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Live · Guide v1.06172 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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USMC · 6172Career Guide · Operations · VWC.CG.6172.R.04
6172 · USMC · Enlisted

CH-46 Helicopter Crew
Chief.

Marine Corps 6172 (CH-46 Helicopter Crew Chief). 480 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $60K–$88K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.

Training hours480DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 6 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.

SOURCE · BLS + LIGHTCAST ROLES · 4

Industry tech roles your 6172 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 6172 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.

Already have09
  • 01
    CH-46 aircraft systems (hydraulics, electrical, engine)→ Understanding of complex systems and their interactions
  • 02
    Pre-flight and post-flight inspections→ Systematic approach to identifying and resolving issues
  • 03
    Aircraft maintenance documentation→ Attention to detail and adherence to standards
  • 04
    In-flight emergency procedures→ Ability to remain calm and effective under pressure
  • 05
    Situational Awareness→ Monitoring and responding to real-time system status
  • 06
    Procedural Compliance→ Ensuring adherence to security protocols
  • 07
    Team Synchronization→ Working effectively within a security operations team
  • 08
    Degraded-Mode Operations→ Responding to security incidents and minimizing impact
  • 09
    Rapid Prioritization→ Quickly assessing and addressing security threats
To learn12

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

+Linux system administration fundamentals+Cloud computing basics (AWS, Azure, or GCP)+Scripting with Python or Bash+Infrastructure as Code (IaC) with Terraform or CloudFormation+Configuration management with Ansible or Chef+CI/CD pipelines with Jenkins or GitLab CI+Help desk ticketing systems (e.g., Jira Service Management, ServiceNow)+Remote desktop support tools+Basic networking concepts (TCP/IP, DNS)+Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems+Intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDS/IPS)+Vulnerability scanning and penetration testing basics
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

Aircraft Mechanic / Service Technician

$75K
High match
High demand
P.02

Avionics Technician

$82K
Good match
Very high demand
Skills to develop
  • — FAA A&P License
  • — Specific avionics certifications
P.03

Maintenance Supervisor

$88K
Good match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
  • — Project management certification
  • — Leadership training
P.04

Wind Turbine Technician

$60K
Moderate match
Very high demand
Skills to develop
  • — Wind turbine technician certification
  • — Safety training
  • — Climbing proficiency
P.05

Quality Control Inspector

$65K
Moderate match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
  • — Quality control certifications (e.g., Six Sigma)
  • — Specific industry knowledge
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths

What the code built.

Cognitive skills your 6172 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.

S.01

Situational Awareness

As a CH-46 crew chief, you constantly monitor the helicopter's systems, environmental conditions, and the positions of other aircraft to ensure mission safety and success.

Transfers to

This translates to a heightened ability to perceive and understand your environment in a fast-paced setting, allowing you to anticipate potential problems and react effectively.

S.02

Procedural Compliance

You meticulously follow maintenance manuals, checklists, and safety protocols to ensure the CH-46 is operating within strict parameters and to prevent malfunctions.

Transfers to

Your commitment to following detailed procedures and adhering to regulations makes you highly reliable and reduces errors in any work environment.

S.03

Team Synchronization

Working as a member of the flight crew, you seamlessly coordinate your actions with pilots and other crew members during all phases of flight, including pre-flight checks, in-flight operations, and emergency procedures.

Transfers to

You have a proven ability to work effectively within a team, coordinating your actions with others to achieve common goals, even under pressure.

S.04

Degraded-Mode Operations

You are trained to respond quickly and calmly to equipment malfunctions and other emergencies, utilizing backup systems and alternative procedures to maintain control and complete the mission safely.

Transfers to

You excel at remaining calm and resourceful under pressure, quickly adapting to unexpected challenges and finding solutions to keep operations running smoothly.

S.05

Rapid Prioritization

During flight, you must quickly assess and prioritize competing demands, such as monitoring system performance, responding to pilot requests, and addressing potential hazards.

Transfers to

You can rapidly assess the urgency and importance of tasks, enabling you to effectively manage competing demands and make critical decisions in real-time.

/ 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 49-9086.00

You've been maintaining complex mechanical systems in demanding environments, often under time constraints. As a Wind Turbine Technician (49-9086.00), you'll use your skills to inspect, maintain, and repair wind turbines, ensuring they operate efficiently and safely.

Adjacent · Match

Industrial Machinery Mechanic

SOC 49-9041.00

You're a master of diagnosing and fixing mechanical issues, and industrial machinery is no different than a helicopter in theory. You'll apply your troubleshooting skills to keep production lines running smoothly as an Industrial Machinery Mechanic (49-9041.00).

Adjacent · Match

Power Plant Operator

SOC 51-8013.00

You've learned to monitor intricate systems and respond swiftly to anomalies. As a Power Plant Operator (51-8013.00), you'll oversee the operation of power-generating equipment, ensuring a consistent and reliable energy supply.

Adjacent · Match
/ 06 · Training & Certs

What you trained on.

SOURCE · DOD + ACE\nVALIDATED
Academy

CH-46 Crew Chief School

Marine Corps Air Station New River, NC
480hHours
12wkWeeks
ACECredit

Up to 6 semester hours in aviation maintenance technology

Topics · 8
  • Helicopter safety procedures
  • Aircraft maintenance documentation
  • CH-46 aircraft systems (hydraulics, electrical, engine)
  • Pre-flight and post-flight inspections
  • In-flight emergency procedures
  • Aircraft weight and balance calculations
  • Basic helicopter repair techniques
  • Aircraft communications systems
Partial coverage · 2
  • Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Mechanic70%

    Study for FAA written, oral, and practical exams. Focus on general aviation aircraft, FARs, and specific powerplant and airframe systems outside of the CH-46.

  • Certified Aviation Manager (CAM)30%

    Focus study on business management principles, leadership, strategic planning, and financial management within aviation, as CAM is heavily focused on managing aviation departments and resources.

Recommended next · 03
  • FAA Inspection Authorization (IA)Adjacent
  • Project Management Professional (PMP)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 SystemCivilian EquivalentDomain
CH-46 Sea Knight Helicopter SystemsCommercial Helicopter Maintenance and Avionics Systems (e.g., Sikorsky, Boeing models)Operations
AN/ARC-210 RT-1794(C) VHF/UHF RadioCommercial aviation VHF/UHF communication radios (e.g., Garmin, Collins Aerospace)Operations
AN/APN-194 Radar AltimeterCommercial aircraft radar altimeters (e.g., Honeywell, Thales)Signals
Aircraft Flight Control SystemsFly-by-wire systems, hydraulic systems, and autopilot systems used in commercial aircraftAviation
T700-GE-401C Turboshaft EngineCommercial Turboshaft Engine Maintenance and Repair (e.g., Pratt & Whitney, Rolls-Royce)Platform
Advanced Helicopter Survivability Equipment (AHSE)Countermeasure systems, including missile warning and laser warning systems used in commercial and VIP transport helicopters.Operations
/ Translator · Live

Translate 6172 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.

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