UNCLASSIFIED// ROUTINE R 091350Z DEC 20 MID600050062177U FM CNO WASHINGTON DC TO NAVADMIN INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC BT UNCLAS NAVADMIN 315/20 PASS TO OFFICE CODES: FM CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1// INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1// MSGID/GENADMIN/CNO WASHINGTON DC/N1/OCT// SUBJ/ESTABLISHMENT OF THE AERIAL VEHICLE OPERATOR (AVO) WARRANT OFFICER (WO) COMMUNITY// RMKS/1. This NAVADMIN announces the establishment of the Aerial Vehicle Operator Warrant Officer (737X) community. 2. In order to operate the MQ-25 Stingray, the first carrier-based, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) in the Navy, the Secretary of the Navy has approved the establishment of the AVO WO designator. Unlike traditional Navy Chief Warrant Officers, 737X WO-1 will be accessed through Navy recruiting. 737X Warrant Officers will be trained as technical specialists in the operation of the MQ-25 platform. In the future, 737X warrant officers may also be qualified to operate additional UAVs to support Navy requirements. 3. Navy Recruiting Command will begin accepting applications for initial 737X accessions beginning in FY22 in accordance with Program Authorization 106A. Selected candidates will attend Officer Candidate School (OCS) in Newport, Rhode Island. Upon completion of OCS, candidates will complete initial flight training with follow-on specialized training on the MQ-25 platform. Interested fleet applicants should contact their career counselors for additional information regarding the OCS application process. 4. The procurement of the MQ-25 Stingray and the creation of the 737X AVO WO designator represent an exciting new chapter in the storied history of naval aviation. 5. Points of contact are CAPT Christopher Wood, Aviation Officer Community Manager, (901) 874-3353/DSN 882 or email christopher.j.wood1(at)navy.mil and CWO5 Hector Sandoval, LDO/CWO Community Manager, (901) 874-2464/DSN 882 or email hector.sandoval(at)navy.mil. 6. This NAVADMIN will remain in effect until superseded or canceled, whichever occurs first. 7. Released by Vice Admiral John B. Nowell, Jr, N1.// BT #0001 NNNN UNCLASSIFIED//