This guide provides helpful information for those looking into joining the Navy as an Aviation Ordnanceman (AO) during the Fiscal Year 2025.
Jets don’t fire without ammo. Bombs don’t drop themselves. That’s where Aviation Ordnancemen (AO) step in.
You load the missiles, mount the machine guns, and make sure every round is locked in place before takeoff. Whether you’re on a carrier’s flight deck or in a hangar with a squadron, it’s your job to keep Navy firepower ready to go.
It’s not just about moving bombs—it’s about handling them safely, tracking them, and getting them where they need to be. You’ll lift, load, and transfer weapons across ships, squadron bases, and flight lines.
Every mission depends on what you do.
Job Description
Aviation Ordnancemen (AO) are Navy enlisted Sailors who are specialists in aircraft armament (weapons) who oversee storing, servicing, inspecting, and managing many armaments and ammunition carried on Navy aircraft.
Their job is critical to ensuring that planes are mission-ready with everything from airborne weapons and torpedoes to missiles and rockets.
AOs work in high-energy environments, whether on flight decks, in hangars, or on air station flight lines. This is a physical job, requiring teamwork and attention to detail.
What You’ll Do as an AO
- Inspect, maintain, and repair aircraft weapons and ordnance systems
- Assemble, load, and test torpedoes, mines, sonobuoys, and pyrotechnics
- Operate and maintain Armament Weapons Support Equipment (AWSE), Ordnance Handling Equipment (OHE), and Aircraft Armament Equipment (AAE)
- Manage ordnance storage and safety procedures onboard ships and air stations
- Supervise aviation ordnance shops, armories, and stowage facilities
- Monitor and enforce compliance with safety programs like the Weapons Certification Program and Explosives Handling Certification Program
Aviation Ordnancemen keep the Navy’s airpower armed and ready, ensuring that every aircraft is properly equipped for its mission.
Different Roles
Aircraft Armament Equipment Technician
- Maintains and repairs aircraft gun systems and Linkless Ammunition Loading Systems (LALS)
- Diagnoses, prevents corrosion, and executes periodic maintenance
- Uses specialized tools and test equipment for troubleshooting and repair
Ammunition Logistics Manager
- Manages ammunition inventory and generates ammunition transaction reports
- Oversees accounting and record-keeping for all ammunition on board
Armament Weapons Support Equipment Technician
- Maintains ordnance handling and transportation equipment
- Issues, receives, and inspects hoisting beams, bomb trucks, trailers, skids, and other AWSE equipment
- Supports air-launched and surface-launched weapons
Armorer
- Oversees small arms, explosives, and optics for military personnel
- Maintains and repairs small arms, magazine sprinkler systems, and other explosive-related equipment
- Assists at firing ranges and training exercises
Aviation Ordnance Quality Assurance Safety Supervisor
- Trains personnel in ordnance safety, explosive handling, and hazard awareness
- Oversees Quality Assurance Programs for ship and shore-based weapons
- Conducts inspections and certification of weapons systems
Squadron Ordnance Technician
- Maintains airborne weapons and Armament Weapons Support Equipment (AWSE)
- Loads and downloads aircraft gun ammunition, air-launched torpedoes, mines, and countermeasures
- Handles small arms and aerial target equipment
Weapons Department Technician
- Maintains and tests air-launched weapons, magazine sprinkler systems, and cargo/weapons lifts
- Handles weapons storage, transfer, and assembly aboard ships and at shore stations
- Constructs and disassembles bombs, rockets, and flare systems
These roles ensure every aspect of naval aviation ordnance is managed, maintained, and safely operated to support the mission.
Unique Navy AO Culture
Warheads on Foreheads
“Warheads on Foreheads” is a no-nonsense way Navy AOs describe their job. They make sure aircraft weapons—missiles, bombs, torpedoes, all of it—are loaded, armed, and mission-ready.
Whether for combat or training, their work is critical. If ordnance isn’t handled right, missions fail. Simple as that.
AOs deal with every step: storage, maintenance, safety, and operation. Nothing gets loaded without their approval. Everything must be in perfect working order. Mistakes aren’t an option.
They work closely with aircrew and support teams to guarantee weapons are ready to fire when needed.
The phrase isn’t just a slogan—it’s a reminder of their responsibility. This isn’t a job for anyone who takes things lightly.
IYAOYAS
“If You Ain’t Ordnance, You Ain’t Shit.” That’s the motto. IYAOYAS!
It’s not just about pride—it’s about the bond AOs share. Their job is specialized, high-stakes, and requires a level of skill others don’t have. They own that fact.
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 Ordnanceman Third Class | AO3 | Petty Officer Third Class |
| E-5 | Aviation Ordnanceman Second Class | AO2 | Petty Officer Second Class |
| E-6 | Aviation Ordnanceman First Class | AO1 | Petty Officer First Class |
| E-7 | Chief Aviation Ordnanceman | AOC | Chief Petty Officer |
| E-8 | Senior Chief Aviation Ordnanceman | AOCS | Senior Chief Petty Officer |
| E-9 | Master Chief Aviation Ordnanceman | AOCM | 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
Initial Training
After completing Recruit Training Command Great Lakes (Boot Camp), Aviation Ordnancemen report for specialized training, including:
- Class “A” Technical School (9 weeks) in Pensacola, FL
- Focuses on basic aviation theory, ordnance handling, and electronics troubleshooting
- Combination of classroom instruction and hands-on training
Post-Training Assignments
After training, you may be assigned to:
- Aviation squadrons
- Aircraft carriers
- Navy ships carrying aircraft
- Naval air stations
- Other aviation shore facilities in the U.S. or overseas
Additional ship-specific or airwing training may be required before reporting for duty:
- Ship’s Company Strand Course (2 weeks)
- Airwing Strand Course (3 weeks)
Advanced Training & Promotion
Promotion opportunities are competitive and based on performance.
Opportunities for advanced training include:
- Additional technical schooling during later career stages
- Potential Officer roles for those pursuing a college degree and leadership track
Post-Service Opportunities
The skills and certifications gained as an AO can lead to careers in the civilian sector, including:
- Airline and aviation logistics
- Ammunition and weapons management
- Security and defense contracting
Aviation Ordnancemen spend about 60% of their Navy career at sea and 40% at shore stations, ensuring that Navy aircraft and their weapons are always mission-ready.
Qualifications to Join
Basic Requirements
Want to be an Aviation Ordnanceman (AO)? Here’s what you need:
- High school diploma or equivalent
- U.S. citizenship (security clearance required)
- Good at math, solid with tools and machinery
- Detail-focused, steady hands, works well on a team
- Physically fit, ready for repetitive tasks
You’ll be handling real firepower—so precision isn’t optional.
Physical Requirements
- High level of physical fitness
- Normal use of hands
- Vision: Uncorrected vision must not exceed 20/100, correctable to 20/20; Normal color and depth perception
- Hearing: Average threshold at 3000hz, 4000hz, 5000hz, and 6000hz must be under 30db, with no single frequency exceeding 45db
ASVAB Requirements
- VE+AR+MK+AS = 173 OR
- MK+AS+AO = 131
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 Ordnanceman (AO), 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:
