Navy Aviation Boatswain's Mate | U.S. Navy

Aviation Boatswain's Mate was established as a rating in 1944.

The Navy's computerized personnel system associates the rating name with an alphanumeric Navy Occupational Specialty (NOS) code. For AB, the NOS is A100; ABE, A101; ABF, A102; ABH, A103.

Aviation Boatswain's Mates play a major part in launching and recovering naval aircraft quickly and safely from land or ships. This includes preparing and fueling planes prior to take-off and after landing.

AB's may specialize in launching and recovering aircraft on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier, ABE; aircraft fueling and fuel systems, ABF; or aircraft handling, fire fighting and salvage and rescue operations, ABH.

Later in their careers, ABs can earn the advanced AB rating that requires supervision of all these individual specialties.

ABE "A" school is five weeks and ABF & ABH "A" schools are six weeks in duration. All three schools are located in Pensacola, Florida. The AB rating requires a 60 month (5 year) service obligation.

For an immediate response, contact a Navy Talent Scout at 614-636-2893 or complete an online survey at https://www.navy.com/start?activity=1256821