Aircraft Mechanic/Technician
$73KHigh match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) license
Live · Guide v1.06000 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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USMC · 6000Career Guide · Maintenance · VWC.CG.6000.R.04
6000 · USMC · EnlistedBasic Aircraft Maintenance
Basic Aircraft Maintenance
Marine.
Marine Corps 6000 (Basic Aircraft Maintenance Marine). 240 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $60K–$85K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours240DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 3 semester hours in Aviation Maintenance Technology
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage2/5direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 6000 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 6000 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have05
- 01Basic electricity and electronics→ Understanding of electrical circuits and components
- 02Aircraft drawings and blueprints→ Ability to interpret technical diagrams and documentation
- 03Procedural compliance→ Commitment to following established processes and standards
- 04Rapid Prioritization→ Ability to quickly assess and prioritize tasks under pressure
- 05System Modeling→ Understanding and predicting the behavior of complex systems
To learn08
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+Python fundamentals+Selenium or Cypress for web testing+Cloud computing basics (AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud)+Linux server administration+Networking fundamentals+Security information and event management (SIEM) tools+Help desk ticketing systems (e.g., Jira Service Management, Zendesk)+Remote desktop support tools (e.g., TeamViewer, AnyDesk)
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.
Avionics Technician
$78KGood match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — FCC license
- — Specific avionics systems training
Wind Turbine Technician
$60KModerate match
Very high demand
Skills to develop
- — Technical training in wind turbine maintenance
- — Safety certifications (e.g., OSHA)
- — Climbing and rescue certification
Maintenance Supervisor
$85KGood match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Project management skills
- — Lean manufacturing principles
- — Supervisory experience in a civilian setting
Quality Control Inspector
$62KModerate match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Knowledge of quality control standards (e.g., ISO 9001)
- — Inspection techniques and equipment proficiency
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 6000 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
System Modeling
Aircraft Maintenance Marines develop a deep understanding of complex aircraft systems, including how various components interact and affect overall performance. They use this mental model to diagnose issues and predict the impact of maintenance actions.
Transfers to
This ability to understand and predict the behavior of complex systems translates directly into roles that require analyzing and optimizing processes, infrastructure, or financial models.
Procedural Compliance
Adhering to strict maintenance procedures and safety protocols is paramount in aviation maintenance. Marines follow detailed manuals and checklists to ensure work is performed correctly and safely.
Transfers to
Your commitment to following procedures and maintaining high standards is valuable in regulated industries or any role that requires precision and attention to detail.
Situational Awareness
Aircraft Maintenance Marines must constantly assess the environment around them, including the condition of the aircraft, the availability of resources, and potential hazards. This awareness is critical for safe and effective maintenance operations.
Transfers to
Your heightened awareness of surroundings and the ability to anticipate potential problems makes you well-suited for roles that require risk management and quick decision-making.
Rapid Prioritization
In a fast-paced maintenance environment, Marines must quickly assess the urgency of different maintenance tasks and prioritize them based on mission requirements and safety considerations.
Transfers to
This ability to quickly assess and prioritize tasks, especially under pressure, is highly valuable in dynamic environments where decisions need to be made efficiently.
/ 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.
Compliance Officer
SOC 13-1041.00You've been rigorously following procedures and safety protocols, ensuring compliance in a high-stakes environment. Your understanding of regulations and attention to detail make you an ideal candidate for ensuring organizations adhere to industry standards and legal requirements.
Adjacent · MatchLogistics Analyst
SOC 13-2081.00You've been managing aircraft maintenance and component availability, so you understand complex logistical systems. Your experience in ensuring the right parts and equipment are available when needed translates directly into optimizing supply chains and improving logistical efficiency for businesses.
Adjacent · MatchQuality Assurance Manager
SOC 11-3051.00You've been responsible for the quality and reliability of aircraft maintenance, so you understand the importance of adhering to standards and identifying potential issues. Your experience in ensuring high-quality work makes you a great fit for overseeing quality control processes in manufacturing or other industries.
Adjacent · MatchWind Turbine Technician
SOC 49-9099.01You've been maintaining complex mechanical and electrical systems on aircraft. Wind turbines require similar skills in troubleshooting, repair, and maintenance. Your technical expertise and hands-on experience make you well-prepared for this growing field in renewable energy.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Aviation Maintenance Basic Course
Naval Air Station Pensacola, FL240hHours
6wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 3 semester hours in Aviation Maintenance Technology
Topics · 6
- Basic hand tools and measuring instruments
- Aircraft hardware and materials
- Basic electricity and electronics
- Aircraft drawings and blueprints
- Corrosion control and prevention
- Safety procedures and practices in aviation maintenance
Partial coverage · 2
- Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Mechanic60%
FAA regulations, specific aircraft models not covered in military training, hands-on experience with civilian aircraft.
- Certified Aviation Manager (CAM)30%
Focus on business aviation management principles, financial management, and marketing within the aviation industry. Requires significant civilian aviation experience.
Recommended next · 03
- FAA Inspection Authorization (IA)Adjacent
- ASQ Certified Quality Technician (CQT)Adjacent
- Six Sigma Green BeltAdjacent
/ 07 · Systems Translation
What you ran, in their words.
Military systems you operated and their civilian equivalents for your resume.
| Military System | Civilian Equivalent | Domain |
|---|---|---|
| Common Aviation Support Equipment (CASE) | Aircraft maintenance tooling and equipment management systems | Networking |
| Naval Aviation Logistics Command Management Information System (NALCOMIS) | Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) software for aviation maintenance | Networking |
| Automated Maintenance Environment (AME) | Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) | Operations |
| Joint Oil Analysis Program (JOAP) | Oil condition monitoring and analysis services | Operations |
| Aviation Ground Support Equipment (AGSE) | Airport ground support equipment (GSE) | Operations |
| Technical Manuals and Publications Library (TM/PL) | Online databases of technical documentation and repair manuals | Operations |
/ Translator · Live
Translate 6000 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.