This guide offers useful information for individuals considering enlisting in the Navy as a Logistics Specialist (LS) during Fiscal Year 2025.
Without fresh tires, F/A-18 Hornets don’t launch. No supplies, no missions. That’s where Logistics Specialists come in. Every Navy vessel needs them to keep inventory stocked and operations running.
They handle the essentials—ordering critical supplies in emergencies, inspecting cargo from all over the world, making sure everything is where it needs to be. Without them, nothing moves.
Job Description
Logistics Specialists (LS) are Navy enlisted Sailors who provide customer service and managing inventories to provide supplies for ships, squadrons, and shore-base activities.
Logistics Specialists handle the movement of everything—supplies, equipment, even mail. Without them, ships, aircraft, and bases don’t function.
Training & Responsibilities
- Basic training covers supply, postal, and aviation logistics, including the Military Postal System.
- Advanced training opportunities in technology, inventory, and procurement.
- Work across aviation, surface, subsurface, and expeditionary forces.
Key Duties
- Order, receive, inspect, store, and issue materials.
- Operate Navy post offices and manage logistics paperwork.
- Account for government materials and maintain records.
- Work in offices, warehouses, air cargo terminals, naval air stations, and aboard ships.
Submarine Logistics Specialists (LSSs)
- Some LS Sailors serve directly aboard submarines, managing critical supplies.
Career & Assignments
- LS Sailors spend about 55% of a 20-year career in fleet units, 45% at shore stations.
- The Navy has around 8,500 active Logistics Specialists.
From warehouses to warships, LSs keep the mission moving.
Specific Responsibilities
Logistics Specialists keep the Navy running by managing supplies, equipment, and mail. There are two types: LS for surface and shore duty and LSS for submarines. Each has its own responsibilities.
Logistics Specialist (LS)
- Organize, store, inspect, and distribute flight equipment, repair parts, and materials.
- Run Navy post offices on ships and shore stations.
- Process and deliver incoming mail and cargo.
- Manage inventory records, reports, and correspondence.
- Maintain financial logs and records.
- Use computer systems to provide logistics support.
Logistics Specialist Submarine (LSS)
- Oversee inventory and supply management for submarines and shore facilities.
- Run Navy post offices, including mail distribution for submarines.
- Obtain, store, verify, and distribute submarine repair parts and general supplies.
Whether on a carrier or deep underwater, LS and LSS Sailors make sure the right gear gets to the right place—when it’s needed most.
Key Roles in Navy Logistics
Navy logistics is more than just moving supplies—it’s about managing systems, finances, and operations that keep everything running. Three key roles handle different aspects of this mission: Logisticians, Logistics Managers, and Postal Clerks.
Logistician
- Handle procurement, receiving, storage, issuance, and inventory of materials.
- Inspect and audit supply areas, ensuring accuracy in financial records.
- Take corrective action on discrepancies and make budget recommendations.
- Manage data in supply computer systems and generate reports.
- Maintain the integrity of the Navy’s supply system.
Logistics Manager
- Oversee material procurement, financial accounting, administration, and research.
- Conduct audits and inspections for supply operations.
- Manage warehousing, ensuring proper receipt, storage, and distribution of materials.
- Requisition supplies, coordinate with vendors, and track inventory.
- Plan load-outs for deployments and oversee logistics for postal services.
Postal Clerk
- Run Navy Post Offices on ships and shore stations.
- Process and transmit all types of mail and parcels.
- Manage transportation, documentation, and postal records.
- Work with United States Postal Service and Department of Defense automation systems.
- Provide customer service and handle transactions professionally.
Whether moving supplies, tracking finances, or handling mail, these roles are essential to keeping Navy operations on track.
Rank Structure
| Pay Grade | Rate | Abbreviation | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-1 | Seaman Recruit | SR | Seaman Recruit |
| E-2 | Seaman Apprentice | SA | Seaman Apprentice |
| E-3 | Seaman | SN | Seaman |
| E-4 | Logistics Specialist Third Class | LS3 | Petty Officer Third Class |
| E-5 | Logistics Specialist Second Class | LS2 | Petty Officer Second Class |
| E-6 | Logistics Specialist First Class | LS1 | Petty Officer First Class |
| E-7 | Chief Logistics Specialist | LSC | Chief Petty Officer |
| E-8 | Senior Chief Logistics Specialist | LSCS | Senior Chief Petty Officer |
| E-9 | Master Chief Logistics Specialist | LSCM | 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:
| Paygrade | 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 Career Opportunities
After Boot Camp at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, Logistics Specialists begin specialized training to prepare for supply chain, financial, and postal operations in the Navy.
Initial Training
Class “A” Technical School – Meridian, MS (9 weeks)
- Training covers automated data processing, financial records, accounting systems, and postal operations.
- Group instruction and hands-on learning.
For Submarine LS Candidates:
Basic Enlisted Submarine School – Groton, CT (9 weeks)
- Only for Logistics Specialist Submarines (LSS).
- Focuses on basic submarine systems and logistics operations.
After training, LS Sailors are assigned to ships, shore stations, naval supply depots, squadrons, and staff roles. LSS Sailors may be assigned to submarines or shore-based logistics units.
Career Growth & Commissioning Opportunities
- Promotion opportunities are competitive and based on performance.
- Those who reach E-6 may apply for Limited Duty Officer (LDO) commissioning.
- Other commissioning paths include STA-21, OCS, MECP, MSC-IPP, and the Naval Academy.
- Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) program is no longer available for Logistics Specialists.
Post-Service Opportunities
Training and experience as an LS translate directly to supply chain, inventory management, and business administration in the civilian world.
Sailors gain critical problem-solving, leadership, and organizational skills that are highly valued in both government and private sectors.
Career Outlook
- The Navy Business Field offers a diverse and challenging career with strong potential for advancement.
- LS Sailors develop real-world business and logistics skills that transfer directly to civilian jobs.
- Career advancement, manning levels, and sea-shore rotations are updated twice a month on the Enlisted Community Manager pages.
Apprenticeship & Certification Programs
United States Military Apprenticeship Program (USMAP)
- Provides active-duty service members the chance to complete civilian apprenticeship requirements while serving.
- The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) awards a nationally recognized Certificate of Completion upon finishing the program.
- Certifications help market LS skills to civilian employers in fields like:
- Administrative Services Manager
- Computer Operator
- Postal Service Clerk
For more info, visit: USMAP Website
Certifications & Additional Training
Through Navy COOL, LS Sailors can earn logistics, supply chain, and management certifications from organizations like:
- Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP)
- International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA)
- Institute for Supply Management (ISM)
- Manufacturing Skill Standards (MSSC)
- Project Management Institute (PMI)
- National Property Management Association (NPMA)
- Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
- Universal Public Procurement Certification Council (UPPCC)
For additional certifications and details, visit: Navy COOL
Qualifications to Join
Basic Requirements
To enlist as a Logistics Specialist (LS) in the Navy, you must meet the following requirements:
- High school diploma or equivalent is required.
- Must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident.
- Must have strong arithmetic, verbal, and writing skills.
- Ability to keep accurate records and perform detailed work.
- Must work well in a customer service environment.
- Submarine LS (LSS) candidates must volunteer for submarine service and must be U.S. Citizens.
ASVAB Requirement
To qualify as a Logistics Specialist, you need a minimum ASVAB score:
- VE + AR = 92
General qualifications may vary depending on whether you are currently serving, have served before, or are enlisting for the first time.
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
To get additional information about Logistics Specialists (LS), contact a Navy Enlisted Recruiter. This can help you learn about opportunities that may not be found online.
If you are interested, there are Navy Enlisted jobs available that may be related.
