1390 Career Guide
1390: Student Naval Aviator
Career transition guide for Navy Student Naval Aviator (1390)
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Top civilian roles for 1390 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.
Airline Pilot, Copilot, or Flight Engineer
Skills to develop:
Commercial Pilot (e.g., corporate, charter, cargo)
Skills to develop:
Air Traffic Controller
Skills to develop:
Aerospace Engineer
Skills to develop:
Flight Instructor
Skills to develop:
Salary estimates from VWC career data
Hidden Strengths
Cognitive skills your 1390 training built — and where they transfer.
Situational Awareness
As a naval aviator, you maintained constant awareness of your aircraft's status, weather conditions, potential threats (both airborne and seaborne), and the location of other friendly and potentially hostile assets in a dynamic environment. This was crucial for mission success and safety.
The ability to quickly assess complex environments, identify potential risks and opportunities, and make informed decisions based on incomplete information translates to many civilian roles requiring vigilance and adaptability.
Rapid Prioritization
In flight, you often faced rapidly changing situations requiring you to quickly prioritize tasks, such as responding to emergencies, adjusting flight paths, or reacting to unexpected threats. This demanded quick thinking and decisive action under pressure.
The skill to rapidly assess situations, triage tasks based on importance and urgency, and make critical decisions under pressure is invaluable in fast-paced civilian environments.
System Modeling
As a pilot, you developed a deep understanding of the complex systems within your aircraft, including engine performance, navigation systems, and weapons deployment. You used this knowledge to predict performance, troubleshoot problems, and optimize mission execution.
Understanding how complex systems function, predicting their behavior under various conditions, and identifying potential failure points is a critical skill applicable to many technical and managerial roles.
Degraded-Mode Operations
You were trained to handle emergencies and system failures in flight, such as engine malfunctions or loss of critical instrumentation. This required you to adapt quickly, troubleshoot problems, and maintain control of the aircraft under challenging circumstances.
The ability to maintain composure and effectiveness when systems fail or unexpected challenges arise is highly valuable in any industry. Your experience in degraded-mode operations demonstrates resilience and problem-solving skills under pressure.
Procedural Compliance
Naval aviation demands strict adherence to procedures and regulations to ensure safety and mission success. You consistently followed checklists, protocols, and guidelines in all aspects of flight operations, from pre-flight inspections to emergency procedures.
Your dedication to following established procedures and protocols demonstrates a strong commitment to safety, quality, and efficiency, which is highly valued in regulated industries and organizations.
Non-Obvious Career Matches
Air Traffic Controller
SOC 53-2011.00You've been responsible for the safety of aircraft and passengers. Your experience with situational awareness, rapid prioritization, and communication under pressure makes you an excellent candidate to manage air traffic flow and ensure safe operations.
Emergency Management Director
SOC 11-9161.00You're accustomed to high-pressure situations, risk assessment, and emergency response. As an Emergency Management Director, you will use your skills in planning, coordinating, and executing emergency response plans to protect communities during crises.
Project Manager (Aviation/Aerospace)
SOC 11-9021.00You've demonstrated the ability to manage complex systems, adhere to strict regulations, and ensure the successful completion of missions. This background translates well to project management roles in the aviation and aerospace industries, where you can oversee the development, testing, and deployment of new technologies.
Training & Education Equivalencies
Aviation Preflight Indoctrination (API), Naval Air Station Pensacola; Primary Flight Training, Various Naval Air Stations; Advanced Flight Training, Various Naval Air Stations
Topics Covered
- •Aerodynamics
- •Aircraft Systems
- •Meteorology
- •Air Navigation
- •Flight Rules and Regulations
- •Basic and Advanced Flight Maneuvers
- •Instrument Flight
- •Formation Flying
Certification Pathways
Partial Coverage
Requires study of environmental regulations outside of military contexts, auditing procedures, and specific environmental science topics.
Some additional training on specific OSHA regulations and hazardous waste site operations may be needed.
Recommended Next Certifications
Technical Systems Translation
Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.
| Military System | Civilian Equivalent |
|---|---|
| AN/APG-79 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar | Advanced Weather and Navigation Radar Systems (e.g., used in commercial aviation) |
| Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) | Augmented Reality Headsets/Displays in Aviation and Industrial Applications |
| AN/ALQ-214 Integrated Defensive Electronic Countermeasures (IDECM) System | Electronic Warfare Simulation and Testing Software |
| Link 16 Tactical Data Link | Real-time Data Exchange Platforms (e.g., used in air traffic control, financial markets) |
| AN/AVS-9 Night Vision Goggles (NVG) | Enhanced Vision Systems (EVS) for commercial aviation and emergency services |
| IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) Transponder Systems | ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast) transponders used in civilian aircraft |
| Aircraft Carrier Landing Systems (e.g., Automatic Carrier Landing System) | Precision Landing Systems (e.g., Instrument Landing System) at civilian airports |
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