New Cohort Starts:

Donate

7574 Career Guide

Marine Corps

7574: Aviation Operations Specialist

Career transition guide for Marine Corps Aviation Operations Specialist (7574)

Translate Your 7574 Experience Now

Get a personalized AI-powered translation of your military experience into civilian resume language.

Start Free Translation

Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 7574 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Avionics Technician

$75K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) license

Air Traffic Controller

$138K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

FAA Air Traffic Control Specialist certificationStrong understanding of air traffic regulations

Telecommunications Equipment Installer/Repairer

$65K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Vendor-specific certifications (e.g., Cisco, Juniper)Networking certifications (e.g., CompTIA Network+)

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Technician

$70K
Good matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot CertificateExperience with specific UAS platforms

Emergency Management Specialist

$80K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) credentialFEMA Incident Command System (ICS) certifications

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 7574 training built — and where they transfer.

Situational Awareness

As an Airborne Sensor Operator, you maintained constant vigilance over a complex and dynamic battlespace, processing multiple streams of information from radar, communications, and visual observation to anticipate threats and identify opportunities.

This translates directly to an ability to quickly assess complex environments, anticipate potential problems, and maintain focus amidst distractions – valuable in fast-paced, high-stakes civilian settings.

Rapid Prioritization

During missions, you were constantly forced to make split-second decisions about what information was most critical, what systems needed immediate attention, and how to allocate resources effectively under pressure.

This experience honed your ability to quickly assess competing priorities, make tough decisions under pressure, and maintain a clear focus on the most important tasks – essential for leadership and management roles.

Team Synchronization

Your role required seamless coordination with pilots, other crew members, and ground personnel to achieve mission objectives. You were a critical link in a complex team, ensuring everyone was on the same page and working together effectively.

This experience has equipped you with exceptional teamwork and communication skills, enabling you to collaborate effectively with diverse groups, build consensus, and achieve shared goals in any civilian organization.

Degraded-Mode Operations

You were trained to maintain mission effectiveness even when systems malfunctioned or were compromised. You developed the ability to troubleshoot problems quickly, adapt to changing circumstances, and find creative solutions under pressure.

This resilience and problem-solving ability are highly valued in the civilian world. You can quickly adapt to unexpected challenges, find creative solutions to complex problems, and maintain productivity even when things don't go as planned.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Emergency Management Specialist

SOC 11-9161.00

You've been trained to maintain situational awareness under pressure, quickly prioritize tasks during emergencies, and coordinate effectively with diverse teams, which are all crucial skills for emergency response and disaster relief.

Air Traffic Controller

SOC 53-2021.00

You've been responsible for tracking aircraft, managing communications, and making critical decisions in real-time. Your ability to maintain focus, prioritize tasks, and coordinate with other professionals in a high-pressure environment makes you a strong candidate.

Intelligence Analyst

SOC 15-2051.00

You've been trained to gather and interpret data, identify patterns, and assess threats, which are directly transferable to analyzing market trends, identifying potential risks, and providing strategic insights to businesses.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Naval Aircrew Candidate School (NACCS), NAS Pensacola; Aviation Operations Specialist School, MCAS New River

640 training hours16 weeksUp to 9 semester hours in aviation operations and communications

Topics Covered

  • Aviation Physiology
  • Survival Training (SERE)
  • Aircraft Communications Systems
  • Radar Operation and Interpretation
  • Electronic Warfare and Countermeasures
  • Airborne Weapons Systems Operation
  • Cargo and Personnel Drop Procedures
  • In-Flight Emergency Procedures

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA)60% covered

Study specific WLAN technologies, 802.11 standards, RF principles, and network security protocols relevant to civilian wireless networks.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Mechanic40% covered

Complete the FAA A&P certification process, focusing on civilian aircraft maintenance procedures, regulations, and practical exams.

Commercial Driver's License (CDL)30% covered

Study and pass the required CDL exams and driving tests, focusing on regulations for civilian cargo transport.

Recommended Next Certifications

Project Management Professional (PMP)Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)Certified Aviation Manager (CAM)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
AN/ARC-210 RadioHarris, L3Harris, Collins Aerospace multi-band aviation radios
AN/APX-114/119 Identification Friend or Foe (IFF)Civilian Mode S transponders, TCAS (Traffic Collision Avoidance System)
AN/ALQ-167 Communication JammerSignal jammers, RF interference devices
AN/AAR-47 Missile Warning SystemLaser warning systems, infrared detectors
Aircraft integrated Defensive Electronic Warfare Suite (IDEWS)Commercial aircraft countermeasure systems, radar warning receivers
Joint Precision Airdrop System (JPADS)Automated cargo delivery systems, GPS-guided parachutes
Marine Air Traffic Control Radar System (MATCARS)Commercial air traffic control radar, airport surveillance radar

Ready to Translate Your Experience?

Our AI-powered translator converts your 7574 experience into ATS-optimized civilian resume language.

Translate My Resume — Free