This guide provides helpful information for those looking into joining the Navy as an Aviation Boatswain’s Mate—Fuels during Fiscal Year 2025.
A Navy aircraft carrier holds over a million gallons of fuel—enough to fill two Olympic swimming pools. But fuel sitting in tanks doesn’t power jets. That’s where ABFs come in.
Also called “Grapes,” ABFs refine, transfer, and deliver high-quality fuel—from the deep storage tanks below deck to the aircraft on the flight deck. No fuel, no flights. Their job keeps planes in the air and engines running.
Job Description
Aviation Boatswain’s Mates, Fuels (ABF) are Navy enlisted Sailors who handle the operation, maintenance, and organizational upkeep of the aviation fuel and lubricating oil systems onboard CVNs, LHAs, LHDs, and LPDs; this includes refueling and lubrication service stations and pump rooms, their related piping systems, valves, pumps, tanks, and portable equipment.
ABFs refine, transfer, and pump fuel across the ship—from deep below deck to the jets waiting to launch. No fuel, no flights.
Most of the work happens outside on the flight deck, in all weather, under pressure, at high speed. ABFs don’t work alone—they operate alongside other aviation ratings to keep everything running. Shore duty could place them in an aircraft squadron instead of at sea.
What They Do
- Operate and maintain fueling and lubricating oil systems.
- Refine, monitor, and control fuel quality.
- Pump fuel throughout the ship and refuel aircraft on deck.
- Maintain and oversee fuel farms and fueling equipment.
- Enforce safety procedures for handling fuel and lubricants.
- Direct and train firefighting, rescue, and damage control teams in fuel areas.
- Use purging and protection systems for fuel lines and tanks.
If fuel isn’t clean, delivered on time, or handled safely, planes don’t fly, and ships don’t run. ABFs make sure that never happens.
Different Roles
Three roles keep JP5 fuel flowing safely: Below Decks handles ship fuel movement, Flight Deck fuels aircraft, and Shore Base manages refueling on land.
Aviation Fuels Below Decks Operations Technician (Fuel Movement Below Deck)
- Ensure JP5 is received, transferred, and distributed safely throughout the ship.
- Take fuel samples and monitor tank levels.
- Align service, transfer, and stripping systems for operations.
- Perform preventive and corrective maintenance on fueling equipment.
- Maintain and oversee the condition of assigned spaces.
Aviation Fuels Flight Deck Operations Technician (Fueling Aircraft on the Flight Deck)
- Handle JP5 fuel receipt, transfer, and distribution.
- Take samples, check tank levels, and ensure fuel quality.
- Operate service, transfer, and stripping systems.
- Perform preventive maintenance on fueling equipment.
- Keep flight deck fueling areas in working condition.
Aviation Fuels Shore Base Operations Technician (Managing Fueling at Naval Air Stations)
- Supervise and manage JP5 receipt, transfer, and distribution for aircraft and support equipment.
- Monitor fuel quality and coordinate refueling points.
- Take samples and supply fuel to the Jet Test facility.
- Perform refueling and defueling operations.
- Align service, transfer, and stripping systems for different fueling tasks.
- Conduct preventive maintenance and upkeep of workspaces.
Fuel Must Be Clean, Safe, and Ready – These Sailors Make It Happen
Below Deck moves the fuel, Flight Deck delivers it to aircraft, and Shore Base fuels operations on land. If the fuel isn’t perfect, nothing flies.
Rank Structure
Pay Grade | Rate | Abbreviation | Title |
---|---|---|---|
E-1 | Airman Recruit | AR | Airman Recruit |
E-2 | Airman Apprentice | AA | Airman Apprentice |
E-3 | Airman | AN | Airman |
E-4 | Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuels) Third Class | ABF3 | Petty Officer Third Class |
E-5 | Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuels) Second Class | ABF2 | Petty Officer Second Class |
E-6 | Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuels) First Class | ABF1 | Petty Officer First Class |
E-7 | Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuels) | ABFC | Chief Petty Officer |
E-8 | Senior Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuels) | ABFCS | Senior Chief Petty Officer |
E-9 | Master Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuels) | ABFCM | Master 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 Grade | Less than 2 Years | Over 2 Years | Over 3 Years | Over 4 Years | Over 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.
Training and Promotion Opportunities
After Boot Camp, ABFs report to Class “A” Technical School in Pensacola, FL, where they learn aviation fueling fundamentals and safety procedures.
Initial Training
Class “A” Technical School – Pensacola, FL
- 5 weeks (ABF School).
- Covers aviation theory, fueling systems, and operational safety.
- Group instruction and hands-on training.
After training, ABFs 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.
- ABFs 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
ABF training translates to civilian jobs in:
- Airlines and airport fueling 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.
If the fuel isn’t right, nothing flies. ABFs make sure every aircraft gets the clean, high-quality fuel it needs.
Qualification to Join
Basic Requirements
To qualify as an ABF 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).
- Strong teamwork skills and ability to follow safety procedures.
- Comfortable using tools, equipment, and machinery.
- Able to perform repetitive tasks with attention to detail.
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.
ABFs must be sharp, precise, and physically capable to handle high-risk, high-speed fueling operations on carriers and airfields.
The enlistment qualification requirements above are 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—Fuels (ABF), contact your local Navy Enlisted Recruiter. They will provide you with information you’re unlikely to find online.
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