Navy Aviation Boatswain’s Mate—Launch and Recovery Equipment (ABE): Definitive Guide (2025)

This guide provides helpful information for those looking into joining the Navy as an Aviation Boatswain’s Mate—Launch and Recovery Equipment during Fiscal Year 2025.

A normal runway is long. On an aircraft carrier? Only about 300 feet. And the ship never stops moving.

That’s why ABE Sailors are there. They operate and maintain catapults, arresting gear, and landing systems, making sure every aircraft launches clean and lands safely—no matter the conditions.

Job Description

navy-abe-insignia
ABE Insignia – Credit: U.S. Navy

Landing a jet on a 300-foot moving runway isn’t easy. Aviation Boatswain’s Mates – Launch & Recovery Equipment (ABEs) make it possible.

They operate, maintain, and repair the systems that launch and recover aircraft on carriers. Catapults, arresting gear, barricades, hydraulic systems—everything that gets planes off the deck and back down safely.

Most of the job happens outside on the flight deck, in all weather, all conditions. It’s fast, dangerous, and critical. Work is usually done with other aviation ratings, and while ABEs spend a lot of time at sea, shore duty could place them in an aircraft squadron on land.


What They Do

  • Operate and maintain catapults, arresting gear, barricades, and water brakes.
  • Run and repair hydraulic and steam catapult systems.
  • Control and monitor deck-edge control stations, jet blast deflectors, ICCS (Integrated Catapult Control System), and jet blast deflector control panels.
  • Oversee and maintain arresting gear engines, sheave dampers, and retraction engines.
  • Work directly with pilots and deck crews to ensure safe launches and landings.

Carrier aviation depends on precision. ABEs make sure every launch is clean, and every landing sticks.


Different Roles

Two roles keep aircraft launching and landing safely: Arresting Gear Technicians handle recovery, Catapult Technicians handle takeoff. Both operate, maintain, and repair the high-pressure systems that make carrier aviation possible.


Arresting Gear Technician (Bringing Jets to a Stop)

  • Operate and maintain arresting gear and barricade equipment.
  • Work with pressurized hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
  • Perform preventive and corrective maintenance to keep systems running.
  • Keep spaces in good condition and maintain accurate records.
  • Use technical libraries and planned maintenance systems (PMS).

Catapult Technician (Launching Jets Off the Deck)

  • Operate and maintain catapult systems for aircraft launch.
  • Work with hydraulic, pneumatic, and steam-powered systems.
  • Perform regular maintenance and repair on catapult equipment.
  • Ensure assigned spaces are well-maintained and operational.
  • Keep records and use technical libraries and PMS for system upkeep.

Precision Matters – Every Launch and Landing Depends on Them

Arresting Gear Technicians make sure planes land safely. Catapult Technicians send them into the air. Without them, no aircraft moves.

Rank Structure

Pay GradeRateAbbreviationTitle
E-1Airman RecruitARAirman Recruit
E-2Airman ApprenticeAAAirman Apprentice
E-3AirmanANAirman
E-4Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Launch and Recovery) Third ClassABE3Petty Officer Third Class
E-5Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Launch and Recovery) Second ClassABE2Petty Officer Second Class
E-6Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Launch and Recovery) First ClassABE1Petty Officer First Class
E-7Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Launch and Recovery)ABECChief Petty Officer
E-8Senior Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Launch and Recovery)ABECSSenior Chief Petty Officer
E-9Master Chief Aviation Boatswain’s MateABCMMaster Chief Petty Officer

Salary and Benefits

Salary for the First 6 Years

Monthly pay for Navy enlisted Sailors (E-1 to E-6) in the first six years is laid out in the January  2025 Active Duty Pay chart:

Pay GradeLess than 2 YearsOver 2 YearsOver 3 YearsOver 4 YearsOver 6 Years
E-1$2,108.10$2,108.10$2,108.10$2,108.10$2,108.10
E-2$2,362.80$2,362.80$2,362.80$2,362.80$2,362.80
E-3$2,484.60$2,640.60$2,800.80$2,800.80$2,800.80
E-4$2,752.20$2,892.90$3,049.80$3,204.30$3,341.40
E-5$3,001.50$3,203.70$3,358.80$3,517.20$3,763.80
E-6$3,276.60$3,606.00$3,765.00$3,919.80$4,080.60

Extra Pays and Allowances

Housing Allowance (BAH):
For members living off-base. Covers rent, based on rank, location, and if they have dependents.

Subsistence Allowance (BAS):
Enlisted get $465.77 monthly for food.

Hazard Duty Pay:
For dangerous jobs. Pays $150-$250 per month, depending on the job.

Sea Pay:
For those assigned to ships or deployed units. Depends on rank and time at sea, from $50 to $750 a month.

Special and Incentive Pays:
Bonuses for certain roles, like air traffic control or unique skills. These can be a few hundred to thousands per year.

Source: Figures are from the Defense Finance and Accounting Service.

Benefits

  • Healthcare: Active-duty personnel are eligible for free complete medical and dental treatment. Tricare programs are inexpensive for families to use.
  • Housing Accomodation: Depending on location, rank, and family size, free on-base accommodation or a tax-free housing allowance (BAH) for off-base living are available.
  • Food: Monthly Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) for food costs is known as the “food allowance.”
  • Blended Retirement System (BRS): Conventional pensions are no longer available to active-duty personnel. Rather:
    • Thrift Savings Plan (TSP): Up to 5% in government matching and automatic contributions.
    • Retirement Pay: After 20 years of service, you’re eligible for monthly payments according on the BRS formula, which combines TSP savings with a calculated pension.
  • Education:
    • Availability of tuition assistance programs that pay for all or part of college tuition.
    • Support for higher education under the post-9/11 GI Bill.
    • Navy College Program to support education while on service.
  • Life Insurance: Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) provides coverage up to $500,000.
  • Vacation: ten or more federal holidays plus thirty days of paid vacation each year.
  • Extra Benefits:
    • Exchanges and commissaries provide tax-free purchasing.
    • Discounted travel via military resorts, access to fitness centers, and leisure amenities.
Navy-ABE-Rating_-Aviation-Boatswains-Mate—Launch-and-Recovery-Equipment-Image-704X396

Training and Career Opportunities

After Boot Camp, ABs report to Class “A” Technical School in Pensacola, FL, where they learn aviation fundamentals and job-specific skills.


Initial Training

Class “A” Technical School – Pensacola, FL

  • ABE (Launch & Recovery): 6 weeks
  • Covers aviation basics, equipment operation, and safety procedures.
  • Group instruction and hands-on training.

After training, ABs may be assigned to:

  • Aircraft carriers (CVNs).
  • Amphibious assault ships (LHDs, LHAs, LPHs, LPDs).
  • Naval Air Stations (NAS) in the U.S. or overseas.
  • Other ships with aircraft or helicopters.

Advanced Training & Career Growth

  • “C” School available for specialized training after re-enlistment.
  • Promotion opportunities are competitive and based on performance.
  • ABs can qualify for the advanced AB rating, supervising all AB specialties.
  • Officer roles available for those with leadership skills and a college degree.

Post-Service Opportunities

AB training translates to civilian jobs in:

  • Airlines and airport operations.
  • Aircraft manufacturers.
  • Aviation ground support and logistics.

Career Rotation

  • 60 percent of an AB’s career is at sea, assigned to fleet units.
  • 40 percent is on shore duty, working at Naval Air Stations or training commands.

ABs keep flight operations running—on carriers, on airfields, anywhere aircraft need to move.

Qualification to Join

Basic Requirements

To qualify as an Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (AB) in the Navy, you must meet the following requirements:

  • High school diploma or equivalent.
  • U.S. citizen eligible for security clearance.
  • Physically fit with good use of hands (manual dexterity).
  • Ability to work well in a team and follow safety procedures.
  • Comfortable using tools, equipment, and machines.
  • Keen attention to detail and ability to perform repetitive tasks.
  • Curiosity and problem-solving skills are a plus.

ASVAB Requirements (No waivers for vision or hearing)

  • VE + AR + MK + AS = 161

Vision Requirements

  • Uncorrected vision no worse than 20/100.
  • Must be correctable to 20/20.

Hearing Requirements (No exceptions)

  • Normal hearing required.
  • Frequencies tested: 3000Hz, 4000Hz, 5000Hz, 6000Hz.
  • Average hearing threshold level must be under 30dB.
  • No single frequency can exceed 45dB.
  • Failure to meet these limits disqualifies an applicant.

Other Physical Requirements

  • Must have normal color and depth perception.

AB Sailors must be sharp, precise, and physically capable to handle high-speed, high-risk flight deck operations.

The ASVAB requirement above is current as of Fiscal Year 2025, 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 Boatswain’s Mate—Launch and Recovery Equipment, contact your local Navy Enlisted Recruiter. They will provide you with information you’re unlikely to find online.

You may also be interested in the following related Navy Enlisted jobs:

Ted Kingston
I’m a Navy veteran who used to serve as a Navy recruiter. This website is the most reliable source of information for all Enlisted Navy Sailor aspirants. In coordination with a network of current and former Navy recruiters, my goal is to make reliable information easily available to you so you can make informed career decisions.

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