U.S. Navy · Security and Law Enforcement

MA Master-at-Arms (MA)

Navy Masters-at-Arms (MA) are the Navy's military police: anti-terrorism, force protection, physical and harbor security, customs, military working dogs (K9), and law-enforcement duties on every Navy installation worldwide — the Navy's counterpart to the Army Military Police and Air Force Security Forces. The MA rating lists a WK+AR qualifying line score of 100 plus the Navy AFQT minimum of 31, and entry requires U.S. citizenship and eligibility for a secret security clearance.

last verified 2026-06-14

MA (Master-at-Arms (MA)) is in the Navy and requires a minimum AFQT of 31 and WK+AR of at least 100. Last verified 2026-06-14 against navy.com (MA) + 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
WK+AR minimum 100Enter WK+AR

Plain requirement

What you need.

  • Min AFQT31
  • Training~9 weeks
  • WK+AR line score≥ 100

Source: navy.com (MA) + navycs.com Navy ratings reference · last verified 2026-06-14.

Role brief

About MA — Master-at-Arms (MA).

Navy Masters-at-Arms (MA) are the Navy's military police: anti-terrorism, force protection, physical and harbor security, customs, military working dogs (K9), and law-enforcement duties on every Navy installation worldwide — the Navy's counterpart to the Army Military Police and Air Force Security Forces. The MA rating lists a WK+AR qualifying line score of 100 plus the Navy AFQT minimum of 31, and entry requires U.S. citizenship and eligibility for a secret security clearance.

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 MA candidates should check.

  • Master-at-Arms (MA) is the Navy's law-enforcement and force-protection rating — anti-terrorism, physical security, harbor and waterborne security, customs, military working dogs (K9), and police duties on every Navy installation worldwide. It is the Navy equivalent of an Army Military Police (MP) Soldier or Air Force Security Forces (3P0X1) Airman.
  • This page lists the traditional MA qualifying line score of WK + AR ≥ 100 (Word Knowledge + Arithmetic Reasoning) plus the Navy AFQT enlistment floor of 31. Published Navy ASVAB references differ on the exact current minimum — some list WK + AR around 98–100, while the navycs.com ratings table (retrieved 2026-06-14) lists a transitioned AR + VE + MK + MC ≥ 192 composite — so confirm the current MA line-score requirement with a Navy classifier before signing a rating contract.
  • MA is one of the Navy ratings with non-waivable entry standards: applicants must be U.S. citizens, hold a valid state driver's license, and be eligible for a secret security clearance, which requires no history of alcohol, drug, or criminal offenses (a single marijuana history may be the only exception) and no recent non-judicial punishment, per the navycs.com MA page (retrieved 2026-06-14).
  • Medical standards include vision correctable to 20/20 with normal color perception, depth perception, and hearing; a disqualifying mental-health medication history can also bar entry, because MAs carry firearms and exercise police powers.
  • After Recruit Training, MA Sailors attend the roughly 9-week Master-at-Arms "A" School run by the Center for Security Forces (CENSECFOR) at Joint Base San Antonio–Lackland AFB, Texas, where they learn law-enforcement, force-protection, and weapons skills before reporting to a security department afloat or ashore.
  • MA is one of the more accessible Navy ratings for in-service conversion: Sailors already serving in other ratings can apply to convert to MA through the Navy's MA conversion package if they meet the same security-clearance and legal standards — typically no record of NJP, court-martial, or civil involvement within the prior 36 months — per MyNavyHR conversion guidance.

What ASVAB score do you need to be a Navy Master-at-Arms (MA)?

The Navy Master-at-Arms (MA) rating lists a WK + AR line score of at least 100 (Word Knowledge + Arithmetic Reasoning) plus the Navy AFQT minimum of 31. Published references vary on the exact current MA minimum, so confirm the line-score requirement with a Navy classifier before signing — but every source applies the AFQT 31 enlistment floor.

Is Master-at-Arms the Navy's military police?

Yes. Master-at-Arms (MA) is the Navy's military police and force-protection rating: law enforcement, anti-terrorism, physical and harbor security, customs, and military working dogs (K9). It is the Navy's counterpart to the Army Military Police and Air Force Security Forces.

What are the requirements to become a Navy Master-at-Arms?

Beyond the WK + AR 100 line score and AFQT 31, MA applicants must be U.S. citizens, hold a valid driver's license, be eligible for a secret security clearance (no drug, alcohol, or criminal history beyond a possible single marijuana exception), and meet vision-correctable-to-20/20 and other medical standards. These are non-waivable because MAs carry firearms and hold police authority.

What is the MA rating in the Navy?

MA is the Navy rating code for Master-at-Arms — the Navy's law-enforcement and security rating. Sailors may search for "navy MA," "MA rate," or "navy military police"; they all refer to the same Master-at-Arms rating covered on this page.

How long is Master-at-Arms A-School and where is it?

Master-at-Arms "A" School runs about 9 weeks at Joint Base San Antonio–Lackland AFB, Texas, through the Navy's Center for Security Forces (CENSECFOR), after Recruit Training. Sailors then report to a security department on a ship or shore installation.

Does Navy Master-at-Arms require a security clearance?

Yes. MA applicants must be eligible for and able to maintain a secret security clearance, which is a non-waivable entry standard. A disqualifying legal, drug, or financial history that blocks the clearance also blocks entry into and retention in the MA rating.

Source: navy.com (MA) + navycs.com Navy ratings reference · last verified 2026-06-14 · date retrieved 2026-06-14.

Related

Practice AFQT plus MA line-score subtests.

AFQT + WK+AR 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