U.S. Navy Training
Navy “A” School Locations
After boot camp, sailors report to Navy “A” School for job-specific technical training based on their assigned rating. Below is a clear guide to major training hubs and common pipelines.
Great Lakes , Pensacola, San Antonio, Charleston (Nuclear), Groton (Submarines), Virginia Beach / Dam Neck, Meridian, San Diego / Point Loma
Great Lakes, Illinois
Surface & Support Ratings
The Navy’s largest training hub and home of boot camp. Supports many surface fleet and operational support ratings.
Common A-Schools
- BM — Boatswain’s Mate
- CS — Culinary Specialist
- DC — Damage Controlman
- EM — Electrician’s Mate (non-nuclear)
- EN — Engineman
- GM — Gunner’s Mate
- HT — Hull Technician
- LS — Logistics Specialist
- MM — Machinist’s Mate (non-nuclear)
- OS — Operations Specialist
- PS — Personnel Specialist
- RS — Retail Services Specialist
- YN — Yeoman
- Selected IT pipelines
Pensacola, Florida
Aviation & Information Warfare
Centered at NAS Pensacola and Corry Station. Primary pipeline for aviation maintenance and many cyber/information warfare tracks.
Common A-Schools
- AE — Aviation Electrician’s Mate
- AM — Aviation Structural Mechanic
- AD — Aviation Machinist’s Mate
- AT — Aviation Electronics Technician
- AO — Aviation Ordnanceman
- PR — Aircrew Survival Equipment
- AW — Naval Aircrew
- AG — Aerographer’s Mate
- CTN / CWT — Cyber Warfare
- CTI — Cryptologic Technician Interpretive
- CTR — Cryptologic Technician Collection
- IT — Information Systems Technician (many pipelines)
San Antonio, Texas
Medical Training
Joint Base San Antonio – Fort Sam Houston is the primary enlisted medical training hub.
Rating
- HM — Hospital Corpsman (basic HM A-School)
Charleston, South Carolina
Nuclear Field Pipeline
One of the longest and most academically demanding Navy pipelines.
Ratings
- MMN — Machinist’s Mate (Nuclear)
- EMN — Electrician’s Mate (Nuclear)
- ETN — Electronics Technician (Nuclear)
Pipeline Includes
- Nuclear Power School
- Prototype (reactor) training
- Length: often 12–18+ months total
Groton, Connecticut
Submarine School
Primary submarine training center supporting core submarine warfare specialties.
Ratings
- SECF — Submarine Electronics Computer Field
- STS — Sonar Technician Submarine
- ITS — Information Systems Technician Submarine
- MMA — Machinist’s Mate Auxiliary (Sub)
- MT — Missile Technician (Sub)
Virginia Beach / Dam Neck, Virginia
Intelligence & Information Warfare
Specialized intelligence and information warfare training, including advanced phases for select communities.
Ratings & Courses
- IS — Intelligence Specialist
- Selected CT advanced phases
- Specialized intel courses
Meridian, Mississippi
Aviation Technical Support
Supports selected aviation administrative and technical support specialties.
Ratings May Include
- AZ — Aviation Maintenance Administration
- Selected aviation support pipelines
San Diego / Point Loma, California
Information Warfare & Advanced Tracks
Supports selected information warfare pipelines and follow-on training for advanced technical specialties.
Training May Include
- Selected CT pipelines
- Advanced IT / cyber tracks
- Intelligence follow-on schools
⏱️ Typical A-School Length by Training Type
Short (4–8 weeks)
Often includes administrative and support ratings.
Medium (2–6 months)
Common for technical/mechanical ratings and aviation maintenance fields.
Long (6–18+ months)
Typical for nuclear, advanced cyber/intel, and selected submarine specialties.
Note: Exact school length and location can change based on training availability and Navy needs. Sailors should follow their official orders and command guidance.
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