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Navy Rating · Aviation

AD Aviation Machinist's Mate

Current service use not established

This code is listed in the directory. Inclusion alone does not confirm current service use.

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Overview

An Aviation Machinist's Mate maintains, inspects, troubleshoots, and preserves aircraft engines, transmissions, fuel systems, rotor systems, propeller systems, and auxiliary power units. The machinist conducts special and conditional inspections, oil analysis, functional checks, adjustments, and quality assurance inspections while supervising and training power plant work centers.

Minimum ASVAB: VE+MK+AS 158 or VE+MK+EI 155

ASVAB policy: Not policy-reviewed · coverage unknown · as of 2026-10-19

Program scope has not been reviewed.

Policy applicability and coverage of the program's score routes have not been reviewed. Shown-route arithmetic is not an eligibility decision.

Source: milpersman-1306-618-rating-list-2026-04 (source date 2026-04). Policy applicability has not been established.

See if you would hit this score: free ASVAB practice test

Core Skills

  • Aircraft engine and subsystem fault diagnosis
  • Oil analysis and gas free inspections
  • Engine, propeller and rotor functional checks
  • Aircraft powerplant quality assurance inspections

Civilian Career Paths

Career associations are editorial assessments of the cited evidence, not an official crosswalk unless the evidence explicitly says so. O*NET supplies civilian occupation information, not proof of a military match. Related experience does not confer civilian qualifications. Tasks and tools below describe civilian work, not military training.

Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians

AD experience troubleshooting aircraft engines and related systems, performing functional checks, and conducting special and quality assurance inspections directly overlaps aircraft maintenance work.

How to prepare: Assemble military duty records showing systems maintained and time spent performing the work for an FAA assessment of practical experience toward the Airframe and Powerplant ratings. An FAA mechanic certificate is not a regulatory requirement for every airline mechanic job, although air carriers often require it for hiring.

What the civilian work involves
  • Inspect completed work to certify that maintenance meets standards and that aircraft are ready for operation.
  • Read and interpret maintenance manuals, service bulletins, and other specifications to determine the feasibility and method of repairing or replacing malfunctioning or damaged components.
  • Conduct routine and special inspections as required by regulations.

Training & Development

Choose credentials for your target role. COOL funding markers describe program listings, not a guarantee of eligibility or funding.

Getting Started

  • Mechanic (Airframe & Powerplant) · Funded

    Pursue FAA certification through assessment of qualifying experience or an approved training route, followed by the required knowledge, oral, and practical tests.

    Eligibility and preparation: Applicants must be at least 18 and able to read, write, speak, and understand English. The experience route requires at least 18 months of practical experience appropriate to one rating or 30 months concurrently performing duties appropriate to both ratings; the FAA evaluates documentary evidence of military experience. Alternative routes are graduation from an FAA-approved Aviation Maintenance Technician School or completion of the Joint Service Aviation Maintenance Technician Certification Council training course for military personnel.

    For: Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians

  • ASTM NCATT Foreign Object Elimination (FOE)

    Build and demonstrate foreign object prevention knowledge in housekeeping, tool accountability, and material handling for aircraft maintenance work.

    Eligibility and preparation: The exam is open without mandatory age, education, training, experience, or credential prerequisites; AET certification is not required for FOE.

    For: Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians

Notes & Sources

Evidence for this guidance (5 documents)
  1. NAVPERS 18068F Vol I (NEOCS, Jan 2026 edition): AVIATION MACHINIST’S MATE (AD)

    [1] Rating chapter "SCOPE OF RATING"; cached text line 5111; NAVPERS 18068F Vol I, 2026-01 edition

    Supports: Aircraft engine and subsystem fault diagnosis, Oil analysis and gas free inspections, Engine, propeller and rotor functional checks, Aircraft powerplant quality assurance inspections, Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians (O*NET 49-3011.00)

  2. O*NET: Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians

    [2] O*NET 30.3 occupational data

    Supports: Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians (O*NET 49-3011.00)

  3. FAA: Become an Aviation Mechanic

    [3] Requirements and mechanic experience requirements

    Supports: Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians (O*NET 49-3011.00), Mechanic (Airframe & Powerplant)

    [4]COOL credential mapping: Mechanic (Airframe & Powerplant) · AD cached COOL credential feed

    Supports: Mechanic (Airframe & Powerplant)

  4. COOL credential mapping: ASTM NCATT Foreign Object Elimination (FOE)

    [5] AD cached COOL credential feed

    Supports: ASTM NCATT Foreign Object Elimination (FOE)

    [6]SpaceTEC Partners, Inc.: ASTM NCATT certification information, exam list, and FAQ · Background; Exams Offered (Aircraft Electronics Technician, AET Endorsements, Other ASTM NCATT exams); Frequently Asked Questions; retrieved 2026-09-23

    Supports: ASTM NCATT Foreign Object Elimination (FOE)

  5. ASTM NCATT FOE Elements of Basic Awareness Study Guide (PDF, copyright 2022 ASTM International NCATT)

    [7] Scope (sec. 1) and Significance and Use (sec. 3); retrieved 2026-09-23

    Supports: ASTM NCATT Foreign Object Elimination (FOE)

Defense contractor jobs for AD

Predecessor codes

Historical codes with documented links to AD. Each history page explains the change.

Sp(V)Specialist (Transport Airman)

Descriptions may be summarized for clarity. Verify all information with your branch career counselor or official military documentation before making career decisions.

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