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Live · Guide v1.07564 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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USMC · 7564Career Guide · Aviation · VWC.CG.7564.R.04
7564 · USMC · Enlisted

HMH/M/L/A
Pilot.

Marine Corps 7564 (HMH/M/L/A Pilot). 480 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $70K–$140K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.

Training hours480DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEVaries; typically up to 30 semester hours recommended in Aviation Technology and Flight Operations
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 7564 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 7564 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.

Already have04
  • 01
    Situational AwarenessQuickly assess complex environments and make informed decisions under pressure.
  • 02
    Rapid PrioritizationManage competing demands and allocate resources strategically.
  • 03
    Team SynchronizationFoster collaboration and lead groups to achieve common goals.
  • 04
    Degraded-Mode OperationsProblem-solving skills and resilience under pressure.
To learn04

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

+Linux fundamentals+SQL and database querying+Agile project management methodologies+Data modeling and visualization with tools like Tableau or 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.

SOURCE · LIGHTCAST + CURATED PATHWAYS · 5
P.01

Commercial Airline Pilot

$140K
High match
High demand
Skills to develop
  • FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate
  • Specific aircraft type rating
P.02

Helicopter Pilot (Tourism/Charter)

$90K
High match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
  • FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate (Rotorcraft)
  • Specific turbine helicopter experience
P.03

Air Ambulance Pilot

$95K
Good match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
  • FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate (Rotorcraft)
  • Instrument rating (Helicopter)
  • Advanced emergency medical training
P.04

Law Enforcement Helicopter Pilot

$75K
Good match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
  • Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certification
  • Law enforcement helicopter flight training
  • Government security clearance
P.05

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Pilot/Operator

$70K
Moderate match
Very high demand
Skills to develop
  • FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate
  • Specific UAS platform training
  • Data analysis skills
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths

What the code built.

Cognitive skills your 7564 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.

S.01

Situational Awareness

As a helicopter pilot, you constantly maintain 360-degree awareness of your surroundings, including weather, terrain, other aircraft, and ground personnel, to ensure mission success and safety.

Transfers to

This heightened awareness translates to an ability to quickly assess complex environments, anticipate potential problems, and make informed decisions under pressure in any dynamic setting.

S.02

Rapid Prioritization

During flight, unexpected events like equipment malfunctions or sudden changes in weather require you to instantly assess the risks, prioritize actions, and execute the most critical tasks to maintain control and safety.

Transfers to

Your experience with rapid prioritization allows you to effectively manage competing demands, allocate resources strategically, and make critical decisions quickly in high-pressure environments.

S.03

Team Synchronization

Operating as part of a flight crew and coordinating with ground teams demands seamless communication, shared understanding, and precise execution to achieve mission objectives safely and efficiently.

Transfers to

This ingrained ability to synchronize efforts within a team makes you adept at fostering collaboration, resolving conflicts, and leading groups to achieve common goals.

S.04

Degraded-Mode Operations

Helicopter pilots are trained to handle aircraft malfunctions and emergencies, requiring the ability to adapt quickly, troubleshoot effectively, and maintain control in less-than-ideal conditions.

Transfers to

This expertise in degraded-mode operations translates to exceptional problem-solving skills, resilience under pressure, and the ability to maintain composure and effectiveness when things go wrong.

/ 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 Director

SOC 11-9161.00

You've been expertly managing high-stakes situations and coordinating resources under pressure for years. Your ability to rapidly assess threats, prioritize actions, and maintain calm during chaos makes you perfectly suited to lead emergency response efforts and develop effective preparedness plans.

Adjacent · Match

Airfield Operations Specialist

SOC 53-2011.00

Your deep understanding of aviation operations, air traffic control procedures, and safety protocols, honed through years of flying rotary-wing aircraft, equips you with the expertise to manage airfield activities, ensure smooth air traffic flow, and maintain the highest safety standards.

Adjacent · Match

Logistics Manager

SOC 11-3071.00

You've been responsible for the safe transport of personnel and equipment in demanding environments. As a logistics manager, you can use these skills to manage supply chains, coordinate transportation, and ensure the timely delivery of goods and services.

Adjacent · Match
/ 06 · Training & Certs

What you trained on.

SOURCE · DOD + ACE\nVALIDATED
Academy

Flight School

various Naval Air Stations (Pensacola, Whiting Field, Corpus Christi)
480hHours
52wkWeeks
ACECredit

Varies; typically up to 30 semester hours recommended in Aviation Technology and Flight Operations

Topics · 8
  • Aerodynamics and Helicopter Flight Principles
  • Navigation and Instrument Flying
  • Tactical Formation Flying
  • Night Vision Device (NVD) Operations
  • Low Altitude Tactics
  • Search and Rescue Techniques
  • Close Air Support (CAS) Procedures
  • Emergency Procedures and Survival Training
Partial coverage · 2
  • Commercial Pilot License (Helicopter)70%

    While military pilots receive extensive flight training, they typically need to pass FAA written and practical exams, and meet specific flight hour requirements for civilian certification. Differences in regulations and procedures need to be studied.

  • Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) - Helicopter50%

    Requires demonstrating the ability to effectively teach helicopter flight operations, FAA regulations, and safety procedures to civilian students. Also requires logged flight time requirements.

Recommended next · 03
  • Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate - HelicopterAdjacent
  • Certified Aviation Manager (CAM)Adjacent
  • Project Management Professional (PMP)Adjacent
/ 07 · Systems Translation

What you ran, in their words.

Military systems you operated and their civilian equivalents for your resume.

Military SystemCivilian EquivalentDomain
AN/ARC-210 RT-1921(C) Airborne RadioCommercial aviation VHF/UHF communication radios (e.g., Garmin GTR series)Operations
AN/AVS-9 Aviator's Night Vision Imaging System (ANVIS)High-end night vision goggles (e.g., those used in search and rescue)Operations
UH-1Y Venom HelicopterBell 412EPX or similar medium-lift utility helicoptersOperations
CH-53E Super Stallion HelicopterSikorsky S-92 or similar heavy-lift transport helicoptersOperations
H-60 Seahawk (for HMH)Sikorsky S-70 or similar multi-mission helicoptersOperations
Blue Force Tracker (BFT)Real-time GPS fleet management systemsOperations
Joint Precision Approach and Landing System (JPALS)Commercial aviation GPS-based landing systemsOperations
/ Translator · Live

Translate 7564 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.