This guide provides useful information for those who wish to join the Navy Reserve Submarine community as an enlisted Sailor during Fiscal Year 2025.
Submarine duty in the Navy Reserve isn’t one-dimensional. It covers a broad set of roles—some deeply technical, others operational or logistical—but every job feeds into the same mission: keeping the underwater fleet sharp, functional, and mission-ready.
These aren’t just nuclear tech roles. Submariners repair launch systems, manage high-pressure hydraulics, monitor life-support hardware, and move ordnance with millimeter-level precision. The Reserve force runs lean—and every billet carries weight.
What the Jobs Involve
Each rating comes with its own gear, grind, and growth path. Whether you’re loading torpedoes, wiring up communications, or keeping the HVAC system from buckling under patrol stress, the expectation remains the same: get it right, keep it running, don’t fall behind.
Training pipelines are tight and purpose-built. Promotion tracks follow demonstrated ability—not just time in uniform. Pay, benefits, and bonuses align with skills and clearance levels. No filler roles here—everything counts.
Who’s Eligible
You don’t walk in off the street and go underwater. Entry requires meeting a strict baseline, and for many jobs, clearing additional technical or medical hurdles:
- High school diploma or GED—non-negotiable
- Full medical and physical readiness screening—including submariner-specific standards
- ASVAB testing—scores drive placement and job options
- Background check—serious legal issues are disqualifiers
- Additional credentials—some specialties demand prior training or certs
What It Takes
This isn’t assembly-line work. It’s controlled chaos, wrapped in routine, held together by discipline. Some won’t adjust to the noise, pressure, or lack of sunlight. Others will lean in, lock on, and find something rare: relevance under pressure.
If the standards are met, and the mindset is right, there’s a place for you—onboard, submerged, and directly in the mission flow.
Enlisted Submarine Jobs in Navy Reserve
More Information
If you want more information about joining the U.S. Navy Submarine community as an enlisted Sailor, the next logical step is to contact your local Navy Enlisted Recruiter.
Let us figure out how you can benefit from becoming a Navy enlisted Sailor—or if it is even the right career move for you.
Hope you found this helpful to your career planning.
