Aircraft Mechanic
$75KHigh match
High demand
Live · Guide v1.06114 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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USMC · 6114Career Guide · Maintenance · VWC.CG.6114.R.04
6114 · USMC · EnlistedHelicopter Mechanic,
Helicopter Mechanic,
UH/AH-1.
Marine Corps 6114 (Helicopter Mechanic, UH/AH-1). 960 hours of formal training translate to 4 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $60K–$125K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours960DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 21 semester hours recommended in aviation maintenance technology
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways4validated
Cert coverage2/5direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 6114 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 6114 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have05
- 01Helicopter maintenance→ Systematic troubleshooting
- 02Aviation safety procedures→ Risk assessment and mitigation
- 03Rapid prioritization of maintenance tasks→ Efficient task management
- 04Pattern Recognition→ Anomaly detection in complex systems
- 05NALCOMIS, JTDIs, IMDS→ Experience with enterprise systems
To learn08
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+Python programming+Selenium or Cypress for automated testing+Fundamentals of IT support and help desk operations+Ticketing systems such as Jira or ServiceNow+SQL for data querying+Data visualization tools like Tableau or Power BI+Linux server administration basics+Cloud computing fundamentals (AWS, Azure, or GCP)
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
- — FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) license
- — Specific avionics systems training
Aerospace Engineer
$125KModerate match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Bachelor's Degree in Aerospace Engineering
- — CAD software proficiency
- — FE Exam
Wind Turbine Technician
$60KModerate match
Very high demand
Skills to develop
- — Renewable energy safety certifications
- — Experience with large mechanical systems
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 6114 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
Pattern Recognition
As a helicopter mechanic, you constantly identify subtle deviations from the norm in complex systems by recognizing visual and auditory patterns. This could be the early signs of wear, potential component failure, or the effects of environmental factors on aircraft performance.
Transfers to
This ability to quickly spot anomalies translates into identifying potential problems in other complex systems. It's about seeing the bigger picture and noticing when something deviates from expected behavior.
Rapid Prioritization
On the flight line, you frequently face competing demands for aircraft maintenance and repair. You rapidly assess the urgency and impact of each issue, prioritizing tasks to ensure operational readiness and safety, even under pressure.
Transfers to
The ability to triage multiple issues and focus on what's most critical is invaluable in many civilian fields. You know how to make quick decisions based on limited information, ensuring the most important tasks get done first.
Procedural Compliance
Your work as a helicopter mechanic demands strict adherence to technical manuals, safety protocols, and quality control procedures. You understand the importance of following established guidelines to ensure safety, maintain airworthiness, and avoid costly errors.
Transfers to
Your meticulous attention to detail and commitment to following established protocols is highly valuable. You're reliable and understand the importance of consistent execution, reducing risk and ensuring quality.
Situational Awareness
Maintaining situational awareness in the fast-paced environment of the flight line is crucial. You are constantly aware of your surroundings, including other personnel, aircraft movements, and potential hazards, to prevent accidents and maintain a safe working environment.
Transfers to
Your heightened awareness of your surroundings and the ability to anticipate potential problems make you an asset in any dynamic environment. You're able to quickly assess risks and adapt to changing situations, ensuring safety and 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.
Wind Turbine Technician
SOC 49-9086.00You've been working with complex mechanical systems at height. Your experience in helicopter maintenance translates well to wind turbine maintenance, including inspecting, troubleshooting, and repairing mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic systems.
Adjacent · MatchAmusement and Recreation Mechanic
SOC 49-9091.00You've been working on helicopters, which have critical safety requirements. You've got the skills to apply that to amusement park rides. Your diagnostic and repair skills are easily transferable.
Adjacent · MatchElevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers
SOC 47-4021.00You've been working with complex mechanical systems. You've got the skills to apply that to elevators and escalators. Your diagnostic and repair skills are easily transferable.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
UH/AH-1 Helicopter Mechanic School
Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, CA960hHours
24wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 21 semester hours recommended in aviation maintenance technology
Topics · 8
- Helicopter Safety Procedures
- Aircraft Hardware and Tools
- UH-1 and AH-1 Airframe Systems
- Hydraulic Systems Maintenance
- Landing Gear Systems Maintenance
- Rotor and Flight Control Systems
- Corrosion Control and Prevention
- Basic Avionics Troubleshooting
Partial coverage · 2
- Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Mechanic70%
FAA regulations, specific powerplant (engine) overhaul procedures, and possibly sheet metal fabrication depending on the specific military helicopter maintenance experience.
- Certified Aviation Technician (CAT)60%
General aviation maintenance practices, regulatory compliance outside of military, and possibly avionics troubleshooting depending on the specific military training.
Recommended next · 03
- Inspection Authorization (IA)Adjacent
- Commercial Pilot License (Helicopter)Adjacent
- Certified Aviation Manager (CAM)Adjacent
/ 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Naval Aviation Logistics Command Management Information System (NALCOMIS) | Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems for aviation maintenance, such as SAP or Oracle | Networking |
| Joint Technical Data Integration System (JTDIs) | SAE International standards database, or similar databases for accessing technical manuals and maintenance procedures | Operations |
| Integrated Maintenance Data System (IMDS) | Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) like IBM Maximo or similar aviation maintenance tracking software | Operations |
| AN/AVS-9 Night Vision Goggles (NVGs) | Commercial night vision devices used in search and rescue or law enforcement | Operations |
| Common Aviation Support Equipment (CASE) such as hydraulic test stands and rotor blade balancing equipment. | Commercial aviation maintenance equipment from manufacturers like Textron or Stanley Black & Decker | Networking |
| Aviation Ground Power Unit (GPU) | Commercial aircraft ground power units from companies like Hobart or Tronair | Operations |
/ Translator · Live
Translate 6114 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.