Electronics Technician – Submarines (Navigation)
Maintains navigation, communications, and sonar electronic systems aboard submarines.
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 tech specialists who want submarine duty with a strong electronics focus and excellent civilian career transferability in telecommunications and defense systems. If you want the submarine experience with a technical career that translates well to civilian IT and defense roles, this delivers both.
+Pros
- ✓Strong civilian career transition
–Cons
- ✗Long A-school pipeline
- ✗Significant sea duty
Real Opinions
+Positive
“Nuke life is brutal but the bonuses and civilian options are insane. I walked into a $90k+ job right out.”
“ETS (nav ET) on submarines is a great rate if you like electronics and navigation systems. You maintain the ship's inertial navigation, GPS, and electronic charting systems. The troubleshooting skills transfer directly to civilian electronics and instrumentation jobs. A-school in Groton is solid technical training.”
“Submarine electronics technicians develop exceptional problem-solving abilities. You're often the only person on the boat who can fix critical navigation equipment, which builds confidence and expertise fast. The submarine community is tight-knit and the camaraderie is genuine.”
–Critical & Mixed
“The hours are absolutely brutal. 12-16 hour days in the plant are normal. Your social life will suffer.”
“Submarine life means months underwater with no sunlight, no cell phone, and no privacy. The berthing is cramped, the hot-racking is real, and you're on watch constantly. Family separation is brutal — your spouse goes through holidays, birthdays, and emergencies alone while you're at depth with no communication.”
“The nav ET community on subs is small, which is a double-edged sword. Everyone knows you and your reputation follows you, but advancement slots are limited. The 5-year minimum obligation on submarines is a long commitment if you realize sub life isn't for you after your first patrol.”
Recruiter vs Reality
What the recruiter says vs. what it's actually like.
🫡 Recruiter says
“Nuclear program pays huge bonuses and you will have unlimited civilian job options!”
💀 Reality
Source: MyNavyRates researchBonuses are real but come with a 6-year contract minimum. The training pipeline is 2+ years, and underway hours in the plant are grueling. Civilian options are excellent but you earn every penny.
🫡 Recruiter says
“ETS has more variety than nuclear submarine rates.”
💀 Reality
Source: sailor forumsTrue, ETS works on multiple systems rather than focusing solely on the reactor. But you still live the submarine lifestyle with all its constraints.
🫡 Recruiter says
“ETS maintains navigation and communication electronics on subs.”
💀 Reality
Source: veteran feedbackETS is the non-nuclear electronics technician on submarines. You maintain sonar, radio, navigation, and periscope systems. The work is varied and technical.
🫡 Recruiter says
“"The Navy is just like a civilian job but with better benefits."”
💀 Reality
The Navy is a 24/7 commitment. You do not clock out. You can be recalled from leave, ordered to stay aboard on your day off, or deployed with two weeks notice. You cannot quit. The benefits are real — healthcare, housing, GI Bill — but the loss of personal freedom is something no civilian job requires. Understand that tradeoff before you sign.
🫡 Recruiter says
“"You can bring your pet — lots of people have dogs on base."”
💀 Reality
Source: general_red_flagBarracks do not allow pets. PCS moves with pets to overseas locations require quarantine and hundreds of dollars in vet paperwork. Pets and military life are doable but complicated.
🫡 Recruiter says
“"Women have it easy in the Navy — they get special treatment."”
💀 Reality
Source: general_red_flagWomen face the same watches, deployments, and work requirements. They also navigate additional challenges including harassment and being a minority in many technical rates. Nobody has it easy.
🫡 Recruiter says
“"You'll be able to use your GI Bill while you're in."”
💀 Reality
Source: general_red_flagThe Post-9/11 GI Bill is primarily a post-service benefit. Tuition Assistance is available while active duty but has annual caps and can be suspended during deployments. They are two separate programs.
🫡 Recruiter says
“"Shore duty is basically a vacation compared to sea duty."”
💀 Reality
Source: general_red_flagShore duty has more predictable hours, but it is still a military assignment with duty days, inspections, and training requirements. Some shore billets are genuinely relaxed. Others are understaffed nightmares.
🫡 Recruiter says
“"All Navy bases are in great locations near beaches."”
💀 Reality
Source: general_red_flagNorfolk is not a beach paradise. Groton is cold. Kings Bay is rural. Some bases are in nice places — San Diego, Hawaii. But you do not choose, and the odds of getting your preferred location are low on your first tour.
Training Pipeline — Total ~86 weeks (20 months)
Ship Date Calculator
Enter your MEPS ship date to see when you'll complete each stage.
Promotion SpeedEarn higher pay faster—Manning 73% (E-5/E-6)
| Cycle (Year) | Eligible | Selected | Promotion % |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-4252-Spring(2024) | 63 | 74 | 117% |
| E-4252-Fall(2024) | 62 | 24 | 39% |
| E-5252-Spring(2024) | 154 | 56 | 36% |
| E-5252-Fall(2024) | 92 | 54 | 59% |
| E-6252-Spring(2024) | 46 | 36 | 78% |
| E-6252-Fall(2024) | 38 | 25 | 66% |
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 Electronics Technician – Submarines (Navigation) rating
Advanced specialty code for experienced Electronics Technician – Submarines (Navigation) personnel
Potential Civilian Post-Navy Outcomes
Navigation Electronics Technician
Transferability: 8/10
$60k–$100k
Lifestyle4/10
Ship vs. Shore Split
65% / 35%
Deployment Frequency
High
Physical Demand
medium — indoor
Watch Standing
3-section underway, 4-section in port
In a 4-section rotation, the crew is divided into four teams. Each team stands a 6-hour watch shift, then has 18 hours off before their next watch. In port, you stand 24-hour duty roughly every 4 days — meaning you stay aboard the ship overnight on your duty day.
Reactor watch stations require significant qualification time. Expect 6+ months of intensive watch qual.