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Live · Guide v1.0155D · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
Home/Career Guides/155D
ARMY · 155DCareer Guide · Aviation · VWC.CG.155D.R.04
155D · ARMY · Enlisted

Aviation Operations
Officer.

Army 155D (Aviation Operations Officer). 288 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $75K–$140K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.

Training hours288DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 6 semester hours recommended in aviation management
Tech roles3mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage2/5direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles

Roles your code maps to.

SOURCE · BLS + LIGHTCAST ROLES · 3

Industry tech roles your 155D background maps to — picked from BLS-anchored occupations using your training, cognitive skills, and systems experience.

Sort · Match descending
/ 02 · Skill Bridge

The gap, named.

What 155D training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.

Already have07
  • 01
    Rapid PrioritizationCrisis Management, Emergency Response
  • 02
    Situational AwarenessRisk Assessment, Strategic Planning
  • 03
    System ModelingLogistics, Supply Chain Management, Data Analysis
  • 04
    Resource OptimizationProject Management, Operations Management, Resource Allocation
  • 05
    AFATDSEsri ArcGIS
  • 06
    Aviation Mission Planning System (AMPS)ForeFlight, Garmin Pilot
  • 07
    Joint Airspace Management System (JAMS)Air Traffic Control (ATC) systems, airspace management software
To learn06

The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.

+SQL+Python pandas+Data visualization tools (Tableau, Power BI)+Cloud computing basics (AWS, Azure, or GCP)+Linux fundamentals+Basic scripting (Bash, Python)
How VWC fits

Vets Who Code is a free, full-time software engineering accelerator for veterans, active duty, and military spouses. We close the fundamentals — terminal, web platform, AI tooling, portfolio projects — so the rest of this list becomes specialization, not square one.

See VWC Programs →
/ 03 · Civilian Pathways

Where your code lands.

SOURCE · LIGHTCAST + CURATED PATHWAYS · 5
P.01

Commercial Pilot

$140K
High match
High demand
Skills to develop
  • FAA Commercial Pilot License
  • Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate (depending on airline)
  • Specific aircraft type ratings
P.02

Flight Instructor

$85K
Good match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
  • FAA Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) rating
  • Excellent communication and teaching skills
P.03

Air Traffic Controller

$135K
Good match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
  • FAA Air Traffic Control Specialist certification
  • Successful completion of the FAA Academy program
  • Strong decision-making under pressure
P.04

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Pilot/Operator

$75K
Moderate match
Very high demand
Skills to develop
  • FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate
  • Experience with specific UAS platforms and software
  • Data analysis and interpretation
P.05

Aerospace Engineer

$120K
Moderate match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
  • Bachelor's Degree in Aerospace Engineering or related field
  • CAD/CAM software proficiency
  • Understanding of aerodynamics and aircraft design principles
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths

What the code built.

Cognitive skills your 155D training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.

S.01

Rapid Prioritization

As an aviator, you're constantly evaluating and prioritizing information in a dynamic, high-stakes environment. You quickly assess threats, changing conditions, and mission objectives to make critical decisions under pressure, often with limited information and time.

Transfers to

This ability to rapidly prioritize and make sound decisions under pressure translates directly to crisis management and emergency response roles where quick thinking and decisive action are paramount.

S.02

Situational Awareness

Maintaining a heightened awareness of your surroundings is essential for mission success and safety. As an aviator, you continuously monitor a complex array of factors, including aircraft performance, weather conditions, airspace traffic, and potential threats, to anticipate and react effectively to changing circumstances.

Transfers to

This keen situational awareness is highly valuable in roles requiring risk assessment, strategic planning, and proactive problem-solving. You can quickly identify potential issues and develop effective mitigation strategies.

S.03

System Modeling

You developed a deep understanding of complex aircraft systems and how they interact. Planning flights requires you to model factors like fuel consumption, weight distribution, and environmental conditions to predict performance and ensure mission success.

Transfers to

Your ability to model complex systems is transferable to roles in logistics, supply chain management, and data analysis. You can leverage your understanding of interconnected elements to optimize processes and predict outcomes.

S.04

Resource Optimization

Aviators must efficiently manage resources such as fuel, time, and personnel to achieve mission objectives. You carefully plan flight routes, manage fuel consumption, and coordinate with ground crews to maximize efficiency and minimize waste.

Transfers to

This skill translates well to roles requiring project management, operations management, and resource allocation. You are adept at identifying opportunities to optimize resource utilization and improve overall efficiency.

/ 05 · Non-Obvious Matches

Roles the recruiter won't suggest.

Adjacent civilian roles your training maps to that conventional military-to-civilian advice tends to miss.

Emergency Management Director

SOC 11-9161.00

You've been rigorously trained to assess risk, prioritize actions, and maintain calm under pressure. Your experience planning complex missions and responding to unforeseen events makes you exceptionally well-suited to coordinate emergency response efforts and develop effective disaster preparedness plans.

Adjacent · Match

Logistics Analyst

SOC 13-2081.00

Your detailed planning and resource management skills developed through flight planning translate seamlessly to optimizing supply chains and distribution networks. You're adept at analyzing data, identifying bottlenecks, and implementing solutions to improve efficiency and reduce costs.

Adjacent · Match

Airfield Operations Specialist

SOC 53-2011.00

You possess an in-depth understanding of airfield operations, safety procedures, and air traffic control protocols. Your experience in flight planning, risk assessment, and communication makes you ideally suited to ensure the safe and efficient operation of an airfield.

Adjacent · Match
/ 06 · Training & Certs

What you trained on.

SOURCE · DOD + ACE\nVALIDATED
Academy

Initial Entry Rotary Wing (IERW)

Fort Novosel
288hHours
8wkWeeks
ACECredit

Up to 6 semester hours recommended in aviation management

Topics · 8
  • Aviation Safety
  • Airspace Management
  • Flight Planning
  • Risk Management
  • Aviation Life Support Equipment
  • Aircraft Systems
  • Tactical Flight Operations
  • Aeromedical Evacuation Procedures
Partial coverage · 2
  • Commercial Pilot License (CPL)70%

    FAA regulations, specific aircraft type ratings, and civilian flight procedures.

  • Certified Aviation Manager (CAM)40%

    Focus on business aviation management principles, financial management, and marketing not typically covered in military aviation.

Recommended next · 03
  • Airline Transport Pilot (ATP)Adjacent
  • Flight Instructor CertificateAdjacent
  • Project Management Professional (PMP)Adjacent
/ 07 · Systems Translation

What you ran, in their words.

Military systems you operated and their civilian equivalents for your resume.

Military SystemCivilian EquivalentDomain
Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS)Esri ArcGIS, mapping and data visualization software.Operations
Aviation Mission Planning System (AMPS)ForeFlight, Garmin Pilot (Flight planning and navigation software)Operations
Joint Airspace Management System (JAMS)Air Traffic Control (ATC) systems, airspace management software.Operations
Blue Force Tracker (BFT)Real-time GPS fleet management systems, e.g., Samsara, Verizon ConnectOperations
Single Army Aviation Mission System (SAAMS)Aviation Maintenance tracking software (e.g., CAMP, Flightdocs)Operations
AN/ARC-231 Skyfire RadioVHF/UHF aviation band communication radios (e.g., Garmin, Becker Avionics)Operations
Aircrew Training Program (ATP)Aviation safety training programs and flight simulators certified by regulatory bodies like the FAA or EASAOperations
/ Translator · Live

Translate 155D into a resume that ships.

Pair this guide with the VWC AI-powered translator: drop in your service record, get back ATS-optimized civilian resume language tuned to the tech roles above.