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15G Career Guide

Army

15G: Aircraft Structural Repairer

Career transition guide for Army Aircraft Structural Repairer (15G)

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Civilian Career Pathways

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

Aircraft Mechanic/Technician

$73K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) license

Aerospace Engineer

$125K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Bachelor's Degree in Aerospace EngineeringCAD/CAM software proficiencyFEA (Finite Element Analysis)

Maintenance Manager

$95K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Project Management Professional (PMP) certificationLean Six Sigma certificationInventory management systems knowledge

Quality Control Inspector

$65K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

ASQ Certified Quality Inspector (CQI) certificationKnowledge of ISO 9001 standards

Wind Turbine Technician

$60K
Moderate matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Wind turbine maintenance certificationClimbing and rescue trainingElectrical troubleshooting

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

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

System Modeling

You're constantly diagnosing complex aircraft structural systems, predicting how different components interact and anticipating potential failures based on various factors like flight hours, environmental conditions, and stress loads.

This ability to understand and predict the behavior of complex systems translates directly into fields where modeling and simulation are critical for design, optimization, and risk management.

Procedural Compliance

Aircraft maintenance is governed by strict regulations and technical manuals. You ensure every repair and inspection adheres to these standards, minimizing errors and ensuring safety.

Your meticulous adherence to procedures makes you valuable in regulated industries where compliance is paramount, such as healthcare, finance, or quality assurance.

Resource Optimization

You are responsible for managing parts, tools, and personnel to efficiently complete maintenance tasks. You must prioritize repairs, allocate resources effectively, and minimize downtime to keep aircraft operational.

Your expertise in resource management is highly transferable to roles where efficiency and cost-effectiveness are crucial, such as supply chain management, logistics, or project management.

Team Synchronization

Leading maintenance teams requires coordinating the efforts of multiple specialists to complete complex tasks. You ensure everyone is on the same page, understands their roles, and works together seamlessly to achieve common goals.

Your ability to lead and synchronize teams makes you an ideal candidate for roles that require collaboration and coordination, such as project management, team leadership, or operations management.

Situational Awareness

You constantly monitor the status of aircraft, maintenance operations, and personnel to identify potential problems and prevent accidents. You must be aware of your surroundings and react quickly to changing circumstances.

Your keen situational awareness makes you well-suited for roles that require vigilance and responsiveness, such as security management, risk assessment, or emergency response.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Wind Turbine Technician

SOC 49-9086

You've been repairing and maintaining complex machinery in demanding environments. As a wind turbine technician (49-9086), you'll use those skills to troubleshoot, repair, and maintain wind turbines, ensuring they operate efficiently and safely. The knowledge of hydraulics, electrical systems, and structural components you have will be a great help.

Quality Control Specialist

SOC 19-4041

You've been meticulously inspecting aircraft structures and ensuring compliance with strict technical standards. As a Quality Control Specialist (19-4041), you'll use your keen eye for detail and procedural compliance to ensure products meet quality standards and regulations.

Insurance Inspector

SOC 13-1031

You have years of experience evaluating structural integrity and potential risks with aircraft. As an Insurance Inspector (13-1031), you'll transfer those skills to assessing damage, identifying hazards, and estimating repair costs for various types of property, providing valuable insights for insurance companies.

Building Inspector

SOC 47-4011

You're adept at identifying structural issues and ensuring safety compliance. As a Building Inspector (47-4011), you'll leverage that expertise to inspect buildings and structures for code violations, ensuring they meet safety standards and regulations.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Aviation Structural Repairer Course, Fort Eustis, VA

380 training hours10 weeksUp to 9 semester hours recommended in aviation maintenance technology

Topics Covered

  • Aircraft metal properties and identification
  • Sheet metal repair techniques (patching, riveting)
  • Composite material repair
  • Welding (TIG/GTAW)
  • Structural alignment and inspection
  • Corrosion control and prevention
  • Blueprint reading and technical documentation
  • Aircraft painting and finishing

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Mechanic70% covered

FAA regulatory knowledge, specific engine and powerplant systems outside of structural maintenance, and practical skills demonstration under FAA supervision.

AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI)40% covered

Requires in-depth knowledge of welding metallurgy, destructive and non-destructive testing methods, and AWS codes and standards, plus formal application and examination process.

Certified Composites Technician (CCT)60% covered

Requires formal composites training and demonstrated proficiency in advanced composite repair techniques and materials.

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
Aviation Unit Maintenance (AVUM)MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) software solutions for aviation
Intermediate (AVIM) MaintenanceSpecialized aircraft component repair services
Depot MaintenanceHeavy maintenance and overhaul facilities for aircraft
Technical Manuals (TMs)Aircraft maintenance manuals and documentation from manufacturers (Boeing, Airbus, etc.)
Ground Support Equipment (GSE)Airport ground support equipment for aircraft maintenance
Composite Repair KitsAdvanced composite repair systems
Non-Destructive Inspection (NDI) equipmentIndustrial radiography, ultrasonic testing, and dye penetrant inspection services
Army Maintenance Management System - Aviation (TAMMS-A)Aviation maintenance tracking software

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