Helicopter Mechanic
$75KHigh match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) license
- — Specific helicopter model training
Live · Guide v1.0AWS · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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NAVY · AWSCareer Guide · Aviation · VWC.CG.AWS.R.04
AWS · NAVY · EnlistedNaval
Naval
Aircrewman.
Navy AWS (Naval Aircrewman). 1,100 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $60K–$95K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours1,100DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 15 semester hours recommended in aviation operations, emergency medical techniques, and physical fitness.
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage3/7direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your AWS 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 AWS training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have04
- 01Situational Awareness→ Ability to quickly assess complex environments, identify critical factors, and anticipate potential risks or opportunities
- 02Team Synchronization→ Excels at working collaboratively within a team to achieve shared objectives through clear communication, mutual support, and coordinated action
- 03Procedural Compliance→ Meticulous in following established protocols and guidelines, ensuring accuracy and safety in work
- 04Degraded-Mode Operations→ Ability to adapt to unexpected challenges and maintain composure under pressure, demonstrating resourcefulness and problem-solving skills
To learn04
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+Cloud computing basics (AWS, Azure, or GCP)+Cybersecurity fundamentals (network security, cryptography)+Data visualization tools (Tableau, Power BI)+Help desk ticketing systems (e.g., Zendesk, ServiceNow)
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.
Search and Rescue Technician
$60KGood match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification
- — Swiftwater rescue training
- — Wilderness first responder certification
Aviation Safety Inspector
$95KGood match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — FAA certifications (varies by inspector role)
- — In-depth knowledge of civil aviation regulations
Logistics Coordinator
$65KModerate match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — Supply chain management certification (e.g., CSCP)
- — Experience with specific logistics software platforms
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Technician
$70KModerate match
Very high demand
Skills to develop
- — FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate
- — Drone maintenance and repair training
- — Experience with specific drone platforms
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your AWS training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
Situational Awareness
Aircrewmen must maintain constant awareness of their surroundings, including aircraft status, weather conditions, potential threats, and the location of survivors during search and rescue operations. They integrate data from multiple sources to anticipate potential problems.
Transfers to
This translates to an ability to quickly assess complex environments, identify critical factors, and anticipate potential risks or opportunities. You are adept at synthesizing information from multiple sources to form a comprehensive understanding of a situation.
Team Synchronization
Aircrewmen work closely with pilots, other crew members, and ground personnel to execute missions effectively. This requires clear communication, coordination, and mutual trust, especially during high-stress situations like medical evacuations or aerial gunnery.
Transfers to
You excel at working collaboratively within a team to achieve shared objectives. You understand the importance of clear communication, mutual support, and coordinated action to maximize team performance, especially when the pressure is on.
Procedural Compliance
Naval Aircrewmen are trained to follow strict procedures for aircraft maintenance, operation, and emergency response. Adherence to these protocols is critical for safety and mission success, particularly during high-risk operations like airborne mine countermeasures.
Transfers to
You are meticulous in following established protocols and guidelines, ensuring accuracy and safety in your work. Your commitment to procedural compliance minimizes risks and maximizes efficiency, making you a reliable and dependable professional.
Degraded-Mode Operations
Aircrewmen are trained to handle emergencies and equipment malfunctions while in flight. This requires quick thinking, problem-solving, and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances while maintaining mission focus, ensuring you can work when systems aren't working perfectly.
Transfers to
You possess a strong ability to adapt to unexpected challenges and maintain composure under pressure. Your training has instilled in you the resourcefulness and problem-solving skills necessary to overcome obstacles and keep projects on track, even when things don't go as planned.
/ 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 Specialist
SOC 11-9161.00You've been rigorously trained to assess risk, coordinate resources, and respond effectively to emergencies. You excel at maintaining composure under pressure, making critical decisions in dynamic environments, and leading teams through crisis situations. Your ability to quickly understand complex situations and implement effective solutions makes you an ideal candidate for helping communities prepare for and recover from disasters.
Adjacent · MatchTechnical Trainer
SOC 25-9041.00You've gained experience training junior personnel and providing instruction on complex aircraft systems. Your expertise in procedural compliance and your ability to communicate technical information effectively make you well-suited to developing and delivering training programs for various industries.
Adjacent · MatchLogistics Coordinator
SOC 43-3071.00You've coordinated the movement of cargo, personnel, and equipment in demanding environments. Your experience in resource optimization, attention to detail, and ability to manage complex logistical challenges would translate well to coordinating supply chains and ensuring efficient operations in a civilian context.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Naval Aircrew Candidate School (NACCS)
NAS Pensacola; Aviation Rescue Swimmer School, NAS Jacksonville; Fleet Replacement Aircrew Training, Various Locations1,100hHours
28wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 15 semester hours recommended in aviation operations, emergency medical techniques, and physical fitness.
Topics · 7
- Aviation Physiology
- Water Survival
- Helicopter Rescue Operations
- Search and Rescue (SAR) Techniques
- Airborne Mine Countermeasures (AMCM)
- Small Arms Handling
- Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) Procedures
Partial coverage · 3
- Certified Aviation Manager (CAM)50%
Formal business management training, leadership, and strategic planning are areas needing more study to bridge the gap between aviation operations experience and executive-level decision-making.
- FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Mechanic30%
While the AWS role involves aircraft maintenance assistance, it doesn't cover all the topics required for the A&P license. Areas like specific engine overhaul procedures, advanced avionics, and sheet metal repair will require focused study.
- Wilderness First Responder (WFR)60%
While MEDEVAC is part of the AWS role, WFR focuses on prolonged care in remote environments. Study topics like advanced wound care, fracture management in austere conditions, and environmental medicine.
Recommended next · 04
- Commercial Pilot License (Helicopter)Adjacent
- Project Management Professional (PMP)Adjacent
- Certified Search and Rescue Technician (SARTECH)Adjacent
- Aviation Safety Officer (ASO)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 |
|---|---|---|
| AN/AQS-20A Sonar Mine Detection System | High-resolution underwater acoustic imaging systems used in underwater surveys and inspections | Signals |
| AN/ASQ-228 ATAS (Airborne Tactical Acoustic System) | Acoustic data processing software used in environmental monitoring and marine mammal research | Operations |
| MH-60R/S Seahawk helicopter | Sikorsky, Leonardo, Airbus or Bell medium-lift helicopters | Operations |
| Advanced Forward Looking Infrared (AFLIR) | High-resolution thermal imaging cameras used in search and rescue operations | Operations |
| Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) | VOR/DME (VHF Omnidirectional Range/Distance Measuring Equipment) systems | Operations |
| Link 16 | Military-grade encrypted data link - Common data link waveforms (CDL) | Operations |
| AN/ARS-6 Sonar Transmitting Set | Commercial sonar systems employed in underwater search and mapping | Signals |
/ Translator · Live
Translate AWS 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.