Getting Started
How do you choose the right Navy rate for you?
TL;DR — Quick Answer
Choosing a Navy rate means weighing your ASVAB scores, lifestyle preferences, civilian career goals, and willingness to deploy or go to sea. Start by identifying which ratings you qualify for, then narrow the list by what matters most to you.
Step 1: Know your ASVAB eligibility
Every Navy rating requires minimum scores on specific ASVAB line scores. Before you can choose freely, you need to know which ratings you actually qualify for. The Navy uses composite line scores like AR+MK+EI+GS to gate access to technical ratings. Use the ASVAB calculator to estimate your line scores and see which ratings you qualify for.
Step 2: Decide how important sea duty is
Some ratings are overwhelmingly sea-intensive. Boatswain's Mates and Gunner's Mates spend the majority of their careers on ships. Others like Musician or Religious Programs Specialist are almost entirely shore-based. If you have a family or prefer stability, look for ratings with lower ship-to-shore ratios. The rates comparison table shows the ship vs. shore percentage for each rating.
Step 3: Consider your post-Navy career
A Navy rating is a multi-year investment, so think about where you want to be after your first contract. Technical ratings like IT, CTN, and ET have strong civilian demand and often translate directly to high-paying private-sector jobs. Check the civilian outcomes data for each rating before deciding.
Step 4: Factor in bonuses and pay
The Navy offers enlistment bonuses sometimes exceeding $50,000 for ratings in critical need. If two ratings interest you equally, a bonus makes the difference. Bonus availability changes frequently, so check the current bonus tracker before you sign your contract.
Step 5: Take the quiz
If you're still unsure, the rate-matching quiz asks about your priorities like pay, adventure, tech, and stability, then ranks all ratings based on your answers. It often surfaces ratings you wouldn't have considered otherwise.
Useful Tools & Pages
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Read article →Ready to find your rate?
Take the quiz or browse all 89 Navy ratings with full data.