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AWV Career Guide

Navy

AWV: Naval Aircrewman (Avionics)

Career transition guide for Navy Naval Aircrewman (Avionics) (AWV)

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Civilian Career Pathways

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

Avionics Technician

$75K
High matchHigh demand

Electronics Technician

$68K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Specific certifications related to industry (e.g., CompTIA)

Aerospace Engineering Technician

$72K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

CAD software proficiencyKnowledge of aerospace regulations

Air Traffic Controller

$135K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

FAA certificationStrong communication skills

Technical Trainer (Avionics/Electronics)

$70K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Instructional design principlesCurriculum development

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

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

Situational Awareness

Naval Aircrewmen (Avionics) maintain constant awareness of the aircraft's environment, including weather, other aircraft, and potential threats, to ensure mission success and safety.

The ability to perceive and understand the surrounding environment, anticipate potential issues, and make informed decisions based on the available information translates to anticipating market trends, managing project risks, and ensuring workplace safety.

System Modeling

AWVs develop a deep understanding of complex aircraft avionics systems, allowing them to predict system behavior, troubleshoot malfunctions, and optimize performance during flight operations.

Understanding how different components interact within a larger system allows for effective problem-solving, process optimization, and strategic planning in civilian settings. This skill is invaluable in roles that require a holistic view of complex operations.

Degraded-Mode Operations

Aircrewmen are trained to maintain operational effectiveness even when aircraft systems are damaged or malfunctioning, using backup procedures and creative problem-solving to complete the mission.

The ability to maintain composure and find alternative solutions under pressure translates directly to managing crises, adapting to unexpected challenges, and ensuring business continuity in demanding civilian roles.

Rapid Prioritization

In the dynamic environment of aerial operations, AWVs must quickly assess and prioritize tasks, ensuring the most critical issues are addressed first to maintain safety and mission effectiveness.

This skill enables effective multitasking, efficient resource allocation, and decisive decision-making in fast-paced civilian environments, such as project management, emergency response, and executive leadership.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Business Continuity Planner

SOC 13-1199.00

You've been rigorously trained to maintain operations under duress and troubleshoot complex systems. As a Business Continuity Planner (13-1199.00), you'll develop and implement strategies to ensure an organization can continue functioning after a disruption. Your experience in degraded-mode operations and system modeling translates directly to this role, where you'll analyze potential risks, develop contingency plans, and coordinate recovery efforts.

Technical Trainer

SOC 25-9044.00

You've developed a deep understanding of complex avionics systems, coupled with communication abilities as an airborne communicator. As a Technical Trainer (25-9044.00), you'll leverage your experience to train others on complex equipment and procedures. Your skills in system modeling, procedural compliance, and situational awareness make you uniquely qualified to create engaging and effective training programs.

Emergency Management Specialist

SOC 11-9161.00

You've maintained safety and operational effectiveness in high-pressure environments. As an Emergency Management Specialist (11-9161.00), you'll leverage your situational awareness and rapid prioritization skills to coordinate responses to emergencies and disasters. Your experience in degraded-mode operations and tactical communication will enable you to develop and implement emergency plans, conduct training exercises, and ensure community resilience.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Aircrewman Candidate School (ACS), Naval Air Station Pensacola, FL; Aviation Technical Training Center (ATTC), Naval Air Station Pensacola, FL; P-8A Poseidon Fleet Replacement Aircrew Training (FRAT), Naval Air Station Jacksonville, FL

1,200 training hours30 weeksUp to 21 semester hours recommended

Topics Covered

  • Aviation Physiology and Survival
  • Aircraft Electrical and Electronic Systems
  • Avionics Troubleshooting and Repair
  • Electronic Warfare Principles
  • Acoustic Sensor Systems
  • Navigation Systems
  • In-flight Maintenance Procedures
  • Aircrew Coordination and Communication

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Electronics Technician (CET)60% covered

Study consumer electronics, troubleshooting techniques specific to civilian devices, and current industry standards.

CompTIA Network+40% covered

Focus on network topologies, protocols, cybersecurity basics, and cloud networking concepts relevant to civilian IT infrastructure.

Recommended Next Certifications

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

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
AN/APS-149 Littoral Surveillance Radar System (LSRS)Maritime surveillance radar systems for coastal monitoring and search and rescue
AN/ALQ-210 Electronic Support Measures (ESM) SystemSpectrum analyzers and signal intelligence (SIGINT) collection software
AN/ASQ-265 Advanced Airborne Sensor System (AASS)High-resolution imaging systems and data processing software for aerial surveys
High Frequency Global Communications System (HFGCS)Global HF radio communication networks for emergency and remote communications
Satellite Communication Systems (SATCOM)Commercial satellite internet and communication services (e.g., Starlink, HughesNet)
Aircraft Communication Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS)Aviation data link services for airline operational control (e.g., ARINC, SITA)
Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS)/Link 16Military-grade secure communication networks (no direct civilian equivalent, but experience translates to expertise in secure network administration and data encryption)

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