Aviation ordnancemen are aircraft armament (weapons) specialists in charge of storing, servicing, inspecting and handling of all types of weapons and ammunition carried on Navy aircraft. These technicians may also volunteer to fly as Naval aircrew. Aircrew performs numerous in-flight duties and operates aircraft systems in turbojet, helicopter, or propeller aircraft.
The duties performed by AOs include:
- Inspect, maintains and repair aircraft mechanical and electrical armament/ordnance systems;
- Service aircraft guns and accessories;
- Stow, assembles and load aviation ammunition including aerial mines, torpedoes, missiles and rockets;
- Service bomb, missile and rocket releasing and launching devices;
- Load supplementary munitions;
- Assemble, tests and maintain air-launched guided missiles;
- Supervise operation of aviation ordnance shops, armories and stowage facilities;
Working Environment
AOs perform their duties at sea on flight decks and ashore in hangars, on flight lines at air stations, or in shops under various environmental conditions. They work closely with others, do mostly physical work and require little supervision.
A-School (Job School) Information
- Pensacola, FL --32 calendar days
- Pensacola, FL -- 17 calendar days
ASVAB Score Requirement: VE+AR+MK+AS=185 OR MK+AS+AO=140
Security Clearance Requirement: Secret
Other Requirements
Normal hearing required. Frequencies: 3000hz 4000hz 5000hz 6000hz Average hearing threshold level in these four frequencies must be less than 30db, with no level greater than 45db in any one frequency. If hearing level exceeds these limits, the applicant is enlistment ineligible for the rating.
Sub-Specialties Available for This Rating: Navy Enlisted Classification Codes for AO
Current Manning Levels for This Rating: CREO Listing
Note: Advancement ( promotion ) opportunity and career progression are directly linked to a rating's manning level (i.e., personnel in undermanned ratings have greater promotion opportunity than those in overmanned ratings).
Sea/Shore Rotation for This Rating
- First Sea Tour: 60 months
- First Shore Tour: 36 months
- Second Sea Tour: 54 month
- Second Shore Tour: 36 month
- Third Sea Tour: 42 month
- Third Shore Tour: 36 month
- Fourth Sea Tour: 36 month
- Forth Shore Tour: 36 month
Note: Sea tours and shore tours for sailors that have completed four sea tours will be 36 months at sea followed by 36 months ashore until retirement.
Much of the above information courtesy of the Navy Personnel Command
Aviation Ordnanceman:
Navy planes carry guns, bombs, torpedoes, rockets, and missiles to attack the enemy on the sea, under sea, in the air, and on land. AOs are responsible for maintaining, repairing, installing, operating, and handling aviation ordnance equipment; their duties also include the handling, stowing, issuing, and loading of munitions and small arms.
Degree Roadmap
