General Info:
Qualified individuals who enlist in the Aircrew program will perform tactical crew duties and in-flight maintenance in jet, turboprop and helicopter aircraft. They will undergo some of the most demanding physical training in the military.
Aircrewmen are guaranteed class "A" technical school, aircrew training, and if they choose, rescue swimmer training.
After successful completion of training, aircrewmen are assigned to flight duty in sea or shore-based squadrons. Because of the potentially hazardous nature of flight duty, aircrewmen receive "flight pay" in addition to other pay and allowances.
Active duty obligation is five years -- four years regular enlistment with a one year extension for prolonged training.
Enlistees enter as E-1s (recruits). Qualified individuals who volunteer for rescue swimmer training are advanced to E-2 (apprentice) after successful completion of recruit training, and are advanced to E-4 (petty officer third class) upon successful completion of both rescue swimmer school and class "A" school.
The Aircrew program is physically and mentally demanding; however, the person who accepts the challenge is rewarded with extra pay and exciting duty assignments.
What They Do
The duties performed by aircrewmen include in-flight functions such as:
• operating tactical weapons, sensors, and communication equipment;
• performing in-flight maintenance of aircraft electrical and mechanical gear;
• working with pilots to operate and control aircraft systems;
• operating mine countermeasure detection and explosion equipment;
• providing rescue of downed pilots with emergency first aid and survival swimming;
• performing duties of flight attendants and load masters.
Before and after flights aircrewmen perform pre-flight planning and equipment checks and post-flight maintenance associated with their assigned source ratings or mission specialty.
Qualifications and Interests
Applicants must be high school graduates and must be U.S. citizens eligible for (SECRET) Security Clearance.
Aircrew must have normal hearing and no speech impediments. Vision must be better than 20/100 with normal depth perception for rescue swimmers, and correctable to 20/20 with normal color perception for all aircrew volunteers.
Applicants should have an interest in aviation and working on and around aircraft with no fear of flying. Aircrewmen volunteers should be in excellent physical condition and motivated toward physical and mental challenges. Volunteers must be strong swimmers, exceptionally expected of rescue swimmer volunteers. They must pass a class II swim test and an aviation flight physical (medical) prior to aircrew training.
Volunteers should possess manual dexterity, physical strength and be oriented toward working with tools and machinery. They must be able to work as part of a team and perform repetitive tasks, even under stressful conditions.
AR+2MK+GS=194
Working Environment.
Aircrewmen may be assigned to sea or shore duty in any part of the world. When not airborne, they work in aircraft hangars, on flight decks, or on flight lines at naval air stations, usually around a high level of noise.
Technical Training Information:
Aircrewman Candadate School, Pensacola, FL -- 5 weeks
Rescue Swimmer School -- Pensacola, FL -- 5 weeks
A-School (job training) -- 7-23 weeks, depending on rating assigned
Fleet Replacement Squadron, various locations, 6-32 weeks (depending on type aircraft assigned)
