1315 Career Guide
1315: Naval Aviator
Career transition guide for Navy Naval Aviator (1315)
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Top civilian roles for 1315 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.
Airline Pilot
Aerospace Engineer
Skills to develop:
Air Traffic Controller
Skills to develop:
Project Manager
Skills to develop:
Management Consultant
Skills to develop:
Salary estimates from VWC career data
Hidden Strengths
Cognitive skills your 1315 training built — and where they transfer.
Situational Awareness
As a Naval Aviator, you maintain constant awareness of your aircraft's status, environmental conditions, potential threats, and the positions and intentions of other aircraft and ships, all while executing complex maneuvers.
This heightened awareness translates to an ability to quickly grasp complex situations, anticipate potential problems, and make informed decisions in dynamic environments.
Rapid Prioritization
During flight operations, you frequently face rapidly evolving situations demanding immediate and critical decisions about which tasks and threats to address first, often under pressure.
This ability to quickly assess and prioritize competing demands is invaluable in fast-paced civilian roles where managing multiple projects and deadlines is essential.
Team Synchronization
Naval aviators must seamlessly coordinate with their crew, air traffic control, and other units to execute missions effectively, requiring clear communication and mutual understanding of roles and responsibilities.
Your proven ability to synchronize actions within a team, ensuring everyone is on the same page and working towards a common goal, is a highly sought-after skill in collaborative civilian workplaces.
Degraded-Mode Operations
You are trained to maintain control and effectively operate the aircraft even when systems malfunction or environmental conditions deteriorate, requiring quick thinking and adaptability.
Your experience handling unexpected challenges and maintaining composure under pressure translates directly into an ability to navigate complex and uncertain situations in civilian roles.
After-Action Analysis
Following every flight or mission, you participate in debriefings to critically assess performance, identify areas for improvement, and refine tactics and procedures.
This analytical mindset, focused on continuous learning and improvement, is highly valuable in civilian organizations seeking to optimize processes and enhance performance.
Non-Obvious Career Matches
Logistics Manager
SOC 11-3071.00You've been responsible for the efficient movement of aircraft, personnel, and supplies, and have experience with complex logistical planning and execution. This translates directly to managing supply chains and optimizing resource allocation in various industries.
Emergency Management Director
SOC 11-9161.00You've faced high-pressure situations requiring quick thinking, resourcefulness, and the ability to coordinate effectively with diverse teams. This experience will be invaluable when planning for and responding to emergencies and disasters.
Project Manager
SOC 11-9151.00You've managed complex missions with multiple objectives, tight deadlines, and limited resources. Your ability to plan, execute, and monitor projects, while coordinating diverse teams, makes you an ideal candidate for managing projects in various industries.
Airfield Operations Specialist
SOC 53-2011.00You've worked with the safe and efficient transit of aircraft and other vehicles at a naval station. This translates into your ability to work with aircraft and control tower to maintain safety protocol and emergency responses to prevent further incidents.
Training & Education Equivalencies
Flight School, Naval Air Station Whiting Field
Topics Covered
- •Aerodynamics
- •Aircraft Systems
- •Navigation
- •Instrument Flight
- •Formation Flying
- •Air Combat Maneuvering
- •Survival Training
Certification Pathways
Partial Coverage
While military flight training is extensive, pilots will need to pass the FAA written exam, meet specific flight hour requirements as outlined by the FAA, and pass a practical flight exam. Knowledge of civilian aviation regulations and procedures will be required.
Experience as a squadron executive officer, strike group executive officer, and commanding officer afloat provides project management experience. Gaps include formal training in project management methodologies (e.g., Agile, Waterfall) and the specific knowledge areas tested on the PMP exam.
Recommended Next Certifications
Technical Systems Translation
Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.
| Military System | Civilian Equivalent |
|---|---|
| AN/ASQ-228 ATFLIR (Advanced Targeting Forward-Looking Infrared) | High-resolution thermal imaging and targeting systems used in civilian search and rescue, law enforcement, and industrial inspection. |
| Link 16 | Secure data link systems used in aviation, maritime and ground transportation for real-time data sharing. |
| AN/AQS-22 Airborne Low Frequency Sonar (ALFS) | Sonar systems used in commercial fishing, oceanographic research, and underwater mapping. |
| MH-60R Seahawk Helicopter | Sikorsky S-70 (civilian variant) used for search and rescue, medical transport, and VIP transport. |
| Naval Aircrewman Training Systems (NATS) | Flight simulation software and hardware for pilot training and proficiency maintenance (e.g., X-Plane, Microsoft Flight Simulator coupled with specialized cockpit hardware). |
| Joint Precision Approach and Landing System (JPALS) | Differential GPS (DGPS) and Instrument Landing System (ILS) approaches used in commercial aviation. |
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