Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Technician
$75KHigh match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — FAA Part 107 certification
- — Specific UAS platform training
Live · Guide v1.07314 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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USMC · 7314Career Guide · Operations · VWC.CG.7314.R.04
7314 · USMC · EnlistedAir Vehicle
Air Vehicle
Operator.
Marine Corps 7314 (Air Vehicle Operator). 480 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $68K–$82K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours480DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 6 semester hours in aviation technology or unmanned systems operation
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage1/4direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 7314 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 7314 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have07
- 01UAS flight principles and aerodynamics→ Understanding of system design and operation
- 02Communications protocols and network management→ Network architecture and security principles
- 03Imagery interpretation and reporting→ Data analysis and visualization
- 04Situational Awareness→ Observability, monitoring, and incident response
- 05Procedural Compliance→ Automation and Configuration Management
- 06Team Synchronization→ Collaboration, communication, and documentation
- 07Rapid Prioritization→ Incident response, troubleshooting, and problem-solving
To learn08
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+Linux fundamentals+Scripting with Bash and Python+Cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, or GCP+Configuration management tools like Ansible or Chef+Network security principles and tools+Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems+SQL and data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)+Statistical analysis methods
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.
Geospatial Analyst
$82KGood match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — GIS software proficiency (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS)
- — Remote sensing knowledge
- — Data analysis and visualization
Remote Sensing Specialist
$78KGood match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Experience with specific remote sensing software
- — Data interpretation and analysis
- — Image processing techniques
Emergency Management Specialist
$72KModerate match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Incident Command System (ICS) training
- — Emergency planning certifications
- — Knowledge of disaster response protocols
Technical Trainer (UAS or related)
$68KModerate match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Curriculum development experience
- — Instructional design principles
- — Excellent communication and presentation skills
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 7314 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
Situational Awareness
As an air vehicle operator, you constantly maintain awareness of your UAV's position, altitude, and surrounding environment, while also monitoring payload status and potential threats.
Transfers to
This translates to a heightened ability to perceive and understand complex environments, anticipate potential problems, and make informed decisions under pressure.
Procedural Compliance
You meticulously follow established procedures and protocols for UAV operation, flight planning, and emergency responses, ensuring safety and mission success.
Transfers to
This demonstrates your commitment to accuracy, consistency, and adherence to regulations – qualities highly valued in detail-oriented roles.
Team Synchronization
You seamlessly coordinate with payload operators, mission commanders, and other team members to achieve mission objectives, communicating effectively and adapting to changing circumstances.
Transfers to
This showcases your ability to collaborate effectively in a team setting, coordinate complex tasks, and maintain clear communication to achieve shared goals.
Rapid Prioritization
During UAV flights, you rapidly assess and prioritize incoming information, potential threats, and changing mission requirements to make timely and effective decisions.
Transfers to
This highlights your ability to quickly analyze situations, identify critical issues, and allocate resources effectively under pressure, a valuable asset in fast-paced environments.
/ 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 Specialist
SOC 11-9161.00You've been maintaining situational awareness in dynamic environments while operating UAVs, which gives you a unique perspective on disaster response and coordination. Your procedural compliance skills will also make you very effective at developing and implementing emergency plans.
Adjacent · MatchLogistics Analyst
SOC 13-2081.00You've been managing complex flight plans and coordinating resources for UAV missions. This experience translates well to optimizing supply chains, managing inventory, and improving logistical efficiency in various industries.
Adjacent · MatchTechnical Trainer
SOC 25-9044.00You've been training others on UAV systems and procedures. That training experience gives you a solid foundation for developing and delivering technical training programs in various fields, helping others master new technologies and processes.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Operator Course
Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, CA480hHours
12wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 6 semester hours in aviation technology or unmanned systems operation
Topics · 8
- UAS flight principles and aerodynamics
- UAS platform-specific operation and maintenance (e.g., RQ-21A Blackjack)
- Mission planning and execution
- Payload operation (EO/IR sensors, laser designators)
- Communications protocols and network management
- Imagery interpretation and reporting
- Call for fire procedures
- Emergency procedures and risk management
Partial coverage · 1
- FAA Remote Pilot Certificate70%
Requires passing the FAA Part 107 knowledge test, covering regulations, airspace, weather, loading/performance, and operational procedures specific to civilian drone operations.
Recommended next · 03
- Certified Aviation Manager (CAM)Adjacent
- Project Management Professional (PMP)Adjacent
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)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 |
|---|---|---|
| RQ-21A Blackjack | Commercial drone platforms (e.g., DJI Matrice series) | Operations |
| Ground Control Station (GCS) | Drone control software (e.g., DroneDeploy, Pix4D) | Operations |
| Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS) | Civilian fire control or mapping software | Operations |
| Tactical Data Network (TDN) | Secure Virtual Private Network (VPN) and communication platforms | Networking |
| Persistent Close Air Support (PCAS) | Real-time collaborative targeting and communication software | Operations |
| Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) Sensors | High-resolution cameras and thermal imaging systems | Signals |
| Rover | Handheld mobile video receiver | Operations |
/ Translator · Live
Translate 7314 into a resume that ships.
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