Naval Aviation Ordnanceman History

The Navy's Aviation Ordnance rating really began on April 9, 1915 when a Chief Gunners Mate and a Chief Turret Captain, along with several other mechanics, were sent to Pensacola, Florida to work on what would be the beginning of aircraft armament and ordnance systems.

The Navy accepted its first aircraft, a Curtiss Triad (Hydroplane), on August 9, 1911. Early bombing tests were held in January and February of 1913, at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and in July 1914 at Indian Head, Maryland. Twenty-two months later, in May 1916, the development of a gyroscopic bomb-sight was initiated. On April 6, 1917, at which time the United States entered into World War One, the inventory of the fledging air arm consisted of the following: 45 seaplanes, six flying boats, three land planes, and one airship. By September, 1917 two types of bombs were in service with a third type coming into production, weighing 163, 270, and 216 pounds respectively. Successful tests of machine guns were conducted between January and May, 1918 at Pensacola, Florida.

In March of 1918, the Aviation Ordnance (AVORD) sub-section in the Bureau of Ordnance, became a separate unit. Previously it served as a division of the Surface Gun Mount section, dating back to the early months of the war. As a separate group, they were given cognizance over the procurement and technical aspects of machine guns, including mounts, sights, fittings and ammunition. Other aviation ordnance items falling within AVORD cognizance in 1918 were larger caliber guns, bombs, bomb racks, bomb sights, pyrotechnic signaling devices, air launched torpedoes, aircraft torpedo launching equipment, and training devices which include miniature practice bombs.

Gunner's Mate (Aviation) 1918-1921

On August 12, 1918 the Commandant of the Pensacola, Florida Naval Air Station recommended the establishment of the Gunner's Mate (Aviation) - G.M. (A) rating. The commandant emphasized that men doing such duty had no chance for advancement as they did not have the occasion to better themselves in the specialty of the ratings held. The commandant listed the ordnance items in which personnel should qualify to obtain the G.M.(A) rating, including the ability to act as instructors and armorers. Although rating badges (winged crossed gun barrels) for Gunner's Mate (Aviation) existed, official directives authorizing the wearing of same did not exist. The specialty mark was never included in the various changes issued between 1917 and 1921 to uniform regulations. The rating of Gunner's Mate (Aviation), which extended from Third Class through Chief Petty Officer, was officially listed in Bureau of Navigation Circular Letter (BNCL) 158-18 of August 30, 1918.

Gunner's Mate (Assigned to Aviation) 1921-1926

By an Act of Congress, approved June 4, 1920, the Secretary of the Navy was authorized, at his discretion, to establish such grades and ratings as necessary for the proper administration of the enlisted personnel of the Navy and Marine Corps. The Gunner's Mate (Aviation) rating was not included in this listing. An aviation designation for Gunner's Mates who had qualified as aviation armament and munitions technicians, and were attached to an aviation activity, were so identified by appropriate entries in their service records. These Gunner's Mates functioned as the aviation ordnancemen until mid 1926.

Aviation Ordnanceman 1926- Present

The Aviation Ordnanceman rating was established at all four petty officer grades of Chief, First, Second and Third Class on March 2, 1926 as a rating within the Aviation Branch. The Aviation Ordnanceman rating was filled initially from qualified personnel serving primarily with the ratings of Gunner's Mate and Torpedoman (assigned to aviation). The Aviation Ordnanceman specialty mark, a winged flaming spherical shell, was incorporated into Uniform Regulations in January 1927.

The Aviation Ordnanceman family of ratings since 1918 have encompassed the following:

Gunner's Mate (Aviation)/GM(A)

1918-1921

Gunner's Mate (assigned to aviation)

GM 

1921-1926

Aviation Ordnanceman (AOM): 

1926-1948

Aviation Ordnanceman B (Aviation Bombsight Mechanic/AOMB)

1943-1944

Aviation Ordnanceman B (Aviation Bombsight & Fire Control Mechanic)

(AFC) 

1945-1948

Aviation Ordnanceman T (Aviation Turret Mechanic)(AOMT)

1943-1948

Aviation Ordnanceman F (Fire Control)

(AOF)

1948-1955

Aviation Ordnanceman T (Turrets)

(AOT)

1948-1958

Aviation Ordnanceman U (Utility)

(AOU) 

1948-1958

Aviation Ordnanceman (AO)

1948-present

November 5, 1958 marked the promotion of 15 Senior Chief Aviation Ordnancemen (AOCS) E-8 and two to Master Chief Aviation Ordnancemen (AOCM) E-9.