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7312 Career Guide

Navy

7312: Aircraft Handling Officer

Career transition guide for Navy Aircraft Handling Officer (7312)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 7312 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Airport Operations Manager

$95K
High matchGrowing demand

Aircraft Fueling Supervisor

$70K
High matchStable demand

Emergency Management Specialist

$80K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

HAZMAT CertificationFEMA Certifications

Logistics Manager

$90K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Supply Chain Management Certification

Firefighter/EMT

$65K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Firefighter CertificationEMT Certification

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 7312 training built — and where they transfer.

Rapid Prioritization

As an Aircraft Handling Officer, you constantly evaluate the urgency of aircraft movements, maintenance needs, and potential safety hazards, deciding what needs immediate attention on a dynamic flight deck.

This translates directly to your ability to quickly assess situations, allocate resources, and make critical decisions under pressure in time-sensitive environments.

System Modeling

You understand the complex interplay of aircraft, equipment, personnel, and procedures required for successful flight operations, allowing you to anticipate potential bottlenecks or points of failure.

This skill allows you to understand and manage complex systems, predict outcomes, and implement preventative measures to ensure smooth operations, whether it’s in manufacturing, logistics, or project management.

Team Synchronization

Coordinating the efforts of diverse teams – from pilots and mechanics to fuel handlers and firefighters – is crucial to maintain safety and efficiency on the flight deck. You ensure everyone is working together seamlessly.

Your expertise in aligning team efforts, communicating effectively, and resolving conflicts makes you an invaluable asset in any collaborative environment where success hinges on coordinated action.

Situational Awareness

Maintaining constant awareness of the position of aircraft, personnel, and equipment on the flight deck is critical for preventing accidents and ensuring smooth operations. You are always scanning the environment for potential hazards.

Your ability to quickly grasp complex environments, identify potential risks, and anticipate changing conditions makes you adept at managing dynamic situations and making informed decisions under pressure.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Hospital Administrator

SOC 11-9111.00

You've been managing high-pressure, time-sensitive operations with complex logistical requirements, making you a natural fit to oversee the intricate workflows and resource allocation within a hospital environment. Your background in safety and emergency response will be particularly valuable.

Logistics Manager

SOC 11-3071.00

You've been orchestrating the movement of aircraft, fuel, and personnel in a highly regulated and safety-conscious environment. This translates seamlessly to managing the flow of goods and resources in a complex supply chain, ensuring efficiency and minimizing disruptions.

Emergency Management Director

SOC 11-9161.00

You've been responsible for aircraft crash and salvage operations and firefighting capabilities, and you have experience handling emergencies and coordinating responses in high-stress situations. This makes you well-prepared to develop and implement disaster preparedness plans for communities or organizations.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handler) 'C' School, Naval Air Station Pensacola

240 training hours6 weeksUp to 3 semester hours in Aviation Management

Topics Covered

  • Aircraft Carrier Flight Deck Operations
  • Aircraft Handling Procedures
  • Aircraft Crash and Salvage
  • Firefighting Techniques
  • Aviation Fuel and Lubricant Management
  • Visual Landing Aids Maintenance
  • Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment Maintenance

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS)60% covered

Requires deeper knowledge of building codes, sprinkler systems, and fire protection engineering principles beyond aircraft-specific firefighting.

Certified Aviation Manager (CAM)40% covered

The CAM certification requires greater business management, finance, and HR knowledge specific to civilian aviation management.

OSHA 30-Hour General Industry70% covered

Needs supplemental training on general industry-specific OSHA regulations.

Recommended Next Certifications

Associate Safety Professional (ASP)Certified Safety Professional (CSP)Project Management Professional (PMP)Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment (ALRE)Industrial catapult systems, arresting gear
Naval Aviation Fuel Management System (NAFMS)SCADA systems for fuel distribution, inventory management software
Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG)Advanced braking systems, energy absorption technology
Mk-7 Mod 3 Arresting Gear EngineHydraulic power units, winch systems
AFFF (Aqueous Film Forming Foam) Firefighting SystemIndustrial foam fire suppression systems
Visual Landing Aids (e.g., Improved Fresnel Lens Optical Landing System - IFOLS)Airport runway lighting systems, precision approach path indicator (PAPI)
Crash and Salvage Equipment (e.g., P-25 Fire Trucks)ARFF (Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting) vehicles, heavy-duty recovery vehicles

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