This guide provides helpful information for those looking to join the Navy as an Utilitiesman (UT) during the Fiscal Year 2025.
Utilities don’t just power cities—they keep bases, hospitals, and combat zones operational. As a Utilitiesman (UT) in the Navy, you’re not stuck in one place. You go where the mission needs you.
Plumbing, heating, air systems—on bases, in disaster zones, in combat. If it moves water, air, or power, you’re the one keeping it running. No utilities, no mission.
If you’re ready and interested, let’s go.
Job Description
Water, air, fuel, waste—if it flows, UTs keep it moving. Navy Utilitiesmen install, maintain, and repair the critical systems that keep bases, hospitals, and military operations running. No plumbing, no heat, no clean water? No mission.
If something breaks, the mission stops until a UT fixes it.
What They Do
UTs don’t just fix pipes—they keep entire installations operational. From everyday maintenance to emergency repairs in disaster zones, they handle it all.
- Plumbing & Heating – Install and repair pipes, fuel systems, and steam lines.
- HVAC & Refrigeration – Maintain heating, ventilation, and air conditioning units.
- Water & Wastewater Systems – Purify water, manage sewage, and operate treatment plants.
- Blueprints & Planning – Read designs, sketch project layouts, estimate materials and labor.
- Environmental Protection – Ensure safe handling of waste and reduce pollution risks.
- Combat & Disaster Support – Provide utilities for bases, hospitals, and emergency shelters.
Where They Work
- Navy bases & overseas stations worldwide.
- Disaster zones – Rebuilding after hurricanes, earthquakes, and conflicts.
- Shore-based commands – Seabees rarely serve at sea.
The Numbers
- 1,000 active Utilitiesmen in the Navy.
- Work solo or as part of a team—either way, the job gets done.
Rank Structure
| Pay Grade | Rank | Abbreviation |
|---|---|---|
| E-1 | Constructionman Recruit | CR |
| E-2 | Constructionman Apprentice | CA |
| E-3 | Constructionman | CN |
| E-4 | Utilitiesman Third Class | UT3 |
| E-5 | Utilitiesman Second Class | UT2 |
| E-6 | Utilitiesman First Class | UT1 |
| E-7 | Chief Utilitiesman | UTC |
| E-8 | Senior Chief Utilitiesman | UTCS |
| E-9 | Seabee Master Chief | CBCM |
Note: E-9: Seabee Master Chief (CBCM) – At this level, all Seabee ratings merge. No more UT, BU, SW—it’s all under one title. Master Chiefs run the show, overseeing major construction projects, infrastructure operations, and disaster response efforts worldwide.
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.
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
Boot Camp & “A” School
- Start at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes (Boot Camp).
- Class “A” Technical School – NCTC Sheppard Air Force Base, TX | 13–19 weeks
- Learn plumbing, HVAC, water treatment, and basic combat skills.
- Hands-on training in repairing, installing, and maintaining utility systems.
First Assignments
After training, UTs report to:
- Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) – Port Hueneme, CA or Gulfport, MS.
- Amphibious Construction Battalion (ACB) – San Diego, CA or Little Creek, VA.
- Rotations between homeport and overseas locations like Spain, Okinawa, or Guam.
- Additional combat and construction skills training during homeport duty.
Career Progression
- Promotions are competitive—performance drives advancement.
- Advanced training available in HVAC systems, water treatment, and project leadership.
Post-Service Opportunities
- Certifications and licenses in plumbing, HVAC, and water treatment.
- Careers in commercial and industrial utilities, facility maintenance, and emergency response.
- Seabees build and maintain infrastructure—skills that are always in demand.
Qualifications to Join
Basic Requirements
- U.S. citizen – No exceptions.
- High school diploma or GED.
ASVAB Score Requirement
- AR + MK + EI + GS = 205 or
- AR + AS + MK = 145
Skills & Qualifications
- Hands-on skills – Comfortable using tools, equipment, and heavy machinery.
- Math knowledge – Algebra is required.
- Speaking & writing skills – Clear communication on job sites.
- Record-keeping ability – Track materials, blueprints, and system maintenance.
- Attention to detail – One bad pipe, one miswired system, and things go wrong fast.
Physical & Personal Traits
- Manual dexterity – Steady hands, precise control.
- Strong teamwork skills – If one system fails, the whole mission suffers.
- Good stamina & physical condition – Pipes don’t fix themselves.
- Curiosity & resourcefulness – Every job is different, and problem-solving is key.
- Normal hearing required.
If you can’t work hard, think fast, and keep systems running no matter what—this isn’t for you. If you can? You’ll be the one making sure bases, hospitals, and combat zones stay operational.
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 an Utilitiesman (UT), 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 in the Seabees:
