AEROGRAPHER'S MATE (AG)

OVERVIEW

Aerographer's Mate (AG) is the U.S. Navy's meteorology and oceanography (METOC) rating. AGs forecast weather and oceanographic conditions for naval aviation, surface, and submarine operations from the Fleet Weather Centers, aircraft carriers, big-deck amphibious ships, and forward-deployed METOC detachments. AGs are the only Navy weather rating.

The aviation community covers Sailors who maintain, operate, and support U.S. Navy aircraft — fixed-wing fighters, maritime patrol, helicopters, and unmanned platforms — both on aircraft carriers and at shore-based naval air stations. The community follows the Aviation Maintenance Officer (AMO) construct and emphasizes Naval Aviation Maintenance Program (NAMP) qualifications.

A-school for the rating runs ~22 weeks at Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit, Keesler AFB, MS, where Sailors complete the technical foundation needed to report to their first fleet command. Entry requires the ASVAB line score VE+AR+MK+GS=210 and an enlistment obligation of 5–6 years. AGs advance through the standard enlisted paygrade structure (E-1 through E-9), competing in the Navy-Wide Advancement Examination (NWAE) at E-4 through E-6 and via the Selection Board at E-7 through E-9. Senior AGs typically serve as Leading Petty Officer (LPO), Work Center Supervisor, Leading Chief Petty Officer (LCPO), or Command Master Chief (CMC), and may pursue Limited Duty Officer (LDO), Chief Warrant Officer (CWO), or commissioning programs such as STA-21, MECP, or OCS.

Across the active force, AG Sailors are essential to the Navy's mission readiness, and the rating remains an in-demand career field with strong reenlistment bonuses (SRB), advancement opportunities, and pathways into Navy Reserve, civilian DoD, and industry careers after service.

WHAT AGs DO

AGs forecast atmospheric and oceanographic conditions, brief flight crews and ship captains on environmental impacts to operations, launch upper-air radiosondes, operate Doppler weather radars, and produce range and ASW environmental products. AGs deploy with carrier strike groups, expeditionary forces, and Naval Special Warfare units.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• AGs forecast atmospheric and oceanographic conditions, brief flight crews and ship captains on environmental impacts to operations, launch upper-air radiosondes, operate Doppler weather radars, and produce range and ASW environmental products. AGs deploy with carrier strike groups, expeditionary forces, and Naval Special Warfare units.
• Stand watches and qualify on the rating's Personnel Qualification Standards (PQS), maintain training jackets, and mentor junior AGs as required by the chain of command.
• Lead the AG work center as Leading Petty Officer or Work Center Supervisor — managing maintenance documentation in 3M/MFOM, parts ordering, and personnel qualifications.
• Support general military training (GMT), damage control, force protection, and watch-bill assignments common to every Sailor regardless of rating.

HISTORY

Aerographer's Mate was established in 1924 to support the rapid expansion of naval aviation. Modern AGs are credentialed by the American Meteorological Society and operate the Navy's Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center models worldwide.

The aviation rating structure traces to 1921 when the Bureau of Aeronautics was established and the Navy formalized aviation enlisted ratings to support the rapid growth of carrier aviation between the world wars. Successive consolidations through the 1948 enlisted-rating reorganization and the modern Naval Aviation Enterprise (NAE) shaped the current pipeline.

Today the Aerographer's Mate (AG) rating is overseen by the Enlisted Community Management (ECM) office at My Navy HR and the Center for Personal and Professional Development. Modern AGs benefit from the Sailor 2025 personnel-system reforms, the Ready Relevant Learning (RRL) training continuum, and credentialing through the Navy COOL program — turning rating qualifications into industry-recognized certifications and licenses.

The rating's structure, training pipeline, and operational employment continue to evolve alongside the Navy's transition to Distributed Maritime Operations (DMO), Project Overmatch, and the Force Design 2045 fleet architecture, ensuring AGs remain central to the warfighting mission.

TRAINING PIPELINE

1. 1. Recruit Training (Boot Camp)~10 weeks
   Naval Station Great Lakes, IL
   Initial entry training for all U.S. Navy enlisted Sailors at the Navy's only boot camp.
2. 2. Aerographer's Mate A-School~22 weeks
   Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit, Keesler AFB, MS
   Initial rating-skills training for accessions
3. 3. Fleet / Operational TourFirst sea or operational tour
   Aircraft carriers and big-deck amphibious ships
   On-the-job training and qualifications in the AG rating with a fleet unit.

TYPICAL CAREER PATH

1. E-1/E-3
   Apprentice AG
   A-school in the aviation pipeline; first tour with a fleet unit.
2. E-4/E-6
   Petty Officer AG
   Lead a Aerographer's Mate work-center, qualify in core watchstations and platform-specific tasks.
3. E-7+
   Chief Aerographer's Mate
   Senior enlisted leader of the rating in the command; instructor, detailer, or department leading chief assignments.

TYPICAL PLATFORMS & UNITS

• Aircraft carriers and big-deck amphibious ships
• Fleet Weather Centers (Norfolk, San Diego)
• METOC detachments worldwide

EXAMPLE NECs

• AG-7411 Tactical Oceanography Specialist

RELATED RATINGS

• OS · General Surface & Combat
  Operations Specialist
• AWO · Naval Aviation
  Naval Aircrewman (Operator)
• AC · Naval Aviation
  Air Traffic Controller

RELATED BASES

• Navy Base · VA
  Naval Station Norfolk
• Navy Base · CA
  Naval Base San Diego
• Navy Base · FL
  Naval Air Station Pensacola

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

SOURCES

• Navy Aerographer's Mate (navy.com)
• My Navy HR — Enlisted Community Management
• Navy COOL — Rating Detail