The AS Rating

The Aviation Support Equipment Technician rating was established in October 1965.

The Navy's computerized personnel system associates the rating name with an alphanumeric Navy Enlisted Manning Code (EMC). For AS, the EMC is A430.

Aviation Support Equipment Technicians operate, maintain, repair and test automotive electrical systems in ground equipment, gasoline and diesel systems, and associated automotive, hydraulic and pneumatic systems. They also maintain gas turbine compressor units, ground air-conditioning units, perform metal fabrication, repair and painting of tow tractors and other aircraft servicing units.

Aviation Support Equipment Technician class "A" school is approximately 20 weeks long, and it is located in Pensacola, Florida.

Aviation Support Equipment Technician job description (EMC A430)

Aviation Support Equipment Technicians perform preventive and corrective maintenance on aviation support equipment, aviation armament handling equipment, aviation mobile firefighting units, and associated components and systems.

They service, inspect, test, troubleshoot, and repair gasoline and diesel engine systems, transmission systems, hydraulic, hydrostatic, and pneumatic systems, steering and suspension systems, cryogenic systems, electrical systems, gas turbine compressor units, electrical and hydraulic power generating equipment, and air-conditioning and refrigeration systems (excluding avionics support equipment). They manufacture and install belts and hoses, do body work, minor welding, painting, and brake service and repair.

Aviation Support Equipment Technicians manage support equipment assets at different command levels, and provide training in operation of aviation support equipment, and they train and test people in vehicle operation.

Sea tours and shore tours for Sailors that have completed four sea tours will be 36 months at sea followed by 36 ashore until retirement.

Qualifications, Interests, and Working Environment

Important qualifications for people interested in this rating include above average competence with tools, equipment, machines and record keeping; be physically fit and possess manual dexterity. The ability to relate well with others, work as a team member, do repetitive tasks and perform detailed work is also helpful.

Normal hearing and normal color and depth perception are required. Members of this rate are not required to be citizens of the United States.

People in the AS rating may be assigned to sea or shore duty. They may work in hangars and sheltered areas, on flight decks or on flight lines at air stations. They work closely with others, do mostly physical work and require little supervision. Wind and noise levels are high. AS ASVAB Test requirement.

Approximately 2,000 men and women now work in the Aviation Support Equipment Technician rating. For candidates with the right qualifications, entry opportunities are good.

Personnel in the Aviation Support Equipment Technician rating are paid allowances (BAH, BAS, etc. if eligible) and billet pay (sea pay, flight pay, submarine pay, etc. if eligible), and military basic pay based on years of military service and paygrade.

Credit Recommendations

The American Council on Education recommends that semester hour credits be awarded in the vocational certificate or lower-division bachelor's/associates degree categories for automobile electricity, basic electricity, diesel engines, hydraulic brakes and basic shop practices courses taken in this rating.

Page written and maintained by NCCM Thomas Goering, USN (Retired).

If you are seeking information about joining the Navy, feel free to contact me.