Naval Aviator at U.S. Navy
Sullivans Island, SC
About the Job
To be eligible to enlist in the U.S. Navy, candidates must be between the ages of 18-34
The U.S. Navy operates more than 3,700 aircraft, making it the second largest air force in the world second only to the U.S. Air Force. Below are the careers in aviation that work together to get our birds in the sky.
AVIATION JOBS IN THE NAVY
FIGHTER PILOT
Complete complex air maneuvers while flying at Mach speeds. Catapult off carriers at 170 mph and land on moving runways only 300 feet long. Gather intel, drop ordnance and conduct defensive missionsall in the F/A-18 Hornet and the cutting-edge F-35C Lightning II.
AIRCRAFT HANDLING OFFICER
Every performance needs a choreographer and on the deck of an aircraft carrier, that person is you. Youre in charge of directing the movement of the entire flight deck from the jet launch sequence to aircraft recovery.
FIXED WING PILOT
In the C-2 Greyhound, you transport parts, personnel, and mail to the 5,000 people aboard. In the cockpit of the E-2C Hawkeye, youre on patrol as the command control center in the sky. If youre flying the P-3 Orion or the brand-new P-8 Poseidon, you hunt submarines using cutting- edge software, radar, sonar, and acoustics.
HELICOPTER PILOT
As a helicopter pilot, the sky is your domain. Hover over the sea for search and rescue, extract Sailors and Special Forces from a hot landing zone or track and neutralize enemy submarines in defense of your ship.
NAVAL FLIGHT OFFICER
In this role, youre the navigator, the lookout and the weapon operator inside naval aviation. Whether youre hunting submarines from a P-8 Poseidon, navigating an E-2 Hawkeye through enemy territory or dropping bombs from the backseat of an F-18 fighter jet .
AVIATION MAINTENANCE DUTY OFFICER
Youre in charge of managing the repair and upkeep of our most lethal aviation assetsover eighty different types of aircraft. In addition to that, you manage hundreds of personnel, making this a job that requires a level of organization and focus that few can say theyve mastered.
PAY AND BENEFITS
From the day you start, youll receive:
Competitive salary
Free health insurance
Free housing
A retirement plan
30 days paid vacation per year
EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES
Beyond professional credentials and certifications, the Navy can help ease your financial burdens and advance your career with generous financial assistance and continuing education programs, including:
Post-9/11 GI Bill
Navy Tuition Assistance Program
Naval Postgraduate School (NPS)
Navy College Program
VOLED Assistance Center
VOLED Region Advisors
Navy War College (NWC)
USAF Air University Air Command and Staff College
QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
Bachelors degree
Students may apply in last 12 months of pursuing degree
U.S. citizen or equivalent
17 years of age or older
General qualifications may vary depending upon whether youre currently serving, whether youve served before or whether youve never served before.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
In the field of aviation, youll make the world your home. You may be assigned to sea or shore squadrons on almost any continent. You will have the opportunity to work in a variety of environmentsairborne aircraft, hangars, flight decks, flight lines at air stations and on aircraft carriers.
PART-TIME OPPORTUNITIES
Some of the above aviation jobs in the Navy Reserve are open only to prior or current military aviators.
Take a moment to learn more about the general roles and responsibilities of Navy Reserve Sailors.
