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NAVY · AACareer Guide · Aviation · VWC.CG.AA.R.04

AA · NAVY · Enlisted

Aviation Support Equipment
Technician.

Navy AA (Aviation Support Equipment Technician). 480 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $55K–$95K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.

Training hours480DoD pipeline

ACE creditACEUp to 6 semester hours in basic electricity and mechanics

Tech roles4mapped to your code

Civilian pathways5validated

Cert coverage2/6direct + partial

/ 01 · Tech Roles

Roles your code maps to.

SOURCE · BLS + LIGHTCAST ROLES · 4

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

Already have09

01
Basic Electricity and Electronics→ Understanding of electrical circuits and components
02
Hydraulic/Pneumatic Systems Maintenance→ Understanding of fluid and gas dynamics and control systems
03
Gasoline and Diesel Engine Maintenance→ Understanding of mechanical systems and diagnostics
04
Safety Procedures and Regulations→ Adherence to safety protocols and risk management
05
Basic Troubleshooting and Repair→ Problem-solving and diagnostic skills
06
Procedural Compliance→ Commitment to quality and safety
07
Situational Awareness→ Ability to assess complex environments
08
Team Synchronization→ Coordination with team members
09
Resource Optimization→ Resource allocation and prioritization

To learn08

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

+Python fundamentals+Selenium or Cypress for web testing+Cloud computing basics (AWS, Azure, or GCP)+Linux server administration+Networking fundamentals+Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools+Help desk ticketing systems (e.g., Zendesk, Jira Service Management)+Remote desktop support tools

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/Avionics Technician

$75K

High match

High demand

Skills to develop

— FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) License

P.02

Aerospace Engineering Technician

$72K

Good match

Growing demand

Skills to develop

— CAD software proficiency
— Specific knowledge of aerospace materials

P.03

Maintenance Technician (General)

$55K

Good match

Stable demand

Skills to develop

— Specific experience with industrial maintenance
— PLC knowledge

P.04

Wind Turbine Technician

$60K

Moderate match

Very high demand

Skills to develop

— Climbing certification
— Electrical troubleshooting
— Safety training for wind energy

P.05

Commercial Pilot

$95K

Moderate match

High demand

Skills to develop

— FAA Commercial Pilot License
— Flight hours to meet airline requirements

/ 04 · Hidden Strengths

What the code built.

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

S.01

Procedural Compliance

Adherence to strict maintenance manuals and safety protocols is paramount when servicing aircraft to prevent accidents and ensure operational readiness.

Transfers to

Meticulous adherence to established procedures translates to a commitment to quality and safety in any field requiring standardized processes.

S.02

Situational Awareness

Constantly monitoring the aircraft's condition, surrounding environment, and the activities of other team members to anticipate potential problems and maintain a safe working environment.

Transfers to

The ability to assess complex environments and anticipate potential issues is invaluable in dynamic workplaces, allowing for proactive problem-solving and risk mitigation.

S.03

Team Synchronization

Working closely with other maintenance personnel, pilots, and support staff to coordinate maintenance activities, share information, and ensure the aircraft is ready for flight operations.

Transfers to

Effectively coordinating with team members to achieve shared goals, communicating clearly, and contributing to a cohesive working environment are essential for success in collaborative projects.

S.04

Resource Optimization

Managing limited resources such as tools, parts, and time effectively to complete maintenance tasks efficiently and minimize downtime.

Transfers to

The ability to allocate resources wisely, prioritize tasks, and find creative solutions to complete projects on time and within budget is highly valued in any organization.

/ 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 49-9099.01

You've been trained to maintain complex machinery in demanding conditions. Your expertise in aircraft maintenance translates perfectly to servicing wind turbines, where you'll troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic systems at significant heights. Your meticulous adherence to safety protocols will be critical in this role.

Adjacent · Match

Amusement Park Ride Mechanic

SOC 49-9071.00

You're accustomed to working with complex systems and ensuring the safety of aircraft. This skill set is directly applicable to amusement park ride maintenance, where you'll inspect, diagnose, and repair rides to guarantee passenger safety. Your experience with strict maintenance schedules and protocols will be a major asset.

Adjacent · Match

Industrial Machinery Mechanic

SOC 49-9041.00

You've got a solid background in aircraft maintenance, which translates well to industrial machinery. You're familiar with troubleshooting, repairing, and maintaining various mechanical systems. This role lets you use those skills in a new, but very similar context, ensuring factories run smoothly.

Adjacent · Match

/ 06 · Training & Certs

What you trained on.

SOURCE · DOD + ACE\nVALIDATED

Academy