases.
- Mission Scope: Anti-submarine warfare, reconnaissance, search and rescue. If an operation involves helicopters, AWRs are there.
Duty Stations (Reserve Component)
Active duty moves at the needs of the Navy. Reserve AWRs get some stability—but not much. Main assignments are at Naval Air Stations (NAS) and Joint Reserve Bases (JRBs).
- NAS Jacksonville, FL
- NAS North Island, CA
- NAS Whidbey Island, WA
- NAS Norfolk, VA
- Select Joint Reserve Bases (billet-dependent)
Home-stationed doesn’t mean homebound. Orders come, you pack. That’s the deal.
Overseas vs. Domestic Deployments
- Overseas: Japan, Bahrain, Spain, Italy—anywhere the U.S. Navy has a footprint. Reserve AWRs integrate with active-duty squadrons when mobilized.
- Domestic: When not deployed, you train at your assigned NAS or JRB, keeping your skills razor-sharp for when activation hits.
Career Progression and Advancement
Career Path
AWRs don’t just clock in and fly. They master their craft, then take on more responsibility. The Navy doesn’t promote based on time served—it promotes those who prove they can handle more.
| Paygrade | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| E-1 to E-3 | Aircrewman Candidate / Apprentice | Training, survival qualification, basic flight operations. |
| E-4 | Naval Aircrewman (AWR3) | Fully operational. Conducts ASW, SAR, and ISR missions. |
| E-5 | Naval Aircrewman (AWR2) | Leads junior aircrew, assists in mission planning. |
| E-6 | Senior Aircrewman (AWR1) | Section leader. Instructs, mentors, ensures mission success. |
| E-7 to E-9 | Chief Petty Officer (CPO/SCPO/MCPO) | Tactical leadership, training program oversight, squadron senior enlisted. |
Beyond E-6, promotions aren’t just given—they’re earned. Chiefs don’t just lead—they set the standard.
Opportunities for Promotion & Professional Growth
- Aircrew Instructor – Teach the next wave of AWRs. Only the best get selected.
- Naval Special Warfare Support – Cross-train in direct support of SEAL and SWCC teams.
- Warrant Officer & Commissioning – Move into officer roles through Limited Duty Officer (LDO) or Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) programs.
- Advanced Tactical Training – Master anti-submarine warfare, sensor analysis, and advanced hoist techniques.
- Cross-Branch Opportunities – Some AWRs transition into federal law enforcement, intelligence roles, or aviation safety careers.
Role Flexibility & Transfers
AWRs don’t stay static. You can shift into other aviation warfare communities if you qualify.
- Aircrew Survival Equipmentman (PR) – Specialize in maintaining life-support gear.
- Naval Aircrewman Operator (AWO) – Work on P-8 Poseidons for long-range ASW.
- Naval Aircrewman Mechanical (AWF) – Focus on aircraft systems and in-flight troubleshooting.
Switching paths requires approval, but the Navy values adaptability.
Performance Evaluation
Everything is measured. Flight performance, leadership ability, mission readiness. The Navy doesn’t do participation trophies.
- Regular evaluations dictate promotion eligibility. Underperform? You stagnate.
- Flight hours, mission success rates, and instructor recommendations matter.
- To advance, you need technical skill, leadership ability, and discipline.
Bottom line: Promotions go to those who prove they deserve them.
Compensation, Benefits, and Lifestyle
Financial Benefits
Reserve doesn’t mean underpaid. You get paid for every drill, every training, every deployment.
Base Pay (Drill Pay for Reserves)
| Paygrade | Monthly Drill Pay (4 Drills/Weekend) | Annual Training Pay (2 Weeks Active Duty) |
|---|---|---|
| E-1 | $290 – $311 | $1,160 – $1,244 |
| E-3 | $351 – $426 | $1,404 – $1,704 |
| E-5 | $512 – $654 | $2,048 – $2,616 |
| E-7 | $667 – $821 | $2,668 – $3,284 |
Active Duty Pay (During Mobilization)
When deployed, you switch to full active-duty pay, plus bonuses.
- Basic Pay + Housing Allowance + Hazard Pay
- Tax-Free Benefits in Combat Zones
- Flight Pay for Aircrew Members
Additional Benefits
- Healthcare: Tricare Reserve Select – Full coverage for a fraction of civilian costs.
- Retirement: 20-year qualifying service = Reserve Pension starting at age 60.
- Education: Post-9/11 GI Bill & Tuition Assistance – Covers college, certifications, flight school.
- Life Insurance: Up to $500,000 coverage under SGLI.
- VA Home Loans: Zero down payment mortgages.
Work-Life Balance
One weekend a month. Two weeks a year. That’s the baseline.
- Between drills: Civilian job, school, or whatever life you build.
- During activation: Full-time Navy, full-time responsibility.
- Travel: Possible. Deployments happen, even for Reserves.
Some balance it with ease. Others struggle. Depends on your priorities.
Risk, Safety, and Legal Considerations
Job Hazards
AWRs operate in high-risk environments. The job isn’t about avoiding danger—it’s about controlling it.
- Helicopter Operations: Fast roping, hoist extractions, over-water flights. One mistake at altitude, and gravity decides.
- Submarine Warfare: The enemy stays hidden, and if you find them, they’re not happy about it.
- Combat Search & Rescue (CSAR): Hostile territory, unknown threats. Not every rescue is simple.
- Survival Situations: Open ocean, extreme weather, no immediate backup. You rely on training, or you don’t make it.
Safety Protocols
Risk is calculated, never reckless. Everything is trained, drilled, repeated.
- Helicopter Escape Training (Helo Dunker): Simulates an aircraft crashing into water. You escape, or you fail.
- SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape): If captured, you don’t just survive—you outlast.
- Flight Safety Procedures: Emergency shutdowns, fire suppression, crash responses. You memorize them.
Security & Legal Requirements
- Security Clearance: Secret or higher. Background checks, interviews, financial history—all scrutinized.
- UCMJ Compliance: The Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) applies, always. Civilian life doesn’t erase military obligations.
- Operational Security (OPSEC): Loose talk gets people killed. Missions are classified. You don’t share details—ever.
Deployment & Legal Commitments
- Orders are orders. You can’t refuse activation because it’s inconvenient.
- Minimum Service Obligation: Typically 6 years Reserve duty. Early separation is rare.
- Combat Zone Policies: Deployment in hostile areas isn’t a debate—it’s a requirement.
Bottom line: The risk is real. The rules are strict. You either respect the job, or the job removes you.
Impact on Family and Personal Life
Family Considerations
The Navy Reserve gives you balance—until it doesn’t.
- Drills: One weekend a month, two weeks a year. Manageable.
- Activations: You could be gone for months. Zero negotiation.
- Deployments: Combat orders override civilian obligations. Families adjust, or they struggle.
Married? Have kids? This job will test them, too. Some families handle it. Some don’t.
Support Systems for Families
- Family Readiness Groups (FRG): Helps families prepare for mobilizations.
- Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society: Financial aid if hardships hit during deployment.
- TRICARE Reserve Select: Affordable healthcare for families.
- Counseling & Mental Health Services: Reintegration programs, stress management, marriage counseling.
The Navy doesn’t leave families without support. But support only works if people use it.
Relocation & Flexibility
- You choose your duty station—at first. But mobilization means you go where the mission needs you.
- Civilian jobs must accommodate orders. By law (USERRA), your employer can’t fire you for Reserve duty. But that doesn’t mean they’ll love it.
Some thrive in this lifestyle. Others fight it and lose. You don’t control when you’re called. Only how you handle it.
Post-Service Opportunities
Transition to Civilian Life
AWRs leave the Navy with more than experience—they leave with leverage.
- Aviation Skills: Helicopter operations, navigation, aircrew coordination—direct pipeline to civilian aviation.
- Search & Rescue Certification: Rescue swimmers transition into coast guard, fire departments, and private rescue services.
- Anti-Submarine Warfare Expertise: Intelligence agencies, defense contractors, and security firms pay for this knowledge.
- Leadership & Crisis Management: Employers don’t just want skills—they want people who can perform under pressure.
Military-to-Civilian Career Paths
| Field | Potential Careers |
|---|---|
| Aviation | Helicopter Crew Chief, Flight Instructor, Air Traffic Controller |
| Search & Rescue | Firefighter, Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer, Emergency Response Coordinator |
| Defense & Intelligence | Private Military Contractor, CIA/NSA Analyst, Submarine Warfare Consultant |
| Law Enforcement | Federal Agent (FBI, DEA, DHS), SWAT, Tactical Response Officer |
Transition Assistance Programs
- DOD SkillBridge: Active-duty members can intern with civilian companies before separation.
- Post-9/11 GI Bill: Covers college, flight school, and technical training.
- Veterans Affairs (VA) Programs: Career counseling, small business loans, disability claims assistance.
Discharge & Separation
Not everyone finishes their contract. Some leave early, some don’t make the cut.
- Honorable Discharge: Completed contract with good performance. Full benefits.
- General Discharge: Performance issues, minor infractions. Some benefits lost.
- Other Than Honorable (OTH): Bad conduct, serious misconduct. No benefits.
The military invests in you. Waste that investment, and they take everything back.
Qualifications, Requirements, and Application Process
Basic Qualifications
The Navy doesn’t take everyone. You either meet the standard, or you find another path. Here’s the basic qualifications for Navy Reserve AWR rating.
- Age: 17-39 (under 18 requires parental consent)
- Citizenship: U.S. citizen or legal resident
- Education: High school diploma or GED (GED waivers are rare)
- ASVAB Score: VE+AR=105 (Verbal Expression + Arithmetic Reasoning)
- Physical Fitness: Must pass Navy Physical Screening Test (PST) before training
- Security Clearance: Must qualify for SECRET or higher
Eyesight & Medical Standards
- Vision: 20/100 or better, correctable to 20/20 (No colorblindness. No depth perception issues.)
- Hearing: Must pass audiogram screening.
- Medical History: Asthma, severe allergies, or chronic conditions? Disqualifiers.
Application Process
There’s no “applying” like a civilian job. You prove you belong.
1. Meet with a Navy Recruiter – No recruiter, no enlistment. They handle paperwork, waivers, and ASVAB scheduling.
2. Take the ASVAB – Your score determines your eligibility. Too low? AWR isn’t an option.
3. Pass the Navy Physical Exam – Comprehensive medical screening at MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station). If you fail, you’re done.
4. Pass the Physical Screening Test (PST) – Swim, push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, and a timed run. You need top-tier scores.
5. Sign a Contract & Take the Oath of Enlistment – This is the point of no return.
6. Ship to Boot Camp – RTC Great Lakes. No backing out. No excuses.
Selection Criteria & Competitiveness
AWR isn’t a “sign up and you’re in” role. It’s selective.
| Factor | Weak Candidate | Strong Candidate |
|---|---|---|
| ASVAB Score | Bare minimum (105) | 120+ |
| Physical Screening Test (PST) | Passes by a margin | Competitive scores |
| Medical History | Waivers required | No waivers needed |
| Security Clearance | Background concerns | Clean record |
No waivers, high ASVAB, and strong PST scores? You move fast. Anything less? Expect delays or rejection.
The Navy doesn’t take risks on weak candidates. You either meet the standard, or they’ll find someone who does.
Is This a Good Job for You? The Right (and Wrong) Fit
Who Thrives in This Role?
AWRs aren’t made—they’re revealed. This job demands precision, endurance, and unshakable nerve. If these traits describe you, you’ll thrive.
- You stay calm under extreme pressure. Helicopters don’t glide. When things go wrong, you react, not panic.
- You think fast, act faster. Hesitation kills. You process information and execute without second-guessing.
- You’re physically and mentally resilient. Hours in the air. Heavy gear. No easy exits. Your body and mind don’t break.
- You work as a team but can operate alone. You’re part of a crew—but when it’s your call, you own it.
- You have zero fear of water. The ocean is unpredictable, and you must be stronger than it.
Who Struggles (or Fails) in This Role?
This job isn’t for everyone. The Navy doesn’t care about effort—it cares about results.
- You need a predictable routine. Deployments change, missions shift. If you can’t adapt, you’ll fail.
- You struggle with authority. Orders come fast. You don’t debate—you execute.
- You’re uncomfortable in extreme conditions. Heat, cold, altitude, water. This job throws you into all of them.
- You don’t handle stress well. This role isn’t about comfort—it’s about control. If stress breaks you, this job will break you.
- You can’t push past your limits. Rescue operations and combat situations don’t care how tired you are.
Long-Term Career & Lifestyle Fit
AWRs love the job for two reasons: adrenaline and purpose.
- If you crave high-intensity, high-impact missions, you’ll never look back.
- If you want easy money and a stress-free career, this job will chew you up and spit you out.
- If you can handle brutal training, deployments, and life-or-death decisions, you’ll belong.
- If you need constant comfort and stability, don’t waste your time.
Bottom Line
AWRs are problem-solvers, risk-takers, and mission-executors. The job is high-stakes, physically exhausting, and mentally relentless.
But for the right person? There’s nothing better.
