Navy To Review Future of AW Rating

The Navy Personnel Command called upon a panel of senior enlisteds to assess the future of the Naval Aircrewman (AW) rating. Both the AWF (Mechanical) and AWV (Avionics) communities are facing a strength reduction of 60 percent by 2020, adversely affecting advancement opportunities for those sailors. “We do not want to rush any options, but rather come to a logical conclusion which will benefit our personnel and AW communities,” said Capt. Bruce Deshotel, head enlisted community manager. At the panel’s first meeting on July 11, they received input from Naval Air Forces, Navy Air Force Reserve, Naval Education and Training Command, the Center for Naval Aviation and Technical training, and the Naval Air Technical Training Center representatives.