GM Rating Gunner's Mate — Civilian Career Guide
Maintains and operates ship and small arms weapons systems. Transfers to weapons systems technology, quality control, and ordnance specialist roles.
CAREER PATHS
4
TOP SALARY
$68,000.00
AVG SALARY
$53,188.00
Civilian Career Matches
Based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Salaries are national medians — your area may vary.
Weapons Systems Technician
SOC 49-2094
$68,000.00
median/yr
Quality Control Inspector
SOC 51-9061
$46,750.00
median/yr
Ordnance Specialist
SOC 47-5032
$58,000.00
median/yr
Firearms Instructor
SOC 25-3099
$40,000.00
median/yr
What's your next step?
You've got the civilian career picture. Now: pick what to tackle next. Most GM Gunner's Mate veterans separating in the next 12 months should start here.
Do this first
Start your VA disability claim
File before separation. Every day = back-pay you can't recover. Free claims tracker covers 110+ conditions.
Where to settle
Compare 50 states for veterans
Property tax exemptions, no-state-income-tax states, healthcare access. Side-by-side comparisons.
12-month roadmap
Build your transition timeline
TAP class, VA enrollment, terminal leave, TSP, SkillBridge — all the deadlines no one tells you.
Quick calculator
Estimate your VA combined rating
The VA doesn't add ratings — they use a specific formula. See your combined rating in 30 seconds.
Skills That Transfer
Recommended Certifications
These certifications can increase your salary by 10-25% and make you more competitive for civilian roles.
How to pay for these — you likely don't pay out of pocket
- GI Bill: the Post-9/11 GI Bill reimburses licensing & certification test fees up to $2,000 per exam— and it doesn't use a full month of entitlement.
- While you're still in:your branch's Credentialing Assistance program can cover the full cost of many of these certs (often several thousand dollars a year) — check Navy COOL ↗ for what's funded and current amounts.
- Tip: start certs before you separate — Credentialing Assistance is only for currently-serving members; after separation you shift to the GI Bill.
VA conditions commonly associated with GM service
The documented noise, physical demands, and exposures of a Gunner's Mate role are commonly linked to the conditions below. This is awareness of what this job can lead to, not a promise of a rating. The VA decides every claim on your own diagnosis and evidence. If you deal with any of these, here is how each is rated.
Weapons, engines, and flightline noise are the #1 driver of ringing in the ears.
See how it is rated →Repeated noise exposure without perfect hearing protection is extremely common.
See how it is rated →Rucking, lifting, and body armor load the spine for years.
See how it is rated →Rucks, jumps, and repetitive impact wear the knees.
See how it is rated →Helmets, NODs, and overhead work load the neck.
See how it is rated →Blast exposure and impacts can cause lasting effects.
See how it is rated →Often secondary to neck strain, TBI, or stress.
See how it is rated →A free accredited VSO can help you file any of these at no cost. Never pay a fee or a percentage of your back pay for claim help.
Translate Your GM Experience to a Civilian Resume
Use our free resume builder to convert your Gunner's Mate skills and experience into language civilian employers understand. Built specifically for Navy veterans.
GM Gunner's Mate: Frequently Asked Questions
What does a GM Gunner's Mate do?
Maintains and operates ship and small arms weapons systems. Transfers to weapons systems technology, quality control, and ordnance specialist roles.
What civilian jobs can a GM Gunner's Mate transition into?
Common civilian careers for a GM (Navy Rating) Gunner's Mate include Weapons Systems Technician, Quality Control Inspector, Ordnance Specialist, and Firearms Instructor. These roles draw on the same skills and experience you built in service — see the full skill-to-career mapping above.
How much does a GM Gunner's Mate make in civilian work?
Civilian roles that match a GM Gunner's Mate have median salaries ranging from about $40,000 to $68,000 per year, depending on the role, location, and your certifications and clearance. Figures are BLS median wage data for the matched occupations.
What certifications help a GM Gunner's Mate land a civilian job?
Certifications that strengthen a GM Gunner's Mate resume include NRA Instructor Certifications, OSHA Safety, and ATF FFL. Many can be started before you separate, and several are covered by VA education benefits or credentialing programs.
What skills does a GM Gunner's Mate bring to civilian employers?
Employers value the transferable skills a GM Gunner's Mate develops, including Weapons maintenance, Ammunition handling, Safety procedures, Ordnance disposal, and Quality assurance. Translating these into civilian terms on your resume is what turns military experience into interviews.
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