Naval Aviator

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.

Find out exactly what skills, experience, and qualifications you will need to succeed in this role before applying below.

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.

RequiredPreferredJob Industries Government & Military

RequiredPreferredJob Industries Government & Military

RequiredPreferredJob Industries Government & Military