This guide provides helpful guidance on enlisting in the Navy as a Retail Services Specialist during Fiscal Year 2025.
Life on a Navy ship doesn’t mean going without. Coffee, snacks, laundry, haircuts—someone’s got to keep it all running. That’s the job of a Retail Services Specialist (RS).
You’ll run the store, make coffee, handle laundry, even cut hair. Crew needs the comforts of home, and you make it happen. Keeps morale up, keeps things running.
Not just about sales. It’s about making life at sea a little better. A stocked store, fresh laundry, a good trim—small things, big difference.
Job Description
Retail Services Specialists (RS) run the stores, services, and vending operations that keep life on a Navy ship a little more comfortable. From ship stores and laundry to barbershops and coffee kiosks, RS Sailors manage the day-to-day needs of the crew.
Where They Work
- At sea: Ship stores, coffee stands (on carriers), barbershops, laundry, and vending machines.
- Ashore: Bachelor quarters, hospitals, Recruit Training Command, and Special Shore Programs.
The job requires physical labor and adaptability, but it also builds skills in retail, marketing, and management.
RS Career Outlook
- 2,400+ active RS Sailors.
- In a 20-year career, expect about 60% of time at sea, 40% on shore duty.
Key Responsibilities
- Run shipboard retail & service operations – stores, cafés, vending, video games.
- Operate the barbershop.
- Assist with laundry and tailor shop operations.
- Stock and acquire ship’s store inventory.
- Maintain financial records and procurement databases.
- Handle cash collection and vending machine services.
RS Sailors keep the essentials running and boost morale—because even at sea, a fresh haircut, clean laundry, and a cup of coffee make a difference.
Different Roles
RS Sailors take on different roles to keep shipboard services running smoothly. Whether cutting hair, running the store, or handling mail, they provide essential services that keep the crew supplied and morale high.
Barber
- Provide basic military haircuts.
- Follow sanitation standards.
- Ensure customer satisfaction—a good haircut matters at sea.
Laundry Operator
- Receive, process, and issue all shipboard laundry.
- Operate washing machines for uniforms, linens, and personal items.
- Maintain sanitation standards while delivering quality service.
Postal Clerk
- Manage and operate Navy Post Offices.
- Process, dispatch, and route mail.
- Handle customer transactions and maintain postal automation systems.
- Keep accurate records and reports.
Retail Operator
- Manage shipboard retail—stores, vending machines, and EPOS systems.
- Check, store, and inventory merchandise; track items entering and leaving stock.
- Scan inventories, ensure storeroom materials are in good condition.
- Handle orders, receipts, and inventory adjustments.
- Use financial and inventory software for tracking sales.
- Create marketing strategies to boost ship store sales.
- Keep all retail spaces clean and organized while delivering excellent customer service.
Each role supports the daily life of the crew, making sure they have what they need to stay focused on the mission.
Rank Structure
Pay Grade | Rate | Abbreviation | Title |
---|---|---|---|
E-1 | Seaman Recruit | SR | Seaman Recruit |
E-2 | Seaman Apprentice | SA | Seaman Apprentice |
E-3 | Seaman | SN | Seaman |
E-4 | Retail Services Specialist Third Class | RS3 | Petty Officer Third Class |
E-5 | Retail Services Specialist Second Class | RS2 | Petty Officer Second Class |
E-6 | Retail Services Specialist First Class | RS1 | Petty Officer First Class |
E-7 | Chief Retail Services Specialist | RSC | Chief Petty Officer |
E-8 | Senior Chief Retail Services Specialist | RSCS | Senior Chief Petty Officer |
E-9 | Master Chief Retail Services Specialist | RSCM | 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
After Boot Camp at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, Retail Services Specialists receive specialized training to prepare for managing shipboard retail, financial, and service operations.
Initial Training
Class “A” Technical School – Meridian, MS (5 weeks)
- Covers cash handling, retail operations, and laundry services.
- Training includes group instruction and hands-on applications.
After completing A School, RS Sailors are assigned to a ship or shore station in the U.S. or overseas.
Advanced Training & Career Growth
- Shipboard Barber “C” School available later in career development.
- Promotion opportunities are competitive and based on performance.
- Sailors who reach E-6 may apply for Limited Duty Officer (LDO) commissioning.
- Other commissioning paths include STA-21, OCS, MECP, MSC-IPP, and the Naval Academy.
Post-Service Opportunities
Skills learned as an RS translate directly into bookkeeping, retail, salon/grooming, and hospitality careers.
- Training provides problem-solving, leadership, organizational, and retail management skills.
- Experience in operating retail databases and handling inventory carries over to civilian jobs.
- The global retail industry values RS training and experience.
Career Outlook
- Diverse and challenging work environment with room for professional development.
- Retail Services Specialists gain practical knowledge that is unmatched in the civilian world.
- Many Sailors find the opportunity for travel and career growth makes leaving the Navy a tough choice.
Apprenticeship & Certification Programs
United Services Military Apprenticeship Program (USMAP)
- Offers active-duty service members a chance to complete civilian apprenticeships while serving.
- The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) awards a nationally recognized Certificate of Completion.
- Helps RS Sailors qualify for better civilian jobs after service.
USMAP Apprenticeship Trades for RS:
- Barber (Personal Service)
- Manager, Retail Store (Retail Trade)
- Computer Operator
- Postal Operator
For more info, visit: USMAP Website
Certifications & Additional Training
Through Navy COOL, RS Sailors can earn hospitality, retail, and management certifications from:
- Hospitality Financial & Technology Professionals (HFTP)
- Institute for Supply Management (ISM)
- Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC)
- Microsoft Corporation
- National Property Management Association (NPMA)
- Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
For additional certifications and details, visit: Navy COOL
Qualifications to Join
Basic Requirements
To enlist as a Retail Services Specialist (RS) in the Navy, you must meet the following requirements:
- High school diploma or equivalent required.
- Must be a U.S. Citizen.
- Good arithmetic and verbal skills are essential.
- Must be able to handle money accurately and perform detailed work.
- Strong customer service skills—RS Sailors work directly with people.
- Must be personable and comfortable in a retail and service environment.
ASVAB Requirement
To qualify as a Retail Services Specialist, you need a minimum ASVAB score:
- VE + AR = 83
General qualifications may vary depending on whether you are currently serving, have served before, or are enlisting for the first time.
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
To get further information on the Retail Services Specialist (RS) job, contact your Navy Enlisted Recruiter. They will provide detailed information not available online.
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