MISSILE TECHNICIAN (MT)

OVERVIEW

Missile Technician (MT) is the U.S. Navy's strategic-weapons rating. MTs operate and maintain the Trident II D5LE submarine-launched ballistic-missile (SLBM) system aboard the Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarines (SSBNs) and serve as the launch-key holders for the strategic deterrent patrol.

The submarine community is an all-volunteer force that operates the Navy's nuclear-powered fast-attack, guided-missile, and ballistic-missile submarines. Sailors must qualify in submarines (earning the Silver or Gold Dolphins) and operate under unique deployment cycles, watchbills, and the demanding Submarine Force standards established by Admiral Hyman G. Rickover.

A-school for the rating runs ~28 weeks at Naval Submarine School & Trident Training Facility, Kings Bay, GA / Bangor, WA, where Sailors complete the technical foundation needed to report to their first fleet command. Entry requires the ASVAB line score VE+AR+MK+EI=215 and an enlistment obligation of 6–6 years. MTs 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 MTs 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, MT 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 MTs DO

MTs maintain the Trident II D5 missile, the missile-launch tubes and gas-generator system, the fire-control system, the navigation and targeting systems, and stand watch as Launcher Watch and Missile Compartment Watch on every SSBN strategic deterrent patrol.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• MTs maintain the Trident II D5 missile, the missile-launch tubes and gas-generator system, the fire-control system, the navigation and targeting systems, and stand watch as Launcher Watch and Missile Compartment Watch on every SSBN strategic deterrent patrol.
• Stand watches and qualify on the rating's Personnel Qualification Standards (PQS), maintain training jackets, and mentor junior MTs as required by the chain of command.
• Lead the MT 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

MT was established in 1959 to support the introduction of the Polaris A-1 SLBM aboard USS George Washington (SSBN-598). The rating evolved with each strategic-weapon system — Polaris, Poseidon, Trident I C4, Trident II D5 — and is the Navy's strategic-deterrent enlisted backbone.

The submarine rating lineage traces to the commissioning of USS Holland in 1900 and the establishment of the Submarine Force the same year. Modern submarine enlisted ratings were redefined under Admiral Hyman G. Rickover in the 1950s as the Navy transitioned from diesel-electric to nuclear propulsion with USS Nautilus (SSN-571).

Today the Missile Technician (MT) rating is overseen by the Enlisted Community Management (ECM) office at My Navy HR and the Center for Personal and Professional Development. Modern MTs 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 MTs 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. Missile Technician A-School~28 weeks
   Naval Submarine School & Trident Training Facility, Kings Bay, GA / Bangor, WA
   Submarine pipeline rating training (includes Basic Enlisted Submarine School)
3. 3. Fleet / Operational TourFirst sea or operational tour
   Ohio (SSBN-726) class ballistic-missile submarines
   On-the-job training and qualifications in the MT rating with a fleet unit.

TYPICAL CAREER PATH

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

TYPICAL PLATFORMS & UNITS

• Ohio (SSBN-726) class ballistic-missile submarines
• Trident Training Facilities Kings Bay GA and Bangor WA

EXAMPLE NECs

• MT-3373 Trident II D5 Missile Maintainer

RELATED RATINGS

• FT · Submarine Force
  Fire Control Technician
• ETR · Submarine Force
  Electronics Technician (Submarine Navigation)
• GM · General Surface & Combat
  Gunner's Mate

RELATED BASES

• Navy Base · GA
  Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay
• Navy Base · WA
  Naval Base Kitsap

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

SOURCES

• Navy Missile Technician (navy.com)
• My Navy HR — Enlisted Community Management
• Navy COOL — Rating Detail