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Civilian Jobs After Serving In The Military in Aviation

Joining the military and working in aviation can be a smart choice. Not only can you have a successful career while serving in the military, but you can take your experience and the skills you learned to the civilian world.

Civilian Jobs After Serving In The Military in Aviation

If you have served in Aviation, depending on what your job was, you may have learned how to fly a airplane, how to maintain an airplane, or other skills that can help in a post-military career in aviation. Here are a few career paths you might want to choose to pursue, depending on your skills and career plans.

>> Use our Veteran Job Matcher to find job opportunities with companies looking to hire veterans and transitioning military.  Click here to get started.

Program Manager in Aviation/Aerospace

If you are interested in the engineering side of aviation, becoming a Program Manager in Aviation/Aerospace would be ideal. To work in this type of job you would be responsible for preparing proposals, and leading projects in aviation and aerospace. Knowing the fundamentals of air transport, airport operations, and airline revenue management would be important. You would work with engineers, civic planners, environmental science professionals, as well as government officials. You should also have some leadership skills to bring to the job.

In order to have this type of job, you would need a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or a related subject. You also will need to be registered as a professional engineer in their respective state.

RELATED: Getting a Degree in Aeronautics or Aviation

Commercial Airline Pilot

If you were a pilot in the military, becoming a commercial airline pilot once you get out of the military can be a good idea. You will already have experience flying planes and will have flight hours you can put towards your commercial pilot licence.

Working as a pilot, you should have good depth perception, and quick reaction time, as well as problem solving skills. Because you have flown in the military you would be familiar with flying a plane, but will need extra training on commercial flying.

You will need 250 flight hours for your commercial pilot licence, and those you have flown during your time in the military will count towards that. You can get a job flying passengers or even cargo.

Aircraft Mechanic

If you worked as an aircraft mechanic in the military, that can carry over into a civilian job. As an aircraft mechanic, you would perform repairs, and do preventative routine maintenance on aircraft and helicopters. You would need an eye for detail and have a basic understanding of how things work. You would be responsible for ensuring the aircraft is safe, and that any issues are repaired and fixed as soon as possible.

While you can become an Aircraft Mechanic by going to an FAA-approved AMT training school or by having on-the-job training, the FAA also gives credit for time spent in aviation maintenance while serving in the military. Colleges and other AMT training programs will also give that credit too.

Aviation Meteorologist

If you are interested in meteorology, or have worked as a flight meteorologist, weather officer, or other related job in the military, working as an aviation meteorologist can be the right for for you.

In this type of job you would provide weather information to airline flight dispatchers and pilots. You would determine current weather conditions for all altitudes and take into account what conditions may affect a flight, such as what can cause heavy turbulence.

You would rely on weather radar, computers, weather stations information, and other tools. Additionally, you would also need to be able to work under pressure and have a familiarity with aviation.

Commercial airlines will probably want you to have a bachelor’s degree in meteorology, aviation meteorology, or even another type of science.

Your military training and skills can also count towards your education and the experience companies are looking for. Beyond working for a commercial airline, you could work for a private company, which might do work for the government or even the military.

Aviation Jobs Across the Different Branches

All five branches have a form of Aviation. The Air Force has the biggest number of aviation-type jobs, with 43 different careers. The Army has 21 different Aviation MOS. The Marine Corps and the Navy also have many different options to serve in an aviation combat role.

The Coast Guard offers jobs such as Aviation Maintenance Technician, Aviation Survival Technician, and Avionics Electrical Technician.

 

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Civilian Jobs “After the Military” For:

• Military Intelligence
• Combat Medic
• Military Police (MP)
• Civil Affairs
• Special Operations Forces
• EOD
• Combat Engineers
• Interpreters and Translators

>> Use our Veteran Job Matcher to find job opportunities with companies looking to hire veterans and transitioning military.  Click here to get started.

 

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What civilian aviation jobs can veterans pursue after serving in the military?

Veterans with aviation experience in the military can pursue various civilian jobs, including Program Manager in Aviation/Aerospace, Commercial Airline Pilot, Aircraft Mechanic, and Aviation Meteorologist. These roles leverage military training and provide opportunities to continue an aviation career.

How does military aviation experience transfer to civilian careers?

Military aviation experience can translate into civilian careers by providing relevant skills and certifications, like flight hours for commercial pilots or aircraft maintenance experience. Additionally, veterans may receive educational credit for their military training, which can be used to further their civilian careers in aviation.

What qualifications are needed for civilian aviation jobs after military service?

Qualifications for civilian aviation jobs depend on the specific role. For example, a Program Manager in Aviation/Aerospace typically needs a bachelor’s degree in engineering, while a Commercial Airline Pilot requires flight hours and a commercial pilot license. Specialized training programs may also be available for veterans who want to transition into roles like Aircraft Mechanics or Aviation Meteorologists.