Want to serve, but on your terms? Let’s talk Navy Reserve.
The Navy Reserve isn’t all-or-nothing. It’s a way to wear the uniform, gain real-world skills, and still keep your civilian career. Combat roles, tech support, healthcare—whatever your background, there’s a place for you.
What you qualify for? That depends on your education, experience, and how well you handle a challenge.
This guide breaks it all down—jobs, duties, pay, benefits—so you know exactly what to expect before signing up in Fiscal Year 2025.
If you’re looking for a way to serve in the U.S. Navy without going full-time, this is where it starts.
What’s a Navy Enlisted Rating?
Think of it like a job title, but in Navy terms. Enlisted personnel get sorted into ratings based on what they know and what they can do.
Mechanics? Electricians? Aviation specialists? The Navy has a rating for that.
These ratings roll up into broader categories—Airman (AM), Fireman (FN), or Seaman (SN). Each one comes with its own specialties, its own skill set.
Why does this matter? Because the Navy doesn’t have time for confusion. Every Sailor needs a role that matches their expertise.
Boatswain’s Mates keep things running topside. Electrician’s Mates handle the wiring that powers the ship.
Everyone has a place. And when assignments happen fast—which they always do—this system makes sure the right people are in the right spots.
What’s a Navy Enlisted Rate?
It’s rank. It’s pay grade. It’s where a Sailor stands in the chain of command. From Seaman (E-1) at the start to Master Chief Petty Officer (E-9) at the top, every enlisted Sailor has a rate.
But it’s more than just a title. It’s a roadmap. Sailors start as apprentices, build their skills, and climb the ranks. The rate system isn’t just about promotions—it’s about progress.
And progress matters. A strong Navy runs on trained, experienced, and motivated people. The rate system makes sure every Sailor is moving forward, learning more, and staying sharp for the job ahead.
Active Duty vs. Reserve Service: The Real Difference
Active Duty
This is the all-in, full-speed, no-half-measures version of military life. You live on or near a base. Your days are packed with training, operations, and readiness drills.
And deployment? It’s not an “if”—it’s a “when.”
Your job isn’t just a job. It’s 24/7 preparedness. War, humanitarian missions, national defense—if something happens, you’re already moving.
Reserves
Part-time on paper, but when it matters—You’re all in. Most of the time, you’re living a civilian life—school, work, family. But on designated weekends and during annual training, you suit up, drill, and stay sharp.
Then, when the country calls—natural disasters, national emergencies, military reinforcements—you’re on deck. Reserves aren’t just a backup plan.
They’re the bridge between everyday stability and full-scale military response.
The career paths, benefits, and lifestyle between Active Duty and Reserve: Night and day. But when things get serious, both step up.
Comprehensive List of Navy Reserve Enlisted Jobs (Available Ratings)
Not all ratings in the Active Component (AC) are available in the Reserve Component (RC) of the Navy.
Here are the available ratings in Navy RC:
- Aviation Boatswain’s Mate – Fuels (ABF)
- Aviation Boatswain’s Mate – Aircraft Handling (ABH)
- Air Traffic Controller (AC)
- Aviation Machinist’s Mate (AD)
- Aviation Electrician’s Mate (AE)
- Aerographer’s Mate (AG)
- Aviation Structural Mechanic (AM)
- Aviation Structural Mechanic – Safety Equipment (AME)
- Aviation Ordnanceman (AO)
- Aviation Electronics Technician (AT)
- Naval Aircrewman Mechanical (AWF)
- Naval Aircrewman Operator (AWO)
- Naval Aircrewman Tactical Helicopter (AWR)
- Naval Aircrewman Helicopter (AWS)
- Aviation Maintenance Administrationman (AZ)
- Boatswain’s Mate (BM)
- Builder (BU)
- Construction Electrician (CE)
- Construction Mechanic (CM)
- Culinary Specialist (CS)
- Cryptologic Technician – Interpretive (CTI)
- Cryptologic Technician – Collection (CTR)
- Cryptologic Technician – Technical (CTT)
- Cyber Warfare Technician (CWT)
- Damage Controlman (DC)
- Engineering Aide (EA)
- Electrician’s Mate (EM)
- Engineman (EN)
- Equipment Operator (EO)
- Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician (EOD)
- Electronics Technician (ET)
- Electronics Technician – Submarine, Navigation (ETV)
- Fire Controlman (FC)
- Fire Controlman – Aegis (FCA)
- Fire Control Technician (FT)
- Gunner’s Mate (GM)
- Gas Turbine System Technician – Electrical (GSE)
- Gas Turbine System Technician – Mechanical (GSM)
- Hospital Corpsman (HM)
- Hull Maintenance Technician (HT)
- Intelligence Specialist (IS)
- Information Systems Technician (IT)
- Information Systems Technician – Submarine, Networks (ITN)
- Information Systems Technician – Submarine, Radio (ITR)
- Legalman (LN)
- Logistics Specialist (LS)
- Master-at-Arms (MA)
- Mass Communication Specialist (MC)
- Machinist’s Mate (MM)
- Machinist’s Mate – Submarine, Auxiliary (MMA)
- Mineman (MN)
- Machinery Repairman (MR)
- Navy Diver (ND)
- Operations Specialist (OS)
- Aircrew Survival Equipmentman (PR)
- Personnel Specialist (PS)
- Quartermaster (QM)
- Religious Program Specialist (RP)
- Retail Services Specialist (RS)
- Robotics Warfare Specialist (RW)
- Special Warfare Boat Operator (SB)
- Special Warfare Operator (SO)
- Sonar Technician – Surface (STG)
- Sonar Technician – Submarine (STS)
- Steelworker (SW)
- Torpedoman’s Mate (TM)
- Utilitiesman (UT)
- Yeoman (YN)
More Information
If you want more information about becoming an enlisted Sailor in the United States Navy Reserves, the next logical step is to contact your local Naval Enlisted Recruiter.
Let us figure out how you can benefit from joining the Navy—or if it is even the right career move for you.
If you’re interested in learning more about Navy opportunities, read our How to Join the Navy Reserve guide.
Hope you found this helpful to your career planning.
