Aviation Maintenance Administrationman
Manages maintenance records, tracks aircraft parts inventory, and ensures compliance with naval aviation maintenance programs.
Overall
Quick Stats
Security Clearance
Secret~$3K–$15K civilian sector value
Requires a National Agency Check with Local Agency Check and Credit Check (NACLC). Processing typically takes 1–3 months and is initiated early in your training pipeline.
ASVAB Requirements
Who This Is Best For
Best for organized, detail-oriented individuals who prefer administrative work over hands-on mechanical or flight deck roles. If you excel at data management, enjoy working with databases and forms, and want a desk-friendly aviation career with transferable administrative skills, this rate offers good work-life balance within the aviation community.
+Pros
- ✓Strong civilian career transition
–Cons
Real Opinions
+Positive
“Good work-life balance compared to other aviation rates. You are usually done at a reasonable hour.”
“I would recommend AZ to anyone considering it. The training is solid and the community takes care of its own.”
“AZ is perfect if you want to be in aviation without getting dirty. You manage all maintenance records, track flight hours, and schedule inspections. The data management and logistics skills transfer directly to civilian supply chain and aviation maintenance administration jobs. It is one of the more shore-friendly aviation rates.”
–Critical & Mixed
“AZ is basically the office worker of the aviation community. You handle all the paperwork and maintenance records for the squadron.”
“Not the most exciting rate but the admin skills transfer well to civilian jobs and advancement is steady.”
“Like any rate, AZ has its downsides. Long hours, time away from family, and Navy bureaucracy are real.”
Recruiter vs Reality
What the recruiter says vs. what it's actually like.
🫡 Recruiter says
“The AZ rate offers great training and career advancement opportunities!”
💀 Reality
Source: MyNavyRates researchTraining and advancement are available but vary by command and manning. Ask specific questions about sea/shore rotation, typical duty stations, and advancement rates for AZ.
🫡 Recruiter says
“AZ has a great quality of life in aviation.”
💀 Reality
Source: sailor forumsAZ typically works in an office environment with regular hours, especially compared to line rates on the flight deck. It is one of the more comfortable aviation ratings.
🫡 Recruiter says
“Aviation Maintenance Admin keeps aircraft records.”
💀 Reality
Source: veteran feedbackAZ manages maintenance logs, tracks parts orders, and handles the paperwork that keeps aircraft flying. It is desk work with NALCOMIS software, not hands-on aviation.
🫡 Recruiter says
“You'll be the backbone of aviation maintenance — nothing flies without proper documentation.”
💀 Reality
This is true, and it means you are personally responsible when maintenance records have discrepancies. If a MAF is logged wrong in NALCOMIS, the AZ gets the blame. You are the paperwork gatekeeper where documentation errors can ground aircraft.
🫡 Recruiter says
“You'll work in Maintenance Control — the nerve center of the squadron.”
💀 Reality
Maintenance Control is the nerve center and the stress center. You track aircraft status and brief the Maintenance Officer on readiness. When an aircraft breaks and the CO wants it up, the pressure lands on you. The hours during flight ops are long.
🫡 Recruiter says
“You'll learn NALCOMIS — the Navy's aviation logistics information system.”
💀 Reality
NALCOMIS is a legacy system that predates modern database design. Civilian employers do not know what NALCOMIS is. To translate your experience, frame it as database administration or logistics management and pursue relevant credentials.
🫡 Recruiter says
“AZ is a great rate if you like working indoors with computers — no dirty maintenance work.”
💀 Reality
You do work indoors and don't turn wrenches. But during deployment, AZs in Maintenance Control work 12+ hour days tracking aircraft status and processing work orders. The work is clean but the tempo is relentless.
🫡 Recruiter says
“You'll learn project management and logistics skills that transfer to any industry.”
💀 Reality
The transferable skills are real — scheduling, resource tracking, data management. But AZs often get typecast as "admin" on the outside. Build on your experience with civilian certifications like PMP or CAPM while still in.
🫡 Recruiter says
“AZ is one of the more relaxed aviation rates with good work-life balance.”
💀 Reality
Work-life balance depends entirely on your billet. An AZ in Maintenance Control at a deploying squadron will work the same brutal hours as every other maintainer — plus you are the last one to leave because you close out the paperwork.
Training Pipeline — Total ~14 weeks (3 months)
Ship Date Calculator
Enter your MEPS ship date to see when you'll complete each stage.
Promotion SpeedEarn higher pay faster—Manning 93% (E-5/E-6)
| Cycle (Year) | Eligible | Selected | Promotion % |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-4252-Spring(2024) | 56 | 65 | 116% |
| E-4252-Fall(2024) | 94 | 58 | 62% |
| E-5252-Spring(2024) | 63 | 61 | 97% |
| E-5252-Fall(2024) | 50 | 31 | 62% |
| E-6252-Spring(2024) | 31 | 42 | 135% |
| E-6252-Fall(2024) | 84 | 16 | 19% |
Bonuses — Click here to see your military pay
Enlistment Bonus
No active bonus for this rate
You May Qualify for a Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC)
Specialties within this rate you can select, some with additional compensation. Each NEC has its own training, bonus potential, and career path.
Primary specialty code for Aviation Maintenance Administrationman rating
Advanced specialty code for experienced Aviation Maintenance Administrationman personnel
Potential Civilian Post-Navy Outcomes
Aviation Maintenance Planner
Transferability: 6/10
$40k–$65k
Lifestyle7/10
Ship vs. Shore Split
35% / 65%
Deployment Frequency
Low
Physical Demand
low — indoor
Watch Standing
Flight schedule dependent, rotating duty days
Watch standing is a 24-hour duty rotation where sailors take turns manning critical positions aboard the ship or at their command. The rotation determines how frequently you stand watch and how much rest time you get between shifts.
Watch qualifications vary by command and platform. Expect to qualify within 90 days of reporting.