Install, maintain, and operate computer networks, communications equipment, and information systems. Provide technical support for naval IT infrastructure.
ASVAB VE+MK+GS: 162 OR AR+MK+EI+VE: 220 OR CT+MK+VE: 162 and CT: 60 (new accession)
Catalog listing, not a contract offer. Confirm with a recruiter.
Information Systems Technicians run the networks, servers, and communications systems that connect a ship or command. Daily work covers user support, account administration, network troubleshooting, server maintenance, and satellite communications. Security compliance, patching, and monitoring are continuous background tasks. Afloat, you are responsible for connectivity that cannot simply be outsourced. Watchstanding and system restoration during casualties are part of the job.
You learn networking, routing and switching, server administration, and endpoint support. Satellite and radio communications add experience civilian technicians rarely get. The rating maps onto industry certifications including Security+ and Network+, which many Sailors earn while serving. Cybersecurity practice is built in because the networks are actively targeted. Troubleshooting methodology from physical layer upward becomes routine.
The job builds systematic diagnosis and the patience to work a problem in layers. You develop customer service skills, since much of the role is helping frustrated users. It teaches security consciousness as habit rather than checklist. Information Systems Technicians tend to become calm troubleshooters under pressure. You also gain the ability to explain technical issues to non-technical leaders.
This is one of the strongest civilian translations available, with demand in every industry and location. A clearance plus certifications makes defense contracting and federal IT roles immediately accessible and well paid. Network administrator, systems administrator, and security analyst are realistic entry points. Satellite communications experience is a genuine differentiator for specialized employers. Many veterans stack certifications and move into cloud, security engineering, or architecture within a few years.
Published personal accounts with source links. Each describes an individual experience, not a typical assignment or a guarantee of your own experience.
“We maintain extremely important aspects of the mission everywhere we go”
“Not only every system we rely on when using the CANES computers, but we also allow the destroyers to connect to our targeting programs while they launch missiles and track any that are incoming.”
“My favorite part of the job is making connections while traveling around the ship and helping people.”
Quotes are from U.S. government public-domain news stories (DVIDS, army.mil and other official sources). Individuals and units are named as reported at time of publication.
You start the shift in the network operations center checking servers, satellite links, and the overnight trouble ticket queue. Your work involves maintaining computer networks, radios, and communications systems aboard ship or ashore, restoring circuits and supporting users. Configuring gear, patching systems, and keeping the command connected defines your busy day.
This is the fourth installment of 'Information Warfare,' a series about ratings in the IW community and the vital role each rating plays. In this video you will learn more about what it means to be a Navy Information systems Technician (IT) Sailor. You will also learn a little about the training you will receive at Information Warfare Training Command Corry Station if you choose this as your rating. Information systems Technicians manage communication operations and networks aboard Navy surface and subsurface vessels, and ashore at naval installations worldwide. They play a vital role in operating and maintaining communication assets from radio systems, to computer and network operations, to satellite telecommunications. (U.S. Navy video by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Lindsay Lair) Graphics templates and music credits used with permission under limited license.
Official publisher description and direct video page checked; playback not independently watched. Checked 2026-10-25. This assignment may not reflect every posting in this career.
$43,902–$74,948
2026 basic pay only; the same grade and service time pay the same across jobs. Promotions are assumed, not promised. Excludes allowances, bonuses and special pays.
Possibilities for serving Sailors, including those in support roles—not guaranteed admission or awards. Individual eligibility, assignment, selection, available training or competition places and successful qualification apply.
Assignment-dependent qualification and insignia earned aboard a qualifying surface ship or afloat staff—not automatically awarded for this rating.
For enlisted Sailors in an eligible surface assignment, including support ratings. Complete the command's current qualification standards, assessments and approval process. A shore or submarine assignment alone does not establish eligibility; confirm current enrollment rules with the command.
Assignment-dependent aviation qualification and insignia; support Sailors may qualify at authorized aviation commands.
Requires a qualifying aviation assignment or an authorized support-command arrangement, required in-rating technical qualifications and command approval. Current enrollment and pay-grade prerequisites must be checked; this is not a promotion or a badge awarded just for holding this rating.
Restricted to qualifying expeditionary assignments; recognizes tested field and unit-specific proficiency, including support duties.
Requires assignment to a command authorized to administer EXW and completion of its general and unit-specific personnel qualification standards and approval process. Published NSW program evidence establishes this route, not that every Navy unit offers it. Confirm current command authorization and prerequisites.
Sources reviewed . Confirm current course and badge requirements with official school guidance and your unit.
For Navy IT Information Systems Technician, official service-wide guidance and any exact feeder-list matches are distinguished below from unverified specialty-specific requirements. Ranks are not separate jobs, and these possibilities are not guaranteed promotions or available contracts.
Examples of higher service ranks
These are service-wide rank names, not a verified promotion ladder for this specialty. Examples are not exhaustive; appointments sharing a pay grade are not additional promotion steps.
Official military rank referenceThe Navy directs enlisted Sailors to rating-specific Learning and Development Roadmaps (LaDRs), and officers to their community managers and officer career-progression guidance. Rating conversion and commissioning are separate application paths, not automatic promotions.
Navy career planning: LaDRs, officer progression, and commissioningService-level application reference—not a verified next step for this listing
Limited Duty Officer (LDO) and Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) appointments require separate applications and program-specific qualifications. The reviewed active-duty page contains FY28 cycle requirements, not Reserve eligibility. Its 1 October 2026 application deadline has passed; this is not an open application offer or a verified designator match for this listing.
Navy active-duty LDO/CWO applicant requirementsSpecialty-specific advancement, senior assignments, and eligibility for a different personnel category have not been verified for this listing. No feeder eligibility or automatic transition to another specialty is implied.
Advancement depends on current service rules, performance, required education, qualifications, selection, and authorized positions—not simply years served. Confirm current requirements with an official recruiter or career counselor.
Related military jobs below are for exploration, not promised progression or confirmed transfer paths.
Sources reviewed 2026-10-03. This is a partial evidence review, not verification of every advancement route for this specialty. Source retrieval dates do not replace policy effective dates.
Career-field mappings, not automatic qualifications. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024 national medians). O*NET links explain each occupation; military experience does not guarantee a job or salary.
Install, maintain, and operate computer networks, communications equipment, and information systems. Provide technical support for naval IT infrastructure.
Information Systems Technicians run the networks, servers, and communications systems that connect a ship or command. Daily work covers user support, account administration, network troubleshooting, server maintenance, and satellite communications. Security compliance, patching, and monitoring are continuous background tasks. Afloat, you are responsible for connectivity that cannot simply be outsourced. Watchstanding and system restoration during casualties are part of the job.
You learn networking, routing and switching, server administration, and endpoint support. Satellite and radio communications add experience civilian technicians rarely get. The rating maps onto industry certifications including Security+ and Network+, which many Sailors earn while serving. Cybersecurity practice is built in because the networks are actively targeted. Troubleshooting methodology from physical layer upward becomes routine.
This is one of the strongest civilian translations available, with demand in every industry and location. A clearance plus certifications makes defense contracting and federal IT roles immediately accessible and well paid. Network administrator, systems administrator, and security analyst are realistic entry points. Satellite communications experience is a genuine differentiator for specialized employers. Many veterans stack certifications and move into cloud, security engineering, or architecture within a few years.
ASVAB VE+MK+GS: 162 OR AR+MK+EI+VE: 220 OR CT+MK+VE: 162 and CT: 60 (new accession). This is the catalog's listed requirement, not an individual eligibility decision. Confirm the current standard and any exceptions with the service.
This specialty can be pursued through an initial enlistment, subject to eligibility and available contracts. Confirm the current status of this specific classification with an official recruiter.
Catalog sources consulted: 2026-09-26. This is not an entry-by-entry verification date. No record-specific verification date is recorded. Occupation audit evidence reviewed: 2026-09-26; this does not re-verify every requirement.
Official branch occupation evidence
Occupation identified. This occupation was identified in the cited source. This does not verify requirements, benefits, or a current opening.
Navy enlisted occupational standards, NAVPERS 18068F, July 2026, Appendix B (rating enumeration) · reviewed 2026-09-26
Confirmed. Catalog evidence is not an inventory of open contracts.
No dated public inventory confirmed a currently open recruiting contract for this role. This does not mean there are no openings. Confirm current eligibility and offers with an official recruiter.
Bonus-listed — Navy, as of 2026-09-27. Max bonus $5,000Published amount: $10,000Max bonus $5,000 is a display ceiling, including unconfirmed figures and illustrative estimates, not a confirmed offer. Separate programs are not added together.
Latest source review — 2026-10-25
The October 2 CNRC message, effective for initial classification/reclassification after October 3, supersedes the August message and confirms the Navy.com source rates. Funding is stated through December 11, 2026; individual contracts remain unverified. Most source rates cover October–December FY27, while named special-operations and nuclear programs cover October–September FY27. Its shipping table lists MU $10,000 and Nuclear Field $20,000, differing from the website's older up-to-$25,000 shipping headline. The table's FY27 window is October 1, 2026–September 30, 2027; the surrounding prose has inconsistent year wording. Elevated-PST bonus remains $20,000. The $140,000 headline includes loan repayment, not cash signing bonus alone. AECF/AV-to-rating mapping conflicts remain unresolved.
Historical amounts are retained. A displayed maximum is not a guaranteed payment. Confirm current written contract terms.
Bonus range review — 2026-10-10
Current published source rate: $5,000 (IT-ATF or IT-SG). Conditional planning range: $0–$5,000. $0 means no eligible or available bonus; the upper endpoint is from the listed program amount, not a likely payout or guaranteed offer. Historical/expired amounts do not verify a current offer. Do not add separate programs without written stacking authorization. Older amounts are retained as historical evidence; use this dated source comparison rather than assuming they are still payable. Source-rate payment follows qualifying A/C school completion.
Range evidenceIT-ATF or IT-SG. October 2 message applies after October 3, 2026 classification/reclassification. Source rate requires October–December FY27 shipping. Source-rate payment requires specified training/NEC milestones. Funding stated through December 11, 2026; current individual contracts not verified. Older amounts remain historical evidence. Confirm governing contract before relying on a range.
Latest source review — 2026-10-25
The October 2 CNRC message, effective for initial classification/reclassification after October 3, supersedes the August message and confirms the Navy.com source rates. Funding is stated through December 11, 2026; individual contracts remain unverified. Most source rates cover October–December FY27, while named special-operations and nuclear programs cover October–September FY27. Its shipping table lists MU $10,000 and Nuclear Field $20,000, differing from the website's older up-to-$25,000 shipping headline. The table's FY27 window is October 1, 2026–September 30, 2027; the surrounding prose has inconsistent year wording. Elevated-PST bonus remains $20,000. The $140,000 headline includes loan repayment, not cash signing bonus alone. AECF/AV-to-rating mapping conflicts remain unresolved.
Historical amounts are retained. A displayed maximum is not a guaranteed payment. Confirm current written contract terms.
Range review 2026-10-25: Conditional planning range: $0–$5,000. $0 means no eligible or available bonus; the upper endpoint is from the listed program amount, not a likely payout or guaranteed offer. Historical/expired amounts do not verify a current offer. Do not add separate programs without written stacking authorization.
Reviewed 2026-10-25; program ends 2026-12-31. Not a guaranteed offer.
SourcePublished enlistment program: $10,000.
A listed program does not guarantee a bonus, job assignment or an available slot. Confirm your exact contract, component, ship date and eligibility with a recruiter.
Navy.com enlistment bonus listDeployment likelihood: Moderate*
* Estimated. Rank progression and specialty-pay eligibility are illustrative assumptions. Deployment likelihood, when shown, is inferred from similar specialties in the branch and career field, not a published specialty deployment rate.
Descriptions may change. No military role is free from risk of injury or death, including non-combat work. Catalog review dates do not establish current openings or re-verification of every requirement.
Recruiting signals reflect what each branch published on the dates shown. They are not offers, and they do not mean a contract is open for you. Eligibility depends on your ASVAB scores, medical qualification, security clearance eligibility, and ship date. Confirm everything with an official recruiter. See our Disclaimer and Terms.