AO-Aviation Ordnanceman

AO-Aviation Ordnanceman

Rating Description

Aviation Ordnancemen (AO) receive, inspect, package, store, handle, and process for shipment: airborne weapons, air launched torpedoes, aerial mines, and ammunition; test, assemble, fuze, load, download, arm, and de-arm all airborne weapons, torpedoes, and mines for aircraft carriage; receive, inspect, store, load, and download sonobuoys; perform authorized maintenance on airborne weapons, aircraft guns, and targets; receive, inspect, inventory, configure, test, and maintain Armament Weapons Support Equipment (AWSE), Ordnance Handling Equipment (OHE), and materials handling equipment; test and maintain aircraft armament release and control systems; inspect and maintain conventional ordnance magazines and Ready Service Lockers (RSL); maintain and operate magazine sprinkler systems; maintain and operate aircraft carrier weapons elevators; perform preventative maintenance and inventory small arms weapons; manage accounting systems, rework of airborne weapons/systems/equipment, and conventional weapons qualification/certification programs, afloat and ashore; prepare, review, maintain, and inspect compliance with directives and reports applicable to Notice of Ammunition Reclassification (NAR), High Energy Radiation Hazards to Ordnance (HERO), Weapons Certification Program, and Explosive Handling Certification Program. 

For more detailed information, see the Rating Information Card.

There are 3 credentials closely related to the tasks performed in this Rating that may be attainable as soon as Class "A" technical school has been completed. Sailors can take advantage of these credentialing opportunities shortly following their initial training. Select "< 1 Year" for the "Experience after 'A' School" filter in the "Related Credentials" section below to view these credentials.

AO Jobs

Voluntary Education

In addition to obtaining certifications in your field, voluntary education is another way to enhance job performance. Options for voluntary education include:

For help in making informed choices on schools and education programs when using tuition assistance, see:

Navy Learning Center Recommended Degrees for AO-Aviation Ordnanceman

The Navy Learning Center for this Rating has not yet provided recommended occupational-related degrees. In the short-term, you may contact your Command Career Counselor, the Navy College Virtual Education Center, or visit your Overseas Navy College Office to discuss degree recommendations.
Degree recommendations will be listed here soon.

Opportunities Related to Academic Degrees

Out of rate requests for exam funding for credentials related to an earned academic degree or a semester course may also be funded if it can be directly related to an industry certification or state license.

For example, if you have a degree in Human Resources but are serving as a Culinary Specialist, you can get funding for a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification.

If the completed degree is not in the Sailor's Joint Service Transcript (JST), the Sailor must provide proof of completion with the Voucher Request Form, OPNAV 1500/57 for funding approval. The requested credential must be included on the Navy COOL website, and the Sailor must meet all other eligibility requirements.

As with any credential, you must meet all other eligibility criteria and the certification or license vendors' requirements.

Opportunities for Cross-Rated Sailors

If you have cross-rated, you now are eligible for certifications and licenses mapped to your prior rating. The “Navy Bucks” icon on the Navy COOL page for your previous position/rate indicates which certifications and licenses may be funded.

As with any credential, you must meet all other eligibility criteria and the certification or license vendors' requirements.

Opportunities Related to Off-Duty or Command-Sponsored Training

If you can document that you have completed an on- or off-duty training course that fully prepares you for a civilian certification or license, you may now be eligible to have it funded.

For example, if you took a Command-sponsored Emergency Medical Technician course, you may be eligible for funding for an EMT Basic credential.

The requested credential must appear on Navy COOL, although it does not need to show the Navy Bucks icon to be funded.

College course completion must be annotated in your Joint Service Transcript. Formal off-duty or command-sponsored training should be visible in your Electronic Training Jacket (ETJ). In lieu of an ETJ entry (where training cannot be entered into the ETJ) you will need to submit some form of, proof of completion (a certificate of completion from the course/training is sufficient). If neither of the previously mentioned methods of validating proof of completion are available, then a command correspondence (such as a command letter, memo, or PG-13 form) describing the training along with the OPNAV 1500/57 Professional Certification and Licensing Voucher Request (COOL Voucher Request Form).

As with any credential, you must meet all other eligibility criteria and the certification or license vendors' requirements.

Opportunities for Navy Reservists

If you are a Navy Reservist, you may now be eligible for funding for credentials related to your civilian occupation. The certification or license must have relevance to the needs of the Navy, and must appear on Navy COOL, although it does not need to show the Navy Bucks icon to be funded.

To validate your civilian occupation, you will need a screen shot from Navy Standard Integrated Personnel System (NSIPS) showing the Civilian Occupational Code. Please send the NSIPS screenshot with your OPNAV 1500/57 Professional Certification and Licensing Voucher Request (COOL Voucher Request Form).

In lieu of NSIPS documentation you may also submit a command endorsed and executed NAVPERS 1070/613 (PG-13) Administrative Remarks form noting your civilian occupation along with your OPNAV 1500/57 Professional Certification and Licensing Voucher Request (COOL Voucher Request Form). You must sign the PG-13.

As with any credential, you must meet all other eligibility criteria and the certification or license vendors' requirements.

Prior Other-Service Enlisted Occupation

If you are Navy enlisted (Active or Reserve), you may now be eligible for funding for credentials related to prior other-Service (Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard) enlisted occupation. The certification or license must have relevance to the needs of the Navy, and must appear on Navy COOL, although it does not need to show the Navy Bucks Navy Bucks icon icon to be funded.

To validate your prior other-Service occupation, you will need to provide Navy COOL with a document (e.g. DD-214; or Military Service School completion certificate; or other document) showing your other-Service occupation. Please send the document (scanned & emailed) with your OPNAV 1500/57 Professional Certification and Licensing Voucher Request (COOL Voucher Request Form). To obtain a voucher, click Step 2, “Complete Voucher and Apply” toward the top of any page.

As with any credential, you must meet all other eligibility criteria and the certification or license vendors' requirements.

Credentials Earned & Maintained Prior to Joining the Navy

If you are Navy enlisted (Active or Reserve), you may now be eligible for funding for credentials that were earned, and maintained, prior to your enlistment in the Navy. The certification or license must have relevance to the needs of the Navy, and must appear on Navy COOL, although it does not need to show the Navy Bucks Navy Bucks icon icon to be funded.

To validate your earned & maintained credential, you will need to provide Navy COOL with a scanned or emailed document (e.g. credential certificate document, screenshot from your credential dashboard, digital badge, etc…) showing the credential earned and maintained. Please send the document (scanned & emailed) with your OPNAV 1500/57 Professional Certification and Licensing Voucher Request (COOL Voucher Request Form). To obtain a voucher, click Step 2, “Complete Voucher and Apply” toward the top of any page.

As with any credential, you must meet all other eligibility criteria and the certification or license vendors' requirements.

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Additional Information

Additional information pertaining to AO-Aviation Ordnanceman can be found below.

The Aviation Schools Online website provides a list of schools, programs, and other resources that might be of interest to aviation professionals.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) / Joint Service Aviation Maintenance Technician Certification Council (JSAMTCC) Airman Knowledge Testing (AKT) Program allows active duty Military, National Guard & Reserve personnel, Retired Military, DOD Civilians, and Military dependents the opportunity to take the Mechanic (A&P) license written tests free of charge at certain locations. You must have FAA approval to test, to be eligible for this service. The listing of authorized FAA / JSAMTCC: Airman Knowledge Testing Center locations and their POCs can be found on the FAA website.

The Navy and Marine Corps Airframe and Powerplant (NMCAPP) Certification Program provides Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Mechanic, Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) licensure opportunities to all aircraft maintenance technicians. If you successfully complete the NMCAPP Certification Program and receive a Certificate of Eligibility from the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training (CNATT), you may be eligible for Navy funding of the FAA Mechanic A&P examinations via a pre-paid voucher.

To enroll in the NMCAPP Certification Program, go to the MyNavyPortal website load and fill out the NMCAPP application. Fax the application to the number provided on the application form. Questions concerning program enrollment must be directed to the NMCAPP Program Office: NMCAPP@navy.mil .

Collateral Duty / Out of Rate Assignments

Navy collateral duties/out of rate assignments play a vital role in the day-to-day operations and duties that Officers and Enlisted Sailors perform. Certifications and licenses are also available in these collateral duties/out of rate assignments, so please go to the Collateral Duty/Out of Rate Assignments search feature and explore more opportunities to get certified (click "Find" on the side of this page, go to the "Enlisted Search" section, then use the "- Select Collateral Duty -" drop-down list).

A BIBLIOGRAPHY is provided by the Navy Advancement Center (NAC) to document the REFERENCES used by a subject matter expert (a Navy Chief in the rating) as the basis for writing the items on the Active Duty and Reserve Navy Advancement Exams. If a reference has been updated since the exam was created and differs from the reference listed here, the information in the updated reference will be used as the basis for scoring the exam.

General Exam FAQs

Bibliography FAQs

INQUIRIES CONCERNING

Exam Development and Bibliographies
COM: (850) 473-6110
DSN: 753-6110
SFLY_EXAM_QUESTION@navy.mil

General Advancement Information
COM: (850) 473-6148
DSN: 753-6148
SFLY_NAVY_ADVANCEMEN@navy.mil