This guide provides helpful information for those looking into joining the Navy as an Aircrew Survival Equipmentman (PR) during the Fiscal Year 2025.
If a pilot ejects and the gear fails, that’s it. No second chances. That’s why Aircrew Survival Equipmentmen (PRs)—Parachute Riggers—exist.
You pack, fix, and test the gear that keeps pilots and crew alive. Parachutes. Oxygen masks. Harnesses. If it straps to a body or a seat and needs to work in an emergency, it’s on you.
Day one, you’re checking every piece of equipment before that jet ever leaves the ground. Rigging chutes. Stitching up shoulder harnesses. Inspecting survival gear.
Because when things go wrong at 20,000 feet, the work you did has to be right.
Want to be the one pilots trust with their lives?
Job Description
Navy PRs are the ones making sure pilots and aircrew have the gear that works when it matters most. Parachutes, life rafts, oxygen systems, flight suits—if it’s supposed to keep someone alive in an emergency, PRs inspect it, fix it, and make sure it’s good to go.
They rig parachutes, test oxygen regulators, repair flight suits, and even maintain sewing machines to patch up survival gear. They’re the last line of defense before a flight takes off, the ones making sure everything is ready long before an emergency ever happens.
PRs work in hangars, on aircraft carriers, and sometimes right on the flight deck. Some even volunteer for aircrew duty, meaning they’re right there in the air alongside the teams they protect.
Over a Navy career, PRs split their time between fleet units and shore stations, making sure survival equipment is always in top shape.
Specific Responsibilities
As a PR, it’s your job to make sure every piece of survival gear works when it’s needed. Some of the tasks you’ll take on include:
- Inspecting, maintaining, and repairing flight suits, survival vests, and emergency gear
- Packing and rigging parachutes, ensuring they deploy properly
- Assembling and maintaining life rafts for emergency water landings
- Testing oxygen masks, regulators, and liquid oxygen converters
- Operating and repairing sewing machines to fix flight gear and survival equipment
- Volunteering for aircrew duty, serving directly on naval aircraft
This is the job that keeps pilots alive when things go wrong. You’re the last ones to let them down—literally.
Different Roles
Aviation Life Support Systems Intermediate Level Technician
These technicians handle everything that keeps pilots and aircrew alive. They maintain, repair, and rig emergency parachutes, life rafts, seat survival kits, and Search and Rescue (SAR) equipment. They’re also responsible for oxygen systems, liquid oxygen converters, and anti-exposure gear.
- Operate and maintain oxygen test stands, liquid oxygen converter test stands, and OBOGS test sets
- Recharge and evaluate Aviators Breathing Oxygen (ABO)
- Maintain, adjust, and lubricate sewing machines for survival gear
- Perform periodic inspections and qualify in ordnance handling functions
Aviation Life Support Systems Organizational Level Technician
These techs focus on the gear aircrew wear and use daily. They keep parachutes, aircraft restraint systems, life rafts, SAR gear, and fire suppression equipment in top condition.
They also handle survival vests, anti-exposure suits, body armor, oxygen masks, and first aid kits.
- Maintain and repair flight gear, survival equipment, and personnel SAR gear
- Perform pre-flight, post-flight, and routine aircraft inspections
- Adjust, grease, and maintain sewing machines
- Get certified in ordnance handling
Aviation Life Support Systems Training and Acquisition Manager
These are the planners. They make sure directives and procedures are followed, ensuring every piece of survival gear meets the Navy’s high standards.
- Monitor and evaluate compliance with survival equipment directives
- Develop technical reports and share updates on equipment and processes
- Manage training programs and personnel distribution
- Advise on engineering designs, development, and modifications
Special Operations Parachute Rigger
These PRs work with Navy SEALs and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams, handling the most advanced parachute and air delivery systems.
- Inspect, maintain, and pack static line and freefall parachute systems
- Maintain specialized air delivery and resupply gear
- Handle helicopter entry/exit systems used by NSW and EOD teams
- Master Parachute Jump (JP) and Helicopter Rope Suspension Techniques (HRST)
- Oversee para-loft operations, handle weapons, and conduct quality control
- Operate and maintain sewing machines for mission-critical gear
Every role comes down to one thing—keeping aircrew alive when things go south.
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 | Aircrew Survival Equipmentman Third Class | PR3 | Petty Officer Third Class |
| E-5 | Aircrew Survival Equipmentman Second Class | PR2 | Petty Officer Second Class |
| E-6 | Aircrew Survival Equipmentman First Class | PR1 | Petty Officer First Class |
| E-7 | Chief Aircrew Survival Equipmentman | PRC | Chief Petty Officer |
| E-8 | Senior Chief Aircrew Survival Equipmentman | PRCS | Senior Chief Petty Officer |
| E-9 | Master Chief Aircrew Survival Equipmentman | PRCM | 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 Career Opportunities
After completing Boot Camp at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, you’ll begin specialized training, including:
| School | Location | Duration | Subjects | Training Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PR Core and Strand “A” School | NTTC Pensacola, FL | ~13 weeks | Basic aviation theory and PR-specific skills | Group instruction, hands-on application |
| Additional “A” School (if assigned to Intermediate Maintenance) | NTTC Pensacola, FL | ~4 weeks | Advanced maintenance training | Group instruction, hands-on application |
Career Progression
After training, you’ll be assigned to:
- Squadrons, aircraft carriers, Navy ships, or air stations
- PRs working in intermediate level maintenance may receive additional training before their first assignment
- During a 20-year Navy career, PRs spend about 50% of their time in fleet assignments and 50% at shore stations.
Advancement & Opportunities
- Promotion: Competitive and based on performance
- Advanced Training: Available later in your career
- Officer Roles: Available with leadership aspirations and a college degree
Civilian Career Paths
Skills and experience as a PR translate well to airlines, airports, aircraft manufacturers, and other aviation-related fields.
Qualifications to Join
Basic Requirements
To become an Aircrew Survival Equipmentman (PR), you must:
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent
- Be a U.S. citizen eligible for security clearance
- Be physically fit with normal use of your hands
- Have good memory, attention to detail, and follow-through skills
- Work well in a team environment
Skills & Attributes
PR applicants should have:
- Strong writing and speaking skills
- Aptitude for tools, equipment, and machines
- Ability to perform detailed, meticulous work
- Record-keeping and organizational skills
- Curiosity, resourcefulness, and precision, as lives depend on your work
ASVAB Requirements
To qualify, you must meet one of the following ASVAB score requirements:
- VE + AR + MK + AS = 173; or
- MK + AS + AO = 131
General qualifications may vary based on current service status (new applicant, prior service, or currently serving).
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 Aircrew Survival Equipmentman (PR), 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 Aviation jobs:
