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NAVY · ARCareer Guide · Aviation · VWC.CG.AR.R.04

AR · NAVY · Enlisted

Aviation Support Equipment
Technician.

Navy AR (Aviation Support Equipment Technician). 640 hours of formal training translate to 4 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $58K–$78K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.

Training hours640DoD pipeline

ACE creditACEUp to 15 semester hours in diesel and hydraulic repair technology

Tech roles4mapped to your code

Civilian pathways4validated

Cert coverage2/6direct + partial

/ 01 · Tech Roles

Roles your code maps to.

SOURCE · BLS + LIGHTCAST ROLES · 4

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

Already have04

01
Troubleshooting and diagnostics→ Debugging
02
Hydraulic and pneumatic systems maintenance→ Systems engineering principles
03
Procedural Compliance→ Following established protocols
04
Situational Awareness→ Understanding complex system dynamics

To learn08

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

+IT support ticketing systems (e.g., Jira Service Management, Zendesk)+Basic networking concepts+Fundamentals of quality assurance and testing methodologies+Python or JavaScript for test automation+SQL for data extraction and manipulation+Data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)+Systems analysis methodologies+Database design and management

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 · 4

P.01

Aircraft Mechanic

$73K

High match

High demand

P.02

Avionics Technician

$78K

Good match

Growing demand

Skills to develop

— FAA certification
— Specific avionics systems training

P.03

Aerospace Engineering Technician

$68K

Good match

Stable demand

Skills to develop

— CAD software
— Engineering principles

P.04

Wind Turbine Technician

$58K

Moderate match

Very high demand

Skills to develop

— Climbing certification
— Electrical systems knowledge
— Wind turbine-specific training

/ 04 · Hidden Strengths

What the code built.

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

S.01

Procedural Compliance

Following detailed maintenance manuals and checklists to ensure aircraft are serviced and maintained according to strict safety and operational standards.

Transfers to

Adhering to established protocols and regulations in a systematic and consistent manner to ensure quality and safety.

S.02

Situational Awareness

Maintaining awareness of the immediate surroundings and potential hazards while working on or around aircraft, ensuring personal safety and preventing damage to equipment.

Transfers to

Understanding the dynamics of a complex environment and anticipating potential risks or opportunities to make informed decisions.

S.03

Team Synchronization

Coordinating with other maintenance personnel to complete tasks efficiently and safely, especially when working on complex aircraft systems or during critical maintenance operations.

Transfers to

Working effectively with others to achieve common goals, ensuring that individual contributions align with overall team objectives.

S.04

Resource Optimization

Efficiently utilizing available tools, equipment, and materials to complete maintenance tasks effectively and minimize waste.

Transfers to

Managing and allocating resources to maximize efficiency and achieve desired outcomes.

/ 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.

Quality Control Inspector

SOC 51-9061.00

You've been meticulously following procedures and maintaining aircraft to the highest standards. As a Quality Control Inspector, you'll use your keen eye for detail and commitment to compliance to ensure products meet specifications and regulations.

Adjacent · Match

Wind Turbine Technician

SOC 49-9081.00

You're experienced with maintaining complex machinery in challenging environments. As a Wind Turbine Technician, you'll apply your technical skills to keep these massive energy-producing systems running smoothly, performing inspections, maintenance, and repairs.

Adjacent · Match

Amusement and Recreation Mechanic

SOC 49-9091.00

You understand the importance of safety and precision when it comes to maintaining complex systems. As an Amusement and Recreation Mechanic, you will apply your expertise to keep rides and attractions safe and enjoyable for the public.

Adjacent · Match

/ 06 · Training & Certs

What you trained on.

SOURCE · DOD + ACE\nVALIDATED

Academy