Drone Pilot/Operator
$75KHigh match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — FAA Part 107 Certification
- — Specific drone platform training
Live · Guide v1.09974 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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USMC · 9974Career Guide · Operations · VWC.CG.9974.R.04
9974 · USMC · EnlistedVTUAV
VTUAV
Officer.
Marine Corps 9974 (VTUAV Officer). 320 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $60K–$75K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours320DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 6 semester hours recommended in aviation management
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage2/5direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 9974 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 9974 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have09
- 01UAS Flight Operations→ Robotics and autonomous systems operation
- 02Airspace Management→ Cloud infrastructure management
- 03UAS Maintenance Procedures→ System troubleshooting and maintenance
- 04Mission Planning→ Project planning and execution
- 05Reconnaissance and Surveillance Techniques→ Data collection and analysis
- 06System Modeling→ Business process and IT infrastructure modeling
- 07Situational Awareness→ Rapid assessment and informed decision-making
- 08Procedural Compliance→ Reliable execution of complex tasks
- 09Degraded-Mode Operations→ Operational efficiency in challenging scenarios
To learn08
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+Python programming language+Robotics Operating System (ROS)+Data warehousing solutions (e.g., Snowflake, Redshift)+ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) processes and tools+Cloud computing platforms (AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud)+Containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes)+Systems analysis methodologies+Database management and SQL
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
$70KGood match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) license
- — Specific avionics systems training
Remote Sensing Technician
$65KGood match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — GIS software proficiency
- — Data analysis techniques
Aerospace Engineering Technician
$62KModerate match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — CAD software proficiency
- — Engineering principles
Robotics Technician
$60KModerate match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — Robotics programming
- — Mechanical systems knowledge
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 9974 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
System Modeling
As a VTUAV operator or officer, you developed a deep understanding of how the aircraft systems interact and affect performance. You learned to anticipate potential issues by understanding system dependencies.
Transfers to
This ability to understand complex systems translates directly into the capacity to model business processes, IT infrastructure, or logistical networks. You can visualize how changes in one area impact others.
Situational Awareness
Operating and maintaining VTUAVs demanded constant awareness of your surroundings, weather conditions, air traffic, and potential threats, all while managing the aircraft's performance.
Transfers to
This heightened awareness translates into an ability to quickly assess new environments, anticipate problems, and make informed decisions, skills invaluable in dynamic civilian roles.
Procedural Compliance
Maintenance and operation of VTUAVs require strict adherence to established procedures and checklists to ensure safety and mission success. You followed detailed protocols meticulously.
Transfers to
Your commitment to protocol translates into an ability to reliably execute complex tasks in fields where compliance is critical, such as regulatory affairs or quality control.
Degraded-Mode Operations
You learned how to troubleshoot and maintain functionality even when systems were not operating at peak performance or under adverse conditions, finding creative solutions under pressure.
Transfers to
This skill translates to the ability to maintain operational efficiency in challenging scenarios, adapt to unexpected failures, and make crucial decisions to mitigate risks.
/ 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.
Logistics Analyst
SOC 13-2081.00You've been analyzing complex systems to optimize VTUAV operations, which directly translates to optimizing supply chains and logistical networks. Your focus on efficiency and problem-solving makes you perfect for identifying areas for improvement in logistics.
Adjacent · MatchRegulatory Affairs Specialist
SOC 13-1041.00You've been immersed in procedural compliance regarding VTUAV maintenance and operation, demonstrating attention to detail and commitment to safety and protocol. This skillset translates seamlessly into navigating the complex world of regulatory requirements in various industries.
Adjacent · MatchBusiness Continuity Planner
SOC 13-1199.05You've excelled in degraded-mode operations with VTUAVs, ensuring mission continuation even when systems fail. This experience provides a strong foundation for designing and implementing plans that allow businesses to continue operating under adverse conditions.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Training
Fort Huachuca, AZ320hHours
8wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 6 semester hours recommended in aviation management
Topics · 7
- UAS Flight Operations
- Airspace Management
- UAS Maintenance Procedures
- Mission Planning
- Emergency Procedures
- Reconnaissance and Surveillance Techniques
- Regulations and Safety
Partial coverage · 2
- Remote Pilot Certificate (FAA Part 107)70%
Need to study airspace regulations, weather effects, airport operations, and regulations regarding civil operation of small unmanned aircraft systems in the United States.
- Certified Aviation Manager (CAM)30%
Requires experience in aviation management, which may need to be supplemented depending on the specific roles held. Gaps may include business management, human resources, and other general management topics outside of flight operations.
Recommended next · 03
- Certified Remote Sensing Scientist (CRSS)Adjacent
- Geospatial Intelligence Professional (GIP)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 System | Civilian Equivalent | Domain |
|---|---|---|
| RQ-21 Blackjack | Commercial Drones (e.g., DJI Matrice series, senseFly eBee X) | Operations |
| Ground Control Station (GCS) | Drone flight planning software and ground control stations (e.g., DroneDeploy, Pix4Dcapture, Mission Planner) | Operations |
| Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) Sensors | High-resolution cameras and thermal imaging systems (e.g., FLIR cameras, Sony high-resolution sensors) | Signals |
| Communications Data Link | Encrypted data transmission systems (e.g., wireless communication protocols, secure VPNs) | Networking |
| Portable Video Receiver (PVR) | Real-time video streaming platforms (e.g., VLC media player, custom streaming solutions) | Operations |
| Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS) | Geospatial intelligence platforms (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS) | Operations |
/ Translator · Live
Translate 9974 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.