T-AOE Money and Operations

T-AOEs are considered high paying ships due to their high operational tempo and other incentive pays. Crew members onboard AOEs work hard and are commensurately compensated.

T-AOEs often deploy with Aircraft Carrier Strike Groups as the main replenishment vessel. These deployments typically last 2-8 months, but they are often extended. During deployment, expect a busy schedule and many underway replenishments (UNREPs). Because of their capabilities, AOEs are valuable assets for all ships in the area. After a deployment, AOEs return to Earle, New Jersey, to offload ammunition and prepare for maintenance. Before or after the maintenance period, they may serve as the East Coast Duty ship.

An AOE’s port to sea time ratio depends on its operational schedule. AOEs are busy ships, so you can expect a cycle of loading fuel and supplies in port for 2-4 days, followed by 5-10 days at sea to resupply other vessels. CLF vessels like AOEs pull into port to restock, so the Navy ships they support don’t have to. Once you’ve distributed all your fuel and supplies, you’ll likely head back to port to restock. Keep in mind that AOE schedules are very flexible and change frequently; if T-AH schedules are written in pen, T-AOE schedules are written in dry-erase marker.

AOEs are high-paying vessels due to their numerous operations and additional incentives. The base pay for AOEs is generally on the higher end. Since AOEs almost always carry ammunition when outside the United States, the crew will typically receive ammunition pay. Additionally, most unlicensed crew members receive berthing pay. Due to their high operational tempo, AOEs also work through many meal hours providing Penalty Meal Hour pay (1 and 1s).

The exact amount you earn will depend on factors such as your captain, the ship’s budget, your department head, the vessel’s operational tempo, and whether the ship is carrying ammunition. If the ship is busy and carrying ammunition, as is often the case, your compensation and overtime hours will likely increase.

AOEs are old vessels. Generally, they ride well in the water, but this can change depending on the sea-state and vessel speed. Long stretches without operations can be boring, but there’s always something you can do to prevent or alleviate boredom. However, T-AOEs are not known for having fast or reliable internet.

If you are assigned to an AOE, expect to do a lot of work. While there are adequate opportunities for liberty, work will come first on AOEs. They are valuable assets to deployed vessels and are often the replenishment platform of choice. This may impact your liberty time, but it will earn you more money. AOEs undergo many fueling operations, and in-port loading can be very long, depending on the port’s pump rate and the amount of cargo to be loaded. T-AOEs hold a lot of fuel, so you may end up pumping for longer than expected, especially if you’re coming from an AKE.

Due to the age and size of the ship, loading evolutions are not always as easy as those on T-AKE and T-AO vessels. The T-AOE cargo elevators are small, and the holds are low. Often, the crew needs to break down double-stacked pallets so they can fit on the elevators and into the holds.

At full manning, these ships are manned with 2 Chief Mates. 1 Chief Mate acts as the Cargo Mate and 1 acts as the Chief Mate. The Cargo Mate is responsible for all cargo operations, and the deck department cargo gangs while the Chief Mate is responsible for training, watch standers and vessel maintenance/preservation. Due to the current state of manning, it is exceeding rare to have both 1 ^st Officers. At full manning, there are 3 2 ^nd Mates. 2 assist with Cargo Operations, and one works as the Navigator/Operations office. Due to the manning shortage, the Cargo 2s will need to pick up the work for the missing 1 ^st Officer. Last, an AOE will have three watch standing 3 ^rd mates. Once in a blue moon, there will be a day-working third mate who acts as the Cargo 3. Due to the current manning shortage, it is most likely that there will be 1 Chief Mate, a Navigator, 2 Cargo 2s and 3 watch standing thirds…. If you’re lucky. It is also important to note that the bridge is located in the forward house. 

The Deck Department Day Workers include the Bosun, Cargo Bosun, Boatswain Mates, Day Working Able-Bodied Seamen (ABs), and Day Working Ordinary Seamen (OS). The deck department is split between cargo gangs and maintenance teams.

On deployment, the Cargo Bosun and Boatswain Mates handle UNREPs, cargo operations, forklift driving, and operating the UNREP rigs and cranes. Due to the number of UNREP stations on board, AOEs typically have twice as many Boatswain Mates as AKEs. The maintenance team assists with these tasks and handles vessel upkeep, such as chipping and painting. With the high operational tempo, expect to frequently help with netting cargo for VERTREPs and UNREPs.

It’s also important to note that the onboard cargo cranes are not actual cranes; they are booms. Like T-AO class vessels, AOEs load one pallet at a time, even though they are often tasked with loading cargo like an AKE.

The AOEs have gas turbine engines, so take that into account for sea days and advancing your license. MSC does not have many gas turbine ships, so this may impact your ship assignments if you have an advanced license. Unlike the T-AKEs, the T-AOEs have 2 3 ^rd Assistant Engineers on watch at a time. 

As mentioned, the AOEs are old. Expect to do a lot of routine maintenance on the house and on the UNREP rigs. The rigs see a lot of work and always need work.

The Supply Department consists of several divisions, all reporting directly to the Supply Officer. Per the manning scale, the T-AOEs are billeted for 1 JSO, but they add a second JSO when going on deployment. 

The Chief Steward is the primary contact for all food and hotel services operations. The division also includes a third steward, cooks, and Supply Utilitymen (SUs). Due to manpower shortages and the increased need for manning stations, AOEs can have upwards of 20 SUs on board to assist with UNREPs.

The Admin JSO acts as the office manager of the Ship Support Office and handles all MSC-specific supply and logistics functions.

The Cargo (CLF) JSO manages the Combat Logistics Office and is responsible for all Navy-specific supply and logistics functions. Due to frequent operations, the Cargo JSO will be busy supporting numerous UNREPs and preparing for upcoming loadouts. If you are an ASK or YNSK, expect to frequently serve as a tank sounder for fueling operations.

The communications department is run by the Ships Communications Officer (SCO). Under the SCO is a LAN Administrator, CRET and two RET2’s. The Communications department is divided between the LAN Administrator and the Radio Shack. The LAN Administrator preforms typical Information Technology (IT) troubleshooting duties while the Radio Shack monitors and send Navy Messages. The internet is notoriously poor on the AOEs. 

The maritime industry can be unpredictable. Missions, ports, policies and procedures frequently changes, and not having the most up to date information is frustrating. If something we wrote needs an update, or if we missed something important that should be added or highlighted, drop us a line via the form below and we will work to get the information updated as soon as possible! Safe sailing!