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7000 Career Guide

Marine Corps

7000: Aviation Operations Specialist

Career transition guide for Marine Corps Aviation Operations Specialist (7000)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 7000 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Air Traffic Controller

$138K
High matchStable demand

Airport Operations Specialist

$75K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Airport Certified Employee (ACE) certificationKnowledge of FAA regulations

Flight Dispatcher

$72K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

FAA Aircraft Dispatcher CertificateKnowledge of meteorology

Logistics Coordinator

$55K
Moderate matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

APICS certificationProficiency in logistics software

Emergency Management Specialist

$78K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) certificationKnowledge of disaster response protocols

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 7000 training built — and where they transfer.

Rapid Prioritization

Quickly assessing and prioritizing flight schedules and changes based on urgency, safety, and operational needs, especially when coordinating with ATC agencies.

Swiftly triaging tasks and making decisions under pressure, ensuring the most critical issues are addressed first and resources are allocated effectively.

Team Synchronization

Collaborating with aircrews, ATC personnel, and other stakeholders to ensure seamless flight operations, which requires clear communication and coordinated efforts.

Coordinating and aligning various teams or departments to achieve common goals, ensuring everyone is on the same page and working towards a unified objective.

Situational Awareness

Maintaining a comprehensive understanding of ongoing flight operations, weather conditions, and potential risks to ensure the safety and efficiency of air travel.

Monitoring the environment and anticipating potential issues or opportunities, allowing for proactive decision-making and risk mitigation.

Procedural Compliance

Adhering to strict regulations and protocols for flight planning, coordination, and communication to ensure safety and regulatory compliance.

Following established guidelines and procedures to ensure accuracy, consistency, and adherence to legal or industry standards.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Logistics Coordinator

SOC 43-3071.00

You've been managing complex schedules, coordinating with multiple stakeholders, and ensuring the safe and efficient movement of aircraft. As a Logistics Coordinator, you'll use these skills to manage the flow of goods, coordinate shipments, and ensure timely delivery.

Emergency Management Specialist

SOC 11-9161.00

You're skilled at maintaining situational awareness, prioritizing actions under pressure, and coordinating responses. As an Emergency Management Specialist, you’ll leverage these abilities to plan and coordinate responses to natural disasters or other emergencies, ensuring the safety and well-being of the community.

Project Manager

SOC 11-9021.00

You've been orchestrating complex operations, coordinating with diverse teams, and ensuring compliance with strict regulations. In Project Management, you'll apply these skills to plan, execute, and finalize projects according to defined timelines and budgets.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Aviation Operations Specialist Course, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, NC

480 training hours12 weeksUp to 6 semester hours recommended in Aviation Management or Air Transportation

Topics Covered

  • Airfield Operations
  • Flight Planning Procedures
  • Air Traffic Control Liaison
  • Weather Observation and Reporting
  • Aircraft Recognition
  • Emergency Response Procedures (Airfield)
  • Aviation Communication Systems
  • Cargo and Passenger Handling

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

FAA Air Traffic Controller (Tower)70% covered

Differences in FAA regulations and procedures, specific ATC systems used in civilian towers, and local airspace knowledge.

Certified Aviation Manager (CAM)40% covered

Business management principles, financial management, marketing, and human resources as applied to aviation management in the civilian sector.

Recommended Next Certifications

Airport Operations Professional (A.O.P.)Certified Member (CM) of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE)Project Management Professional (PMP)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Marine Air Traffic Control Mobile Team (MMT)Mobile Air Traffic Control Tower
AN/TPN-31 Air Traffic Navigation, Integration, and Coordination System (ATNAVICS)FAA NextGen Technologies
Digital Airport Surveillance Radar (DASR)Airport Surveillance Radar (ASR)
Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS)Air Traffic Control Automation System (ATC Automation System)
AN/TRN-44 Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) SystemVOR/DME (VHF Omnidirectional Range/Distance Measuring Equipment)
Joint Airspace Management System (JAMS)Airspace Management System

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