Admittedly, many join the Navy to serve the country. While this is noble, there are also other benefits worth considering. For starters, Navy members can access academic opportunities through GI Bill programs that help them pay for graduate programs, college, and non-traditional training options. Moreover, you can acquire various skills that can be applied in various careers. You also earn a decent income as a Navy member. Several jobs are available, depending on your skills and preferences. Here are some of the desired jobs in the Navy today. 

Nuclear machinist mate 

Being a nuclear machinist mate requires you to work on the nuclear power generation and propulsion systems on submarines or aircraft. As part of your responsibilities, you’d operate reactor auxiliary systems and run power generation systems and propulsions. Likewise, you’ll ensure the reactor departments are under radiological control while maintaining reduction gears and steam turbines. To become a nuclear machinist mate, you need a high school diploma or equivalent degree, so keep this in mind. Good grades in science (physics and chemistry), engineering, math, and English communication is crucial. You must be 17 years and above and pass a drug test. 

You’ll also undergo a background check to determine your criminal background. You’ll also undergo a series of training before being recruited, including boot camp, Naval Nuclear Power School (NNPS), “A” School, and Nuclear Power Training Unit (NPTU). In addition to your salary, you are entitled to huge re-enlistment bonuses. It’s also worth noting that nuclear machinist mates can be transferred to any location worldwide. 

Aviation boatswain’s mate

Another career worth considering is aviation boatswain’s mate. An aviation boatswain’s mate launches and recovers naval aircraft swiftly and securely from sea or land. You must prepare and fuel aircraft before takeoff and landing and embark on rescue and salvage missions. As your career progresses, you can acquire the advanced AB rating to supervise individual specialties. You must undertake fire fighting, crash removal, and crash rescue. You are also responsible for performing damage control duties associated with aircraft launching and recovery. Other duties include: 

• Performing routine maintenance on barricades, arresting gear engines, steam, and hydraulic catapults. 
• Operating firing panels, blast deflectors, cooling panels, water brakes, arresting consoles, and catapult launches. 

It’s important to note that most of your work will be performed outdoors on aircraft career decks. You must also work in all climatic conditions, so remember this. You need a least a high school degree to be recruited and eight weeks of basic training before starting work. A minimum of five weeks of technical training is also mandatory, so feel free to consider this. You must have 20/100 uncorrected vision, normal color perception, and normal hearing. 

Aviation ordnanceman

If you’re fascinated with weapons, this may be the right job. An aviation ordnanceman is well-trained in issuing, operating, storing, loading, and launching all weapons on a naval aircraft. You will be required to: 

• Service aircraft guns and accessories
• Maintain, inspect, and fix the aircraft’s electrical and mechanical armaments or ordnances.
• Stow, assemble, and load ammunition such as torpedoes, rockets, missiles, aerial mines, service bombs, and so on. 
• Releasing and launching missiles, bombs, and other devices
• Load supplementary ammunitions
• Arrange, test, and maintain air-guided missiles 
• Supervise armory, stowage facilities, and aviation ordnance shop operations. 

Aviation ordnance men work on flight decks, hangars, air station flight lines, or shops. They also work in all climate conditions, so consider this. You don’t require a college degree for this job; a high school diploma or GED will suffice. You also need to meet the qualifications to be recruited. For instance, you must have 20/100 vision correctable to 20/20. Also, your hearing, depth, and color perception should be normal. You must also complete a training series to prepare for the work ahead, including boot camp, “A” School training, and strand training. 

Culinary specialist 

If you enjoy cooking and have the needed skills, you can join the Navy as a culinary specialist. This job requires operating US Navy galleys, messes, and other living quarters that house naval personnel. You must also plan menus and prepare and serve meals while ensuring your station is hygienic and safe. Before applying as a culinary specialist, you must meet the requirements. Therefore, you must be between 18-39, and have no criminal record, and have passed the ASVAB test. However, it’s worth noting that you must be naval personnel before applying for the job. And this means that you will attend boot camp, Navy Culinary Specialist Class “A” School, and other subsequent training.