Aviation Ordnanceman
Encyclopedia
Aviation Ordnanceman is a United States Navy
occupational rating
.
s, bomb
s, torpedo
es, rocket
s, and missile
s. Their duties include the stowing, issuing, and loading of munitions and small arms
. There are three different types of Ordnanceman, "O" (Organizational) Level, "I" (Intermediate) Level, and "D" (Depot) Level. O-Level ordnanceman are attached to squadrons
ashore and afloat. They perform loading/downloading operations on aircraft as well as maintenance on bomb racks, missile launchers, and other aircraft components. Aviation Ordnanceman "A" School is currently held at Pensacola Naval Air Station by Naval Air Technical Training Center (NATTC). Aviation Ordnanceman training is approximately 4 weeks long. At Aviation Ordnanceman "A" School, subjects are taught basic aviation theory and skills, along with electronic troubleshooting. To become an Aviation Ordnanceman, one must have color perception and 20/20 vision
or have their vision correctable to 20/20. One must also have an ASVAB
score of VE+AR+MK+AS=185 or MK+AS+AO=140 and MK+AS+AO=140. While some Aviation Ordnanceman tasks require a SECRET security clearance, all Ordnancemen must be eligible for the clearance.
Ship's company, who are stationed on board ship and are also "O" level AO's, work in the magazines below decks or on the flight deck of aircraft carrier
s. They perform the assembly of bombs in large magazines below decks and are in charge of inventory of the weapons on the flight deck
whether they are loaded on aircraft or stored behind the island. "I" Level ordnancemen work in the Aviation Intermediate Maintenance Departments on ships at sea or in facilities ashore. They perform such tasks preventive maintenance, repair, and testing of bomb racks, missile launchers, and aircraft guns for issue to squadrons. Depot "D" level is for equipment that needs to be completely overhauled and is beyond the capabilities of "I" level maintenance. In a 20-year period, an average Aviation Ordnanceman spends about 65 percent assigned to fleet units and 35 percent to shore stations.
Aviation Ordnancemen are a close knit community and one of the few ratings in the U.S. Navy to have their own association, the Association of Aviation Ordnancemen. In addition, the Aviation Ordnanceman slogan is IYAOYAS, meaning: "If you ain't ordnance, you ain't shit." One of the most notable Aviation Ordnancemen was Lieutenant
John Finn
, who came up as an enlisted sailor making it to the rank of Chief Petty Officer
. Was awarded the Medal of Honor
for his actions at Pearl Harbor
on December 7th, 1941
.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
occupational rating
Naval rating
A Naval Rating is an enlisted member of a country's Navy, subordinate to Warrant Officers and Officers hence not conferred by commission or warrant...
.
Overview
Aviation Ordnancemen operate and handle aviation ordnance equipment. They are responsible for the maintenance of gunGun
A gun is a muzzle or breech-loaded projectile-firing weapon. There are various definitions depending on the nation and branch of service. A "gun" may be distinguished from other firearms in being a crew-served weapon such as a howitzer or mortar, as opposed to a small arm like a rifle or pistol,...
s, bomb
Bomb
A bomb is any of a range of explosive weapons that only rely on the exothermic reaction of an explosive material to provide an extremely sudden and violent release of energy...
s, torpedo
Torpedo
The modern torpedo is a self-propelled missile weapon with an explosive warhead, launched above or below the water surface, propelled underwater towards a target, and designed to detonate either on contact with it or in proximity to it.The term torpedo was originally employed for...
es, rocket
Rocket
A rocket is a missile, spacecraft, aircraft or other vehicle which obtains thrust from a rocket engine. In all rockets, the exhaust is formed entirely from propellants carried within the rocket before use. Rocket engines work by action and reaction...
s, and missile
Missile
Though a missile may be any thrown or launched object, it colloquially almost always refers to a self-propelled guided weapon system.-Etymology:The word missile comes from the Latin verb mittere, meaning "to send"...
s. Their duties include the stowing, issuing, and loading of munitions and small arms
Small arms
Small arms is a term of art used by armed forces to denote infantry weapons an individual soldier may carry. The description is usually limited to revolvers, pistols, submachine guns, carbines, assault rifles, battle rifles, multiple barrel firearms, sniper rifles, squad automatic weapons, light...
. There are three different types of Ordnanceman, "O" (Organizational) Level, "I" (Intermediate) Level, and "D" (Depot) Level. O-Level ordnanceman are attached to squadrons
Squadron (aviation)
A squadron in air force, army aviation or naval aviation is mainly a unit comprising a number of military aircraft, usually of the same type, typically with 12 to 24 aircraft, sometimes divided into three or four flights, depending on aircraft type and air force...
ashore and afloat. They perform loading/downloading operations on aircraft as well as maintenance on bomb racks, missile launchers, and other aircraft components. Aviation Ordnanceman "A" School is currently held at Pensacola Naval Air Station by Naval Air Technical Training Center (NATTC). Aviation Ordnanceman training is approximately 4 weeks long. At Aviation Ordnanceman "A" School, subjects are taught basic aviation theory and skills, along with electronic troubleshooting. To become an Aviation Ordnanceman, one must have color perception and 20/20 vision
20/20 Vision
20/20 Vision is the seventh studio album from country music artist Ronnie Milsap, it was released in 1976.-Track listing:# "20/20 Vision" – 3:05# "Lovers, Friends and Strangers" – 2:52...
or have their vision correctable to 20/20. One must also have an ASVAB
Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery
The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery is a multiple choice test, administered by the United States Military Entrance Processing Command, used to determine qualification for enlistment in the United States armed forces...
score of VE+AR+MK+AS=185 or MK+AS+AO=140 and MK+AS+AO=140. While some Aviation Ordnanceman tasks require a SECRET security clearance, all Ordnancemen must be eligible for the clearance.
Aircraft carrier
An aircraft carrier is a warship designed with a primary mission of deploying and recovering aircraft, acting as a seagoing airbase. Aircraft carriers thus allow a naval force to project air power worldwide without having to depend on local bases for staging aircraft operations...
s. They perform the assembly of bombs in large magazines below decks and are in charge of inventory of the weapons on the flight deck
Flight deck
The flight deck of an aircraft carrier is the surface from which its aircraft take off and land, essentially a miniature airfield at sea. On smaller naval ships which do not have aviation as a primary mission, the landing area for helicopters and other VTOL aircraft is also referred to as the...
whether they are loaded on aircraft or stored behind the island. "I" Level ordnancemen work in the Aviation Intermediate Maintenance Departments on ships at sea or in facilities ashore. They perform such tasks preventive maintenance, repair, and testing of bomb racks, missile launchers, and aircraft guns for issue to squadrons. Depot "D" level is for equipment that needs to be completely overhauled and is beyond the capabilities of "I" level maintenance. In a 20-year period, an average Aviation Ordnanceman spends about 65 percent assigned to fleet units and 35 percent to shore stations.
Aviation Ordnancemen are a close knit community and one of the few ratings in the U.S. Navy to have their own association, the Association of Aviation Ordnancemen. In addition, the Aviation Ordnanceman slogan is IYAOYAS, meaning: "If you ain't ordnance, you ain't shit." One of the most notable Aviation Ordnancemen was Lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
John Finn
John William Finn
John William Finn was a sailor in the United States Navy who, as a chief petty officer, received the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions during the attack on Pearl Harbor in World War II...
, who came up as an enlisted sailor making it to the rank of Chief Petty Officer
Chief Petty Officer
A chief petty officer is a senior non-commissioned officer in many navies and coast guards.-Canada:"Chief Petty Officer" refers to two ranks in the Canadian Navy...
. Was awarded the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for his actions at Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor, known to Hawaiians as Puuloa, is a lagoon harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, west of Honolulu. Much of the harbor and surrounding lands is a United States Navy deep-water naval base. It is also the headquarters of the U.S. Pacific Fleet...
on December 7th, 1941
Attack on Pearl Harbor
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise military strike conducted by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on the morning of December 7, 1941...
.