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153E Career Guide

Army

153E: MH-60 Pilot

Career transition guide for Army MH-60 Pilot (153E)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 153E veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Airline Pilot

$150K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificateSpecific aircraft type rating (e.g., Boeing 737, Airbus A320)Commercial aviation experience (1500 flight hours)

Helicopter Pilot (Various Sectors)

$95K
High matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

FAA Commercial Helicopter Pilot certificateInstrument Rating (Helicopter)Experience in desired sector (e.g., EMS, tourism, offshore)

Air Ambulance Pilot

$90K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

FAA Commercial Pilot CertificateInstrument Rating2,000 hours total flight time; 1,000 hours PIC in helicopters; 100 hours night flight time; 75 hours instrument time

Flight Instructor

$75K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

FAA Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) ratingFAA Medical CertificateStrong communication and teaching skills

Aviation Safety Officer

$90K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Certified Safety Professional (CSP) or similar certificationIn-depth knowledge of FAA regulationsStrong analytical and risk management skills

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 153E training built — and where they transfer.

Situational Awareness

MH-60 pilots constantly monitor their environment, including aircraft systems, weather, terrain, and potential threats, to maintain control and safety during flight operations.

The ability to quickly assess and understand dynamic environments translates to analyzing complex situations in fast-paced civilian settings, anticipating potential problems, and making informed decisions under pressure.

Rapid Prioritization

Pilots must quickly assess and prioritize multiple critical factors, such as equipment malfunctions, changing weather conditions, and tactical objectives, to make timely decisions that ensure mission success and safety.

This skill in rapidly triaging competing demands and focusing on the most critical tasks is highly valuable in civilian roles requiring quick decision-making in high-pressure situations.

Degraded-Mode Operations

Pilots are trained to handle equipment malfunctions and adverse conditions, adapting procedures and maintaining control of the aircraft even when systems are compromised.

Experience in maintaining composure and effectiveness under duress translates directly to the ability to troubleshoot problems and maintain productivity during crises in civilian workplaces.

Team Synchronization

MH-60 pilots work closely with crew members, ground personnel, and other aircraft to coordinate movements, share information, and execute complex maneuvers, requiring clear communication and mutual trust.

Expertise in coordinating with diverse teams to achieve shared objectives transfers to civilian environments where collaboration, communication, and interpersonal skills are essential.

After-Action Analysis

Following missions, pilots participate in debriefings to review performance, identify areas for improvement, and share lessons learned, contributing to continuous enhancement of operational effectiveness.

This commitment to continuous improvement and learning from experience is valuable in civilian roles that require critical thinking, problem-solving, and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Emergency Management Specialist

SOC 11-9161.00

You've been rigorously trained to stay calm under pressure, assess threats, and coordinate complex responses in dynamic environments. Your experience in aviation safety and risk management will be invaluable in preparing for and responding to emergencies.

Logistics Manager

SOC 11-3071.00

You're skilled at planning, coordinating, and executing complex operations involving multiple resources and personnel. Your expertise in aviation logistics and resource optimization will translate well to managing supply chains and optimizing logistical processes in various industries.

Project Manager

SOC 11-9021.00

You're adept at planning, coordinating, and executing complex projects under tight deadlines. Your experience in aviation operations and leadership will enable you to effectively manage teams, resources, and timelines to achieve project goals.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Initial Entry Rotary Wing Training (IERW), Fort Novosel

260 training hours6 weeksUp to 15 semester hours recommended

Topics Covered

  • Aircraft Systems and Operations
  • Aerodynamics and Flight Controls
  • Navigation and Flight Planning
  • Emergency Procedures
  • Tactical Flight Operations
  • Night Vision Goggle (NVG) Operations
  • Crew Resource Management (CRM)

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Commercial Pilot License (Helicopter)70% covered

FAA written exam, flight hours requirements (may need additional flight hours to meet minimums depending on prior flight time documentation), and practical flight exam.

Certified Aviation Manager (CAM)60% covered

Need to demonstrate specific aviation management experience and pass the CAM exam covering business aviation operations.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)Airline Transport Pilot (ATP)Aviation Safety Officer (ASO) CertificationProject Management Professional (PMP)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
MH-60 Black Hawk HelicopterSikorsky S-70 Civilian Helicopter Series
AN/APR-39 Radar Signal Detecting SetRadar warning receiver
AN/ALQ-144 Infrared Countermeasure (IRCM) SystemInfrared jammer systems for aircraft
Blue Force Tracker (BFT)Real-time GPS fleet management systems
Advanced Flight Management System (AFMS)Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Approved Flight Management Systems
Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM)Air-to-surface missile systems

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