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151A Career Guide

Army

151A: Aviation Maintenance Technician

Career transition guide for Army Aviation Maintenance Technician (151A)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 151A veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Aircraft Mechanic/Technician

$73K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certification

Avionics Technician

$78K
High matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

FCC licenseSpecific avionics system certifications

Maintenance Manager

$95K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Project management certification (PMP)Lean Six Sigma certification

Quality Control Inspector

$65K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

ASQ Certified Quality Inspector (CQI)Knowledge of industry-specific quality standards (e.g., AS9100)

Technical Trainer/Instructor (Aerospace)

$70K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Instructional design principlesCurriculum developmentExcellent communication skills

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 151A training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

As a 151A, you developed comprehensive mental models of complex aircraft systems, understanding how various components interact and influence overall performance. This includes predicting the impact of maintenance actions and potential failure points.

This ability to visualize and understand intricate systems translates directly into roles requiring you to analyze complex processes, identify bottlenecks, and predict outcomes based on various inputs and changes.

Resource Optimization

You managed aircraft maintenance operations, including directing the development of aircraft repair parts and spares stockage levels to ensure mission accomplishment and sustainment. This involved optimizing the allocation of resources like personnel, tools, and parts to maximize efficiency.

Your experience in directing resource allocation to maximize output makes you well-suited for roles requiring strategic planning and efficient resource management.

Procedural Compliance

Ensuring compliance with regulations governing forms, records, and reports pertaining to aircraft maintenance was a critical part of your job. Your meticulous adherence to procedures and protocols guaranteed safety and operational readiness.

Your proven ability to follow complex procedures and maintain meticulous records makes you a valuable asset in any industry that demands strict regulatory compliance and attention to detail.

Situational Awareness

You maintained a constant awareness of the operational status of aircraft, maintenance progress, and potential issues impacting mission readiness. This required continuous monitoring of various data streams and proactive identification of emerging problems.

Your ability to synthesize information from multiple sources and maintain a comprehensive understanding of your environment is highly valuable in dynamic environments where quick decision-making is crucial.

After-Action Analysis

As a 151A, you likely participated in or led after-action reviews of maintenance operations, identifying areas for improvement and implementing corrective actions to enhance future performance. This involved analyzing data, gathering feedback, and developing actionable recommendations.

Your experience in evaluating past performance and identifying opportunities for improvement translates well into roles that require data analysis, process optimization, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Logistics Analyst

SOC 13-1081

You've been managing aircraft repair parts and supply procedures, directing the development of aircraft repair parts and spares stockage levels to ensure mission accomplishment. This experience directly translates into optimizing supply chains and logistics networks, analyzing data to improve efficiency, and reducing costs.

Compliance Officer

SOC 13-1041

You've been ensuring compliance with regulations governing forms, records, and reports pertaining to aircraft maintenance. This meticulous attention to detail and understanding of regulatory frameworks is directly applicable to ensuring adherence to industry-specific compliance standards and mitigating potential risks.

Process Improvement Specialist

SOC 13-1111

You've been managing aircraft maintenance based on a thorough knowledge of aircraft maintenance requirements. Your experience in directing the use of tools, measuring, and diagnostic equipment to isolate faults in aircraft systems and subsystems, and ensuring quality control procedures are observed during aviation maintenance translates directly into a civilian role of analyzing existing processes, identifying inefficiencies, and implementing improvements to enhance productivity and reduce waste.

Technical Trainer

SOC 25-9044

You've been providing guidance and technical input to subordinate aviation maintenance elements. This background makes you a natural fit for training others on complex technical processes. You can leverage your expertise to develop and deliver effective training programs, ensuring that personnel are proficient in their roles.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Aviation Maintenance Officer Basic Course, Fort Eustis

480 training hours12 weeksUp to 6 semester hours recommended in Aviation Maintenance Management

Topics Covered

  • Aviation Maintenance Management
  • Aircraft Systems Overview
  • Maintenance Forms and Records
  • Supply and Logistics Procedures
  • Technical Publications Management
  • Quality Control Procedures
  • Use of Diagnostic Equipment
  • Aviation Safety

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT)70% covered

FAA regulations, specific aircraft types outside of military experience, and potentially some advanced avionics systems.

Certified Maintenance Manager (CMM)60% covered

Broader business management principles, financial management, and potentially HR-related topics specific to civilian organizations.

Recommended Next Certifications

Project Management Professional (PMP)Lean Six Sigma Green BeltCertified Aviation Manager (CAM)

Technical Systems Translation

Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
UH-60 Black Hawk MaintenanceSikorsky S-70 Maintenance (Civilian Variant)
CH-47 Chinook MaintenanceBoeing CH-47 Chinook Maintenance (Civilian Variant)
AH-64 Apache MaintenanceBoeing AH-64 Apache Maintenance (Civilian Variant)
The Army Maintenance Management System - Aviation (TAMMS-A)Aviation Maintenance Software (e.g., Rusada ENVISION, Traxx)
Ground Support Equipment (GSE)Aircraft Ground Handling Equipment
Aviation Logistics Information Management System (ALIMS)Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) software for aviation (e.g., IBM Maximo, SAP Plant Maintenance)
Standard Army Maintenance System - Enhanced (SAMS-E)Maintenance Management Systems (MMS) (e.g., Fiix, UpKeep)

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