More of this Feature • Navy Job Descriptions • USMC Job Descriptions • Army Job Descriptions • Army Warrant Officer Jobs • Army Officer Job Descriptions • USMC Officer Job Descriptions • Air Force Job Descriptions • Coast Guard Job Descriptions • Air Force Officer Jobs

Join the Discussion Talk About Military Jobs

Related Resources • Joining the Military • Enlistment Qualifications

Elsewhere on the Web • Joining the Air Force • Joining the Army • Joining the Navy • Joining the Marines

General Info: The Aviation Structural Mechanic - Safety Equipment (AME), maintains and repairs utility systems throughout the aircraft. They work on systems such as air conditioning, heating, pressurization and oxygen, plus multiple safety devices. Aircrew volunteers from this rating perform inflight duties in various types of aircraft. Aircrew volunteers should volunteer under the Aircrew Recruiting Program.

What They Do: The duties performed by AMEs include: maintaining the various aircraft systems such as seat and canopy ejection(egress), gaseous and liquid oxygen, life raft ejection, fire extinguishing, air conditioning, cabin and cockpit heat, pressurization, ventilation; removing and installing oxygen system valves, gauges, converters and regulators; inspecting, removing, installing and rigging ejection seats, shoulder harnesses, lap belts and face-curtain mechanisms; performing daily, preflight, postflight and other periodic aircraft inspections.

Detailed List of Required Duties

ASVAB Score Requirements: VE+AR+MK+AS=210 or VE+AR+MK+MC=210

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 formal Navy schooling. Operational training is available in this rating during later stages of career development.

Basic Aviation Structural Mechanic course, basic aviation theory course, and skills required for specialized AME rating Group instruction, classroom and shop After completion of AME Core "A" school, AMEs assigned to squadrons with ejection seat aircraft, attend two weeks of egress training. AMEs may be assigned to aviation squadrons, aircraft carriers or to other Navy ships carrying aircraft, to Naval Air Stations or other aviation shore facilities in the United States or overseas. There will be formalized training opportunities throughout your career. During a 20-year period, AMEs spend about 50 percent of their time assigned to fleet units and 50 percent to shore stations.

Working Environment: Aviation structural mechanics may be assigned to sea or shore duty any place in the world, so their working environment varies considerably. They may work in hangars or hangar decks or outside on flight decks or flight lines at air stations. A high noise level is a normal part of their environment. AMEs work closely with others, do mostly physical work and require little supervision. AMEs may also serve as flight engineers aboard certain aircraft.

Opportunity Rating:

Advancement (Promotion) Trends

College Credits for Training/Experience

Career Progression

Above Information Courtesy of United States Navy

Return to Navy Jobs Menu