USN Aircrew Survival Equip Exam Prep

USN Aircrew Survival Equipmentman (PR) Advancement Exam Prep

The Aircrew Survival Equipmentman (PR) — commonly called the Parachute Rigger — is the Navy's life-support specialist. PRs pack and inspect personnel and cargo parachutes, maintain aircrew flight gear (helmets, oxygen masks, torso harnesses, survival vests, anti-exposure suits), service life rafts and LPUs, inspect and repair emergency breathing devices, maintain survival kits, and operate aircrew automatic-release/seat-kit equipment. PRs stamp their own rigger mark on every parachute they pack — their signature is literally tied to aircrew survival.

Advancement from E-4 through E-6 requires passing the NWAE, meeting PQS, and maintaining evals.

NWAE exam structure

• 150 multiple-choice questions
• 2.5 hours
• Twice per year — March (E-5/E-6), September (E-4), January (E-7)
• ~60% PR-rating items, ~40% Professional Military Knowledge
• Produces a Standard Score feeding Final Multiple with evals, awards, SIPG, PNA
• Authored by NAC Pensacola (NETPDC) per BUPERSINST 1430.16

Rating Bibliographies

The PR Rating Bibliography from NAC Pensacola / NETPDC lists the NAVAIR manuals, technical directives, and NAVEDTRA rate training manuals items are drawn from. PR bibs cite specific NAVAIR 13-1-6 volumes — always verify you have the current change/revision.

What to study

1. NAVAIR 13-1-6.1 (Aircrew Personal Protective Equipment) — helmets, oxygen masks, anti-g suits
2. NAVAIR 13-1-6.2 (Aircrew Systems — Parachutes) — NB-8, NES-12, NACES, canopy inspection, pack cycles
3. NAVAIR 13-1-6.3 (Survival Aids & Accessories) — SRU-31/P, LPU-36/P, SEAWARS, seat kits
4. NAVAIR 13-1-6.4 (Life Rafts) — LRU-23, LR-1, service and repack intervals
5. NAVAIR 13-1-6.5 (Oxygen Equipment) — MBU-series masks, emergency breathing devices (HEEDS, SEADS)
6. Sewing, webbing, and fabric repair — industrial sewing machines, zigzag stitches, patterns, stitch count
7. Aircrew Automatic Release System / CKU-series initiators — handling, storage, inspection
8. Ammunition & Explosive handling (NAVSEA OP 5 / NAVAIR 11-1) — cartridge-actuated devices

Common pitfalls

• Confusing pack cycles between different parachute assemblies (NB-8 vs NES)
• Missing required stitch counts per inch and correct thread size
• Forgetting CAD/PAD shelf-life and service-life rules
• Mixing up LPU vs SV-2 vs SRU-31 components
• Ignoring PMK — 3M, DC, leadership, heritage, and security appear every cycle

Study strategy using MMCE.app

On MMCE.app the PR item bank is tagged by NAVAIR 13-1-6 volume, assembly type, and life-support component. Use the diagnostic to find your weakest sub-area (parachutes, oxygen, survival, life rafts). Daily 20-question adaptive sessions plus SM-2 flashcards will cement CAD/PAD service lives, stitch specs, and pack cycles. In the last two weeks, run full-length 150-question timed tests. The AI tutor cites the exact NAVAIR paragraph on each miss.

Career progression

PR1s are competitive for Chief Aircrew Survival Equipmentman (PRC), Parachute Rigger instructor duty at NATTC Pensacola, Navy Parachute Team (Leap Frogs), and LDO/CWO Aviation Maintenance (633X/733X) packages. Shore tours at FRCs and at SAR squadrons broaden a PR's record and support senior-enlisted selection.