What does HTFA mean in NAVY

Hull Maintenance Technician Fireman Apprentice, or HTFA, is a job classification in the U.S. Navy that provides entry-level support for Navy hull maintenance operations.

Yes, applicants must successfully complete the Naval Apprenticeship Program and other training programs supervised by the United States Navy Fleet Training Center. Additionally, applicants must meet all requirements of military service, including height and weight standards for navy personnel.

An HTFA performs a variety of duties related to hull maintenance operations, including cleaning and maintenance tasks related to ships decks and compartments, helping with general repair/maintenance of shipboard systems, loading/unloading cargo onto ships, assisting with navigation systems maintenance, performing watch duties on board ships, and conducting machinery repairs when necessary.

In most cases, the HTFA role requires working on ships or naval vessels out at sea as part of a team comprised of other sailors and officers in various roles within the ship's departmental structure. Due to this unique work environment, it's important that HTFAs have the ability to work efficiently with limited resources as well as have good problem solving skills due to frequent unpredictable challenges at sea.

One benefit of being an HTFA is that they receive educational opportunities through programs such as voluntary education programs administered by the US Navy or tuition reimbursement for educational goals outside these programs. Additionally, because this role requires travel out at sea on ships or vessels operated by the US Navy, there may be shore leave accommodations available for crew members between deployments where they can explore new places or visit their home port city during assigned leave periods from service assignments onboard ships.