This guide provides helpful information for those who are pursuing a Navy Robotics Warfare Specialist (RW) position in Fiscal Year 2025.
The U.S. Navy just committed to something big. Not a test program. Not a trial run. A full-scale shift in how wars will be fought.
For decades, Sailors have mastered ships, submarines, and aircraft. Now, they’re stepping into something new—robotic and autonomous systems.
Drones patrolling the skies. Unmanned ships covering the seas. AI-powered surveillance working faster than any human could react.
This isn’t a niche skill set anymore. It’s warfare. And someone needs to take charge of it.
Enter the Robotics Warfare Specialist (RW) rating. The Navy isn’t waiting for the future to arrive. It’s staffing for it now.
So what does it take to become an RW Specialist? What exactly will they do? And where does this path lead?
Let’s get into it.
The Birth of the Robotics Warfare Specialist Rating
A Navy Without Sailors? Not Quite, But Closer Than Ever
For over two centuries, naval warfare revolved around one constant: people. Sailors navigating, engineers maintaining, watchstanders scanning the horizon.
But the equation is shifting. Unmanned systems—autonomous ships, AI-driven surveillance, robotic assets—are no longer supplementary.
They are becoming central to how the U.S. Navy operates.
And that requires a new kind of expertise. Hence, the Robotics Warfare Specialist (RW) rating.
NAVADMIN 036/24 formalized what was already inevitable: the Navy can no longer afford to treat robotics as an afterthought.
It needs Sailors whose sole focus is integrating and advancing these systems.
The Hybrid Fleet Is No Longer Conceptual—It’s Operational
For years, the Navy has envisioned a hybrid fleet: manned and unmanned vessels working in tandem, augmenting each other’s strengths.
The goal is clear—greater reach, faster response times, enhanced lethality. But technology alone does not create superiority.
Someone must manage, refine, and evolve these systems. That is the role of the RW Specialist.
Previously, unmanned platforms were fragmented across multiple communities—aviation electronics technicians handling drones, sonar technicians operating unmanned submarines, surface warfare officers overseeing autonomous ships.
Now, RW Specialists will consolidate that expertise, ensuring these platforms are not just functional but fully integrated into fleet operations.
The Strategic Imperative: Staying Ahead in an Unmanned Race
This shift is not happening in isolation. Adversaries—particularly China and Russia—are aggressively developing autonomous naval capabilities.
The strategic question is not whether unmanned systems will define future conflicts, but who will use them most effectively.
RW Specialists will play a critical role in answering that question. Their mission is not simply to operate robotics but to push the limits of what these systems can achieve.
They will refine AI-driven targeting, optimize autonomous logistics, and ensure unmanned platforms contribute meaningfully to warfighting.
The Navy’s dominance has always rested on its ability to adapt, to anticipate the next evolution in warfare and embrace it before the competition does.
The creation of the RW rating signals a recognition that the next frontier is here. And it will be shaped by those who understand both the machine and the mission.
What Does a Robotics Warfare Specialist Actually Do?
The Navy Robotics Warfare Specialist (RW) manages unmanned and autonomous systems through maintenance and operation throughout every mission stage.
RW Specialists ensure that unmanned systems within the Navy’s hybrid fleet maintain their readiness for missions and combat effectiveness.
Think about the most high-stakes chess game imaginable—except half the pieces move themselves, some can see the whole board at once, and the rules change in real-time.
That’s the world RW Specialists operate in.
Their unique job: Not just running unmanned systems, but making sure those systems give the Navy an edge when it matters most.
The difference between a drone passively collecting data and a drone pinpointing an enemy submarine—That’s the RW Specialist’s work.
The reason an autonomous ship knows when to reroute in contested waters? Again—RW expertise.
They aren’t just keeping the robots running. They’re ensuring those robots win.
The Technical Backbone: Why This Rating Isn’t for Everyone
This is not a “learn on the job” kind of role. RW Specialists need to understand:
- Computer Vision & AI – Teaching machines to see, interpret, and react to threats before a human could.
- Mission & Navigation Autonomy – Ensuring an unmanned vessel doesn’t just move—but moves intelligently.
- Data Systems & Networking – Making sure critical combat info flows seamlessly between humans and machines.
- Oceanography, Aerodynamics, Sensor Operations – Because conditions at sea (or in the air) change fast, and unmanned systems need to adapt even faster.
This isn’t about operating technology. It’s about understanding it well enough to push its limits.
Why RW Specialists Change the Game in Combat
Speed wins wars. A human takes seconds to process information. A machine does it instantly. But what happens when the machine needs to act on that information?
That’s where RW Specialists come in.
In a crisis—an enemy drone swarm approaching, an unmanned sub tracking a high-value target, a robotic system making a split-second decision—RW Specialists make sure the response isn’t just automated, but effective.
Because in modern warfare, it’s not about who sees the threat first. It’s about who reacts fastest, with the smartest systems, in a way the enemy never saw coming.
That’s the RW mission. And it’s only just beginning.
Eligibility & Pathways to Becoming an RW Specialist
Who Can Apply?
Not everyone. The Navy isn’t looking for just any Sailor to step into the Robotics Warfare Specialist role. Active-duty E-4 through E-9 Sailors are eligible, but eligibility alone isn’t enough. You need experience with unmanned systems.
The Pipeline: If You’ve Worked With Robots, You’re in the Right Place
RW isn’t a rating you stumble into. It’s built for Sailors who have already spent time in the unmanned world—controlling drones, maintaining autonomous systems, or working with the AI that drives them.
If you’ve been in an unmanned vehicle division or hold one of these RW-designated Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC) codes, you’re exactly who the Navy is looking for:
- 757B – Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) Operator
- 789A – Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (UUV) Operator
- 799B – Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Technician
- 803A – Robotics and Autonomous Systems Technician
- 825G – Maritime Sensor Operator
- 826G – Advanced Data Systems Specialist
- 838A – AI and Machine Learning Integrator
If your job has involved sending machines where people can’t—or shouldn’t—go, you’re in the right lane.
ASVAB Requirements: The Numbers That Matter
Not just any technical-minded Sailor can convert into RW. You need the right ASVAB scores, and they aren’t arbitrary.
They ensure you can handle the kind of problem-solving and systems thinking this role demands.
You qualify if you hit at least 222 on one of these ASVAB composite score formulas:
- AR + MK + EI + GS ≥ 222 (Arithmetic Reasoning, Math Knowledge, Electronics Information, General Science)
- AR + MK + VE + MC ≥ 222 (Arithmetic Reasoning, Math Knowledge, Verbal Expression, Mechanical Comprehension)
- AR + MK + VE + AO ≥ 222 (Arithmetic Reasoning, Math Knowledge, Verbal Expression, Auto & Shop)
How to Apply: The Path to RW
- Submit a NAVPERS 1306/7 – This Electronic Personnel Action Request goes to BUPERS-32 for review.
- Rolling Selection Process – No fixed deadlines, but slots are competitive.
- Command Coordination – Your Enlisted Community Manager (ECM) needs to be in the loop.
RW isn’t just another rating. It’s the Navy’s foothold in the future of autonomous warfare.
The selection process reflects that. If you’re accepted, you won’t just be operating robotics—you’ll be shaping how they fight.
RW Training Pipeline & Skill Development
The Navy is standing up a new warfare rating. That doesn’t happen every day. But here’s the thing—RW Specialists don’t have their own “A” school yet. Not officially. Not until fiscal year 2026.
Until then, the pipeline is unconventional. It starts with Electronics Technician (ET) “A” School—which makes sense.
Robotics and AI run on precision electronics, and the Navy isn’t about to send someone into the unmanned battlespace without that foundation.
From there, specialized “C” schools build out the RW skill set—robotic warfare systems, AI-driven platforms, sensor integration.
It’s a patchwork system for now, but it works. The Navy isn’t waiting for the perfect training program to start fielding RW Specialists. The mission is too important for that.
What an RW Specialist Actually Needs to Know
This isn’t just “learning to operate drones.” That’s way too small a definition. RW Specialists aren’t button-pushers—they’re integrators, troubleshooters, problem-solvers in an environment where failure isn’t an option.
That means training covers:
- Advanced Robotics & Automation – The systems don’t just run; they adapt. RW Specialists make sure they adapt in ways that give the Navy an edge.
- Signal Processing & RF Theory – Communication is everything. Unmanned systems don’t work if they can’t talk—to each other, to operators, to the broader battlespace. RW Specialists make sure those signals are clear, encrypted, and uninterrupted.
- Cybersecurity & Information Systems – The more autonomous systems the Navy fields, the more vulnerable they are to attack. RW training ensures these systems are as secure as they are smart.
- Hands-on Operational Training – There’s no substitute for real-world experience. RW Specialists train with actual Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS) platforms in operational conditions—because theory means nothing if the system fails when it matters most.
Why This Training Matters (And Why It’s Only the Beginning)
The Navy is betting big on robotics. Not just as tools, but as a fundamental part of how future wars will be fought.
That means RW training isn’t just about today’s technology—it’s about staying ahead of whatever comes next.
And that’s the real challenge. The technology is evolving faster than the training pipeline can be built.
The first RW Sailors won’t just be learning the systems—they’ll be writing the playbook for how these systems fight.
This isn’t just another technical rating. It’s something new. Something undefined. And that’s exactly why the Navy needs the right people in it.
Career Progression & Advancement Opportunities
The Navy isn’t just creating a new rating—it’s creating a new kind of warfighter. And that means the career path for an RW Specialist won’t look like anything that came before it.
This isn’t just about rank. It’s about mastering a technology-driven battlespace and positioning yourself as the expert the fleet depends on. And that starts with advancement.
The First RW Advancement Exams: Mark Your Calendar
For the first time, RW Specialists will compete for advancement within their own rating.
That’s a big shift. Instead of testing against a broad electronics or IT field, RW Sailors will be evaluated on robotic warfare expertise.
Here’s the timeline:
- E-5 and E-6 Exams → September 2024
- E-7 Exam → January 2025
- E-8/E-9 Selection Board → March 2025
This is the first generation of RW promotions. That means fewer historical references, fewer assumptions, and more opportunity for those who are ready to lead.
The Career Path: Sea, Shore, and the Future of RW Leadership
A career in RW won’t follow a rigid template—it’s evolving as the Navy refines its hybrid fleet. But here’s what the general progression looks like:
- Initial Sea Tour (48 months) – Hands-on, high-stakes. This is where RW Sailors prove their ability to integrate robotics into fleet operations.
- Shore Duty Rotation (36 months) – Teaching, refining doctrine, and helping push unmanned warfare forward.
- Advanced Robotic Operations & Leadership – As RW matures, senior Sailors will shape how these systems evolve, bridging the gap between operators and next-generation technology.
This is a rating where expertise will outrank tenure. The best RW Sailors won’t just move up in rank—they’ll be the architects of the Navy’s future in robotics.
Commissioning: Can RW Sailors Become Officers?
Absolutely. The tech-driven nature of RW makes it a prime field for commissioning programs like:
- Seaman-to-Admiral (STA-21) – The fast track to an officer career while keeping your robotics expertise.
- Officer Candidate School (OCS) – The traditional path to earning a commission.
- LDO/CWO Programs – Limited Duty Officers and Chief Warrant Officers specialize in high-tech warfare areas, making this a natural fit for RW Sailors with deep operational experience.
RW isn’t just a job—it’s a career in cutting-edge warfare. The Navy is building this rating for the long haul, and the Sailors who step up now won’t just advance within it.
They’ll define what advancement looks like.
Benefits, Incentives, and Special Pays
What RW Specialists Get Now (And What Might Come Later)
Let’s be clear upfront—there’s no Selective Reenlistment Bonus (SRB) for RW right now.
That could change, but as of today, this rating isn’t getting the kind of financial incentives seen in historically undermanned fields.
That said, special duty pays aren’t off the table. If your RW assignment involves duties that qualify for sub pay, flight pay, or other specialty incentives, you could still receive them.
But that depends on the platform you’re working with, and ultimately, command approval decides whether you retain any special pays from your previous rating.
What Could Change? The Navy Watches Manning Closely
The Navy adjusts bonuses based on critical need—and RW is still new. If the rating struggles to retain talent, SRB could be introduced to keep experienced specialists in the field.
Bottom line? Early RW Sailors aren’t signing up for the money. They’re signing up because they see the future of naval warfare and want to be part of shaping it.
If incentives grow, they’ll be well-positioned to benefit. If they don’t, this rating still puts Sailors on the cutting edge of a career-defining mission.
The Future of Robotics Warfare in the Navy
For years, the Navy has talked about a hybrid fleet—manned and unmanned systems working side by side. That was always the plan.
But now? It’s happening.
The RW rating isn’t just a new job classification; it’s a signal that autonomous systems are no longer experimental.
They are operational, and they are about to redefine naval warfare.
The shift is clear. AI-driven surveillance. Autonomous ships patrolling contested waters. Swarms of drones overwhelming defenses before a single human fires a shot.
This isn’t some distant future—it’s unfolding right now.
Emerging Technologies: The Unmanned Arsenal Expands
The Navy is investing in systems that think, react, and fight autonomously. That changes everything about how battles are won. The key technologies shaping this future:
- AI-Driven Maritime Warfare – AI is already making tactical decisions faster than any human could. From real-time targeting to autonomous threat assessment, this is the future of decision-making at sea.
- Swarm Drone Operations – One drone is useful. A hundred drones working together? That’s a battlefield shift no adversary can ignore. Swarming tactics will be a game-changer in naval engagements.
- Autonomous Underwater & Aerial Combat Systems – Unmanned submarines tracking enemy fleets. Autonomous strike drones launching precision attacks. These platforms will expand the Navy’s reach while keeping Sailors out of harm’s way.
Global Implications: The Next Era of Naval Dominance
The last century of naval warfare was defined by who had the biggest carriers, the fastest submarines, the most advanced weapons.
The next era? It will be defined by who masters robotics and AI the fastest.
RW Sailors are the bridge between the Navy of today and the fleet of the future. They won’t just operate unmanned systems; they’ll shape how these systems fight.
Every major naval power is investing in autonomous warfare, but only one will dominate it. The Navy is betting on RW Sailors to make sure it’s us.
More Information
The Navy doesn’t create new ratings lightly. The Robotics Warfare Specialist designation isn’t just an administrative change—it’s a fundamental shift in how the fleet operates.
Unmanned systems are no longer support tools; they are weapons, sensors, and decision-makers in their own right. RW Specialists will ensure these systems aren’t just operational—they’re dominant.
This is one of the most future-focused career paths in the Navy today. It’s not about maintaining tradition. It’s about shaping what comes next.
Be Part of the Navy’s Next Evolution
For Sailors who want to be at the forefront of AI-driven warfare, autonomous operations, and cutting-edge robotics, this is the moment.
The Navy is standing up an entirely new warfare community—one that will define the next era of naval power projection.
RW is more than a job. It’s the opportunity to build something that doesn’t exist yet.
Interested Sailors should start by reviewing NAVADMIN 036/24 and speaking with their Career Counselors or Enlisted Community Managers (ECMs) about eligibility and the conversion process.
Resources & Details
For those ready to take the next step, these resources provide everything needed to understand and apply for RW conversion:
- NAVADMIN 036/24 Full Text – Official message establishing the RW rating.
- RW Fact Sheet – A breakdown of responsibilities, career paths, and technical training.
- MILPERSMAN 1440-010 – Official guidance on rating conversions.
- Navy Enlisted Career Path for RW – How advancement and training will evolve.
- MyNavy HR Robotics Warfare Community Page – The latest updates on RW training, policy, and future developments.
The Navy’s hybrid fleet vision is here. RW Specialists won’t just be part of it—they’ll be leading the charge.
