Which "A" school do Navy AIRR attend, AW or AWS?
Hello, I'm trying to find out the current pipeline for Navy AIRR. While it's pretty clearly stated on the Navy website, it doesn't specify which "A" school AIRR candidates go through. I may just be misinterpreting or reading some bad information, but I heard there are two; AW and AWS school. Do AIRR candidates go through both? Is AWS school the 5 weeks of SAR swimming skills? Any info is appreciated. Thanks.
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Which "A" school you attend will be decided by the Navy while in AIRC/AIRR training, with perhaps a small chance of getting your choice, but needs of the Navy come first.
Aviation Rescue Swimmer (AIRR);
Source Ratings
"Men and women interested in the Aircrew program may be assigned to one of the following source ratings; Naval Naval Aircrewmen (Tactical Helicopter) (AWR) and Naval Aircrewman (Helicopter) (AWS).
Assignment to class "A" school for a rating within the program will be made while assigned to Naval Aircrew Candidate School (NACCS) and will be based on the applicant's test scores, personal desires, needs of the Navy, and continued eligibility for the aircrew program."
Notice the difference between AWR and AWS.
AWR-Naval Aircrewmen Tactical-Helicopter
Aircrewmen Tactical Helicopter (AWR) are members of an integrated tactical crew aboard a multi-mission helicopter. They detect, analyze, classify and track subsurface contacts utilizing state of the art technology. Specifically, they perform sonar and sonobuoy operations, help to coordinate tactical communications relay, and conduct weapons delivery in support of tactical missions worldwide. AWR's become proficient in other aircrew duties that contribute directly to aircrew operations and Naval Special Warfare (NSW) missions. They include Search and Rescue (SAR), Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR), Night Vision Device (NVD) operations, navigation, passenger and cargo transport, Vertical replenishment (VERTREP), Medical Evacuations (MEDEVAC), crew served weapons employment, and perform observer duties for safety of flight. AWR's perform ground based aircrew duties that contribute directly to aircrew operations, training, and administration to maintain aircrew qualifications and certifications.
https://www.cool.navy.mil/enlisted/rating_info_car...
AWS-Naval Aircrewmen Helicopter
Aircrewman Helicopter (AWS) are members of a multi-mission helicopter integrated tactical crew. Their primary missions include search and rescue (SAR) operations, Airborne Mine Countermeasures utilizing Sonar, Magnetic, and Mechanical and Acoustic mine sweeping systems and logistics support in support of tactical missions worldwide. In addition, they perform Aircrew operations administration, flight/ground training, internal/external cargo movement, medical evacuations (MEDEVAC), passenger transport, aerial gunnery, small arms handling, Naval Special Warfare insertions, and extractions operations, Vertical Replenishment (VERTREP), Night Vision Device (NVD) Operations and Perform Observer Duties for Safety of Flight. These duties contribute directly to aircrew operations, training and administration, for the purposes of attaining and maintaining the squadron's aircrew qualifications and certifications.
https://www.cool.navy.mil/enlisted/rating_info_car...
Some of those general duties of either rating do overlap.
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The below link shows the AW ratings that AIRC only candidates will be placed in.
https://www.cool.navy.mil/enlisted/rating_info_car...