Aircraft Mechanic/Technician
$73KHigh match
High demand
Live · Guide v1.06223 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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NAVY · 6223Career Guide · Operations · VWC.CG.6223.R.04
6223 · NAVY · OfficerLimited Duty Officer (Surface
Limited Duty Officer (Surface
Operations).
Navy 6223 (Limited Duty Officer (Surface Operations)). 560 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $58K–$125K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours560DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 3 semester hours in introductory management and leadership.
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage2/5direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 6223 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 6223 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have05
- 01Aircraft Power Plant Maintenance→ Troubleshooting and diagnostics of complex systems
- 02Procedural Compliance→ Adherence to standards and regulations in software development and deployment
- 03System Modeling→ Understanding and visualizing complex software architectures
- 04Degraded-Mode Operations→ Quick problem-solving and adaptability in critical situations
- 05Situational Awareness→ Vigilant observation and quick reaction to critical changes
To learn09
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+JavaScript fundamentals+Selenium or Cypress for automated testing+Python scripting+Kubernetes basics+Cloud computing fundamentals (AWS, Azure, or GCP)+Help desk ticketing systems (e.g., Zendesk, Jira Service Management)+Basic networking concepts+SQL for data querying+Data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
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.
Aerospace Engineer
$125KGood match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Bachelor's Degree in Aerospace Engineering
- — CAD Software Proficiency
Powerplant Mechanic
$70KGood match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — FAA Powerplant License
Quality Control Inspector
$65KModerate match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — ASQ Certification
- — Knowledge of quality control standards
Wind Turbine Technician
$58KModerate match
Very high demand
Skills to develop
- — Wind turbine maintenance certification
- — OSHA safety training
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 6223 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
System Modeling
As a power plant mechanic, you develop a deep understanding of how complex aircraft engine systems function, including their interactions and dependencies. You use this knowledge to troubleshoot issues and predict potential failures.
Transfers to
This ability to visualize and understand complex systems translates directly to roles where you need to analyze, optimize, or design intricate processes or technologies.
Procedural Compliance
Your work demands strict adherence to maintenance manuals, safety regulations, and quality control procedures. You understand the importance of following protocols to ensure airworthiness and safety.
Transfers to
Your commitment to precision and following established guidelines makes you ideal for roles that require meticulous attention to detail and adherence to standards.
Degraded-Mode Operations
You're skilled at maintaining and repairing engines under pressure, often in challenging environments and with limited resources. You can think on your feet and adapt to unexpected problems.
Transfers to
This adaptability and problem-solving ability shines in civilian roles requiring quick thinking and resilience in unpredictable situations.
Situational Awareness
Maintaining and testing aircraft engines demands constant alertness to the surrounding environment. You're adept at monitoring engine performance, identifying potential hazards, and responding effectively to abnormal conditions.
Transfers to
Your capacity for vigilant observation and swift reaction to critical changes translates to high-stakes civilian environments requiring quick decision-making.
/ 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 49-9099.01You've been maintaining complex mechanical systems, troubleshooting malfunctions, and ensuring optimal performance under pressure. Your experience with power plants and your aptitude for working at heights make you a natural fit for this role.
Adjacent · MatchHVAC Technician
SOC 49-9021.00You've been expertly handling complex mechanical systems and troubleshooting malfunctions. Your diagnostic skills and ability to work with pressurized systems are directly transferable to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning maintenance.
Adjacent · MatchAmusement and Recreation Mechanic
SOC 49-9091.00You've honed your skills maintaining complex machines, ensuring safety, and troubleshooting issues. Your background makes you an excellent candidate to keep amusement park rides running smoothly and safely.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Officer Development School (ODS)
Naval Station Newport560hHours
8wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 3 semester hours in introductory management and leadership.
Topics · 8
- Naval Leadership
- Naval Administration
- Damage Control
- Naval Warfare
- Engineering Fundamentals
- Communications
- Maritime Law
- Military Indoctrination
Partial coverage · 2
- Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certification70%
FAA regulations, specific procedures for civilian aircraft (differences in systems and components).
- Certified Aviation Manager (CAM)30%
Formal business management training, experience in civilian aviation management practices, financial management, and human resources in a civilian context.
Recommended next · 03
- FAA Inspection Authorization (IA)Adjacent
- Project Management Professional (PMP)Adjacent
- Lean 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 |
|---|---|---|
| J-52 Turbojet Engine | General Electric J79 Turbojet Engine (Similar architecture and function) | Platform |
| Naval Aviation Maintenance Program (NAMP) | FAA Part 145 Repair Station compliance and maintenance tracking software | Operations |
| Automated Maintenance Environment (AME) | Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) software like IBM Maximo or SAP EAM | Operations |
| Joint Oil Analysis Program (JOAP) | Oil analysis services provided by companies like Blackstone Laboratories or Bureau Veritas | Operations |
| Support Equipment Recommendation Data List (SERDAL) | Maintenance parts and tool catalogs provided by manufacturers like Boeing or Airbus | Networking |
| Aircraft Engine Diagnostic Systems (various) | Engine monitoring and diagnostics software such as those used in aviation MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) facilities | Aviation |
/ Translator · Live
Translate 6223 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.