This guide provides helpful information for those looking to join the Navy as a Machinery Repairman (MR) during the Fiscal Year 2025.
All things eventually break down. Machineries in U.S. naval vessels are no exceptions.
The Navy trains skilled Machinery Repairmen to fix machines and do much more. These Sailors fabricate various parts and tools for repairs and maintenance.
This career is rewarding for those who enjoy hands-on work and are comfortable with math.
Let’s get to it!
Job Description
Machinery Repairmen (MR) are Navy enlisted Sailors who are skilled operators of machine tools. These professionals manufacture replacement parts for engines, propulsion, and auxiliary systems on ships, aircraft, submarines, and various equipment.
They fix machines. Keep them running. Know CNC machines, CAD, and the tools to shape metal, build parts, and keep things working.
Out in the field, they bring what they need—hand tools, measuring instruments. Work wherever the job takes them.
Mostly, they’re indoors. Machine shop, tools humming, metal grinding. But sometimes, they’re out—ships, shore stations. Could be here. Could be overseas.
Not a big group. About 770 doing the job.
Specific Responsibilities
Machinery Repairmen know their way around machine tools. They make parts. Fix systems. Keep things running on the ship.
What they do:
- Run and maintain auxiliary machinery.
- Figure out how long a repair takes. What materials they need.
- Sketch designs. Write specs. Build replacement parts.
- Work with lathes, drill presses, grinders—shop machines of all kinds.
- Use precision tools—depth gauges, calipers, protractors. Measure twice. Cut once.
- Etch and engrave metal. Other materials too.
- Handle electroplating. Flame spraying. Keeping parts tough and lasting.
Different Roles
Machinery Repairman Apprentice
Machinery Repairman Apprentices are hands-on problem solvers. They manufacture replacement parts and repair engines, propulsion systems, and auxiliary systems on ships, aircraft, and submarines.
They work on deck equipment and operate machine shop tools such as:
- Lathes
- Drill presses
- Bench grinders
- Milling machines
- Power saws
They also calculate time and materials, read blueprints, sketch designs, and select materials for making parts.
Their work requires precision measuring tools, including:
- Depth gauges
- Calipers
- Engravers
They train under journeyman machinists, gaining the skills needed to master the trade.
Machinery Repairman Journeyman
Machinery Repairman Journeymen are skilled machinists who manufacture replacement parts and overhaul engines, propulsion, and auxiliary systems.
They work on ships, aircraft, submarines, and deck equipment, handling both repairs and full rebuilds.
Journeymen operate advanced machine shop tools, including:
- CNC machinery
- Vertical turret lathes
- Boring mills
- Precision grinders
- Heat treating equipment
They work with CAD software, calculate time and materials, and apply advanced metallurgy to select the right materials for each job.
Precision is key. They use high-level measuring instruments, like:
- Micrometers
- Dial calipers
- Gauge blocks
- Hardness testers
Journeymen work independently, operate engravers, and supervise apprentices—ensuring every part is built to last.
Rank Structure
Pay Grade | Rate | Abbreviation | Title |
---|---|---|---|
E-1 | Machinery Repairman Recruit | MRR | Seaman Recruit |
E-2 | Machinery Repairman Apprentice | MRA | Seaman Apprentice |
E-3 | Machinery Repairman | MR | Seaman |
E-4 | Machinery Repairman Third Class | MR3 | Petty Officer Third Class |
E-5 | Machinery Repairman Second Class | MR2 | Petty Officer Second Class |
E-6 | Machinery Repairman First Class | MR1 | Petty Officer First Class |
E-7 | Chief Machinery Repairman | MRC | Chief Petty Officer |
E-8 | Senior Chief Machinery Repairman | MRCS | Senior Chief Petty Officer |
E-9 | Master Chief Machinery Repairman | MRCM | 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 Promotion Opportunities
Training & Career Path
Initial Training
After completing Boot Camp at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, you’ll begin specialized training, including:
- Engineering Common Core and “A” School (18 weeks) – Located in Great Lakes, IL, this training covers:
- Basic mechanical theory
- Technical documentation
- Machine shop tools & equipment
- Fabrication methods
Once training is complete, you could be assigned to a Navy machine shop aboard a ship, at a repair base, or at shore facilities in the U.S. or overseas. At some point in your career, you might also serve a recruiting duty assignment.
Promotion opportunities are competitive and based on performance.
Advanced Training
Further advanced training as a Machinery Repairman may become available as you gain experience.
For those with leadership ambitions and a college degree, there are Officer roles that allow you to lead teams and train others.
MR Rating Ranks
Here a snapshot of the paygrade levels you may expect to reach during your first enlistment:
Rank | Title | Responsibilities |
---|---|---|
E-1 | Seaman Recruit (SR) | Basic training, learning military customs, and beginning technical training. Focused on developing foundational skills. |
E-2 | Seaman Apprentice (SA) | Gains hands-on experience in a Navy machine shop, assisting with basic maintenance and fabrication tasks. Learning from senior personnel. |
E-3 | Seaman (SN) | Works under supervision on more complex repair and manufacturing tasks. Develops proficiency with tools, equipment, and technical documentation. |
E-4 | Machinery Repairman Third Class (MR3) | Fully qualified MR, responsible for machining parts, repairing equipment, and maintaining shipboard systems. May train junior sailors. |
E-5 | Machinery Repairman Second Class (MR2) | Increased leadership role, overseeing repairs and machining work. Responsible for training and mentoring junior MRs. May supervise small teams. |
E-6 | Machinery Repairman First Class (MR1) | Senior technician and leader. Manages complex repairs, oversees machine shop operations, and ensures junior sailors are properly trained. Prepares for higher leadership roles. |
Post-Service Opportunities
The skills and experience gained as a Machinery Repairman translate well into civilian careers. Former MRs often work in roles such as:
- Licensed machine operators
- Metal fabrication technicians
- Equipment mechanics
With Navy training, you gain valuable credentials that can lead to high-demand jobs in manufacturing, machining, and mechanical repair.
Qualifications to Join
To qualify as an Enlisted Sailor and embark on a career as a Machinery Repairman, you must have a high-school diploma or an equivalent qualification. You must also be a U.S. citizen eligible for security clearance.
Key Skills & Qualifications
A Machinery Repairman (MR) needs strong arithmetic and communication skills, along with a natural ability to work with tools, equipment, and machinery.
To become a Machinery Repairman (MR) and an Enlisted Sailor, you must meet the following requirements:
- Education: High school diploma or equivalent
- Citizenship: U.S. citizen
- Security Clearance: Must be eligible
- Hearing: Normal hearing required
- Color Vision: Normal color perception preferred (may be waived)
The job requires:
- Attention to detail – Precision is everything.
- Record-keeping – Accuracy matters.
- Teamwork – You won’t be working alone.
The best MR candidates are:
- Resourceful – Can solve problems on the spot.
- Inquisitive – Always learning, always improving.
- Physically strong – The work is demanding.
- Dexterous – Good with their hands.
- Capable of normal hearing – Important for safety and communication.
General qualifications may vary based on current or past military service.
ASVAB Requirement
Applicants must score the minimum ASVAB score below to qualify to join the Navy as a Machinery Repairman (MR).
ASVAB for MR:
- VE + AR + MK + AS = 200; or
- MK + AS + AO = 150
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 a Machinery Repairman (MR), 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 Surface Engineering jobs: