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6500 Career Guide

Marine Corps

6500: Aviation Ordnance Marine

Career transition guide for Marine Corps Aviation Ordnance Marine (6500)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 6500 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Explosives Technician

$65K
High matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Commercial explosives handling certificationKnowledge of relevant regulations (e.g., ATF)

Aerospace Technician

$72K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) licenseSpecific aircraft maintenance training (e.g., Boeing, Airbus)

Quality Control Inspector

$55K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

ISO 9001 certificationSix Sigma training

Logistics Specialist

$60K
Moderate matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Supply chain management certification (e.g., CSCP)Experience with specific logistics software (e.g., SAP)

Weapons Systems Support

$70K
High matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

OEM training on specific weapons platformsSecurity clearance maintenance

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 6500 training built — and where they transfer.

Procedural Compliance

Aviation Ordnance Marines adhere strictly to complex safety regulations and procedures when handling and managing ammunition, ensuring the safety of personnel and equipment during every step from storage to aircraft loading.

This skill translates to a meticulous approach to following protocols and regulations in any industry, ensuring safety, quality, and compliance with standards.

Rapid Prioritization

Aviation Ordnance Marines must quickly assess and prioritize tasks during aircraft loading and unloading, especially when dealing with time-sensitive missions or potential hazards, ensuring the right ordnance is available at the right time.

This is the ability to quickly evaluate situations, identify the most critical tasks, and allocate resources effectively under pressure, crucial for efficient operations and decision-making.

Situational Awareness

Aviation Ordnance Marines maintain a high level of situational awareness to identify potential risks and hazards during ordnance handling and storage, ensuring they're constantly aware of their surroundings and any potential threats.

This translates to a heightened awareness of the environment and potential risks, enabling proactive decision-making and the ability to anticipate and avoid problems before they arise.

Resource Optimization

Aviation Ordnance Marines must optimize the use of available resources, including ammunition, equipment, and personnel, to support aviation operations efficiently and effectively.

This skill involves strategically allocating and managing resources to maximize efficiency, minimize waste, and achieve optimal outcomes, essential for successful project management and operational efficiency.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Quality Assurance Specialist

SOC 19-4041.00

You've been trained to meticulously follow procedures and regulations when handling sensitive materials. This makes you an ideal candidate to ensure quality control processes are followed to the letter, maintaining product integrity and safety standards.

Logistics Coordinator

SOC 43-3071.00

Your experience in managing ammunition logistics, from procurement to delivery, is directly applicable to coordinating the flow of goods and materials in a supply chain. You're adept at optimizing resources and ensuring timely delivery, making you a valuable asset in logistics management.

Environmental Health and Safety Specialist

SOC 19-5011.00

You've been immersed in safety protocols when handling hazardous materials. This background equips you to identify and mitigate workplace hazards, ensuring a safe and compliant environment for employees.

Compliance Officer

SOC 13-1041.00

You're accustomed to adhering to complex regulations and procedures. This experience makes you well-suited to ensure that organizations comply with legal and ethical standards, mitigating risk and maintaining integrity.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Aviation Ordnanceman (AO) School, Naval Air Station Pensacola, FL

480 training hours12 weeksUp to 6 semester hours recommended for basic electricity and aviation maintenance

Topics Covered

  • Aviation ammunition handling and safety procedures
  • Aviation Class V (A) ammunition management
  • Aircraft loading and downloading procedures
  • Organizational and intermediate maintenance of aircraft weapons systems
  • Guns, gun pods, bomb racks, and missile launchers maintenance
  • Aviation ordnance support equipment maintenance
  • Aviation ordnance procurement and storage

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM)60% covered

Focus on environmental regulations, waste management, and emergency response planning beyond military-specific ammunition handling.

OSHA 30-Hour General Industry70% covered

Study general industry safety standards, hazard communication, and control procedures outside of aviation ordnance. Review electrical safety, machine guarding, and confined space entry.

Recommended Next Certifications

Explosives Safety Certification (various providers): Enhance expertise in explosives safety, storage, and transportation.Project Management Professional (PMP): Develop project management skills applicable to ordnance projects and logistics.Certified Six Sigma Green Belt (CSSGB): Learn process improvement methodologies for optimizing ordnance handling and maintenance procedures.Certified Professional Logistician (CPL): Expand knowledge of logistics and supply chain management for ordnance operations.

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Joint Ammunition Management System (JAMS)Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems for ammunition tracking and inventory management
Aviation Consolidated Allowance List (AVCAL)Parts catalog and inventory management software
Navy Enterprise Resource Planning (N-ERP)SAP or Oracle ERP systems for logistics and supply chain management
Explosives Safety Management System (ESMS)HAZMAT tracking and compliance software
Common Munitions Bit/Reprogramming Equipment (CMBRE)Automated Test Equipment (ATE) for avionics and weapons systems
Portable Computer System (PCS)Ruggedized laptop/tablet for field operations and diagnostics

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