U.S. Navy · Aviation

AB Aviation Boatswain's Mate (AB)

Navy Aviation Boatswain's Mate (AB) is a general-detail rating with three Navy Enlisted Classification sub-rates assigned out of A-school: ABE (Aviation Boatswain's Mate Equipment) runs the catapults, arresting gear, and recovery equipment; ABF (Fuels) operates aviation fueling and lubricating-oil systems; ABH (Handling) directs the spotting and movement of aircraft on flight and hangar decks ashore and afloat. All three sub-rates share the same Navy ASVAB qualifying line score, VE+AR+MK+AS ≥ 184, and the same AFQT minimum of 31.

last verified 2026-05-28

AB (Aviation Boatswain's Mate (AB)) is in the Navy and requires a minimum AFQT of 31 and VE+AR+MK+AS of at least 184. Last verified 2026-05-28 against navy.com (AB) + navycs.com Navy ratings reference.

Quick check

Can I qualify for this job?

Enter the scores you already know. Leave a box blank if you do not have that score yet.

AFQT minimum 31Enter AFQT
VE+AR+MK+AS minimum 184Enter VE+AR+MK+AS

Plain requirement

What you need.

  • Min AFQT31
  • Training~6 weeks
  • VE+AR+MK+AS line score≥ 184

Source: navy.com (AB) + navycs.com Navy ratings reference · last verified 2026-05-28.

Role brief

About AB — Aviation Boatswain's Mate (AB).

Navy Aviation Boatswain's Mate (AB) is a general-detail rating with three Navy Enlisted Classification sub-rates assigned out of A-school: ABE (Aviation Boatswain's Mate Equipment) runs the catapults, arresting gear, and recovery equipment; ABF (Fuels) operates aviation fueling and lubricating-oil systems; ABH (Handling) directs the spotting and movement of aircraft on flight and hangar decks ashore and afloat. All three sub-rates share the same Navy ASVAB qualifying line score, VE+AR+MK+AS ≥ 184, and the same AFQT minimum of 31.

Starting pay · 2026

What this job pays as a junior enlisted member.

Base pay is set by pay grade, not by job — every Navy enlistee at the same grade earns the same monthly base pay. These are the 2026 active-duty rates (3.8% raise, effective 2026-01-01).

GradeRankMonthly base payService
E-1Seaman Recruit (SR)$2,407after 4 months of service
E-2Seaman Apprentice (SA)$2,698under 2 years
E-3Seaman (SN)$2,837under 2 years
E-4Petty Officer 3rd Class$3,142under 2 years
  • Plus food allowance (BAS)$460/moFlat enlisted rate, tax-free, paid on top of base pay.
  • Plus housing allowance (BAH)Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is paid on top of base pay and is tax-free, but it varies by duty-station ZIP code, pay grade, and whether you have dependents — there is no single nationwide figure. Use the official DoD BAH calculator for your assignment location.DoD BAH rate lookup →

Source: DFAS 2026 active-duty basic pay tables (3.8% raise, effective Jan 1 2026) · last verified 2026-05-23 · date retrieved 2026-05-23.

Eligibility notes

What AB candidates should check.

  • Aviation Boatswain's Mate is a single Navy rating that splits into three sub-rates assigned at A-school: ABE (Equipment), ABF (Fuels), and ABH (Handling) — applicants enlist as AB and are assigned a sub-rate by needs of the Navy.
  • All three AB sub-rates share the same Navy ASVAB qualifying line score of VE + AR + MK + AS ≥ 184 (Verbal Expression, Arithmetic Reasoning, Mathematics Knowledge, and Auto & Shop Information), per the navycs.com Navy ratings reference retrieved 2026-05-28.
  • ABE (Aviation Boatswain's Mate Equipment) Sailors operate, maintain, and perform organizational maintenance on steam catapults, barricades, arresting gear, and associated launch and recovery equipment on aircraft carriers.
  • ABF (Aviation Boatswain's Mate Fuels) Sailors operate, maintain, and perform organizational maintenance on aviation fueling and lubricating-oil systems aboard carriers and amphibious assault ships.
  • ABH (Aviation Boatswain's Mate Handling) Sailors direct the movement and spotting of aircraft ashore and afloat, including flight-deck and hangar-deck handling, crash-and-salvage, and firefighting on the flight deck.
  • All three AB sub-rates attend A-school at NAS Pensacola, Florida: navycs.com lists the ABE A-school at five weeks and the ABF and ABH A-schools at about six weeks each, after which Sailors report to a sea-duty squadron or ship.
  • The Navy general AFQT minimum of 31 (Tier I HSDG / 50 Tier II GED) applies to AB applicants in addition to the rating-specific line-score requirement; confirm the current numbers with your Navy recruiter before signing a rating contract.

What is the difference between ABE, ABF, and ABH in the Navy?

All three are sub-rates of the same Aviation Boatswain's Mate (AB) rating, assigned out of A-school. ABE Sailors run aircraft launch and recovery equipment (catapults, arresting gear, barricades). ABF Sailors operate aviation fueling and lubricating-oil systems. ABH Sailors direct aircraft handling — moving and spotting aircraft on flight and hangar decks.

What ASVAB score do you need to be an Aviation Boatswain's Mate (AB)?

All three Navy AB sub-rates — ABE, ABF, and ABH — require a Navy line score of VE + AR + MK + AS ≥ 184 plus the Navy general AFQT minimum of 31, per the navycs.com Navy ratings reference (retrieved 2026-05-28).

What ASVAB score do you need for ABE (Aviation Boatswain's Mate Equipment)?

ABE shares the AB rating's line score: VE + AR + MK + AS ≥ 184, with the standard Navy AFQT minimum of 31. ABE Sailors maintain catapults, arresting gear, and aircraft recovery equipment.

What ASVAB score do you need for ABF (Aviation Boatswain's Mate Fuels)?

ABF uses the same Navy line score as ABE and ABH: VE + AR + MK + AS ≥ 184, plus AFQT ≥ 31. ABF Sailors operate aviation fueling and lubricating-oil systems aboard carriers and amphibious ships.

What ASVAB score do you need for ABH (Aviation Boatswain's Mate Handling)?

ABH uses the same VE + AR + MK + AS ≥ 184 line score as the rest of the AB rating, with AFQT ≥ 31. ABH Sailors direct the movement and spotting of aircraft on the flight deck and hangar deck.

Where is Aviation Boatswain's Mate A-school?

All three Navy AB sub-rates — ABE, ABF, and ABH — attend A-school at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, after Recruit Training, per the navycs.com Navy ratings reference.

How long is Aviation Boatswain's Mate A-school?

Per navycs.com (retrieved 2026-05-28), ABE A-school runs about five weeks, while ABF and ABH A-schools run about six weeks each in Pensacola, Florida. After A-school, AB Sailors report to an aviation squadron or ship for on-the-job training.

What are the rating requirements for AB Aviation Boatswain's Mate (AB)?

The Navy Aviation Boatswain's Mate (AB) rating (AB) requires a minimum AFQT of 31 and VE+AR+MK+AS of at least 184, with initial training of about 6 weeks. Those are the ASVAB-based entry requirements; a recruiter confirms the full enlistment picture (medical, background, and current openings). Source: navy.com (AB) + navycs.com Navy ratings reference, last verified 2026-05-28.

Source: navy.com (AB) + navycs.com Navy ratings reference · last verified 2026-05-28 · date retrieved 2026-05-28.

Nearby targets

Related Navy score targets.

Related

Practice AFQT plus AB line-score subtests.

AFQT + VE+AR+MK+AS practice targets

Compare Navy ASVAB requirements

Independent test-prep — not affiliated with DoD or the ASVAB program. See officialasvab.com for the test program.

Sources