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6317 Career Guide

Navy

6317: Air Operations Officer

Career transition guide for Navy Air Operations Officer (6317)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 6317 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Aircraft Mechanic/Avionics Technician

$75K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) license (if not already obtained)Specific experience on civilian aircraft models

Aerospace Engineer

$120K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Bachelor's Degree in Aerospace EngineeringCAD software proficiency (e.g., CATIA, SolidWorks)Understanding of FAA regulations

Avionics System Integration Specialist

$95K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Stronger background in systems engineering principlesExperience with DO-178 or similar safety-critical standardsProficiency in software and hardware integration techniques

Airfield Operations Manager

$85K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Knowledge of FAA regulations Part 139Airport safety and security protocolsCivilian incident management procedures

First-Line Supervisor of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers

$70K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Formal training in team managementExperience with performance reviews and employee developmentKnowledge of relevant labor laws and regulations

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 6317 training built — and where they transfer.

Rapid Prioritization

As an Aircraft Handling Officer, you constantly juggle multiple aircraft movements, fuel management, equipment maintenance, and emergency responses simultaneously. You're trained to rapidly assess situations, identify critical needs, and allocate resources accordingly to maintain flight operations.

This ability to quickly triage and respond to urgent matters translates directly to managing complex projects, coordinating time-sensitive tasks, and ensuring operational efficiency in fast-paced environments.

System Modeling

You understand the intricate relationships between aircraft, equipment, personnel, and procedures on a flight deck. You use this knowledge to anticipate potential problems, optimize workflows, and ensure seamless coordination during launch and recovery operations.

This knack for understanding how complex systems operate, troubleshooting bottlenecks, and improving performance can be applied to fields like logistics, supply chain management, and process engineering where optimizing system efficiency is paramount.

Resource Optimization

Your role demands efficient allocation of aviation fuel, manpower, and equipment to meet operational demands while minimizing waste and maximizing safety. You're adept at making data-driven decisions to optimize resource utilization under pressure.

This skill in resource management is highly valuable in any business environment. You could apply your experience to roles focused on budgeting, inventory control, and operations management, where optimizing the use of available resources is crucial for success.

Situational Awareness

Maintaining constant awareness of the flight deck environment, aircraft status, weather conditions, and potential hazards is critical. You're trained to anticipate changes, identify risks, and make informed decisions to ensure the safety of personnel and equipment.

This heightened awareness and risk mitigation expertise is directly transferable to roles like safety management, risk analysis, and emergency response coordination, where maintaining a safe and secure environment is paramount.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Logistics Manager

SOC 11-3071.00

You've been orchestrating the complex movement of aircraft, fuel, and equipment on a flight deck. This experience directly translates to managing the flow of goods, resources, and personnel in a logistical setting. Your expertise in resource optimization and system modeling would be highly valuable in streamlining supply chains and improving efficiency.

Emergency Management Specialist

SOC 11-9161.00

You've been responsible for aircraft crash and salvage operations, firefighting, and other emergency responses. You're trained to assess critical situations, prioritize resources, and coordinate effective responses under pressure. This makes you exceptionally qualified to develop and implement emergency preparedness plans, coordinate disaster relief efforts, and ensure public safety.

Operations Research Analyst

SOC 15-2031.00

You've been using data and analysis to optimize flight operations, allocate resources, and improve performance on the flight deck. You can leverage these skills to analyze complex business problems, develop mathematical models, and provide data-driven insights to improve decision-making and optimize operational efficiency.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Naval Aviation Schools Command, Pensacola, FL

240 training hours6 weeks2 semester hours in Aviation Management

Topics Covered

  • Air Traffic Control Procedures
  • Aircraft Carrier Operations
  • Helicopter Operations
  • Aviation Fuel Handling
  • Crash and Salvage Procedures
  • Firefighting Techniques
  • Visual Landing Aids Maintenance
  • Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Aviation Manager (CAM)60% covered

Study business management, aviation regulations, and airport operations.

Project Management Professional (PMP)40% covered

Study project management methodologies, tools, and techniques as defined by the PMI.

Certified Professional Logistician (CPL)50% covered

Focus study on supply chain management principles and logistics best practices.

Recommended Next Certifications

Airport Operations Safety Specialist (AOSS)Certified Safety Professional (CSP)Commercial Pilot License (CPL) - if flight hours requirements are met

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
AN/SPN-41 Instrument Carrier Landing System (ICLS)Commercial Aircraft Instrument Landing Systems (ILS)
AN/USN-3 Precision Approach Radar (PAR)Airport Surveillance Radar (ASR)
Naval Aviation Fuel Management System (NAFMS)Commercial Fuel Inventory Management Software
Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment (ALRE)Industrial catapult systems/heavy machinery
Deceptive Electronic Countermeasures (DECM) Systems (e.g., AN/ALQ-165)Cybersecurity Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS)
F/A-18 Communication Systems (e.g., ARC-210)Commercial Aviation VHF/UHF Communication Radios
F/A-18 Radar Systems (e.g., AN/APG-73)Advanced Weather Radar Systems/Air Traffic Control Radar

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