The GSE/GSM Ratings
The Navy Gas Turbine Systems Technician rating was established in 1978.
Gas Turbine Systems Technicians are broken down into two seperate ratings with one who's core is electrical and the other mechanical. GSs operate, repair, and perform organizational and intermediate maintenance on gas turbine engines, main propulsion machinery (including gears, shafting, and controllable pitch propellers), assigned auxiliary equipment, propulsion control systems, assigned electrical and electronic circuitry up to the printed circuit, and alarm and warning circuitry.
Gas Turbine Systems Technician - Electrical (GSE)
Gas Turbine Systems Technicians (Electrical) operate, repair and perform organizational and intermediate maintenance on electrical components of gas turbine engines, main propulsion machinery, auxiliary equipment, propulsion control systems, and assigned electrical and electronic circuitry up to the printed circuit and alarm warning circuitry. They operate electric plant main and propulsion control equipment, and they locate circuit failures and replace parts.
GSEs measure current, voltage and resistance, and test for shorts, grounds and continuity. They test protective circuitry, and test, service and replace batteries. GSEs perform preventive maintenance on digital data equipment and control and monitor circuits, measure insulation resistance, and repair electrical/electronic cables, wiring, and connectors. They maintain alarm, indicating and warning systems, and maintain and repair gas turbine engines and auxiliary equipment. GSEs work with blueprints, schematics, and charts, and perform administrative procedures related to gas turbine propulsion system operation and maintenance.
The active duty GSE rating requires a 5 year minimum enlistment contract.
Gas Turbine Systems Technician - Mechanical (GSM)
Gas Turbine Systems Technicians (Mechanical) operate, repair and perform organizational and intermediate maintenance on mechanical components of gas turbine engines, main propulsion machinery (including main reduction gears, shafts and controllable pitch propellers), assigned auxiliary equipment, and propulsion control systems. They also maintain and operate ship's service gas turbine generators and support systems, maintain the controllable pitch propeller system, control ship's service steam water chemistry.
GSMs operate electric plant control and main propulsion equipment, pumps, turning gears, air compressors, oil purification systems, low pressure air dehydrators, and engineering control systems. They work with blueprints, schematics and charts to maintain and repair gas turbine engines and auxiliary equipment. They perform preventive maintenance on ship's fuel system and air system, sea water service system, waste drain system, oil purification system, and manually operated valves. They also perform work area inspections, operate standard test equipment, and test lubricating oil and distillate fuels for contamination, neutralization, and precipitation.
The active duty GSM rating requires a 4 year minimum enlistment contract.
Qualifications, Interests, and Working Environment
Personnel in this rating must have mechanical ability, manual dexterity and normal color perception. They should also have experience working with machines, in electronics/electrical fields and have had some courses in physics.
Gas Turbine Systems Technicians usually work in engine rooms or shops that may be hot and noisy aboard many types of modern ships. At shore they may work at major repair or training facilities. Work is physical and analytical (trouble-shooting) for electronic and mechanical components. GS ASVAB Test score requirements.
Credit Recommendations
The American Council on Education recommends that semester hour credits be awarded in the vocational certificate and lower-division bachelor's/associate's degree categories for courses taken in this rating on technical mathematics, applied physics, gas turbines and blueprint reading.