Your  own  efforts  will  determine  your  readiness  for other jobs. The Navy needs well-trained personnel, so work in an inspired manner regardless of your chosen rating. Likewise, when you get aboard ship, you will prob- ably  think  that  your  job  is  only  moving  aircraft  from one spot to another. As with your work ashore, you will have more responsible jobs as you learn your duties afloat. ASSIGNMENTS As an Airman Recruit, you will work in one of the more   progressive   areas   of   the   naval   service—naval aviation. As   an   Airman   Apprentice   or   Airman,   you   can expect  various  assignments.  Your  job  may  be  on  an aircraft carrier as ship's company, where you will work in  a  variety  of  jobs.  You  may  work  in  an  operating carrier squadron. Carrier squadrons are shore based, but when the air wing goes aboard a carrier, the squadron will accompany it. You may work in a patrol squadron. Patrol squadrons are on naval air stations in the United States and deploy to overseas bases. You may also work in a training squadron. Your assignment could be with fixed-wing or rotary-wing aircraft. Shore assignments include naval air stations, naval air    facilities,    or    aircraft    intermediate    maintenance departments. There are other billet possibilities for the Airman,   but   those   are   the   major   ones.   The   team assignment  is  not  the  important  thing.  The  important thing is to become an integral part of the team. Always do your best to make your team the Navy's finest. LEADERSHIP In the Navy, leadership begins early. As an Airman Recruit   or   Airman   Apprentice,   you   have   a   limited leadership role. However, you should begin to find out the principles of good leadership. For you to perform your responsibilities as a petty officer, you must display the qualities of good leadership. Why not learn as much as    possible    about    leadership    now.    Leadership    is learned.  Those  who  have  become  Navy  leaders  have done  so  through  the  application  of  the  principles  of leadership from an early age. This training manual does not present an extended leadership course. However, you will find some of the general    principles    of    leadership    in    the    following paragraphs. If you wish to read more about this subject, refer   to   Basic   Military   Requirements,   NAVEDTRA 12018,   and   Military   Requirements   for   Petty   Officer Third    Class,    NAVEDTRA    12044.    Both    of    these training manuals contain information about leadership. Military    Requirements    for    Petty    Officer    Third Class,  NAVEDTRA 12044, is primarily for personnel who are preparing for petty officer third class. You may wish to study it to get a head start in leadership training. The Bibliography for Advancement Examination Study, NAVEDTRA   10052,   provides   titles   and   sections   of publications you should study when preparing for the examination. No single publication can give you all the information  you  need.  Your  divisional  training  petty officer  or  the  Educational  Services  Office  (ESO)  will assist you. A  thorough  knowledge  of  the  work  a  person  is doing is a decided advantage to the prospective leader. It is important that you learn everything you can about the   rate   requirements   of   an   Airman.   You   may   find yourself  in  a  position  where  your  shipmates  come  to you for assistance with a problem. When you are able to help with their problems (without embarrassing them), you are on your way to becoming a leader. You   may   even   be   able   to   do   the   right   things automatically. In this case, it will be a relatively easy job  for  you  to  become  the  type  of  leader  the  Navy needs.   However,   as   stated   previously,   leadership   is learned.   If   you   have   to   think   about   how   you   are conducting yourself when giving help, you are normal. Q1-5. The   initial   Machinist   Mate   (Aviation)   rate came from what rating? Q1-6. Major changes to the aviation ratings structure took place in what year? Q1-7. What  manual  lists  the  requirements  for  all aviation ratings? Q1-8. What general rating begins at paygrade E-6 instead of E-4? Q1-9. What are aviation service ratings? Q1-10. What officer or office should you contact for assistance   in   finding   the   publications   you need to study for advancement? SUMMARY The history and mission of naval aviation tells of its importance,   both   yesterday   and   today.   By   learning about what happened in the past, you gain insight into today's   world   of   naval   aviation.   Further,   knowing yesterday's  role  of  naval  aviation  will  help  you  know what  is  expected  of  you  as  you  work  in  the  aviation field. 1-13