Travel the world to capture military operations, develop high-profile media campaigns and tell the story of America’s Navy.
Navy Musicians perform at special events, celebrations, international parades and more.
Write news releases. Answer reporters' questions. Manage the public image of America’s Navy as a valued Public Affairs Officer.
Control congestion in the skies as an Air Traffic Controller.
Become our go-to personnel in the air as an Aircrewman Mechanical.
Track subsurface contacts and perform rescue missions as a Helicopter Pilot.
Lead the flight deck as an Aircraft Handling Officer.
When you become an Aircrewman Helicopter, you become the eyes and ears of the cockpit.
Detect and engage threats beneath the ocean’s surface as an Aircrewman Operator.
Hunt for lurking submarines from the air as a Tactical Romeo Helicopter Aircrewman.
Lead flight support teams as an Aviation Maintenance Duty Officer.
Ready to lead the launch as a Catapult Officer Shooter?
Defend from the sea to the stratosphere as a Navy Fighter Pilot.
Hunt submarines, patrol the skies or supply carriers as a Fixed Wing Pilot.
Uncover threats in the depths of the sea as a Naval Aircrewman Avionics.
Lead flight missions to success as a Naval Flight Officer.
Provide meals that keep your fellow Sailors fueled for duty.
Keep your ship stocked with the equipment it needs to succeed.
Oversee logistics and ensure your ship is supplied with everything it needs.
Become an administrative pro by managing the Navy’s paperwork and records.
Keep the Navy’s complex aircraft and helicopters in top working order.
Support and assist fellow Sailors by helping guide their career journey.
Advance your own career goals while you help fellow Sailors do the same.
Keep your shipmates happy by managing ship store, laundry and barber services.
Design and build city-size bases, airfields and harbor facilities.
Get out of the auto shop and get hands-on mechanical experience.
Work with construction equipment from bulldozers to cranes and everything in between.
If you like to solve problems using your hands, you belong with the Builders.
Kickstart your career with hands-on electrical experience.
Start your engineering career with real-world experience as a Navy Seabee.
Weld metal a world away as a Navy Steelworker.
Keep critical utilities systems up and running no matter where you are in the world.
Use electronic systems like radar to detect threats and make your ship virtually invisible.
Maintain the navigation systems that ensure your submarine reaches its destination.
Maintain the electronic systems controlling a submarine’s vast supply of firepower.
Ready, aim, fire. Maintain ship combat readiness as a Fire Controlman.
Keep vital computer networks up and running aboard ships and submarines.
Assemble, maintain and repair nuclear-capable ballistic missiles as a Missile Technician.
Maintain and repair the complex electronic systems aboard Navy aircraft.
Keep our comms running smoothly as an Interior Communications Electrician.
Keep our Sailors out of harm's way and defend against emergencies as a Damage Controlman.
As a Master-at-Arms, you are the Navy police. Defend by serving and protecting our own.
Move the fleet forward as an expert in diesel engine systems.
Maintain the mechanical systems behind our powerful turbine engines.
Maintain your ship’s guns and missile launchers, and oversee all weapons on board.
Manage and direct aircraft launch operations on the flight deck.
Refuel aircraft on the flight deck and keep fuel flowing to all parts of the ship.
Launch and recover aircraft on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier.
Keep Navy aircraft at peak performance by maintaining electrical systems and components.
Maintain the engines of the Navy’s most powerful aircraft and helicopters.
Manage your ship’s stock of missiles, mines and other ordnance.
Inspect and repair aviation equipment to ensure aircraft are always flight-ready.
Maintain aircraft equipment that sustains life at every altitude.
Perform ground support operations that keep Navy aircraft flying high.
Be the person Navy pilots rely on to keep emergency equipment in top shape.
Perform honored duties as a member of the Navy’s oldest rating.
Keep the power on and the lights running aboard aircraft carriers and ships.
Operate the electrical systems of powerful turbine engines on Navy warships.
Perform metal work and welding to repair hull breaches and broken equipment.
Repair tools and fabricate parts for machinery and equipment across the ship.
Maintain vital propulsion and auxiliary systems on every inch of the ship.
Maintain the systems that make life possible on a submarine.
Serve aboard a Minesweeper to detect and neutralize underwater explosives.
Secure our underwater missile silos aboard submarines as a Torpedoman’s Mate.
Translate and interpret foreign comms as a Cryptologic Technician Interpretive.
Lead intel operations as a Cryptologic Warfare Officer.
Gather intel and prepare important briefs as an Intelligence Specialist.
Track what lies beneath the waves on a surface ship or submarine as a Sonar Technician.
Hunt for signals to provide our teams intel as a Cryptologic Technician Collection.
Troubleshoot and maintain top-secret equipment as a Cryptologic Technician Maintenance.
Become an expert in radar signals as a Cryptologic Technician Technical.
Defend and attack in cyberspace as a Cyber Warfare Engineer.
Perform offensive and defensive cyber operations as a Cyber Warfare Technician.
Lead your team in maintaining and securing our networks as an Information Professional Officer.
Lead the charge on national intelligence security as an Intelligence Officer.
Execute mission-critical cyber operations as a Maritime Cyber Warfare Officer.
Gather critical intel around your ship as an Operations Specialist.
Navigate the open seas and keep our ships on track as a Quartermaster.
Emerge as a true leader by commanding the fleet, the crew and all vital systems aboard vital Navy vessels.
Raise the bar with a legal career in the Navy JAG Corps.
Kickstart your legal career with hands-on experience in the Navy.
Help save lives by assisting in critical medical departments and procedures.
Save lives in the shadows.
Save lives as a Navy Physician without all the hurdles of civilian medical practice.
Work alongside surgeons and supervising physicians to deliver the best health care.
Engineer ways for Naval Aviators to succeed in impossible environments.
Study the psychological effects of supersonic travel on aviators.
Treat hearing issues and conduct research to preserve auditory health for Sailors and Marines.
Provide therapy services to Sailors experiencing stressors uniquely related to service.
Cut your teeth in dentistry with a job that takes you around the world.
Become a disease expert for the Navy and make outbreaks a thing of the past.
Shape policy and practice in one of the world’s foremost global health care systems.
Eliminate workplace safety hazards so Sailors can focus on the mission at hand.
Provide laboratory services that give Navy doctors and patients the answers they seek.
Give fallen Sailors the dignity and respect they deserve as a Navy Mortician.
Join the ranks of the toughest, most talented nurses you’ll ever meet.
Rehabilitate Sailors following illness or injury with cutting-edge devices and therapy.
Diagnose and treat vision problems to ensure service members maintain excellent eyesight.
Consult with patients, dispense medication and provide guidance to people in need.
Help Sailors recover from injuries so they can get back to work.
Keep Navy Sailors on their feet by treating foot and ankle injuries.
Keep fellow Sailors safe from potential radiation exposure.
Improve the health of Sailors and people across the world through mindful nutrition.
Conduct research to protect our Sailors from biological, radiological and chemical threats.
Diagnose, treat and rehabilitate Sailors with training-related injuries.
Explore cognitive and physiological psychology to keep Sailors sound in mind and body.
Counsel active and retired members and their families during times of social, psychological or emotional need.
Be a spiritual guide and moral anchor, supporting servicemembers during their most joyful moments and during their most difficult ones.
Prepare devotional materials and organize faith-based events, while also serving as a resource for Navy Chaplains.
Design and build city-size bases, airfields and harbor facilities.
Power the world’s strongest Navy as an Electrician’s Mate Nuclear.
Power Navy ships as an Electronics Technician Nuclear.
Design, develop and deploy the Navy’s modern combat fleet.
Become the Navy’s nuclear reactor mechanic as a Machinist’s Mate Nuclear.
If you’re a Nuclear Power School Instructor, you’re the top expert on classified nuclear technology.
Lead and oversee a team running one of the most dynamic nuclear power plants in the world.
Lead every department on our nuclear-powered subs as a Submarine Officer.
Serve as a meteorology and oceanography expert as an Aerographer’s Mate.
Maintain safety in any environment as a Navy Entomologist.
Study the sea the and the weather in environments around the world as a METOC Officer.
Conduct medical research and trace infectious diseases to defeat biological threats.
As a Naval Reactors Engineer, you can set the standard in nuclear reactor research.
Take charge of a nuclear reactor on an aircraft carrier as a Nuclear Surface Warfare Officer.
Brave extreme conditions so others may live.
Master high-tech tools to eliminate explosive threats.
Save lives in the shadows.
Master the depths that others can’t reach.
Everyone wants to be a Frogman on Friday.
Deliver Special Operations assets where they’re needed.
With over 150 roles to choose from, the Navy offers a chance to defend freedom, strengthen our nation, and create a future built on purpose and pride. Fields are open to both men and women—explore the options below and find the job that ignites your drive to lead, protect and succeed.
Discover what the Navy has to offer. Whether you want to gain valuable STEM skills, hone your creative talents, or push your physical and mental limits, the Navy has the challenge for you. Take the quiz and discover your potential.
Use your creativity in music, photography, journalism and more to tell the Navy’s story.
Whether you’re piloting aircraft or maintaining them, find out what it takes to Fly Navy.
Manage the business and logistics side of the Navy to keep the fleet running smoothly.
Construct everything from temporary housing to hospitals as a Navy Seabee.
Find out how to repair, maintain and deploy the latest in warfare technology.
Fight fires, perform police work and save lives on the Navy first response team.
Repair, replace and maintain a huge variety of machines, vehicles and mechanical systems.
Information is power. Crack codes, collect intel and work with top secret communication.
Distinguish your legal career by practicing law or working as a paralegal for the Navy.
Provide best in-class care for Sailors and Marines committed to serving our country.
Counsel Sailors around the world and support their families through religious ministries.
Use your skills in math and science to implement the latest technology into the fleet.
Embark on covert missions, defuse bombs, dive deep in the sea and save lives in spec ops.
From Navy Diver to Machinist’s Mate, see how different Navy careers stack up. Compare roles, pay and requirements. Find your path in the Navy.
Every job in the Navy is open to candidates who meet the required qualification, including physical, educational and security standards. Our fleet includes Sailors serving as mechanics, aviators, engineers, scientists, nuclear technicians and more. Whether your dream is to become a Submariner, a SEAL Operative or our next fleet Admiral, the Navy will support your journey to achieve your personal and professional goals.
Before beginning your Navy career journey, you'll need to meet certain eligibility requirements. Visit our Requirements to Join page to learn about physical standards, education requirements and other qualifications.
The Navy offers exceptional career opportunities with competitive pay, comprehensive benefits and valuable skills that will transfer to the civilian world. Beyond job security and advancement potential, Navy careers provide unique experiences like global travel and specialized training in high-demand fields.
Many Sailors leverage their Navy experience into successful civilian careers after service, as employers highly value military leadership experience and technical expertise. Whether you serve for four years or twenty, a Navy career provides professional growth, personal development and a sense of purpose that few other careers can match.
The Navy offers two distinct career paths: Enlisted and Officer. Each serves a vital function in the Navy's mission, with different entry requirements, responsibilities and advancement opportunities.
Enlisted Sailors: Enlisted Sailors form the backbone of the Navy's operational forces. With a high school diploma or GED as the minimum educational requirement, these professionals serve in specialized occupational roles across the fleet. Enlisted careers begin with recruit training and can advance through nine pay grades (E-1 through E-9), with increasing responsibilities from entry-level positions to senior leadership roles where they supervise, advise and manage Navy operations.
Officers: Navy Officers serve as the military's managers, leaders and technical specialists. Most Officer positions require a four-year college degree at or before commissioning, though some programs allow candidates to complete their degree while in training. Officers begin their careers at the O-1 pay grade and can advance through increasing levels of responsibility and leadership. They typically oversee enlisted personnel, manage programs and operations and can ultimately command ships, aviation squadrons and shore installations.
Key Differences:
| Aspect | Enlisted | Officer |
| Entry Requirements | High school diploma/GED | Four-year college degree (with some exceptions) |
| Training Path | Boot Camp + "A" School | Officer Candidate School, Officer Development School, NROTC, Naval Academy and more. |
| Career Focus | Technical/operational expertise | Leadership/management |
| Pay Structure | E-1 through E-9 | O-1 through O-10 |
| Initial Responsibilities | Specialized technical roles | Management and leadership positions |
Career Progression: Both paths offer opportunities for advancement based on performance, time in service and additional education. Many Enlisted Sailors pursue commissioning programs to become Officers later in their careers, bringing valuable operational experience to leadership positions.
Not sure which path is right for you? Use our Career Comparison Tool to explore both Enlisted and Officer career options side by side and find the Navy path that best matches your qualifications, interests and goals.
The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is a comprehensive assessment that plays a crucial role in your Navy career journey. This standardized test measures your abilities in various academic and technical areas to help determine which Navy careers best match your skills.
Why the ASVAB Matters:
Test Structure: The ASVAB covers multiple subject areas including Mathematics, Word Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension, Electronics Information, Mechanical Comprehension, General Science and other specialized knowledge areas.
Preparation Tips:
What to Remember: While the ASVAB is important, the Navy understands that test-taking can be challenging for some individuals. Your Recruiter can provide resources to help you prepare and may be able to discuss options if you have concerns about the exam.
The Navy offers over 100 distinct career paths across numerous professional fields. These careers span multiple domains including:
Navy careers operate across multiple environments - underwater, on the surface, in the air and ashore. Each career path offers specialized training, advancement opportunities and the ability to develop transferable skills valued in both military and civilian sectors.
Career opportunities exist for both Enlisted Sailors and Officers, with pathways for advancement based on performance, education and leadership abilities. The Navy also offers specialized programs for those with advanced degrees or professional qualifications in fields like medicine, law, engineering and nuclear power.
Many Navy veterans transition to successful civilian careers, leveraging their military experience into rewarding second careers. The technical expertise, leadership skills and security clearances gained during Navy service are highly valued by civilian employers across numerous industries.
Note: Security clearances are required for some, but not all, Navy roles and depend on the job classification and personal background.
After completing your Navy service, you'll have numerous options and benefits available to you:
The length of a Navy career depends on the individual and varies based on position type:
Many Sailors choose to serve for 20 years or more to qualify for retirement benefits, while others serve their initial commitment and transition to civilian careers. The Navy offers numerous opportunities for advancement and specialization throughout your career, allowing you to build a service path that aligns with your professional goals.
