Naval Aircrewman Operator (AWO) belong to a diverse community highly specialized in the platform to which they are assigned. AWOs operate various aircraft systems to support Anti-Submarine (ASW), Anti-Surface (ASUW), Search and Rescue (SAR), Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR), Electronic Countermeasure (ESM) and Logistic missions onboard P-3 and P-8 aircraft. Members may serve as Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) pilots and payload operators or be assigned to Tactical Mobile Operations Centers as an, System Operator or Watch Officer. YEARS OF SERVICE CAREER MILESTONES AVERAGE TIME TO PROMOTE COMMISSIONING OR OTHER SPECIAL PROGRAMS /SHORE ROTATION TYPICAL CAREER PATH DEVELOPMENT 26-30 AWCM 24.3 Yrs CSEL Billet: CSEL, ASW Ops Duty: VP, NRPDC, TSC 24-26 AWCM AWOCS 20-24 AWOCS AWOC 16-20 AWOCS AWOC 12-16 AWOC AWO2 24.3 Yrs 17.2 17.2 Yrs 15.5 17.2 Yrs 15.5 15.5 Yrs 4.2 CSEL Billet: CSEL, LCPO,, ASW Operations Qualification: NI, NE, UAS Instructor OCS, MECP, CWO, NROTC, RDC CWO, NROTC LDO, CWO, NROTC Billets: CSEL, Instructor, Operations CPO, NATOPS CPO, Training CPO NASC Qualification: NE, NI, UAS Billets: NATOPS LPO/LCPO, Aircrew Training LPO/LCPO, Operations LPO/LCPO Duty VP, VUP, MTOC, TSC, Position: SS1, S3 Qualification: NE, NI, UAS Billets: Operations LPO, Training LPO, NATOPS LPO Qualification: ANI, NI, IUT, UAS Operator 9-12 AWO2 Yrs 4.2 LDO, NROTC Billets: Aircrew Training LPO, Schedules Petty Officer/LPO, NATOPS Instructor/LPO, Qualifications: ANI, NI, UAS Operator 1
YEARS OF SERVICE 6-9 AWO2 AWO3 2-6 AWO2 AWO3 CAREER MILESTONES 1+/- AWOAN AWOAA Accession Training AVERAGE TIME TO PROMOTE 4.2 Yrs 1.6 3.7 Yrs 1.6 COMMISSIONING OR OTHER SPECIAL PROGRAMS NROTC, RDC Naval Academy, NROTC 9 Months Naval Academy, NROTC /SHORE ROTATION TYPICAL CAREER PATH DEVELOPMENT Billets: Operations PO, NATOPS PO, Training PO, Maintenance PO, Instructor Qualification: UAS Operator Billets: Aircrewman, Operations Clerk, NATOPS Clerk, Training PO Qualification: NAWS, EAWS, UAS Operator. Recruit Training, NACCS, SERE, NACS, FRS and all initial accession pipeline schools or training events required to be completed prior to reporting to their first operational command. NOTES: 1. A school required. 2. This is a compression rating- AWF/AWS/AWR at the MasterChief paygrade. 3. Upon completion of initial training pipelines, AWOs are typically close-looped detailed by their NEC/platform until there is no longer a need for that particular NEC. 4. Member must volunteer for duty involving flying. 5. May be required to attend refresher training at a Fleet Replacement Squadron upon completion of duty not involving flying. Participate in annual NATOPS evaluations. 6. In addition to operational duties, all AWs are required to maintain minimum Naval Aircrew standards, including flight physicals and Class II swim qualifications, as well as maintain a SECRET or higher security clearance. 7. ACRONYMS SPECIFIC TO THE AW RATE INCLUDE: SEL Senior Enlisted Leader NATOPS Naval Aviation Training Operations Procedures and Standardization NACCS Naval Aircrew Candidate School NE NATOPS evaluator NI NATOPS instructor ANI Assistant NATOPS instructor SERE Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape NAWS Naval Aircrew Warfare Specialist EAWS Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist FRS Fleet Replacement Squadron IUT Instructor Under Training UAS Unmanned Aircraft Systems 2
NASC NRPDC VP TSC TOC MTOC MPR WTI SWTI NAPP MTS NSWG Naval Aviation Schools Command Pensacola Navy Reserve Professional Development Center New Orleans Patrol Squadron (P-3/P-8 platform) Tactical Support Center Tactical Operations Center Mobile Tactical Operations Center Senior Enlisted Academy P-3 and/or P-8 Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Weapons and Tactics Instructor Squadron Weapons Tactics Instructor Naval Aviation Production Process Master Training Specialist Naval Special Warfare Group 8. Due to the limited availability of Shore Duty, it is not uncommon for an SELRES Aircrew to complete an entire career on Sea Duty. 9. AWOs shall be qualified as a Naval Aircrew Warfare Specialist (NAC) and should be designated as an Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist (AW) or any other warfare designator based upon type of assignment. 10. NECs held by AWOs: 7828: MQ-4C Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Mission Payload Operator 1 7835: TacMobile Systems Operator 7836: TacMobile Watch Officer 7841: P-3C Update III Acoustic Sensor Operator 7842: P-8A Acoustic Systems Specialist Aircrewman 1 7861: P-3C Non-Acoustic Operator 7862: P-8A Electronic Warfare Operator Aircrewman 1 8202: Naval Aircrewman (Special Assignment) 2 8210: Weapons and Tactic Instructor 8361: Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Systems Organizational Maintenance Technician 1 8362: Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) External Pilot 1 8363: Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Internal Pilot 1 8364: Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Payload Operator 1 8367: MQ-8B/C Mission Payload Operator (MPO) 1 8368: MQ-8B/C Air Vehicle Operator (AVO) 1 9502: Master Training Specialist 9518: Professional Development Instructor NEC Notes: (1) NEC not applicable to SELRES billets NEC may be previously earned on Active Component and carried over to Reserve Component affiliation. (2) Personnel assigned to this DNEC are assigned to BUPERS designated special billets with joint services, foreign services and special assignments where USN coding is not applicable. Naval aircrewmen assigned to these billets (ie. L Team, UAV, UAS) cannot earn aircrew designation (NAC). Considerations for advancement from E6 to E7 Qualified as a NATOPS Instructor or Evaluator in assigned seat position Should be assigned as Leading Petty Officer (LPO) of Operations, NATOPS, or Aircrew Training First Class Petty Officer Association Involvement 3
CPO 365 Phase I involvement teaching peers and leading a committee Command Collaterals (ie. EAWS, ACFL, CMEO) 2. Shore Assignments (all). There are limited shore billets for AWOs however if an aircrew Sailor is assigned to a NOSC and Should be assigned as Leading Petty Officer (LPO) First Class Petty Officer Association Involvement CPO 365 Phase I involvement teaching peers and leading a committee Command Collaterals (ie. ACFL, CMEO, SAPR) If assigned instructor duty, should be designated 9502 NEC and qualified Master Training Specialist (MTS). Considerations for advancement from E7 to E8 Qualified as a NATOPS Instructor in assigned seat position Should be assigned as Leading Chief Petty Officer (LCPO) of Operations, NATOPS, Quality Assurance, or Aircrew Training Active in Chief Petty Officer Mess Should hold Command Collateral Duties with impact stated 2. Shore Assignments (all). There are limited shore billets for AWOC however if an aircrew Sailor is assigned to a NOSC and Should be assigned as Leading Petty Officer (LPO) Active in Chief Petty Officer Mess Should hold Command Collateral Duties with impact stated If assigned at instructor duty, should be designated 9502 NEC and qualified Master Training Specialist (MTS). Considerations for advancement from E8 to E9 Selected Reserve (SELRES) Naval Aircrew ratings are compressed at the Master Chief level and Senior Chief Petty Officers will compete amongst qualified candidates in the AWO, AWS, AWR and AWO ratings for advancement to AWCM. Shall be Naval Aircrew Warfare Specialist (NAC) qualified 4
Shall hold positional qualifications in aircraft Crew Chief, Flight Engineer, Loadmaster, Sensor 1, Sensor 3, Search and Rescue Swimmer and If assigned to L Team billet, qualified as UAS Operator If assigned to a TOC/MTOC as an AWR/AWO, must be Watch Officer qualified. Should be assigned as Senior Enlisted Leader (SEL) or Leading Chief Petty Officer (LCPO) of Operations, Maintenance Control (MSCPO), NATOPS, Quality Assurance (QAS) Strong consideration for AWFs with maintenance related experience (ie. SFF, FSQAR, CDQAR) Strong Consideration for AWRs Squadron Weapons Tactics Instructors (SWTI/WTI) Leader in the Chief Petty Officer Mess Command Collateral Duties with impact stated Should be a graduate of the Senior Enlisted Academy (NAVADMIN 266/14 All SCPOs selected in FY-17 and later, graduation from a Service is a prerequisite for promotion to MCPO) 2. Shore Assignments (all). There are limited shore billets for AWOCS however if an Aircrew Sailor is assigned to a NOSC and Shall be Naval Aircrew Warfare Specialist (NAC) qualified If assigned to a squadron, shall hold positional qualifications in aircraft Crew Chief, Flight Engineer, Loadmaster, Sensor Station 1, Sensor Station 3, or Search and Rescue Swimmer and maintain aircrew currency and flight hours If assigned to a TOC/MTOC as an AWR/AWO, should be Tactical/Mobile Watch Officer qualified. Should be assigned as Leading Chief Petty Officer (LCPO) or Senior Enlisted Leader (SEL) Leader in the Chief Petty Officer Mess Command Collaterals with impact stated Should be a graduate of the Senior Enlisted Academy (NAVADMIN 266/14 All SCPOs selected in FY-17 and later, graduation from a Service is a prerequisite for promotion to MCPO) 5