This guide provides helpful information for those looking to join the Navy as a Sonar Technician – Submarines (STS) during the Fiscal Year 2025.
Sonar Technicians listen, track, and analyze what’s beneath the waves. Enemy ships, underwater threats, even marine life. Using advanced sonar systems, they detect what others can’t, gathering intelligence and guiding their vessel safely.
Submarines rely on sonar for navigation, defense, and survival. STSs send out sonar signals, interpret echoes, and make decisions that keep the boat hidden and aware of its surroundings.
STS Sailors serve on every class of submarine. They specialize in combat-system equipment, working to identify and track contacts, gather undersea data, and ensure boat defense and navigation.
If you’re ready for this job, let’s go.
ENLISTMENT BONUS: Future Navy STSs are currently eligible to receive up to $35K in cash bonus just for signing up.
Job Description
Submarine Sonar Technicians (STS) are Navy enlisted Sailors who operate and maintain submarine sonar systems. Their tasks include controlling and evaluating sonar data, coordinating with underwater fire control systems, using environmental monitoring equipment, and performing maintenance duties.
Sonar Technicians work indoors—whether on a submarine or shore station. The environment is comfortable, high-tech, and team-oriented. They use advanced computer systems and often work with minimal supervision.
Around 1,100 Sailors serve in the STS rating. While their job is mostly independent, they collaborate with others and work under direct supervision when needed.
What They Do
Sonar Technicians on submarines handle underwater surveillance and data collection systems. Their job includes:
- Maintaining, repairing, and calibrating sonar and electronic surveillance equipment.
- Tuning and adjusting systems for accuracy.
- Operating and performing basic maintenance on surveillance and scientific data systems.
- Conducting intermediate-level maintenance on combat control system test equipment.
- Running system tests to ensure everything functions properly.
- Using and maintaining hand tools and portable power tools.
Everything they do keeps the sub aware of what’s in the water. Detection, tracking, survival—it all depends on them.
Different Roles
Advanced Sonar Operator
Keeps sonar systems running. Maintains, troubleshoots, and repairs mainframe sonar and support equipment.
- Operates sonar systems to detect, track, and classify contacts.
- Handles towed arrays and tactical oceanography.
- Conducts expendable bathythermograph evolutions for underwater environmental data.
Basic Sonar Operator
Focuses on detection, tracking, and classification of surface and subsurface contacts.
- Operates and performs minor maintenance on sonar and depth-sounding systems.
- Works with auxiliary sonar equipment.
- Assists in towed array handling.
Sonar Supervisor
Leads sonar operations. Manages undersea warfare equipment and directs tactical decisions.
- Evaluates sonar data and coordinates communications.
- Oversees divisional operations, maintenance, and training.
- Supports intelligence gathering, target processing, and attack operations.
- Ensures equipment maintenance and personnel readiness.
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 | Sonar Technician Submarines Third Class | STS3 | Petty Officer Third Class |
E-5 | Sonar Technician Submarines Second Class | STS2 | Petty Officer Second Class |
E-6 | Sonar Technician Submarines First Class | STS1 | Petty Officer First Class |
E-7 | Chief Sonar Technician Submarines | STSC | Chief Petty Officer |
E-8 | Senior Chief Sonar Technician Submarines | STSCS | Senior Chief Petty Officer |
E-9 | Master Chief Sonar Technician Submarines | STSCM | 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.
- Submarine Duty Incentive Pay (SUBPAY): Up to $1,000/month based on qualifications and assignment.
- 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
Initial Training
After Boot Camp at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, future Sonar Technicians (STSs) report to:
- Basic Enlisted Submarine School – 9 weeks in Groton, CT. Learn submarine systems and operations.
- Class “A” Technical School & Specialty Pipeline School – 18 weeks in Groton, CT. Training in basic electricity, electronics, computer technology, and underwater surveillance.
Once training is complete, STSs are assigned to submarines or shore commands in the U.S. and overseas.
Career Progression
- Sailors alternate between submarine duty and shore duty throughout their careers.
- 60% of a 20-year career is spent on fleet units (submarines), with 40% on shore.
- Promotion opportunities are available but competitive—based on performance.
- Top graduates from training may qualify for accelerated advancement to E-4 (Petty Officer Third Class) by extending their enlistment to six years.
Post-Service Opportunities
The technical training and experience gained as an STS translates to civilian careers in sonar technology, electronics, and surveillance systems.
Training Breakdown
School | Location | Length | Focus | Method |
---|---|---|---|---|
Basic Enlisted Submarine School | Groton, CT | 9 weeks | Submarine systems fundamentals | Group instruction, hands-on training |
Class “A” & Specialty Pipeline School | Groton, CT | 18 weeks | Electricity, electronics, computer systems, underwater surveillance | Classroom, labs, hands-on training |
Commitment & Pay
- Service obligation: 5 years (4-year enlistment + 1-year extension).
- Submarine duty pay: $75 to $600 per month (after Basic Enlisted Submarine School).
- Enlistment starts at E-1 (Seaman Recruit). Advancement to E-2, E-3, and E-4 requires meeting time-in-rate and performance standards.
STSs are part of an elite, highly trained force. Their skills are valuable both in the Navy and beyond.
Qualifications to Join
Initial Training
After Boot Camp at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, future Sonar Technicians (STSs) report to:
- Basic Enlisted Submarine School – 9 weeks in Groton, CT. Learn submarine systems and operations.
- Class “A” Technical School & Specialty Pipeline School – 18 weeks in Groton, CT. Training in basic electricity, electronics, computer technology, and underwater surveillance.
Training Breakdown
School | Location | Length | Focus | Method |
---|---|---|---|---|
Basic Enlisted Submarine School | Groton, CT | 9 weeks | Submarine systems fundamentals | Group instruction, hands-on training |
Class “A” & Specialty Pipeline School | Groton, CT | 18 weeks | Electricity, electronics, computer systems, underwater surveillance | Classroom, labs, hands-on training |
Once training is complete, STSs are assigned to submarines or shore commands in the U.S. and overseas.
Career Progression
- Sailors alternate between submarine duty and shore duty throughout their careers.
- 60% of a 20-year career is spent on fleet units (submarines), with 40% on shore.
- Promotion opportunities are available but competitive—based on performance.
- Top graduates from training may qualify for accelerated advancement to E-4 (Petty Officer Third Class) by extending their enlistment to six years.
Post-Service Opportunities
The technical training and experience gained as an STS translates to civilian careers in sonar technology, electronics, and surveillance systems.
STSs are part of an elite, highly trained force. Their skills are valuable both in the Navy and beyond.
Commitment & Pay
- Service obligation: 5 years (4-year enlistment + 1-year extension).
- Submarine duty pay: $75 to $600 per month (after Basic Enlisted Submarine School).
- Enlistment starts at E-1 (Seaman Recruit). Advancement to E-2, E-3, and E-4 requires meeting time-in-rate and performance standards.
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 a Sonar Technician – Submarines (STS), 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 jobs: