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Live · Guide v1.0AWF · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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NAVY · AWFCareer Guide · Aviation · VWC.CG.AWF.R.04
AWF · NAVY · Enlisted

Naval Aircrewman
Mechanical.

Navy AWF (Naval Aircrewman Mechanical). 600 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $65K–$95K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.

Training hours600DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 18 semester hours in aviation maintenance, aviation safety, and applied science
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage3/6direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles

Roles your code maps to.

SOURCE · BLS + LIGHTCAST ROLES · 4

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

Already have05
  • 01
    Situational Awareness→ Ability to perceive, understand, and anticipate potential problems. Make informed decisions in dynamic situations.
  • 02
    Procedural Compliance→ Commitment to following procedures, attention to detail, and understanding regulatory requirements.
  • 03
    Team Synchronization→ Ability to work effectively within a team, understanding roles, communicating clearly, and adapting to changing circumstances.
  • 04
    Resource Optimization→ Identifying ways to streamline processes, reduce waste, and improve productivity.
  • 05
    Naval Aviation Logistics Command Management Information System (NALCOMIS)→ Experience with a system similar to Aviation Maintenance Software (e.g., Trax, Rusada ENVISION)
To learn06

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

+Linux server administration+Basic networking concepts (TCP/IP, DNS)+Cloud computing fundamentals (AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud)+Scripting with Python or Bash+Infrastructure-as-code tools (e.g., Terraform, Ansible)+Help desk ticketing systems (e.g., Jira Service Management, Zendesk)
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 / Technician

$75K
High match
High demand
Skills to develop
  • — FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) license
P.02

Logistics Coordinator / Manager

$65K
Good match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
  • — Supply chain management certification
  • — Specific industry knowledge (e.g., transportation, manufacturing)
P.03

Flight Engineer

$95K
Good match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
  • — FAA Flight Engineer Certificate
  • — Type rating for specific aircraft
P.04

Aviation Safety Inspector

$80K
Moderate match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
  • — FAA experience
  • — Specific aircraft certifications
P.05

Technical Trainer (Aviation)

$70K
Good match
High demand
Skills to develop
  • — Instructional design experience
  • — Curriculum development skills
  • — Excellent communication skills
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths

What the code built.

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

S.01

Situational Awareness

AWFs must constantly monitor the aircraft's systems, environmental conditions, and the status of passengers and cargo, ensuring safety and operational effectiveness throughout the flight.

Transfers to

This translates to a strong ability to perceive and understand the surrounding environment, anticipate potential problems, and make informed decisions in dynamic situations. You are adept at gathering information from multiple sources, assessing risks, and maintaining composure under pressure.

S.02

Procedural Compliance

AWFs adhere to strict maintenance protocols, flight regulations, and safety procedures. Precision and consistency are critical to maintaining aircraft readiness and preventing accidents.

Transfers to

Your commitment to following established procedures, attention to detail, and understanding of regulatory requirements make you highly reliable and capable of ensuring compliance in any field.

S.03

Team Synchronization

Working as an integrated member of a flight crew demands seamless coordination and communication. AWFs must anticipate the needs of the pilots, navigators, and other crew members, and act in concert to achieve mission objectives.

Transfers to

You have honed your ability to work effectively within a team, understanding roles and responsibilities, communicating clearly, and adapting to changing circumstances. You are skilled at building rapport, resolving conflicts, and fostering a collaborative environment.

S.04

Resource Optimization

AWFs are responsible for optimizing the use of onboard resources such as fuel, cargo space, and equipment, maximizing efficiency while adhering to safety standards.

Transfers to

You excel at identifying ways to streamline processes, reduce waste, and improve productivity. You have a talent for making the most of available resources and finding innovative solutions to complex problems.

/ 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 Coordinator

SOC 13-1081

You've been responsible for cargo movement, weight and balance calculations, and logistics operations. This experience translates directly into managing supply chains, coordinating shipments, and ensuring the efficient flow of goods in various industries.

Adjacent · Match

Emergency Management Specialist

SOC 11-9161

You've been involved in Medical Evacuations (MEDEVAC), passenger transport, and Joint Special Warfare operations, demonstrating the ability to handle crisis situations, coordinate emergency responses, and ensure the safety of personnel. Your experience is valuable in planning for and responding to natural disasters, security threats, and other emergencies.

Adjacent · Match

Technical Trainer

SOC 25-9041

You've developed long and short-term aircrew training plans, organized logistics operations, and performed aircraft maintenance. This combination makes you an ideal candidate to teach others technical skills in various industries, from aviation to manufacturing.

Adjacent · Match
/ 06 · Training & Certs

What you trained on.

SOURCE · DOD + ACE\nVALIDATED
Academy

Aircrew Candidate School (ACS)

NAS Pensacola; Naval Aircrewman School (NAC), NAS Pensacola; Fleet Replacement Enlisted Skills Training (FREST), Various locations depending on aircraft
600hHours
15wkWeeks
ACECredit

Up to 18 semester hours in aviation maintenance, aviation safety, and applied science

Topics · 8
  • Aviation Maintenance Fundamentals
  • Aircraft Systems (specific to assigned platform)
  • Flight Engineer Duties
  • Loadmaster Duties
  • Aircrew Coordination
  • Survival Training (water and land)
  • First Aid and CPR
  • Aviation Physiology
Partial coverage · 3
  • Certified Aviation Manager (CAM)40%

    Formal business management training, finance, marketing, and advanced leadership principles. Focus on the specific requirements outlined by the CAM exam.

  • Project Management Professional (PMP)30%

    Formal project management training, particularly in areas like stakeholder management, risk management, and advanced project planning methodologies as defined by the PMI.

  • Certified Professional Logistician (CPL)60%

    In-depth knowledge of supply chain management principles, including forecasting, inventory control, transportation, and warehousing. Focus on quantitative analysis and optimization techniques.

Recommended next · 03
  • FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certificationAdjacent
  • Commercial Driver's License (CDL)Adjacent
  • Certified Maintenance Manager (CMM)Adjacent
/ 07 · Systems Translation

What you ran, in their words.

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

Military SystemCivilian EquivalentDomain
C-130 Hercules Aircraft SystemsLockheed Martin Commercial Freighter Aircraft MaintenanceAviation
E-6 Mercury Aircraft SystemsBoeing 707 Commercial Aircraft MaintenanceAviation
P-3 Orion Aircraft SystemsLockheed P-3 Orion aircraft maintenance programsAviation
Weight and Balance (W&B) CalculationsAviation Load Planning SoftwareOperations
Naval Aviation Logistics Command Management Information System (NALCOMIS)Aviation Maintenance Software (e.g., Trax, Rusada ENVISION)Networking
Tactical Data Links (e.g., Link 16)Commercial Datalink Systems (e.g., VDL Mode A/2)Operations
Joint Special Warfare Operations EquipmentTactical Equipment Sales and TrainingOperations
/ Translator · Live

Translate AWF 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.

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