138 Responses to “Navy Aircrewman Program NOS A500”
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Also I am AWF2(NAC/AW) I just updated my name because of promotion.
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I am trying to cross-rate to Awf if I was to Dor would I go back to my old rating. Also, would I be punished?
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It would really be in the hands of CWay.
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I am wanting to do aircrewman NOS a510. I live in Missouri and I am in the process of enlisting in the reserves I am scheduled to go to MEPS this coming Tuesday is this job going to be available to me as a reservist that lives in Missouri? Thank you very much in advance for the help and also how long can I expect my training to last beginning to end if it is available
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Thanks for the help. So 2 more question how long is the training from start to finish, and if available can I do this job as a reserve in Missouri or would I have to be closer to an aircrew base.?
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I’m currently DEP-ping waiting for my ship out date in a few months to Great Lakes then pcola for AIRC. I’m going in as a reservist due to age, E-3 rank, and ultimately be based in Alameda, CA. Unfortunately there were no FTS openings during my MEPS moment of truth. Regardless, I made it. Round 1, check.
As many have shared in this forum, recruiters don’t have much on hand about the rating you may get except for the rate card. Hence, I have a few questions. My apologies in advance for the novel below, but no matter how much I’ve searched and asked, I’m still left with questions;1. As a reservist, specially based out of Alameda, is my only option AWF, or do I have the same chances and choice of getting AWO/AWV or AW for Helo? Relocating is NOT and issue for me if need to or given the option.
2. If AWF only, do all AWF reserves have the opportunity to become Flight Engineers, hold electronic, computer, technical applied duties? All I hear is flight attendant remarks from others
3. At AIRC, we are to be assigned a “specified/source” rate like AE, AT, AD, AM etc.. This is confusing me. Not sure how this falls in place with the service rating AWF/AWO/AWV. Are specified/source rates as stated, specific, and is AWO for example the parent rate? Do these assignments happen at NACCS or one in boot camp and do we have some kind of choice?
4. I’m going in as an NAT Advanced Technical Field aircrewman. Which route will this take me?
5. Any input you can give me as to how to help drive myself to a squad related to patrol, recon, or carrier and avoid logistics?
6. Is there a website, place where I can get a list of jobs for reservist with age limits for reservists? Example, for AIRC, the age limit is 30, but if reserve, its 39. I’ve asked recruiters at the station and they tell me to search, to google it. They only tell me if I ask about a specific rating, and its a long list.
7. Moving forward, can I make the switch to another AW rating like AWS/AWR/AWO/AWV from AWF after 1yr, 2yrs? Or is it best to convert to active/FTS first?Thanks
Future Sailor Andrew -
1. AWF is your only option
2. Reservists can become FEs with time. Fresh out of school you will be a 2LM
3. Source rating is not a thing in USNR you will be AWF and attend AWF A School
4. NAT means reservist. ATF is your type of contract for Aircrewman. It doesn’t mean anything in specific other then you will be in Aircrew school
5. Reserve AWFs go to CFLSW commands. We are Navy logistics.
6 and 7 I am going to leave aloneHere is the skinny. You will be at a NOSC. You will have a cross assigned drill site which will be a squadron, there you will do your training for AWF. At the NOSC you will do paperwork. It’s sucks but it is what it is and I am not going to sugarcoat it.
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If I had asthma as a kid and don’t have any signs of it any more would it still hold me back?
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I swore into DEP in march of 2017, My contract says its 4 years, but has an extension of 24 months, does this mean it’s 6 years or they just add the amount of months it takes to change? And second, Can I crossrate to NSW/NSO after 2 years or do I have to fulfill the whole contract?
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Brian,
The reason for the 24 month extension is due to the length of your schooling prior to your first duty assignment. As NCCM said, your current path has you serving for six years. At the two year mark you will most likely be finishing up or having just finished your “C” school and the Navy will not let you jump to a different rate until after you perform those tasks that you just learned for a few years.
Five years into my six year contract I put in a packet to transition in six months, it was denied due to not serving my obligated service as an AWV. I input the same packet three months later again to transition in six months and it was accepted, so I was able to transition just short of my obligated six years. As you can see, for the most part the Navy is holding you to exactly what you sign up for.
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Interested in the AW community and are currently going through the recruitment process. Just received medical clearance and will be given the opportunity to go to MEPS in the upcoming weeks. Top choices right now are AD and AM with the thoughts of “volunteering” for AW slot. I’ve seen several posts already asking this same question, but have not read a concrete or suitable answer. What does the “volunteering for flight duty” process look like, and how soon can one start it? is it during or after A-school? will there be a chance to raise your hand at some point and apply for a slot at Naval Aircrewman School? How does that work?
Thanks
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Eli,
Just as Master Chief stated the Navy expects you to put in some time to the rating you signed up for and they trained you for before allowing you to cross rate to the AW field. Once you complete “A†school and you are assigned to an aviation squadron, expect at minimum 18 months on the job before your squadron will release you prematurely.
The volunteering for flight duty process can happen multiple ways. If your initial tour of duty is complete (4 years at the squadron) and your command will not need to release you prematurely, it will mostly be putting a package together stating you’re capable and eligible for Aircrewman. If you’re interested in the rescue swimmer AW rating there will be additional steps. If your tour with the squadron is not complete when you decide to submit the package then your commanding officer will also need to sign, releasing you from your squadron. The commanding officer’s decision will mostly revolve around man-power, as they are losing someone earlier than they anticipated. The two year mark at the squadron is a good time to start thinking about cross rating because if your initial enlistment is 4 years then they had somewhat planned on losing you from the squadron within the next year or so anyways.
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Hello,
I’m trying to find out some information and hopefully someone will have some insight on my issue. I’m a prior service navy veteran with 4 years active and got out of 2016 of September. Never NJP or got into any trouble. I do have both of my pins plus all the awards that came with 3 deployments on the USS George Washington CVN 73. Got out as E3 AD and my age is 25 now with RE-1 code. Recently I have gone through MEPS, Asvab and all the hoops. Since your prior service you have to fill out a dream sheet for 5 slots and my top pick is AIRC for AW rating. I submitted my packet around November 6th 2017 and while I was waiting I wanted to get in contact with the ECM that will make the Final choice to let him know that I Eat and breathe for Aircrew. Let’s just say I’m pumped for this and I wanted him to know that he was making the right choice by picking me. Which he understood and said I’ll see what I can do. Awesome, in my head I said loudly during that call because it was a long shot. Now, he hasn’t gotten my packet across his desk yet and that’s where my question is (three weeks ago, around the end of November is when I made the phone call. It could be very well on his desk right now.)? How long does it usually take for prior service know anything on there packet. What is the before process that takes place before it gets to his desk. And what is the average time I’m looking at before I know anything?
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Hello,
My name is Aden [Last name redacted for privacy] and I am wanting to become a naval aviator but I can not find it on the job options in this site what do I do?
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So I’ve researched this thread periodically throughout my short Naval career (2 years) and wanted to drop some advice / ask questions. As some have stated before if you pick an aviation maintenance rating like I did there is no *direct way to volunteer for aircrew (supposedly there was back in the day). I made that mistake joining the Navy thinking I could *volunteer for aircrew avionics (AWV) as an AT. If you want AW go straight into, saves you the hassle I’m about to explain.
After being in for nearly two years and at my command for just above a year I was luckily granted an early release to cross rate to AW (I chose AWF for platform and manning). To my surprise with a reluctant attitude my Chain of Command / CO DID approved my request to volunteer for AW. I wouldn’t recommend this route though. It’s a lot of paperwork and hard to get everyone on board.
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My question for those who have recently went through or know someone who has.
Do AWF’s or at least aircrewmen get to select order based off of merit / 1st in class?
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AT3,
As a Fleet Returnee you should have orders in hand prior to attending AW school. If your package has been approved by the ECM get in touch with the detailer.
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Thanks for the reply AWF1, my orders are being “typed†now according to the ECM. Far as I know the orders are just back to Pensacola, are you suggesting they’ll have my permanent duty station post A school as well?
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I recently completed AWF A school and am seeking to make E-4 through accelerated advancement. I am SELREs, do not have an FRS, and therefore I believe I am eligible for E-4 because I am in an advanced technical field. I was told by a PS I would have needed a page 13 saying I would get accelerated advancement upon enlistment, but according to MILPERSMAN 1220-010 I just need CO’s recommendation. Is this correct?
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AWFAN,
You should have already completed a Page 13 entry when you signed your contract for ATF-AIRC. I will reread the Milpersman tomorrow, but I remember there being an issue with Selres. I may be mistaking that for something else. Are you at an aviation command or at a NOSC?
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NOSC
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Send me a brief email at [email deleted for privacy] to remind me to look into it tomorrow. Sorry we are prepping for a maintenance inspection so I will probably forget by tomorrow.
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Quick Question, if your already and E-3 going into AW A-School when do you pick E-4? is that after successful completion of A-School or the replenishment school. thank you
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It should be stated in your contract, so look to that as a more explicit answer to your indicidual case. Generally speaking (98% of the people completing C-school at the same time as me) we all advanced to E-4 the same day that we graduated from C-school in Jacksonville.
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How hard is it to get this rate?
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Zach, the top of this page lists the requirements to be eligible for Aircrewman. Whether you meet these requirements or not, go see a recruiter as they can give you a better idea of your chances at becoming an Aircrewman.
If you were talking about the physical aspect, Aircrew school was tough for some and easy for others. The farthest I remember running is 8 miles, which was a formation run and at a moderately slow pace. Be comfortable in the water, this was what most people were dropped/rolled back for. Pool evolutions range from treading water to swimming a mile in full flight gear. You will be trained and prepared for all this for 1-3 months prior to actual testing so it is not essential to get comfortable in the water before shipping out, but it will definitely help.
If you were talking about the academic aspect of becoming an Aircrewman, the Navy believes that if you’ve got a good enough ASVAB score to sign the contract for Aircrew then you will be successful. I had terrible study habits when I joined the Navy but all that changed during C school out of necessity to pass. The Navy will prepare you for the job but you’ve got to be willing to put in the hours and commitment. Don’t quit. Senior leadership is there to mentor the willing and you will be successful as long as you keep a positive attitude and stay out of trouble.
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I was enlisted USN 1863-1971: ATW2(AC), converted to ATR2(AC), and finally AT1(AC). When I left active service, my “aircrewman” designation was (AC) post-fixed to the rate/rank. However, I read that in 2009 the (AC) designation became a RATING and was changed from Naval Aircrewman (NAC) to AV–something. So, what should I ‘properly’ use, the old (1963-1971 era) (AC) or subsequent (NAC) designation, ie: AT1(AC) or AT1(NAC)?
Thank you,
Very respectfully,
Earles L. McCaul
Tucson, AZ, USA. -
That’s the rub, the DD214 does not mention Aircrewman designation, onlt AT1/E6; however, section 4. Designator Record of my Navy Occupation and Training History does show: DATE: 2SEP65; DESIGNATOR: AC; QUAL followed by Officer ATF’s initials.
Thanks, (AC) it will be.
Earles.
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Can i be in aircrew if i am an aviation mechanic in the navy? And how would i start that process??
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What’s the difference between a system engineer and an in-flight technician in the AWF community?
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I believe all in flight technicians are AWV or AWO. Not sure what a system engineer is.
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Currently on CMSID and those are my only options for AWF3.
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Strange. I am not familiar with that at all then. I would reach out to your detailer and ask about those billets.
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Beyond PFT standards.
Please describe and highlight the differences between AW with SAR rating vs a AIRR rating. ie….2 years down the line what are the differences in a week in the life, month in the life description?
Thank you -
I was privileged to serve the United States as a Rescue Swimmer for 22 years.
I would do it again in a second!!!!
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I have a GED, I have a signed contract from meps. My rate is aircrew. I’m now being told my GED is not valid. Got a (76) Asvab score. I’ve been informed my contract is no longer valid? However I’m still eligible for AIRR. Does this make any sense? I feel like I’m being pushed into the spec ops community, and I just want my original Aircrew rate. Am I screwed?
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So I’m ETSing from the army in about 3 years. I enjoy the military, just not the army side of things. I’m in the Aviation branch here as a 15R (Apache Helicopter Crewchief/Mechanic) will this job set be transferrable in any way?
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Hi Vaughn,
The AD rate (Aviation Machinist’s Mate) seems like it would be a similar job. You can look up the specifics but to summarize, ADs are the mechanics for their particular aviation asset whether it be fixed or rotary wing. The AWF rate are the Flight Engineers, which is the AD equivalent in the aircrew ranks. However, AWFs are being phased out as the P-3 is replaced.
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AWFs are not being phased out, just P3s. Navy still owns EP3E, C130T, C40A, C20, C2, and soon V22, all of which have crew positions filled by AWF.
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AWF1,
My mistake I did not clarify. I was more so referring to AWFs as the flight engineer positions in reference to Vaughn’s question. Outside of (E)P3 platforms, I have only interacted with AWFs as either load masters or handing me snacks on the other platforms you mentioned and that was outside of the scope for my response.
VP-30 has been slowing the class billets for AWFs as the Flight Engineer position for years along with AWVs as In-flight technicians, but of course AWVs are still inclusive for some of the platforms you mentioned.
If you have some helpful information for Vaughn in the context of AWFs at the Flight Engineer or more scripted in the AD line of work, I am sure he would be happy to hear it.
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No problem. I am a C130 Flight Engineer. Also VX has C130 FEs and I believe VQ3 and 4 have E6B flight engineers
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Dumb question
Other than seals and swcc, what other rates can get combat deployment?
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Not sure what you mean by combat deployed. Stab in the dark I would say EOD and Seabees
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I have been waiting for the rate (AWR) or (AW) for a couple months. My recruiter says no spots have opened up and I am forced to pick another rate. Is there any reason why this rate is hard to get and do you have any advice on what I should do I could do?
Thank you
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Are you referring to an AIRR contract? I have been out of recruiting since 2010 but it was a special program that required you to perform a physical test prior to getting a contract. If you have performed the PST already I would talk to the RINC in the recruiting station, actually if he hasn’t even mentioned a PST you will want to talk to the RINC. RINC stands for Recruiter in charge. Basically the LPO (Leading Petty Officer) of the office.
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AWF1
sorry I am referring to aircrewman rate.
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How long from after Boot Camp do you get to go home and see family like how many weeks
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Adam,
As an active duty service member you will accrue 30 days of leave per year (2.5 days per month). It is up to you when you decide to use that leave to go home. Your orders will dictate where you go after bootcamp; for Aircrew positions this generally means going to Pensacola, FL for Aircrew Candidate School. From there you will be allowed to take leave as long as it is approved by your chain of command.
The Navy recognizes that most people right out of bootcamp have not accrued many leave days yet so they will allow you to go “in the hole” for leave days. For example, I arrived in Pensacola after bootcamp in mid-December, right before most people were taking leave for Christmas. I only had 5 days of leave saved at this point but I was able to put in a leave request for 10, meaning I returned with a negative balance. You just make those days up on the back end.
To answer your question of how many weeks after bootcamp you must wait to take leave, it depends on many factors. If you are in a hold phase after bootcamp or a holiday period is coming up you will be able to take leave sooner. If you class-up immediately for job training immediately after bootcamp, your chain of command will only approve your leave request under certain circumstances.
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Hi I have a few questions.
1. From boot camp to duty station assignment, how long is all the training?
2. Where are most AW’s stationed? Or what duty stations are AW’s sent to?
3. The rotations for sea and shore are listed as 36mo/36mo. Does this mean for 36 months you’re at sea and never at your duty station to see your family? Please explain how this works. Thanks!
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Hi! i signed as an AM and am about to head to “a” school (already did boot-camp) how would i go about getting into aircrew as an AM was told I could volunteer.
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hi I am a undesignated seaman I’m about to strike and id like to join aircrew iv been in for a year this is my 3rd strike cycle, my line scores are 10 points off from qualification can I join with a waiver?
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Will, FTS are generally J154 (Formally known as AWF, we no longer have ratings). From there he can either be assigned to VR or VP. There are 2 squadrons in Whidbey VP-69 which is P-3 and VR-61 (i think) which is C-40. His chances of getting these are based solely on the availability and his class rank. The students get all the orders on the board and #1 picks first. As far as Sere school is concerned if he goes to a VR squadron then No he will not attend. I do believe VP Squadrons still require it.