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General Info: Aviation Boatswain's Mates play a major part in launching and recovering naval aircraft quickly and safely from land or ships. This includes preparing and fueling planes prior to take- off and after landing. They may specialize in launching and recovering aircraft on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier, ABE; aircraft fueling and fuel systems, ABF; or aircraft handling, fire fighting and salvage and rescue operations, ABH. Later in their careers ABs can earn the advanced AB rating that requires supervision of all these individual specialties.

What They Do: The duties performed by ABFs include: operating, maintaining and performing organizational maintenance on aviation fueling and lubricating oil systems on CVs, CVNs, LPHS and LPDS; observing and enforcing handling safety precautions and maintaining fuel quality surveillance and control in aviation fuel systems; supervising the operation and servicing of fuel farms and equipment associated with the fueling and defueling of aircraft ashore and afloat; training, directing and supervising fire fighting crews, fire rescue teams, and damage control parties in assigned fuel and lubricating oil spaces.

Detailed List of Required Duties

ASVAB Score Requirements: VE+AR+MK+AS=184

Other Requirements: Must have normal color perception Must have normal hearing Notes: 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.

Technical Training Information: Enlistees are taught the fundamentals of this rating through on-the-job training or formal Navy schooling. Advanced technical and operational training is available in this rating during later stages of career development.

Working Environment: Most of the work in this rating is performed outdoors on the deck of aircraft carriers, in all climatic conditions, in fast-paced and often potentially hazardous environments. ABs work closely with others in aviation ratings.

Opportunity Rating:

Special Note: Rate Conversions not authorized above E-5.

Advancement (Promotion) Trends

College Credits for Training/Experience

Career Progression

Above Information Courtesy of United States Navy

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