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15V Career Guide

Army

15V: Observation/Scout Helicopter Repairer

Career transition guide for Army Observation/Scout Helicopter Repairer (15V)

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Civilian Career Pathways

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

Aircraft Mechanic/Technician

$73K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) license

Aviation Maintenance Manager

$110K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Project Management Professional (PMP) certificationBachelor's degree in Aviation Management or related field

Quality Control Inspector

$65K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Certified Quality Inspector (CQI) certificationKnowledge of FAA regulations

Maintenance Planner/Scheduler

$78K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Experience with maintenance planning softwareAPICS Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM)

Wind Turbine Technician

$58K
Moderate matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Wind turbine specific safety trainingClimbing and rescue certificationElectrical troubleshooting skills

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

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

System Modeling

As a 15V, you constantly visualize and understand the complex relationships between aircraft components and systems to diagnose issues and ensure proper function after maintenance.

This ability to understand complex systems translates into your capacity to analyze and optimize workflows, identify bottlenecks, and improve efficiency in any operation.

Resource Optimization

You managed personnel, parts, and facilities to maximize aircraft maintenance efficiency, making critical decisions about resource allocation under pressure.

Your experience in optimizing resources means you can effectively manage budgets, allocate personnel, and streamline processes to achieve organizational goals while minimizing waste.

Procedural Compliance

Adhering to strict maintenance procedures, technical manuals, and operational policies was paramount to ensuring safety and operational readiness. You were meticulous in following established protocols.

Your commitment to procedural compliance translates to a strong ability to adhere to regulations, maintain quality control standards, and ensure consistent performance in highly regulated industries.

Team Synchronization

You coordinated teams of technicians, maintained clear communication, and ensured everyone worked together seamlessly to complete complex maintenance tasks on schedule.

Your talent for team synchronization makes you an excellent project manager or team leader, capable of fostering collaboration, resolving conflicts, and driving teams toward common goals.

After-Action Analysis

You prepared evaluations and reports on maintenance activities, identifying areas for improvement and implementing corrective actions to enhance future performance.

Your analytical skills and attention to detail allow you to assess project outcomes, identify lessons learned, and implement changes to improve future project success and overall organizational performance.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Logistics Manager

SOC 11-3071.00

You've been responsible for maintaining supply economy and discipline in aircraft maintenance. This translates directly to managing the flow of goods, information, and resources in a supply chain. You already know how to optimize processes and ensure timely delivery, which are crucial in logistics.

Compliance Officer

SOC 13-1041.00

You've been immersed in procedural compliance and maintaining strict adherence to regulations in aviation maintenance. This experience makes you an ideal candidate to ensure that companies adhere to legal standards and internal policies. Your attention to detail and commitment to following established protocols are invaluable.

Facilities Manager

SOC 11-3013.00

You've planned aircraft maintenance areas, component repair shops, and facilities. This skillset is very similar to the work done by facilities managers who are responsible for ensuring that buildings and their services meet the needs of the people that work in them. You have relevant experience in planning, organizing, and overseeing facility operations.

Quality Control Manager

SOC 11-3051.00

You've supervised the verification and validation of technical manuals and training material. This overlaps substantially with the duties of a quality control manager who is responsible for directing the policies, objectives, and initiatives of quality control. Your experience with process management and ensuring standards are being met is extremely relevant.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Aviation Maintenance Technician Course, Fort Eustis

840 training hours21 weeksUp to 20 semester hours recommended

Topics Covered

  • Helicopter Airframe Repair
  • Engine and Power Train Maintenance
  • Avionics Troubleshooting and Repair
  • Hydraulic and Pneumatic Systems
  • Flight Control Systems
  • Aircraft Weight and Balance
  • NDI (Non-Destructive Inspection) Techniques
  • Army Aviation Maintenance Management

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) General, Airframe, and Powerplant70% covered

FAA-specific regulations, aircraft systems outside of military scout/observation helicopters, and hands-on experience with civilian aircraft models. Requires passing FAA exams.

Certified Quality Technician (CQT)40% covered

Requires knowledge of quality control tools, metrology, and audit principles as applied in civilian manufacturing and service industries. Focus on ASQ standards and practices.

Recommended Next Certifications

Project Management Professional (PMP)Certified Aviation Manager (CAM)Lean Six Sigma Black BeltCommercial Pilot License (Helicopter)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
UH-60 Black Hawk HelicopterSikorsky S-70 series helicopters maintenance
CH-47 Chinook HelicopterBoeing CH-47 Chinook maintenance
AH-64 Apache HelicopterBoeing AH-64 Apache maintenance
The Army Maintenance Management System - Aviation (TAMMS-A)Aviation maintenance tracking software (e.g., Corridor Aviation Software, RAAS)
Aviation Ground Power Unit (AGPU)Commercial aircraft ground power units (GPUs)
Forward Area Refueling Point (FARP)Mobile Fuel Tanker and Pumping Systems
Improved Data Modem (IDM)Avionics data bus systems (e.g., ARINC 429)

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