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15F Career Guide

Army

15F: Aircraft Electrician

Career transition guide for Army Aircraft Electrician (15F)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 15F veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Avionics Technician

$75K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

FAA A&P License

Electrical Engineer

$95K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Bachelor's Degree in Electrical EngineeringProfessional Engineer (PE) License

Wind Turbine Technician

$60K
Good matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Renewable energy safety certificationsClimbing and rescue training

Maintenance Supervisor

$78K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Project Management Professional (PMP) certificationOSHA Safety Certifications

Robotics Technician

$70K
Moderate matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Robotics certificationPLC programmingKnowledge of specific robotic systems

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 15F training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

You develop a deep understanding of how aircraft electrical systems function as a whole, predicting how changes in one component will affect others and the overall system performance.

This translates into the ability to understand and manage complex systems in any industry, predicting outcomes and optimizing performance.

Procedural Compliance

You are meticulous in following technical manuals, directives, and safety procedures when repairing and maintaining aircraft electrical systems. This ensures safety and the integrity of the aircraft.

This demonstrates a commitment to precision, safety, and quality, all highly valued in regulated industries and technical fields.

Resource Optimization

You determine the necessary man-hours, personnel, parts, and facilities required to repair unmanned aircraft systems, ensuring efficient use of resources while maintaining mission readiness.

This experience translates to efficient resource allocation, cost management, and project management skills that are transferable to various civilian sectors.

Team Synchronization

You lead and supervise teams of technicians, ensuring everyone is working together effectively to complete maintenance tasks. You are responsible for training and guidance, fostering a cohesive and high-performing team.

Your ability to coordinate, train, and lead a team translates directly into management and supervisory roles in civilian organizations.

After-Action Analysis

You evaluate maintenance operations and facilities, performing maintenance trend analysis to identify areas for improvement and ensure compliance with standards. You use this analysis to optimize maintenance processes and enhance overall efficiency.

Your ability to analyze data, identify trends, and implement improvements can be applied to quality assurance, process improvement, and operational efficiency roles in any industry.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Wind Turbine Technician

SOC 49-9099.01

You've been maintaining complex electrical systems on aircraft, so troubleshooting and repairing wind turbines will come naturally. Your experience with safety procedures and technical manuals is a perfect match for this growing field. Plus, you're already comfortable working at heights!

Industrial Machinery Mechanic

SOC 49-9041.00

You've got the hands-on experience with electrical systems and maintenance that's essential for keeping industrial machinery running smoothly. Your troubleshooting skills, gained from diagnosing aircraft malfunctions, will be invaluable in this role.

Robotics Technician

SOC 49-9062.00

You've worked with complex electrical and electronic components in aircraft, and that's exactly what's needed to maintain and repair robots in manufacturing and other industries. Your attention to detail and procedural compliance will ensure that these advanced systems operate safely and efficiently.

Training & Education Equivalencies

AIT, Fort Eustis

480 training hours12 weeksUp to 9 semester hours recommended in Avionics or Electrical Engineering Technology

Topics Covered

  • Basic Electricity and Electronics
  • Aircraft Electrical Systems Troubleshooting
  • Wiring Harness Repair and Fabrication
  • Avionics Systems Maintenance
  • Use of Multimeters and Oscilloscopes
  • Technical Manual Interpretation
  • Aircraft Power Generation and Distribution

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Mechanic60% covered

Study specific FAA regulations, powerplant systems, and hands-on practical skills not covered in the military training.

Certified Electronics Technician (CET)40% covered

Focus on consumer electronics, advanced troubleshooting techniques, and specific civilian electronic standards.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Maintenance Manager (CMM)Project Management Professional (PMP)Lean Six Sigma Green BeltCertified Professional Maintenance Manager (CPMM)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
AN/USM-704 Aviation Radio Test SetAvionics test equipment, communication analyzer
Common Aviation Command and Control System (CAC2S)Air traffic control systems, integrated command and control platforms
Proprietary Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) diagnostic and maintenance software (e.g., for RQ-7 Shadow, RQ-11 Raven)Drone maintenance and diagnostic software (e.g., DroneDeploy, Pix4D)
Aviation Ground Power Unit (GPU)Aircraft ground power units
Automated Test Equipment (ATE) for aircraft componentsAutomated testing systems for electronic components, such as those from Keysight or National Instruments
Army Aviation Maintenance Management System (AAMMS)Maintenance management software (e.g., SAP Plant Maintenance, IBM Maximo)
Technical Manuals and Interactive Electronic Technical Manuals (IETMs)Online technical documentation and interactive repair guides

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