Navy AN Sailors serve in an aviation apprenticeship track, assisting with aircraft and aeronautical equipment maintenance, support equipment maintenance, aircraft servicing, cleaning, handling, fueling, hydraulic fluid, nitrogen, oil, tools, gauges, and shipboard or ashore aviation operations. Civilian paths fit entry aviation maintenance, ramp operations, ground support, line service, and apprenticeship roles.
Navy Rating / NEC
Aviation apprenticeship
Updated June 2026
Official classification grounding
Navy OCCSTDS describes AN as assisting in aircraft and aeronautical equipment maintenance, support equipment maintenance, aircraft servicing and cleaning, aircraft handling, and other apprenticeship duties required in naval aviation activities afloat and ashore, including basic aircraft systems, servicing, tools, and maintenance tasks.
Start Here
Choose the part you need first.
Aviation Maintenance Apprentice$40k – $85kBLS May 2025 wage table
Line Service Technician$38k – $75kBLS May 2025 wage table
Ground Support Equipment Assistant$42k – $85kBLS May 2025 wage table
Aircraft Handler or Ramp Operations Specialist$40k – $80kBLS May 2025 wage table
Aviation Career Pathway Candidate$40k – $90kBLS May 2025 wage table
AN experience is an apprenticeship bridge. Employers need basic aircraft servicing, tools, gauges, safety, cleaning, handling, support equipment, and willingness to learn. This is an entry path that can grow with A&P or employer training.
Fueling, servicing, cleaning, aircraft handling, and ramp awareness translate well to FBO and airport line service roles. Lead with safety, fuel, towing support, customer service, and flightline discipline.
Support equipment maintenance assistance can lead into GSE technician roles. Emphasize inspections, servicing, tools, preventive maintenance support, and safety.
Aircraft handling and afloat or ashore aviation operations can support ramp, carrier-adjacent, or airport operations roles. Translate Navy context into movement safety and teamwork.
AN can be a stepping stone into AE, AM, AO, AS, aviation maintenance, or operations pathways. Civilian employers value candidates who can show safety discipline, reliability, and early aircraft systems literacy.
OSHA Outreach supports safety language for ramp and maintenance work.
Safety signal · Useful for entry aviation
Employer GSE or Line Service Training
Cost Costs usually employer or provider dependentTime Often short-course or on-the-jobFormat Employer-specific training
Line service and GSE roles often train on local equipment, fuel procedures, and towing rules.
Practical bridge · Helps first civilian aviation job
Section 05
Resume Translation: From Navy Airman to Civilian Language
The AN resume should translate rating language into civilian equipment, systems, procedures, safety controls, and measurable outcomes.
Before: Vague military language that undersells your scope
Served as a Navy AN. Maintained equipment, supported operations, followed procedures, trained Sailors, and helped the command meet mission requirements.
↓
After: Civilian language that gets callbacks
Performed Navy Airman duties supporting aviation readiness, safety, technical compliance, and operational execution. Inspected, maintained, analyzed, serviced, documented, or coordinated assigned systems and work products using technical publications, safety procedures, quality controls, and command standards. Supported aircraft, equipment, operational teams, or decision makers by identifying discrepancies, completing corrective actions, maintaining records, communicating status, and protecting readiness. Trained junior personnel, supported inspections, and translated technical findings into practical recommendations for maintenance, operations, or leadership teams.
The AN Translation Formula
Military term
Civilian translation
Proof to show
Flight deck or line support
aviation ground operations, aircraft handling, and safety coordination
aircraft moved, launches, recoveries, and incidents avoided
Aircraft servicing
fuel, oxygen, towing, tie-down, and preflight support under supervision
services, aircraft, checks, and delays avoided
Tool control and FOD
aviation safety program support that prevents lost tools and foreign object damage
inventories, FOD walks, discrepancies, and zero-loss results
Watchstanding
security, safety, and operational monitoring during aviation evolutions
watch hours, logs, and incidents escalated
Maintenance support records
basic aviation documentation, status updates, and work-center support
records, jobs supported, and errors corrected
Always quantify aircraft, systems, inspections, reports, products, work orders, or personnel supported.
Last updated June 2026 using the BLS May 2025 OEWS tables, relevant BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook pages, and official credential information from issuing organizations linked in the certification section. Navy duties were verified against Navy OCCSTDS through the local Markdown accessibility copy and code index.
Section 06
AN Civilian Career FAQs
What civilian jobs fit this Navy rating best?
The strongest fits depend on the rating focus: aviation maintenance, technical support, operations, quality, safety, analysis, logistics, or apprenticeship roles. Target postings by function, not only by the Navy rating title.
Does this rating automatically grant civilian credentials?
No. Military experience is valuable, but FAA, meteorology, hazmat, quality, or employer-specific credentials have separate requirements. Use military experience as evidence and verify each civilian gate.
What should be quantified on the resume?
Quantify aircraft, systems, inspections, maintenance actions, discrepancies corrected, reports produced, products briefed, equipment serviced, people trained, and readiness or safety outcomes.
How should classified or sensitive work be handled?
Stay at the system and function level. Describe maintenance, analysis, safety, readiness, documentation, and decision support without exposing sensitive missions, capabilities, procedures, or locations.
Ready to translate the work
Build a AN civilian career blueprint
CommandPath turns your rating, NECs, collateral duties, systems, clearances, and leadership scope into a practical next-step plan.
Just picked AN, or still choosing between jobs? Save your pathway now and get an immediate brief on what this field becomes. Private, free, takes 90 seconds.